Miller shares championship drive with student athletes
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MIFFLINTOWN - Jeff Miller was brutally honest: no one cared about competitive running. To him, it was arguably one of the most boring sports to watch, just barely ahead of baseball and golf.
In his mind, nobody wants to watch a group of sweaty, exhausted runners wearing short-shorts jog around a dirt trail for 15 to 25 minutes. And why would anyone in their right mind ever actually want to participate in that madness?
After all, cross country doesn't require the skill or offer the excitement of soaring through the air like pole vaulting. Or the glitz and glamor of skying above the rim and dunking a basketball.
Once Miller gave the sport a try 36 years ago, he's been on the run ever since. Today, he and his wife, Shari, are champions of a sport that he's completely enamored with. They've coached the cross country team at Juniata High School - a cooperative team with athletes from Juniata and East Juniata high schools and Juniata Christian School.
The 57-year-old Miller never fathomed a sport could have impacted his life like running.
"I started track my freshman year at Chief Logan in 1983," Miller recalled. "My step brother taught me how to pole vault using trees as our pole and crossbar.
"I was always trying to dunk a basketball, so when I reached ninth grade I came out for track and field to high jump and pole vault," Miller added.
Pole vaulting proved treacherous to Miller, who broke his arm while practicing in a backyard mishap.
"The small tree I was using as my pole-vaulting pole broke when I was attempting to clear nine feet over several barrels with a tree across them," he explained.
"We had to land on our feet because we had no mats to land on," Miller added. "I mainly concentrated on the pole vault and high jump until my junior year when my coach Ron Sprecher started putting me in the 4×800 relay and 3,200-meter run if I was done with the high jump and pole vault in a meet."
Miller fared well in distance events in track, with little training due to focusing on pole vault and high jump. In fact, he held the Mifflin County role in the pole vault for a while at 12 feet-6 inches.
He was seeded first in the district his senior year going into the championship meet but suffered an injury in warmups when he missed the mat.
"I got second but missed going to states," Miller lamented. "I was a 6-1 high jumper in high school also. Coach Sprecher was always trying to get me out for cross country, but I thought it would be very boring since my younger brother, Brian, would tell me about 13-mile long runs they were doing in cross country."
Despite Jeff being a year older, the Miller boys were in the same grade because he was held back in second grade.
Finally, Miller relented to Sprecher and came out for the cross country team as a sophomore, participating with the Juniata Valley Striders Running Club.
Two years later, he decided to run in his senior year of high school in 1985.
"I excelled instantly with my ability to work hard and punish myself," Miller said. "I won the time trial to see who was going to make the varsity team for our first cross country meet. Throughout the 1985 season I was number one or number two on the team and placed second at Districts and 21st at states at Lehigh University."
Back then, only the top 20 finishers received medals, and Miller had just missed the cut.
"I was devastated just missing a medal," he said. "My lack of cross-country experience hurt me in the state meet. I was in 110th place by the mile and gradually moved up but ran out of distance to make all-state."
After graduating from Chief Logan in 1986, Miller went on to compete for the cross country and track and field teams at Thaddeus Stevens State School of Technology in Lancaster. Though he majored in electronics, Miller admitted he mainly went to college to continue his athletic career; he only picked a trade because I had to.
"Stevens was a two-year program. In my first year competing in cross country, I was the top runner on the team, but couldn't compete in any races after the regular season because we weren't joined in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association)."
During his first year of track at Stevens in 1987, Miller competed in the pole vault, high jump and distance events. However, he gave up pole vault after breaking his pole in practice.
" I couldn't afford to buy a $400 pole at the time and the school didn't provide them," Miller explained. "I didn't have much success in distance events that season either because of a hip injury that put me out for half the season.
He fared much better in his second season - and last year at Stevens - in 1987-88, winning a regional cross country crown and finishing 37th in the nation at the NJCAA Cross Country Championships in Overland Park, Kan.
"I wasn't going to go out for track my second year at Stevens because I had to work to pay my way through school," Miller said. "I compromised with my track coach to allow me to miss practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I could work."
Who says practice makes perfect? In 1988, Miller captured another regional title, this time winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase and qualifying for nationals where he placed seventh at the NJCAA Track and Field Championships held in Odessa, Texas.
