Nevada Runner Coming to Irvine

Abby Miller, one of the top high school distance runners in the nation, said Monday she has committed to UC Irvine.

Miller, a senior at Henderson (Nev.) Green Valley High, finished second in the team sweepstakes race at the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational in October. Her time of 17 minutes 17 seconds was the ninth-fastest in the race’s history.

She is one of six female finalists for the Wendy’s High School Heisman, a national award that goes to the top male and female student for their academic and athletic achievements. Miller is the valedictorian at Green Valley.

Miller burst onto the cross-country scene as a freshman, when she placed third in the 1996 national championship race. Injuries slowed her as a sophomore, but she finished 13th in the West Regional. Last season, Miller placed 10th in the national championships.

Miller is also a four-time Nevada champion. Her first-place finish helped Green Valley with the state title Saturday at Sparks Reed High School. Her time of 18:51 was 26 seconds faster than her course record.