By Bryce McKinnis
Three years ago, then-freshman Abbey Miller was a rising wrestling talent at Morris High School. After missing most of her sophomore year with a torn rotator cuff and falling into a slump, Miller chose to trade in her chips and transfer to Bixby High School, an esteemed wrestling program with a decorated boys team and a blossoming girls team.
“My proudest accomplishment would be the improvement I have made within myself, along with being a 6A regional runner-up and state qualifier my first year going from the 3A to 6A division,” said Miller, now a senior.
It wasn’t the first time Miller beat the odds. As an infant, Miller was “severely close” to a cancer diagnosis before medical intervention. She credits her faith in God as a stabilizing force in her life.
“I just know that deep down, I could’ve had my life end just at the beginning, but for some reason that God only knows, I was saved,” Miller said. “I wrestle to honor Him.”
While most would struggle to make the jump to a 6A school, Miller fit right in with the Spartans.
“I loved how big the family mentality was and how everyone lives by the pride of ‘Bixby Built,’” Miller said. “I had to learn to adapt to more traveling, bigger tournaments and more competition. I’m a resilient person, so most change came easy. Some of the 6A competitors are more of a challenge than 3A, but it really just comes down to the individual.”
If you didn’t know Miller wasn’t born a Spartan, you wouldn’t be able to tell by her interactions with her teammates, whom she already calls her best friends. As she approaches a promising senior campaign, Miller continually rests on her relationship with her faith, her renewed appreciation for her sport and her intense determination.
“My main goals this season are to become a team leader, instill confidence in each of my teammates and uplift them on and off the mats,” Miller said, “win my regionals and make the top of the podium.”
After high school, she plans to pursue a degree in osteopathic medicine to help athletes like herself.
