Published: June 7, 2014
Chasing down a state title
Alec Miller becomes first champion for West in over 30 years
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News
LA CROSSE — Mike Vorpahl and West Bend West’s boys track and
field team has waited more than 30 years for this moment. Vorpahl was a bit
choked up.
For the first time in school history, the Spartans had
someone stand on the top step of the podium at the WIAA State Track and Field
Championship Meet as Alec Miller won the 1,600-meter run, a year after
finishing second in the same event.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” Vorpahl said. “The
excitement is way up there right now.”
Miller was honored and surprised to be the first West boys
track and field state champion, considering West has had a run of talented
runners, the most notable being Boyd Janto and Scott Hammer. Hammer led West to
a state cross-country championship in the early 1990s, but nobody ever made it
to the pinnacle in high school track and field with West Spartans etched across
the chest of the uniform.
Miller finally gave West something to be proud of in track
and field.
“I was trembling,” Vorpahl said of his emotions when Miller
crossed the finish line.
Vorpahl wasn’t afraid to admit he was fighting back tears.
Alec Miller’s twin brother, Aric, was fourth.
Alec Miller’s winning time was 4:10.25, nine seconds faster
than his seed time. He beat Wisconsin Lutheran’s Eric Brown II, the event’s top
seed, by more than one second (4:11.51). Aric Miller’s time was 4:13.64.
“It’s amazing; I’m so happy,” Alec Miller said. “I’m so
thankful for all my fans and my coaches to prepare me for this race.”
Vorpahl has been the coach of the Spartans’ track and field
team for nine years, but he’s been associated with the program in some capacity
for 33 years.
“Four years ago when Aric and Alec came into this program, I
thought we had a very good chance at it,” Vorpahl said when asked if he ever
doubted if West would ever get a state champion in boys track and field. “Last
year, (Alec) had a gutsy move, coming from the back to take second in the
1,600.
“He did an outstanding job today,” Vorpahl added. “He went
after it and wasn’t going to be denied. He lost so many close races in close
meets this year. It’s nice to have one come out on the top end and in such a
decisive manner.”
Miller lost plenty of those races to Brown.
“I knew it was going to be tough competition,” Miller said.
In 33 years, Vorpahl had seen almost everything. When the
Millers came into the program, he knew something special was going to
eventually happen by the time they were seniors.
“When you have athletes that talented (with) that type of
work ethic, those don’t come around that often,” Vorpahl said. 'There are kids
that have a lot of heart and just don’t have the talent or they have the talent
and just rely on that.
“When you have these two guys when they have both, it’s
something special.”
West girls coach Jerry Halopka was thrilled for his
colleague.
“Having the two Millers come through the program; they’re
special athletes,” he said. “But you still have to have coaches that coach
them. He’s one of the happiest men around here. I’m happy for him.”
Miller was confident about his chance of winning a state
title after last year’s competition. At state last year, Miller got boxed in
during his race, which put him at a disadvantage early on, but still rallied
for an impressive finish.
“Taking second place last year, that was a big confidence
booster,” Miller said. “Last year I was not expecting to come in second place.
So being the top returning runner coming into this race felt great.”
He had high hopes going into the cross-country season and
his senior year in general. However, he came down with mononucleosis at about
the midway point of the cross-country season, which sidelined him for some
meets.
“That was so tough,” Miller said. “It took me almost a
month; it gets you mentally and physically. Taking a month off is a big deal in
the sport of running. I was glad I was able to come back.”
As he tried to work back into a rhythm, his training runs
were scary. He was about two minutes off his regular pace in his first week
back in competition.
He gradually built it back up.
The Wisconsin Little Ten Conference Championship was his
first meet back from mono and he doubted if he would even finish the race.
“I was really tired,” Miller said.
When cross-country was finished, Miller took some additional
time off to get rested and it helped.
“I just started pounding the miles in the winter,” Miller
said.
“It took a while, but I felt great,” he added.
Aric Miller wasn’t disappointed with fourth.
“I’m so happy about it; it was absolutely awesome,” Miller
said.
He was equally, if not more, excited for his brother.
“I’m so happy; beyond words,” he added. “I’m so happy for my
brother. That’s something he’s always dreamed about.”
It’s something West has always dreamed about.
“To get one is special,” Vorpahl said.
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