Brandon Miller Makes AAU Junior Olympic Games History In 800m With Record 1:49.87


YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN -- Brandon Miller's goal was to break 1:50 in the 800m on Monday at the AAU Junior Olympic Games. 

His mother and coach, Angela Miller, had said that Monday would have put the least pressure on Miller to perform -- while going for the 15-year-old world age group record of 1:49.42 -- and would have given him a chance to experiment with strategy in the final. 

That ultimately didn't happen when Miller, who was the top seed in Lane 4 in the event's semifinal, was clipped and fell to the track in the opening seconds of the race at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium.  

But by Tuesday, Miller, who runs for Ultimate Speed Academy, was eyeing up another title in the 1500m -- which he won in 4:02.59 and nearly tied his PR from a season ago at this same event. 

Then Wednesday came.  

From the moment Miller stepped to Lane 4 again, you could sense a difference in the rising sophomore from John Burroughs High in Missouri. 

Miller took command of the race by the first 150 meters and leveled into a steady -- albeit crushing -- pace over the first quarter, going through in 53.45 seconds. 

He hit the 600m mark at 1:19 -- continuing his blistering pace -- and later hit the 700m mark at 1:34. 

"Brandon Miller from O'Fallon, Missouri," the announcer called off, "100 meters to go!" 

Miller pounded the track in the final straits with a captive audience of thousands at Eastern Michigan. 

He crossed the line in 1:49.87, capturing an AAU national record and a besting his own freshman class record of 1:50.84. 

"How about this run!" the announcer finished, "Oh my goodness!" 


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