ROCKINGHAM – Dante Miller, one of the fastest guys in the state of North Carolina, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by McNair Auto Sales.
Previously the Official Male Athlete of the Week in the Richmond Observer’s inaugural week of the award as the top running back for the Raiders, this is Miller’s second time being named Richmond Senior High School’s top athletic performer. He’s a three-sport athlete, swimming in the winter and participating in track and field in the spring – and thanks to his impressive and record-setting races in two meets last week, Miller has earned himself another run in the spotlight.
Athletic Profile
Name: Dante Miller
Age: 18
Year: Senior
Spring Sport: Track and Field
Events: 100 and 200-meter dash, 4×100 and 4×200 relays and long jump
Years on Varsity: 4 years
Height & Weight: 5’-10”, 185 pounds
Experience: 4 years
Athlete of the Week Stats: Miller participates in several events for the Raiders, both on the track and in the field. He says that he enjoys the 100-meter dash the most, and runs the other events to help his team win. During two meets last week, the first at home on Thursday, and the other on the road at Eastern Alamance High School on Saturday, Miller compiled four first-place wins. The Raiders finished second to Jack Britt on Thursday, and placed third overall out of 15 teams at the JJ Knox Track and Field Classic Saturday.
In the first matchup against three other Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents, Miller took first overall in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. In the three SAC meets this spring, Miller has swept both events, leaving his competition in the dust. Richmond has also made a habit of sweeping the 100-meter race, and teammates Jaleen Baldwin and Preston Coker finished two and three in Thursday’s meet.
Perhaps more impressive, Miller set the Richmond school record for the 100-meter dash. The Columbia University football commit sprinted in with a record-breaking time of 10.20 seconds.
At the JJ Knox Classic Saturday, Miller won the 100-meter dash again, making him 4-0 on the year, while posting a time of 10.90 seconds. He also participated in the 4×100-meter relay, earning top honors with teammates Baldwin, Coker and Shane Summey. The four Raiders passed the baton with ease to finish with a time of 43.05 seconds, over two seconds faster than second-place Cedar Ridge High School.
You’ve broken the Richmond 100-meter school record this year with a 10.20 time. Explain that feeling and what makes you so fast on the track.
“It means a lot to me to break that record,” Miller said. “But it all comes down to working hard and running hard. On the track, when you run hard and work hard, you get good times. And you go over starts and strides. When I do all that I expect to get good times.
“Running against tough competition like Jaleen and Preston and Malik (Stanback), and doing what I’m supposed to do, I’m going to get good times. It’s expected.”
Which sport is more mentally demanding: football or track? Which do you enjoy participating in the most and why?
“I’d say football because it’s also a more physical sport,” Miller explained. “Track isn’t as physical as football.
“I enjoy the competition the most,” he continued. “In North Carolina, there’s a lot of competition. Last year, I had some of the top times in the state until I got to the state (championship). There’s faster guys out there you get to see, and you really don’t know how fast you are until you beat or lose to those guys.
“I’ve made it to states every year (since ninth grade) in the 100-meter. It’s my best event because it’s the shortest and it’s the most competitive, so I push myself harder.”
What are you looking forward to the most during your freshman year at Columbia University in New York City?
“I’m looking forward to winning championships and meeting new people,” Miller said, adding that he will also be running track for the Ivy League school.
Coach’s Corner: Richmond boys track and field head coach Chris Campolieta attributes Miller’s success on and off the track due to his undeniable hard work ethic and determination to always get better.
“A lot of Dante’s success is God-given talent, but he also works hard. He’s one of the biggest leaders out here,” Campolieta explained. “He never has a problem working hard and he puts his nose to the grindstone and gets after it. He’s a naturally fast kid, but when you combine that with his work ethic, it goes a long way and we’ve seen some good results this year.
“It’s shocking that Dante comes out of the blocks slow because he’s a 4.20 forty kid, which is impressive in itself,” Campolieta continued, noting how great Miller’s closing speed is. “When he gets going, I don’t think anyone in the state can catch him. When he hits the 55-meter mark, it’s a wrap at that point.
“Dante’s personality is his biggest asset to the team. He has such a good personality and is always smiling. He comes to work happy to be out here. And when he goes to college and does big things, that’s what’s going to separate him from the rest.”
To read Miller’s first Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week story, click here.