"I gave up running for six months after college because of the tough transition of working on my feet all day." Miller said. "I picked it back up after that and have never stopped running or biking for the past 36 years unless I was injured."
Proudest athletic accomplishments
Miller's resume is also long as his lanky strides. Reading the lengthy list almost leaves you winded. Oh, by the way, he's also a competitive cyclist, too. Here goes:
25-time winner of the Goose Day Race in Lewistown and course record holder for both the 5K and 10K races.
Six-time duathlon national age group champion in the 5K and 10K run and 40K bike events.
14-time winner of the Clearfield 5-mile Uphill Time Trial for cyclists.
Personal best time of 14:37 for running 5K.
Seventh place the 3,000-meter steeplechase at NJCAA Track and Field Championships.
Raced in the 100th edition of the Boston Marathon in 1996.
Pennsylvania State Cat I/II Champion of the 40K cycling time trial in 2005.
World Duathlon champion in the 35- to 39-age group 5K and 10K runs and 40K bike events in 2006.
Silver medal World Duathlon championship in the 40- to 44-age group 5K and10K runs and 40K bike events in 2009.
Masters National 3,000-meter steeplechase 40-plus age division in 2009.
Being inducted into Stevens' Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024.
Coaching wasn't in the stars
Miller never really thought much about coaching since his competitive career is still going strong in running and cycling. If not for his son, Lance, he might not have even gotten into coaching.
Miller coached the high jump for the Juniata Valley Striders in 2010, but also ran with the distance runners when he could.
"I continued to help coach Sprecher with the youth program in cross country and track and field until 2016," Miller said.
That year he started coaching Juniata High School product Garrett Baublitz. Since cross country wasn't a varsity sport at Juniata, Baublitz competed as an independent.
"I had worked with Garrett through the Juniata Valley Striders since his fifth-grade year in cross country and track and got to know his family very well," Miller explained.
Much like his coach, Baublitz gave up a sport - in this case, soccer - in seventh grade to focus on competitive running. "I'm sure I had a lot to do with his decision," Miller added. "I couldn't let him down when he moved on to Juniata High School."
Cross country comes to Juniata
Nine years have passed since the day Miller committed to coaching Baublitz in cross country and track at Juniata. Little did he realize that would also lead to the birth of a successful varsity program.
"I knew he had the tools to be a state champion, and I was going to give him 100 percent of myself to do my part to make sure he got there," said Miller of Baublitz, who graduated as a three-time state champion in track. The Juniata runner also placed as high as second at the PIAA Cross Country Championships.
While Miller has been the coach for much of the program's existence, Garry Price started it in 2017 and served as the first head coach for the boys and girls teams. Miller served as a volunteer assistant for that inaugural year of the fledgling program.
"I thought my niche with coaching was just working with a few serious distance runners that had big goals at that point," Miller said. "I had some parents pushing me to become the head cross country coach in the summer of 2018 when Garry resigned. I was very hesitant because of working in State College and being unsure if my easy going ways would make coaching miserable."
Miller was hired as head cross country coach for the 2018 season, with Shari serving as a volunteer coach. It didn't take long for the program to hit its stride.
"I was confident that Juniata had kids that could run," Miller explained. "I just needed to find a way to get them out for the sport. With me not working at the school, I rely on my athletes to help promote the sport so we can continue to be successful.
"A lot of kids that have running ability are in other sports and are not willing to give up a sport they have been doing a long time to see how good of a runner they can be," Miller added. "Regardless of how many kids we get out for cross country, the goal remains the same of being the best they can be."
Juniata has dominated the Tri-Valley League, winning eight-straight boys titles. After years of being second fiddle, the Indian boys also captured their first District 6 crown this year, earning their third-straight trip to states.
"I’m sure we will have times when we won't win districts as a team, but if I can have kids see all the benefits of running and working hard for something, it will be a successful season," Miller said.
Relating to his athletes
While some coaches watch their runners warm-up and stand idly by holding a clipboard, Miller is right there in the trenches with the Juniata runners. Perhaps, that's what makes him so relatable. He admits he uses his athleticism to connect with his runners.
