By Staff Writer Daniel Locke
HELENAWill Miller of Appalachian State, a Helena native who won two state titles at Thompson, has represented Shelby County well in NCAA wrestling.
Miller’s 2024–25 season with the Mountaineers was noteworthy; he won a match in the NCAA championships in the 165-pound division, finished in the top 10 all season, and was voted SoCon Wrestler of the Year. He is 84-31 during his career.
Miller took up the sport at an early age, so he has a lot of experience on the mat. Unlike in other sports, his little size did not hinder him. He received instruction from Birmingham resident and National Wrestling Hall of Famer Norm Latona, who was instrumental in founding the Alabaster Youth Wrestling Association.
Miller remarked, “I was kind of smaller when I was younger.” I felt somewhat at home in wrestling because I wasn’t really suited for other sports like baseball or football. Out of all the sports I participated in, I thought that one best suited me. I was introduced to it at a very young age, and I ended up sticking with it because I kind of had a natural skill with it.
Miller transferred from Helena to Thompson before his junior year, hoping to elevate his skills while competing for one of the state s top programs. Miller was able to develop both on and off the mat while getting ready for collegiate competition by studying with Shawn Weltzin and Riley Pike.
According to Miller, they took my wrestling to a new level. They helped me become more disciplined. They helped me develop as a wrestler and prepared me for college by making me do 6 a.m. exercises every day of the week, which is not an easy thing to accomplish in high school.
Only two college institutions expressed interest in Miller, indicating that he was not a highly-touted prospect despite his accomplishments throughout the youth and high school divisions.
According to Miller, the only D1 universities I spoke with were App. State and The Citadel. I didn’t want to serve in the military, but I knew I wanted to go D1. There is nothing wrong with The Citadel, but I didn’t want to combine wrestling and education with the military component.
After his initial visit to the Appalachian State campus in Boone, North Carolina, Miller believed he had discovered his calling.
I went to see App State. Miller remarked, “I came up and visited it, and it just felt like home.” It is different from Alabama since it is located in the North Carolina mountains. I chose it because it’s a different lifestyle and I loved what I witnessed throughout the tour.
It takes a lot of time and commitment to compete at the top level of collegiate wrestling, but Miller was prepared to put in the work necessary to keep getting better. In addition to practicing up to seven days a week, the Mountaineers also occasionally lift weights. Miller’s program also carefully arranges study sessions and classes.
Staying dedicated to improving at the sport he has been working to master since a young age allowed Miller the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Championships, a dream he has had since first buckling his headgear.
Miller remarked, “I really can’t even describe it.” I’ve spent my entire life attempting to train for it. Knowing that you’re there and that everyone who has helped you—club coaches, high school coaches, family, and friends—is there to support you on the biggest platform is very awesome.
Compared to a typical tournament, it practically inspires you to perform better there and gives you a great sense of thankfulness. It’s an amazing experience to know that’s the best of collegiate wrestling. Overall, the experience is fantastic, and the atmosphere is fantastic.
Miller’s success at the collegiate level can also be attributed to Appalachian State head coach JohnMark Bentley, who is dedicated to his job and has an unbreakable work ethic.
Miller stated of Bentley, “I feel like he was the first one to believe in me, really before I believed in myself, even though all of my coaches believed in me.” He changed me from a boy to a man over my four years here, I ve matured a lot. I ve grown as a person, not just a wrestler.
Miller loves Helena and grew up in North Carolina, even if he has spent his college years there.
I doubt that there is a child growing up there that I haven’t met or spoken to. Since the town is rather smaller, there isn’t anyone I have never spoken to or interacted with. You can do anything you desire in this unique location. You can start a business, a family, a sports career, or an academic career.
Everyone sticks together, supports one another, and the community is close-knit. In that sense, I think everyone there is somewhat similar. It makes you grow as a community, not only as an individual.
Throughout his collegiate wrestling career, Miller has represented Helena and Thompson High School in an excellent manner. Driven by his love for his community and his enthusiasm for hard work, Miller is ready to continue having an impact even after his time on the mat is over.
