ST JOHNS, Fla — Christian Miller has had a heck of a few weeks.
The 18-year-old track star, who's still getting cards congratulating him on his Creekside High School graduation, just wrapped up running in the New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia.
He then flew home for 48 hours before heading out to Eugene, Ore. to run the 100-meter at the Olympic trials.
A teenager, albeit an incredible accomplished one, ran on the same track as professionals a few weeks before moving into his dorm at the University of Georgia.
"Most of them (the other runners) just congratulated me because I know they've never seen an 18-year-old race against them in the 100 before," Miller told First Coast News.
Miller finished fifth in the 100-meter finals, not quite good enough to earn an automatic bid to Paris -- the top three earn that spot. However, it is a good enough finish to land him a spot in the Team USA 4x100 relay pool, which still means a trip to Paris is in the works.
So, afterward, Miller was then invited to Creekside to talk to some of the younger runners at his former school, as well as with his club, 'The St. Johns Striders.'
"I thought I was coming to give some inspiring words to the kids," he told First Coast News while laughing.
Instead, when he opened the doors to the Creekside High School weight room, he was met with cheers from several dozen people: fans, teammates, coaches, and his family.
"Now as your dad, this is a very proud moment for me," Griffin Miller said to his son in front of everyone.
Griffin then held up a massive trophy from Gatorade.
"Congratulations, you are the Gatorade Boys National Track and Field Player of the Year," Griffin said, handing over the trophy to Christian before they shared an embrace.
"Yeah, this was definitely a surprise," Christian said.
Miller is the first athlete from the First Coast to win this national award, which has been given out since 1985.
"Honestly it's just amazing to me, I wasn't expecting it," Miller said. "I'm grateful that they chose me and I'm excited to see where this leads me next."
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