"One big advantage I have over many coaches is my ability to train with my athletes." Miller added. "I have always done this from the beginning and don’t plan on stopping unless my health doesn’t allow me. I like to stay in shape myself and still compete when we don’t have cross country or track meets."
One of the requirements of coaching distance runners at Juniata is being with his runners when they are training off school grounds. So, running or biking with them is one of the few options.
It also keeps Miller in tip-top shape.
" I figure I run about 1,500 miles a year with my top kids and bike another 800 or so over the summer," Miller said. "I must be one of the few coaches warming up with the kids at big meets like districts and states.
"I’m sure some think I’m crazy, but it’s time I can talk about racing without getting them too nervous," Miller added. "To be honest, I feel mean when I’m making my kids do a hard workout and I can’t be part of it because of an injury or something that has me holding a stop watch. It is hard for me when I can't train with them due to being injured. I don't like it when I am sidelined."
There's also a pinch of coaching psychology at work, too.
"They can’t complain too much when their coach is doing the same workout when it’s 90 degrees out," Miller explained. "It just shows them how passionate I am about the sport, and I don’t ask them to do something I wouldn’t do.
"I ride bikes with many of my runners in the summer, so I have a lot of time to get to know them better," Miller added. "We don’t have to always talk about running. It can be a good conversation with my cross-country runner Joey Bomberger about cars. For many of my athletes, they become friends for life."
Runners show their love
Former East Juniata product Logan Strawser ran for Miller under the Juniata banner for three years. Strawser credits Miller for much of his success, including being able to run at the Division I college ranks for Penn State.
Miller made quite the first impression with Strawser when the two crossed paths for the first time just before the Newport Turkey Trot during Strawser's sophomore year.
"One of my friends was on the cross-country team and wanted to do the Turkey Trot," Strawser recalled. "I met Jeff about three weeks before that and got to know him. After I ran the Turkey Trot, he came up to me and said, 'You could be really good.'
"I wanted to do cross country after that," he added. "It took off from there."
Strawser admitted he probably wouldn't have come out for the sport if it weren't for Miller's involvement. "He's had so much influence on our results and had such an impact on the sport and everyone on the team so greatly," Strawser said.
"He knows how to train his athletes really well," he added. "If anything, he undertrains us, so we stay healthy, but more importantly he makes it fun."
Strawser graduated as a three-time PIAA silver medalist and a seven-time district champion in cross country and track field.
Juniata High School senior Wyatt Stroup echoed many of the same sentiments as Strawser, his former teammate. Stroup, who is bound for Washington and Jefferson University which is just southwest of Pittsburgh, plans to run cross country and track at the Division III level.
Stroup was a three-time PIAA qualifier at Juniata and medaled the past two seasons. In track, he ran at states twice and medaled in the 3,200-meter distance race as a junior.
"You can't get a better coach than Jeff Miller who will give you the time of day, to give you what you need training-wise and is so knowledgeable about the sport," Stroup said.
"He will do anything in his power to make you love the sport," Stroup added. "He wants everyone when they leave cross country at Juniata to continue a healthy, fit lifestyle for the rest of their lives."
For as long as he can remember, Stroup knew who Miller was. His sister, Anna, was in the same class with Baublitz. She competed in the hurdles and Stroup, who was in elementary school at the time, always liked going to her track meets. In those days, though, he admits he was more of a "baseball kid."
The pandemic was about to change all that. In eighth grade, students had to distance themselves, so physical education class activities were limited to running around the school track and playing soccer or cornhole.
"I thought it was cool to run around the track, so I'd run like a mile during phys. Ed," Stroup recalled. Soon after that, he was introduced to the Juniata Valley Striders and got his first real taste of running.
He met Miller during his second-ever 5K race. "I saw him at the starting line, and he looked so serious and official with his Oakley glasses. I went out with him for 400 meters, but then I dropped down to my normal racing pace."
Not surprisingly Miller crossed the line in first place, but Stroup had made a lasting impression. Especially, since he wore black clothes to race on a scorching hot day.
Miller also met Joey Bomberger at another race and took them both under his wing. The two high school runners have left lasting legacies, which are a credit to their coach.
"I believe he's the best coach Juniata has in any sport," Stroup said. "The commitment he has is 52 weeks out of the year. He will meet with us at any time, and run or bike with us."
