FEATURE


September 11, 2002

The Millers of Manheim.
A pair of prodigies.
By Don Rich

As the race was unfolding, Ryan Blood, a senior from East Pennsboro, and a very talented runner (Penn Relays 3000, PA Indoor State Champ in the 3000, District III XC Champion), was pushing the pace as they approached
the mile. He gapped the lead pack, with the exception of one guy. That
guy turned out to be Craig Miller, a 9th grader. Just after the mile, Craig
was gapped by Blood, briefly, but pulled even as they passed through the 1.5 mile mark (photo @ left). Just behind him, seasoned Cumberland Valley runner Brian Fuller, a junior, was accompanied by Craig's twin, Brad (photo @ right). Then there was the rest of the race.

"I had no idea who they were before the race," said Blood.
"But I do now."




So where did these guys come from? Well, they grew up in Lancaster.
So they're not from another planet. And apparently they're
just very active guys. And when we say active, we can't emphasize that
fact enough.

They play soccer. They bike. They swim. They run. They play lacrosse.
When they're not sleeping, eating, or studying, they're basically
aerobic. Which partially explains how they can come out to their first
invitational and run 15:59 and 16:18, getting 1st and 4th. They also
seem to be blessed with great genes. As one athlete commented who saw
the race, "they've got big hearts and huge lungs. You can't coach that."

According to Craig, they decided to run cross country this year after
soccer season ended last year when they were in middle school, "because
I'm better at cross country. And soccer wasn't that much fun anymore"
They do have some running experience. Both ran cross country in 7th
grade. Brad won the league title. They both switched to soccer in 8th
grade. They play basketball. They love lacrosse, and will probably
switch to that sport for the spring (say it ain't so!). And they both swim and bike.
Brad ran track last spring, getting 4:41 in the 1600 and 2:04 in the 800.
"Two weeks before track started, I ran every day. So that (the times)
weren't a big surprise. I expected to go that fast, because in 7th
grade, I ran a 4:48 1600. Actually, I was kind of disappointed I didn't
go any faster."

That amount of aerobic activity can explain how they can perform as they
did, because their summer running was limited to only about 130 miles
each, TOTAL!. "But we had swim team practice every morning. And we went
to a basketball camp. So we didn't just sit around all summer," noted
Brad. Craig added, "We were active. And I ride my bike a lot."

They both think they have found a sport they can enjoy as individuals
and as a part of a team. Plus, they have a pretty good idea of what
their team could become. Brad pointed out that their fastest runner from
last year is currently hurt. Tyler Nickels, now a senior, was 15th in
District III and 51st at States. They hope Nickels is back in a few
weeks. "When he comes back, we're going to be pretty good," Craig
continued. "Right now, we only have two seniors in our top eight. And
the rest of our team is us (two freshmen), and four sophomores." (soph
Harry Dixon was 16th in 17:03). "So in two years…"
Editor: We'll save that prediction for another time.

Suffice it to say that their coach, Terry Lee (below with Brad, left, and Craig),
who has guided other top runners at Manheim Township, most recently Mike Baird,
is happy to have the two prodigies. "Now it's up to me to refine their talent."

"This is going to be fun."

We couldn't agree more.