Darrin Miller off to good start at college

Courtesy Photo - Concordia University wrestler Darrin Miller waits just off the mats for one his matches at a tournament in South Dakota.

by Ted Escobar
| January 9, 2017 12:00 AM

ROYAL CITY — Former Royal High School wrestler Darrin Miller has gotten off to a good start on the mats and in the classroom at Concordia University in Nebraska.

Miller has been home, in Othello, since before Christmas. He’ll start his second semester of studies and rejoin the wrestling team on Jan. 9.

Miller will be sporting a 4.0 grade point average from his first semester. He has not chosen a major and is taking general studies this year.

Although he’s been on vacation, Miller has not been off training. He has worked out on his own and with the Othello High School program.

After four years at Royal High, for which he won four placing trophies at 174 pounds at the state 1A tournament, Miller took a scholarship from Concordia to wrestle for its high-level NAIA program.

“There is definitely a huge difference (from high school),” Miller said. “Everyone here is a lot more committed. It’s more serious.”

Serious enough that Miller is the No. 2 wrestler at 174 pounds. The No. 1 distinction goes to Walker Fischer from Nebraska.

That does not mean Miller can’t compete for national honors. There can be more than one qualifier from the same team at the same weight.

Miller has been on the mats 19 times. He has a record of 11-8 with three pins, and he’s been pinned once.

Former Royal coach Randy Miller has watched son Darrin wrestle for Concordia on one occasion. The team was at tournament at Dakota Wesleyan in South Dakota. Miller went 2-2.

“(Being far from home) took some getting used to, but it’s kind of nice,” Miller said.

Miller has no idea how far he can go this year, but he will be seasoned by the time post-season tournaments come around. The season started in October and will end in March with the NAIA national tournament.

The demands of college wrestling have not discouraged Miller. He is encouraged by them, saying he still loves the sport.