His runners also credit Miller's training routine for their success as they've remained healthy. "His training is a great format for a high schooler," Stroup added. "He shows you how to love the sport, gets you involved and makes sure you peak at the right time. He's done all that himself in his 40-plus years of running, so he knows what works for a high schooler."
Despite majoring in mechanical engineering, Stroup might try his hand at coaching some day and sharing Miller's wisdom with others.
"I'd like to do the same thing that Jeff did for me, and do the same for hundreds of kids later in my life," he explained.
No plans for slowing down
The sheer numbers that Miller figures to have logged are mind-numbing. By his best estimates, he has run more than 50,000 miles and cycled for another 130,000-plus over the past 40 years.
And he doesn't have any intent of slowing down - running or coaching.
"I haven’t set any timetables for coaching," Miller said. "I will continue to give back to a sport I love as long as I can afford to and have good health.
"I could easily be a seasonal coach just coming to Juniata for 12 weeks in cross country and 12 weeks in track, but I will not be giving 100 percent of myself and the results of my athletes will show," Miller added. "I’m an all or nothing type of guy. It’s a 48 week of the year commitment. I drive about 10,000 miles a year for coaching since I live in Lewistown, so it’s not cheap."
Rules of running
Miller has put Juniata on the proverbial map with some simple rules:
Getting athletes to like running by slowly getting them into shape, so they don't get hurt.
Mixing up runs, so they don't get bored with the same routine.
Encouraging runners to enjoy the process of seeing how fast they can get, regardless of ability.
Providing an atmosphere where everything is positive, and everyone feels like a family to each other.
Encouraging each other in hard workouts and races.
Letting his athletes know that becoming a great runner doesn't happen overnight, so staying consistent with training leads to a great progression with their times.
Reminding athletes if they want to be good, it's going to hurt at times, but pain is temporary.
Training runners to only run all out a limited time throughout a cross-country season, so there's enough gas in their tank when it matters at districts and states.
Giving athletes 100 percent of himself year-round to help them reach their goals in high school.
Making certain athletes take necessary breaks after cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, so they stay mentally and physically fresh.
Encouraging runners to be happy with a great race, but always setting the bar higher.
Making friends with the competition. At the end of the day, runners are all out to be the best we can be. It's the beauty of this sport; everyone encourages each other.
Reminding athletes that if they want to be the best, they need to do all the little things like stretching, lifting, getting proper rest and diet and staying hydrated.
The finish line
Unlike most newer sports, the basic concepts and rules of running haven't changed: a group of runners line up at the start, and the first person to reach the end of the course wins the race.
It seems simple enough, right? After all, cross country is a sport that doesn't require much equipment and that the rules are straightforward. Many runners also come into the sport unaware of the time commitment and dedication that is required.
That's where Miller steps in. Every one of his athletes will tell you that running requires sacrifice. You must have the strength to give up a part of each day to undergo pain, soreness and exhaustion. Never slowing down. Finishing every workout to the best of your ability.
Constantly pushing yourself to do better and reach the goals you have set for yourself. Day after day, month after month, and year after year. And maybe, if you get through all that, you might just shave off a couple seconds from your mile time. Miller knows how to push the right button, connecting with his runners in a way that creates an unrivaled amount of success.
The amount of training and dedication that can go into a single race is unparalleled. Everything that you've prepared for is unleashed in its full potential. Nothing compares to the feeling of finishing a race, filled with adrenaline and elation, proud of what you and your team has accomplished.
Cross country can be seen as both an individual sport and a team sport; you run for yourself, trying to get the best time that you can. At the same time, you run for your team, cheering and supporting everyone before, during, and after the race.
It is one of the few sports in which everyone - regardless of what team they run for - pushes each other to run harder. Two runners on opposite teams could have been neck-and-neck throughout the entire competition, one beating the other by less than a second, and both runners would still congratulate and applaud each other's efforts. After all, neither one could have run the race as they did without the other.
One has to look more closely to appreciate the finer details of cross country running; details that make it the incredible sport that it is. I feel that the best way to actually enjoy running - the action itself, as well as watching other people do it - is to experience it yourself.
Miller is certainly in the center of the spotlight.