Last year, East Newton’s Arielle Miller finished off her first State Cross Country Championship experience with a disappointing 97th place finish while running a 23:18. A mid-season illness saw Arielle’s once promising freshman season fade slowly from top 10 All-State potential to being her team’s number 6 runner. Now, one year later, that disappointment has fueled the East Newton sophomore to three sub 19 minute performances and the brink of the impossible: A State Championship.
MoRunners (MR): What are your goals for this season?
Arielle Miller (AM): Team wise, I want my team to be 2nd or at least place in the top 4 at State. Individually, I want to win State.
MR: What has been your biggest influence in regard to running?
AM: I would have to say that my dad has been my biggest inspiration in running. My dad ran in college but was injured, so he didn’t get the chance to go as far as he’d like in running. That is kind of what got me started, I wanted to carry on with the sport that he loves.
MR: What has been your best racing experience?
AM: Hmm, winning our Conference race this year by nearly 2 minutes was a lot of fun. But, I also have enjoyed the races this season where our coach has made our top five girls run together. I think these runs have really helped to bring us closer.
MR: What do you credit for your huge turnaround this season?
AM: I would have to say that running camp this summer was a great experience, it taught me how hard work and dedication do indeed pay off. But, really it started last winter during indoor track at the Arkansas meet. Getting to race against great runners like Ashley Scott really motivated me to want to get better.
MR: Where do you see running taking you?
AM: Hopefully, running will get me into a really nice college and maybe the Olympics. Running in the Olympics would be a great experience; getting to run for your country against other nations, that would be awesome.
MR: What are your hobbies?
AM: I like to cook and bake…and obviously, running. Outside of church and family, there doesn’t really seem to be time for anything else.
MR: What is your favorite type of course?
AM: I really like hilly courses because all of my summer training was geared toward running on hilly courses. All of those hills and hilly courses have better prepared me for State.
(picture courtesty of Debra Miller)
MR: Who is your biggest cross country rival?
AM: I don’t really have a rival, it seems like all of us runners are just a big group of friends. I try not to make rivals out of other runners because I know what they going through during a race.
morunners.com quick six:
MR: Favorite school subject?
AM: Math, because I really enjoy it and find it easy.
MR: Favorite song?
AM: “Dear Dad” by Coach Holt (inside joke, not shared)
MR: Favorite movie?
AM: Pre, because, duh, it’s a running movie. That’s what I’m all about.
MR: Favorite running shoes?
AM: Nike Air Pegasus
MR: Favorite pre-meet meal?
AM: Spaghetti, it’s a tradition. It gives me a good balance of carbs and proteins.
MR: With running, do you have time for a boyfriend?
AM: Yes, but he too is a fellow runner…Caleb Hoover of College Heights.
MR: Thanks for a great interview, Arielle! We look forward to seeing your successes as the post season nears.