Mike Miller of Illinois Valley overcomes serious accident to become 4-time champion: Oregon wrestling 113/105 small-school roundup
Illinois Valley senior Mike Miller took his time to savor the moment he became his school’s first four-time wrestling state champion.
Then, he reflected on what he called “a pivotal point in my life” — the day almost 20 months ago when he lost control of his truck while driving with friends to a local river, breaking his femur and putting his wrestling career at risk.
“That was the lesson that I needed to learn,” he said Friday night at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum after pinning Pine Eagle’s Hunter Buck 27 seconds into the third period of their Class 2A/1A 113-pound final at the OSAA state championships.
“I am just thankful for God that He still wants me here. I’m thankful for everything He’s given me, and to come out here two more times and win is amazing.”
Before a throng of family and friends who traveled north from Cave Junction or flew in from around the country, Miller found a way to overcome a 6-2 deficit late in the first round to get the historic win.
“That was the toughest one I’d say so far,” Miller said. “But I pulled through.”
Was he feeling the pressure of the moment?
“Yeah, but pressure is good,” he said. “That’s what kept me alive out there. I’m thankful for pressure. That’s what helps you scramble out of it. It’s what helped me push through it.”
Miller came back in the second round with an escape and takedown but gave up a caution point to tie the score at 7-7 going to the final period.
Buck chose to have both wrestlers neutral to start the round, and Miller quickly capitalized by taking Buck straight to his back, finally getting the pin as the corner of the Coliseum where Cougars fans stood roared in approval.
“After that first takedown, I was on it,” said Miller, who finished his career with a 95-12 record. “I made a couple of sloppy moves, but I just stayed in good position and kept the pressure on him.”
4A: Cascade junior Skyler Sutton denied Tillamook’s Bryce Haltiner a second title, defeating the Cheesemakers senior 5-0 to help the Cougars take home the fourth-place trophy.
3A: La Pine junior Riley Flack won his first title when Glide’s Elijah Hatfield had to default the final because of an injury suffered during the first round of their final.
4A/3A/2A/1A Girls: Oakridge sophomore Vanessa Keller moved halfway to joining Miller in the four-timer club with an 11-8 decision over North Valley’s Sarah Gonzales in the 105 final.
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