The Online Reflector

Haley Miller, sophomore defense soccer player and sprints runner for track and field, has a schedule that allows little room for sleep, socializing and relaxation.

Miller is on the soccer team during the fall semester and track team during the spring semester. She is also a full-time nursing major with a 4.0 GPA.

“You look at her grades and how she’s a dual sport athlete, and I think that speaks for itself,” said Kiley Cirillo, head women’s soccer coach.

Cirillo added that Miller is a class act who demands the most out of herself and everyone else. Miller recently broke a school record in the 800-meter run at the 2011 DePauw Indoor Invitational.

Miller has plans to be a missionary after she graduates.

Photo Contributed by Haley Miller

“I like the idea of being able to help heal someone’s body and soul,” Miller said.

She attributes her 4.0 GPA to studying and staying organized. She said that although she does not have much free time, she is used to this routine and enjoys it. She often forms study groups with other nursing majors on away trips with the women on the soccer and track teams.

“It helps to have someone else going through the same stuff you’re going through,” Miller said. “Sports help keep me focused and get done what I need to get done.”

Miller said that her coaches are extremely supportive of her endeavors. Cirillo said that Miller pushes herself and is stressed if she doesn’t give 100 percent of her effort.

“She doesn’t get the break that most athletes get,” Cirillo said. “We actually have to force a break on her.”

Miller has played soccer since she was young. She knew the soccer coach when she first enrolled at the University of Indianapolis, because he was her former high school coach. Miller also has run track since middle school and started running when she found out that her track and soccer coaches were friends.

“I’ve played soccer since I was really little, so soccer for me has been something I’ve always enjoyed doing,” Miller said. “I couldn’t really see myself going without it.”

Cirillo said Miller wouldn’t be able to do all these things without time management skills. He doubts that she gets flustered because she can handle the pressure. He said that she is the standard for what the team looks for in athletes.

Miller said she is on both the track and soccer teams because each sport has something about it that she enjoys. Miller attributes her faith, family and friends with keeping her from being stressed. She makes a to-do list to prioritize her tasks and says that organization is a force of habit.

“Miller is definitely able to show [focus] with her grades,” Cirillo said. “She demands the best out of herself, and she puts herself in a position to be successful because of that. I think she shows what anyone can do if you put your mind to it.”