Megan Miller Article (FL)

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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/highschool ... _0428.html

Physics of success


By Hannon Deutsch

Special to The Palm Beach Post


Thursday, April 28, 2005


Megan Miller knows exactly how to optimize energy conversion in a sport where more than 600 of the body's muscles are put to work.


The Boca Raton junior's sport is pole vaulting, an often-overlooked event that remains one of the toughest to master.


"There are not too many people that try pole vaulting just because it's an outrageous and dangerous sport," said Miller, who is in her fifth year pole vaulting. "I believe it's growing, but right now it's overlooked."


Miller placed first in the event at the District 16-3A meet by clearing 12 feet and will get her chance to better that height today when she competes in the Region 4-3A meet at Titusville-Astronaut.


Miller's consistent jumps lead some to believe she has the potential to surpass the state record of 12 feet, 8 inches set in 1998 by Dwyer's Deanna Shuler.


Miller, who transferred from a school in New Mexico to Boca Raton last year, has cleared 12 feet five times at meets. Lori Bowen of Tallahassee-Maclay is the only other girl in the state to clear 12 feet this year.


In practice, Miller routinely clears a bungee cord set at the state record â€â€

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl- ... -headlines

Megan Miller's final state meet didn't go quite as she hoped. Sure, the FAU senior won her second pole vault state championship, but not in the way she hoped.

Her winning jump of 11 feet was a foot shy of her personal best.

"I am kind of disappointed in my whole season, to tell you the truth," said Miller, who won the 3A state title at Boca Raton last year.

For an athlete who hopes to fly F16 Fighting Falcons and will compete for the Air Force Academy next year, winning isn't as much fun as reaching a new height.

"I wanted to be able to have fun vaulting today, trying to focus and be able to go toward some good heights," Miller said. "That's when I am able to have fun. I didn't really get to have fun today."