Perry's cross country girls were strong in 2019 and look even stronger in 2020. A big reason for that is Kylie Miller, who is now a senior running for the Pumas. She is currently ranked #13 in all of Arizona, #2 senior in Arizona, and #6 ranked girl in Division I.
Kylie took the time to answer some questions for us about himself and the season thus far - here are his responses:
(If applicable) Where will you be running in college next year?
Undecided
What are your XC goals for this season?
My cross country goals for this XC season include continuing to improve and succeed as a team.
What has been the strangest thing about training for XC during the pandemic?
The strangest thing about training for XC during the pandemic has been not being able to hug or high-five my teammates after workouts.
Who is your toughest competition?
My teammates are my toughest competition.
How are you liking racing in these waves at meets this season?
Racing in waves allows me to focus on improving my personal times and competing with my teammates.
What is the biggest difference you in racing last year to this year?
The biggest difference from racing last year to this year is how I mentally prepare for my races.
Who is your biggest fan/supporter? How do he/she/they show you this support?
My biggest supporters are my family. This includes my immediate family and extended family that attend every meet and encourage my aspirations in running. My number one supporter is my twin sister, Kate. She is my built-in training partner and best friend that pushes me to be a better person, student, and athlete every day.
How was your summer training affected by Covid this summer? What was similar from previous years? What was different about it?
My summer training has been affected by COVID this summer due to not being able to meet with my team and coaches. However, I decided to focus on the positives and what I could control. I trained with my twin sister, Kate, which was similar to years previous, but it was different without our coaches being there.
How long have you been running? What do you enjoy most about running/xc?
Growing up, I used to play soccer and in first grade, I attended Running Club as an after school program. I would race the boys and fell in love with running. Then when I shied away from soccer in middle school, I began to focus solely on cross country and track. To this day, I enjoy being able to push myself past my limits and becoming a stronger person both mentally and physically.
Is there a song, movie, show, or saying that motivates you or keeps you focused on your goals? If yes, what is it and why?
The song "The Champion" by Carrie Underwood motivates me before races because it helps me relax and focus on my goals.
What's your pre-race meal?
My pre-race meal is a peanut butter banana bagel.
Do you have any superstitions before the night of a race? (Any clothing you have to wear? Song you have to listen to? Food you need to eat? Etc.) If yes, how did this start?
One of my superstitions the night before a race is that I have to wear a shirt from a race that I have PR'd at. This started during my freshman year to remind myself of my capabilities and that "the hay is in the barn". In other words, all of the hard work is done and now it's time for the fun part, which is racing.
