James Wood High School 18-year-old senior
Sport: Track & field. Main events: Discus and shot put
Parents: Justin and Julie Miller
Hometown: Winchester
What do you love about track & field?: The opportunity to be outside and do physical activity with my friends.
Most memorable moment in track & field: At districts, when I qualified for states. (Miller had a mark of 143-0 to place fourth. Miller ranked second in the area in the discus this season.) The year before, I missed [qualifying for] states by a couple inches, so I was pretty frustrated. So it was a big goal for me to get to states this season.
Most embarrassing moment in track & field: Sophomore year, I sprained my ankle in a throwers’ relay race in Maryland, and I wasn’t able to throw in the discus.
Most difficult moment in track & field: Start of junior year, I dislocated my kneecap and missed all of indoor season. The hardest part of coming back from that was getting physically ready again, because I started late for outdoor season.
Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: My grandfather Ralph; I love my grandfather. He’s my biggest inspiration. And George Washington and Woodrow Wilson; I’d be interested in talking to them because I love history.
Biggest athletic influence: Quincy Wilson. (As a 16-year-old at Maryland’s Bullis School, Wilson helped the U.S. qualify for the 4×400-meter finals at the 2024 Olympics by running the leadoff leg for the U.S. in its heat.) For a high-schooler to do what he did, it shows you’re not too young to do anything.
Favorite teacher: Ms. [Julie] Rathman. She was my English teacher this year. She’ll talk to you about anything.
Favorite sports team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite movie: “Mission: Impossible” (1996)
Favorite song: “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill
Favorite food: Lasagna. I like it homemade.
Worst thing you’ve eaten: I like sushi, but I had bad gas station sushi once.
Plans after high school: I plan to join the work force, probably something like HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). [HVAC work] is something different every day. It’s not like an office job. You’re building something.
— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki