Vallejo's Miller dominant as junior
By RYAN GARNER, Times-Herald sports writer
Article Launched: 01/02/2007 06:41:18 AM PST
Angie Miller
Dominant has become a fitting adjective to describe Angie Miller this season.
The talented senior finished first at the Lady Lancer wrestling tournament in Manteca over the weekend, compiling a perfect 5-0 record.
Building on a successful junior year, Miller has become a star on the Vallejo High wrestling team, improving her discipline in a sport that requires strength, sacrifice and determination. Finishing undefeated and earning tournament MVP honors at nearly every event, she's matured into a dominant wrestler.
"She is more focused this year on her technique, and she's grown a lot technically speaking," said Vallejo wrestling coach Mike Minahen. "She's always been physical, but the technical side has caught up with it this year."
More confident and less patient than she's been in previous years, Miller used to wait to capitalize on an opponent's mistakes. This season she's the aggressor, creating mistakes and leaving opponents on their back.
"I've focused on my shots this year," Miller said. "Last year I wouldn't usually shoot, I would just wait for the opponent to make a move, but now I go after them."
Competing between 138 and 144 pounds, Miller's a threat at either weight, against either gender. She's
found success wrestling against boys in some events this season, and the stronger opponents have only helped her improve.
A large part of her success has been a focus on training and practicing harder, putting herself in the best position to win every time she steps on the mat.
"Her conditioning has been great," Minahen said. "She rides the bike at home and jumps rope in the garage. It's really helped her a lot."
Miller has become such a strong wrestler that her matches are becoming shorter every week, leaving less time for opponents to make adjustments. Her five matches in Manteca averaged only 1:12, and each match ended with a pin.
"I just try to wrestle my best," Miller said. "I try to make (a match) last so I can watch the tapes and see what I have to work on, but sometimes I just have to take them out."
Expecting a top three finish at last year's state championship tournament, Miller settled for fourth place. She followed it up with an impressive sixth-place showing at nationals.
"I think she can be a state champion this year," Minahen said. "Maybe top three in the nation, but it's still too early to tell."
Miller credits her success with an increased work ethic and plenty of help from her coaches. Focused on making technical improvements, she's hoping for a strong finish among the best in the nation.
"I want to place really high in state and place in the top four at nationals," Miller said. "I'm hoping to take my senior year out with a bang."
Other nominees:
Christine Alcantara, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 103-pound "B" bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament in Manteca.
Krystalle Alcantara, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 103-pound "A" bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament.
Denisha Brown, Hogan girls basketball - Had 19 points versus Dixon, 11 against Hercules and was named to the all-tournament team in the Ruby division at the West Coast Jamboree.
Alex Cowling, St. Pat's girls basketball - Averaged over 30 points per game in the tough Emerald division at the West Coast Jamboree, and was named to the all-tournament team. St. Pat's took third place, behind Cowling's 23 points against Pinole Valley and 37 against Montgomery - both highly-ranked teams - and 32 more in a win against Carondolet.
Monica Gonzalez, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 165-pound bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament.
Erika Ruiz, St. Pat's girls basketball - Drilled 3 3-pointers in third-place game victory against Carondolet and was named to Emerald division's all-tournament team.
Sare'ya Shorter, Vallejo girls basketball - 24 points in win against Harvard Westlake highlighted her performances as Vallejo took fifth place in the Diamond division of the West Coast Jamboree, where Shorter was named to the all-tournament team.
Catherine Villalon, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 98-pound bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament.
E-mail Ryan Garner at [email protected] or call 553-6822.
Article Launched: 01/02/2007 06:41:18 AM PST
Angie Miller
Dominant has become a fitting adjective to describe Angie Miller this season.
The talented senior finished first at the Lady Lancer wrestling tournament in Manteca over the weekend, compiling a perfect 5-0 record.
Building on a successful junior year, Miller has become a star on the Vallejo High wrestling team, improving her discipline in a sport that requires strength, sacrifice and determination. Finishing undefeated and earning tournament MVP honors at nearly every event, she's matured into a dominant wrestler.
"She is more focused this year on her technique, and she's grown a lot technically speaking," said Vallejo wrestling coach Mike Minahen. "She's always been physical, but the technical side has caught up with it this year."
More confident and less patient than she's been in previous years, Miller used to wait to capitalize on an opponent's mistakes. This season she's the aggressor, creating mistakes and leaving opponents on their back.
"I've focused on my shots this year," Miller said. "Last year I wouldn't usually shoot, I would just wait for the opponent to make a move, but now I go after them."
Competing between 138 and 144 pounds, Miller's a threat at either weight, against either gender. She's
found success wrestling against boys in some events this season, and the stronger opponents have only helped her improve.
A large part of her success has been a focus on training and practicing harder, putting herself in the best position to win every time she steps on the mat.
"Her conditioning has been great," Minahen said. "She rides the bike at home and jumps rope in the garage. It's really helped her a lot."
Miller has become such a strong wrestler that her matches are becoming shorter every week, leaving less time for opponents to make adjustments. Her five matches in Manteca averaged only 1:12, and each match ended with a pin.
"I just try to wrestle my best," Miller said. "I try to make (a match) last so I can watch the tapes and see what I have to work on, but sometimes I just have to take them out."
Expecting a top three finish at last year's state championship tournament, Miller settled for fourth place. She followed it up with an impressive sixth-place showing at nationals.
"I think she can be a state champion this year," Minahen said. "Maybe top three in the nation, but it's still too early to tell."
Miller credits her success with an increased work ethic and plenty of help from her coaches. Focused on making technical improvements, she's hoping for a strong finish among the best in the nation.
"I want to place really high in state and place in the top four at nationals," Miller said. "I'm hoping to take my senior year out with a bang."
Other nominees:
Christine Alcantara, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 103-pound "B" bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament in Manteca.
Krystalle Alcantara, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 103-pound "A" bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament.
Denisha Brown, Hogan girls basketball - Had 19 points versus Dixon, 11 against Hercules and was named to the all-tournament team in the Ruby division at the West Coast Jamboree.
Alex Cowling, St. Pat's girls basketball - Averaged over 30 points per game in the tough Emerald division at the West Coast Jamboree, and was named to the all-tournament team. St. Pat's took third place, behind Cowling's 23 points against Pinole Valley and 37 against Montgomery - both highly-ranked teams - and 32 more in a win against Carondolet.
Monica Gonzalez, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 165-pound bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament.
Erika Ruiz, St. Pat's girls basketball - Drilled 3 3-pointers in third-place game victory against Carondolet and was named to Emerald division's all-tournament team.
Sare'ya Shorter, Vallejo girls basketball - 24 points in win against Harvard Westlake highlighted her performances as Vallejo took fifth place in the Diamond division of the West Coast Jamboree, where Shorter was named to the all-tournament team.
Catherine Villalon, Hogan wrestling - Took first place in the 98-pound bracket at the Lady Lancer tournament.
E-mail Ryan Garner at [email protected] or call 553-6822.
