It’s double trouble for Twin Valley’s Sarah Ann Miller
Track and Field coverage sponsored by ATT Sports., Inc.
By Sam Cavalieri — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Sarah Ann Miller wasn’t very excited after she romped in the 400 at the 80th William H. Firing Memorial Victory Meet Saturday.
Then they posted her time and she erupted. She was in disbelief when she asked one of her coaches if the time was real. It was as real as her speed. The Twin Valley senior stopped the clock in 56.85 for a PR and a Top 10 time in the state; her previous best was 57.85 last week at the Henderson Invitational, where she finished third.
The feat is even more impressive when you consider that she was geared down for the last stretch of the race as she held a clear lead over her nearest competitor. Miller wanted to save something for the 800, her leg in the 4×400 and the 200.
“I had people telling me the distance I had left (in the 400),” Miller said. “Today is just about points.”
She wanted points and she got plenty. She led Twin Valley to the team silver. She was a double gold winner, taking the 800 comfortably. She finished in 2:15.15, just off her personal best of 2:14.85, which ranks 16th-best in the state.
She also was a part of a 4×400 team that finished second to Wilson.
It was Miller’s run in the 400, though, that has potentially changed her trajectory for the rest of the season and beyond Berks County. Coming into the day and, even after her sparkling time in the 400, she believed the 800 was her best event.
“I think it’s going to be a little bit difficult making the decision now to run the 4 or the 8 because doubling up like that at districts or states is not ideal, and usually people don’t do that,” Miller said.
It sounds like a good problem to have — a Top 10 time in the state in your second-best event. The result should propel Miller as she wraps up her scholastic career. She has the school record in both the 400 and 800 and Saturday put up a time to put her on the radar for districts and states in the 400.
“(A Top 10 ranking), that’s insane,” Miller said after the performance had finally sunk in. “I’m still blown away. I am just proud of how I did.”
There was no indication yet which race she’ll run at districts next week. She finished fifth in the 800 last year in Class 3A.
“I am in a good spot and there’s definitely a lot of motivation to do better in both now that I know I am in a pretty good group,” Miller said. “I am excited that I have the opportunity to choose.”
