SUPER SENIOR: Miller Time Winding Down at John Carroll

Mathew Miller, 18, has been wrestling for 12 years, the last four of which have been with the John Carroll Patriots.

His high school coach, Keith Watson says Miller is an “outstanding student, athlete and probably the most well known/liked kid in the senior class.” But Miller describes himself as “just really friendly.”

The talented Rockville native is ranked in a tie for the No. 1 in Maryland and 17th in the nation. With 190 wins in high school, he is the state’s best wrestler in his 171-pound class, but Watson believes Miller could beat any Marylander in any weight class.

Miller’s work ethic is described by Watson as “steady.” Instead of a “rollercoaster” of practicing and downtime, Miller is consistent. He plans to attend prep school in Rhode Island for a year before wrestling for Navy.

“He doesn’t work really hard [at practice] but he is amazingly good.” Watson says, “He is ridiculously strong. He has a feel for it. It’s like he knows what you’re going to do before you do it.”

Miller says he works with the Patriots after school as well as at the Kolat Training Center on weekends and “whenever he can get [in] a practice.”

Even balancing wrestling, school and additional training,  Miller maintained a 3.9 GPA his junior year. “Wrestling keeps you focused,” he says.

Although the sport takes up a lot of Miller’s time and often affects his social life, he is proud to say that he has more than 1,000 Facebook friends and has met them all at least once. He also enjoys playing Xbox in his spare time.

Miller’s parents, Lorus and Lisa, are happy for him, but Matthew says that his dad is devastated that he will be going away to school.

As for Miller, he is more excited than nervous to continue his career. Says the senior: “I just want to get better."

Super Senior is a weekly feature that takes a look inside the life a successful senior student-athlete. E-mail Brad@Patch.com with future suggestions and questions.