Pictured: Josh Miller (credit: Maddie Sasfy)

Miller Crushes OAC Record, Twice a Champion at OAC Indoors

3/6/2021 7:15:00 PM

By: Ryan Gasser | Assistant Director of Athletics, Communications

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Capital University senior Josh Miller ended his run at the Ohio Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships on one of the highest note possible. Miller turned the throwing ring into a spotlight that shined on him as he broke the conference's record for longest shot put toss, earning him a second event title on the day. The CU men's track and field team finished seventh out of 10 in the team standings.

RE-WRITING THE RECORD BOOK
Though not his first event of the day, senior Josh Miller (Botkins, Ohio/Botkins) performed best when the call came for the men's shot put to commence. Miller did not foul in any of his six throws and over his first four, saw constant progression. From his first throw to his fourth, he saw nearly 1.50 meters of growth, topping at 17.10 meters.

Though that mark would have still been more than two meters better than the next competitor and enough to win the shot put title, he continued to make his move for a history-making throw. His fifth throw came in at 16.87 meters, but he saved his best for last.
On his approach for the final throw those in the field house, staff and fellow competitors, began a slow clap to pump up the senior. With a loud grunt and momentum pushing him toward the edge of the ring, Miller launched the rock skyward. From the moment the shot hit the ground, Miller looked as though he knew the throw was special and as the tape unfurled, it was confirmed he would not only set a Capital record, but also contend to overtake the conference record.

While hopping in anticipation of the final read, a call from the gallery rang out, "Yell it out!"

The response from the on-site official rang out, "17.86!"

Miller roared and those watching broke out in cheers with the confirmation that the OAC shot put record had a new owner. Miller surpassed Monta Lawson of Marietta who in 2017 threw 17.35 meters.

Miller won the shot put by 2.16 meters with Wilmington's Blake Jamison serving as the event runner up (14.70m).

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE
As mentioned, the shot put was Miller's second event of the day, the first being the men's weight throw. Miller started with a throw that placed him third in the standings, measuring in at 17.39 on toss number one. He then fouled on his next four attempts, leaving his last throw to serve as his last chance at victory.

With that last throw, Miller launched the weight and landed a 17.57-meter (57-7 ¾) toss. That result leapfrogged two competitors and straight into the top spot. That mark held and Miller walked away with the first of his two conference titles.

ADDITIONAL TOP PERFORMANCES

Freshman Zion Park (Newark, Ohio) had a productive debut in his first championship event. Park topped his previous personal best in the pole vault and elevated to number five on the Cap all-time list with his Saturday performance. Park cleared 4.36 meters (14-3 ½) to take fifth place and collect four points for Cap.
Capital's 4x400-meter relay team picked up a point with its eighth-place finish. The combination of Jonathan Brown, Kelly Wilson, Bryson Ashley, and Andy Fullmer stopped the clock in 3:47.50.
Fullmer also placed ninth in the high jump, just missing out for a scoring position. He was one of three people that cleared 1.77 but was placed ninth based on a tiebreaker.

FINAL RESULTS
Capital finished seventh out of 10 teams behind 25 points in this year's championships. Twenty points came from Josh Miller.
The University of Mount Union rolled to yet another OAC team title with 217.5 points with John Carroll (185) taking second and Ohio Northern (102), third.

WHAT IS NEXT?
With the NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships canceled, both Capital track & field teams will move straight into its outdoor season. Cap will join Wilmington College, Heidelberg University and Ohio Northern University at Otterbein for its first outdoor meet of the season on Saturday, March 27. More details will become available closer to the meet.

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