Miller ready for NCAA Championships in her own backyard
3/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
By Marcus Rodriguez
Air Force Academy Athletic Media Relations
March madness is upon us yet again, but there is much more to March than just 68 basketball teams meeting on the hardwood. March is a big month for many competitors in the NCAA sports world, especially for the hundreds of collegiate swimmers who have prepared all season for the 2015 NCAA National Swimming Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The championships will take place at the Greensboro Aquatic Center; familiar turf for sophomore cadet swimmer and Air Force Academy record setter, Genevieve Miller. As a native of Winston-Salem, N.C. Miller is making what one could consider a homecoming visit to compete for a national championship 29 miles from her hometown.
"I have swum at this pool twice before (US nationals and a club meet)," Miller proclaims. "It's nice that I know where the least crowded locker rooms are!"
This will be Miller's second consecutive season as a Falcon swimmer competing at NCAA nationals. Miller will compete against more than 50 swimmers in two events, the 500 free and 1650 free.
"Usually the only tough parts about swimming in a new pool are the type of starting blocks or the walls," Miller said. "Thankfully, both are similar to other pools that have hosted championships."
Earlier this season at the Mountain West Championships, Miller set her qualifying times at 4:42.47 in the 500 free, and 16:13.01 in the 1650 free. Her times were good enough to earn her the league title in both events, as well as a Mountain West championship record in the 500 free and a Mountain West overall and championship record in the 1650 free.
Furthermore, Miller shattered her own previously set Academy swimming records in both events. As a result of her hard work and steadfast commitment to her sport, Miller's swim times earned her the 26th fastest time in the nation for the 500 free and 34th fastest time in the nation for the 1650 free.
Miller has set her sights on a more productive visit than last year's championships.
"Last year, my goal was just to qualify," said Miller. "I didn't care if I was the last to be invited. I just wanted to go. Now that I have been, I am definitely going in with higher expectations and a bit more confidence."
Knowing what to expect, Miller is now more focused on what it takes to have a more productive outcome this time around, as opposed being a nerve-racked freshman in the water with the big fish.
"I remember feeling so overwhelmed last season," Miller said. "The NCAA field has incredible depth. Just realizing that all the fastest collegiate swimmers in the nation are there was definitely humbling, but also exciting."
Last year Miller placed 31st in the 1650 free and 57th in the 500 free and is looking to improve on those finishes this season.
As the countless hours of hard work in the water continue to rack up, Miller will likely get a chance at breath of fresh air in the form her local supporters.
"I know my mom and club coach, Scott Dunn, are coming as of right now," Miller said. "I'm excited to have a small fan club come and support me. It's definitely motivating and reassuring to have people in the audience cheering for me. It will be a blessing to have Scott at the meet. He was a wonderful coach with incredible experience cares about the well being of all of his swimmers, both in and out of the pool."
With an invaluable support system and a year of experience under her belt, Miller has her crosshairs set on a position amongst the top 16 swimmers in her events. Miller is the only female swimmer to represent the Air Force Academy amongst the nation's best collegiate swimmers at the NCAA championships.
The prelims for the 500 free will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 19th. The 500 free finals will be Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. The prelims for the 1650 free will begin at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 21. The finals for the 1650 free will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.
ESPN3.com will stream the finals sessions on Friday and Saturday live. Thursday's sessions, along with the morning sessions on Friday and Saturday, will be streamed live on www.ncaa.com. Additionally, ESPNU will air a two-hour broadcast via tape delay at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 31. Live results will be available on www.ncaa.com.
