Mike Miller transferred to Skowhegan in late 2013 and immediately became one of the best high school alpine skiers in central Maine. This year, as a junior at Skowhegan Area High School, he got even better.
“Quite frankly, we knew he was going to have a good year,” Skowhegan coach Bill Finley said. “Some of his toughest competitors graduated this year. So I think he went into the year ready and prepared to have some good finishes. He had some added confidence this year.”
KEnnebec Journal / Morning Sentinel boys alpine all-stars
First team
Nate Delmar, Maranacook
Mike Miller, Skowhegan
Sven Maurer, Maranacook
Kyle Farrington, Mt. Blue
Zach Lacasse, Maranacook
Second team
Kai Pakulski, Maranacook
Anthony Franchetti, Mt. Blue
Charles DeHaas, Winthrop
Liam McNamara, Maranacook
Matthew Gyorgy, Maranacook
Miller pulled off a double by winning both the slalom and giant slalom at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship meet. He followed that up by placing third in the giant slalom at the Class A state championships, and is the choice — for the second year in a row — as the Morning Sentinel Alpine Skier of the Year.
“Last year, I had a good season,” Miller said. “This year, I just wanted to go up and above with that. Winning both KVACs was a really big thing for me.”
Finley says that one of Miller’s greatest attributes is his consistency. He’s not the kind of skier to put a great run and an awful run back-to-back on the same day. That was evident at the KVAC slalom, when he had a relatively tough first run, but moved into the No. 1 spot when some of his competitors didn’t finish the second run.
“It was just steady and fast and confident,” Finley said. “He actually went into that day feeling really pumped. I think he knew he was going to have success that day.”
Miller, who grew up in Athens and attended Carrabasset Valley the year before transferring to Skowhegan, was one of three captains for the Indians this winter.
“Obviously, the other kids look up to him as a mentor and a leader,” Finley said. “He has a real level head about him. He’s always willing to help and give constructive criticism.”
Another highlight for Miller this season was skiing at the Eastern high school championships.
“I finished all my runs, and skied against some really good skiers,” he said. “It was a lot of fun to get out with that big crowd.
Miller would like to ski in college, but that won’t be his deciding factor on where to go to school. As for the immediate future, Finley says he’d like Miller to work out over the summer. That’s what Miller did last summer, and what he plans to again this year.
“I improved a lot in GS this year,” Miller said. “I worked a lot this summer, and got in a little better shape this year. It just kind of helped me in the long run.”
Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243
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