When freshmen sprinters Nick Miller and Moriarty Brown-Griffin stepped out onto the track for the first time as Warhawks, they had no idea what they were in store for.
They knew their running pace on the track could only be described in one word: fast.
Ever since the first meet Jan. 14, they have chugged along at a breathtaking and record-setting clip.
Miller has already re-written the record book in his short time at UW-Whitewater, establishing a new school record in the 200-meter dash, with a blazing 22.25. The mark is at the top in the WIAC.
He also owns the fastest 55-meter dash time on the team and the sixth best in conference with a 6.49.
While most runners enjoy their craft, Miller is quite the opposite.
A former football player at Upper Iowa University in 2008, Miller said he doesn’t like running. The opportunity to compete and win is what motivates him to go to practice every day.
“Track is very challenging and I like to be challenged,” Miller said. “It’s hard to train for and I enjoy the challenge the training provides.”
Brown-Griffin, on the other hand, has been the thunder to Miller’s lightning.
He owns the seventh fastest 55-meter dash time in conference, with a time of 6.50. Brown-Griffin said he isn’t close to reaching his potential in the 200-meter dash, but he already owns one of the top 25 times in the WIAC with a 23.04.
“I know I can get better,” Brown-Griffin said. “I definitely haven’t performed up to my own expectations.”
Blazing speed, however, is nothing new to these two men.
Both hailing from Racine Park High School, they owned some of the top sprint times in Wisconsin during their high school careers.
In fact, Miller and Brown-Griffin had two of the top 10 fastest times in the 100 and 200-meter dash during their senior years.
Miller, who graduated in 2008, said he and Brown-Griffin have been able to form a brotherhood amongst themselves during the years they have spent together.
“Being the older guy, I think he kind of looks up to me,” Miller said. “I think with all the other talent on the team, we got a great shot at a conference title.”
