GREENSBORO, N.C. -- There are some things sixth-graders can do and other things they cannot.
They cannot drive cars. They cannot go to R-rated movies by themselves. In most states, they cannot even compete against high schoolers in track and field events.
Until recently, sixth grade girls weren't running 100 meter times in 11.67 seconds, either.
But on Friday, that barrier came crashing down when 12-year-old Melanie Doggett of Atlanta, Georgia ran that time in the semifinals of the girls National Elite division at adidas Outdoor Nationals at Truist Stadium.
"It was a really fun experience, and I'm glad I got to have it," said Doggett, who runs for Major Impact Track Club.
The performance is now a new World age group record, surpassing the former mark of 11.75 seconds, which was last set by Payton Payne in 2019.
It's also a U.S. sixth-grade class record, which was last set in 2015 by Tamari Davis in 11.77 seconds. Davis, a former youth track and field icon, is now a professional sprinter for adidas.
"I didn't do anything special," Doggett said of her World age group record. "I just pushed."
Doggett's previous best? That came in April at the Champions United Spring Track Series when she clocked a time of 11.98 seconds.
Of course, Doggett being 12 years old, she could be forgiven for not being invincible.
Just a few hours later, she finished second in the National Elite final beside her teammate Somto Igwilo, who won the championship in 11.63 (+1.3) seconds.
Doggett accounted herself well, following in 11.78 seconds.