Jeffery Miller has proven to be a force not only in D3, but nationally as a distance runner. Arizona Milesplit Photo.
Jeffery Miller has been awarded boys athlete of the week for beating division 3 rival Jordan Gardner under adverse conditions at the Winslow Invitational in the 1600.
While Carlos Villarreal takes a lot of the headlines, what many track and field fans in Arizona don't know is that the Grand Canyon State has 2 top 25 2-milers. Jeffery Miller performances not only rank him 25th in the 2-mile but 42nd in the mile as well this season. Not bad for being from one of the small towns in the state. Jeffery doesn't see running for a smaller school as a disadvantage. In fact he enjoys training up near the Utah border. “The elevation is really nice. Running in deep sand is also really nice. It is painful but it helps us get faster." Whatever the secret it has been working.
Jeffery is very humble about his success, often crediting his teammates and coach for helping him run so well. “I enjoy having the completion in practice. It really helps me improve," he said of teammates Tyron Yazzie and Justin Littleman, both ranked division 3 runners. “We are always there to push each other. We also talk some strategy amongst ourselves." Iron sharpens iron in races as well, like this weekend when he had to race Snowflakes Jordan Gardner Jeffery knows the challenges makes him better. “If we sat back and ran 4:30 for an easy first we wouldn't improve as much as we do."
Getting to see Jeffery take on Carlos again at state should be a real treat for spectators. One might wonder when you are on that level is winning or time more important. “I weigh them both equally," Jeffery explained of his priorities, “I run to win and to get that PR." Jeffery is focused on competing well at state and has chosen to taper for it in lieu of a national post season meet. Look for him to put up a few fast times before he graduates high school. He is slated to run the 1600m, 3200m and 4x800m at the state meet. You won't want to miss any of them.