I feel bad for the ladies at Mids. There are so few spots for nationals and they now have to compete against Alissa Czisny, a former national champion, and a current grand prix series gold medalist for one of them. I feel like even if she bombs, she's pretty sure to still medal on PCS alone (Just to be silly, I looked it up. Her SC PCS score total was 89.73. I know these aren't all her section (or any?) This score she would have placed 2nd at Northwest Pacific regionals and 5th at North Atlantics, New Englands, and Eastern Great Lakes. That's with NO TCS).
Based on last years standings, yeah, Alissa didn't earn her bye- but if she had just been named to a different grand prix, last week, or this week, she would have gotten one (or she may have shown up at sectionals after Skate Canada as a washed up skater who needs to retire- there was no way of knowing). But now, it's ridiculous to have her at sectionals with the skate she gave on the GP. So many skaters out there train for nothing more than a shot to get to nationals, knowing once they are there they'll be low on the totem pole- why woudld USFS take the chance away for one of them?
I seem to recall "discretion" byes given out before- why can't USFS make give her one based on her GP win? (Apparently it's the first american grand prix win since Kimmie Meissner? Is that true?)