A-K Valley athletes of the week: Kiski Area’s Eliza Miller, Highlands’ Cameron Reigard

By: Bill Hartlep
Saturday, February 3, 2024 | 1:33 PM

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Eliza Miller

Class: Senior

School: Kiski Area

Sport: Swimming

Report card: Kiski Area senior Eliza Miller won a pair of gold medals for the third straight season at the WCCA swimming championships Jan. 27. The two-time Valley News Dispatch athlete of the year won the 500-yard freestyle (5:04.80) and 100 breaststroke (1:06.81) and also took second in the 200 medley relay with Paige Kunkle, Abigail King and Amara Sterlitz (1:50.59) and fourth in the 200 free relay with Kelsi Lott, Leah Kunkle and King (1:42.76). Miller, who holds seven school records, ranks second in the WPIAL in the 200 free (1:52.72) and 500 free (5:04.80), third in the 100 free (52.48) and 100 breast (1:06.81), seventh in the 50 free (24.63) and 200 IM (2:13.30) and ninth in the 100 fly (59.14). The reigning WPIAL 500 freestyle gold medalist who also competes in cross country and track and field will compete in triathlon at Duquesne next fall.

How do you think you swam at the WCCA meet?

I think that overall it was good. I could have wished for some faster times. I wanted to try to get the county records, but overall it was pretty decent because we had a really good meet two days before.

What was it like to win two gold medals at that meet for the third straight year?

It’s really exciting. It’s a confidence booster.

How do you feel about your times at this point in the season?

They’re pretty decent for where we’re at right now. I think I’m seeded pretty well at the moment. I’m pretty satisfied overall.

Did you improve on any school records this season?

I broke the 200 freestyle and the 100 freestyle this year. My girls’ team, we broke the 200 medley relay also.

What will you do between now and the WPIAL meet?

We have a couple dual meets coming up, some club meets also. We’re upping our yardage, just trying to put in a lot of work before we get to WPIALs. We’re just trying to be tired so we can be good for WPIALs and states.

What are your goals for WPIALs?

Definitely place in the top three in my events and make it to states. I think I’m going to switch up some of my events and go with a different route.

Have you decided what events you will swim?

The one will be the 500, but I don’t think I want to say the other yet.

Why do you compete in such a strenuous event like the 500 free?

It really started last year when I was talking about doing triathlon. I was talking with my tri coach, and she said I should try the 500. I focused on that and got really good at it so I decided to stick with it.

What’s the longest distance you’ve completed in the pool?

The longest is a mile open water. It was just an open-water race at Moraine State Park. I really just enjoy open water swimming, so I just go into it. I don’t do any specific training. I just go out and have fun.

What goes through your mind during a race that long? How do you stay focused throughout?

I really just try and focus on my form a lot. In open water you can get injured pretty easily with currents. I focus on keeping a good stroke and watching people around me to keep a good pace.

What are you looking forward to about Duquesne next year?

Just getting to compete at that level of triathlon and the girls. I’ve gotten to meet all of them. I think it will be a really good team.

What do you plan to study?

I’m thinking about doing forensics. I’m in the forensic science program. I just think forensics has always interested me. I wanted to do medical. I think that everything that involves forensics is really interesting.

How do you want to be remembered at Kiski Area?

I feel like just being remembered as someone who puts in a lot of work and gets rewarded for it.

Do you listen to music at meets?

Not really, I just kind of like to get in my zone and try to focus.

If you could meet one celebrity, who would it be?

Maybe Michael Phelps.

Have you met anyone famous?

There’s Leah Schackley who’s gone to some Olympic trials and Lily King also.

When will you get back into running?

I don’t plan on doing any running any time soon, but I will do spring track.

What do you like most about running?

I think it’s the team aspect I really like about it. Track, opposed to cross country, I do more sprinting and faster stuff, which I really enjoy.

Cameron Reigard

Class: Senior

School: Highlands

Sport: Basketball

Report card: Highlands senior Cameron Reigard hit four 3-pointers – including one that gave him 1,000 career points – and had 18 points as the Golden Rams rolled past Greensburg Salem, 70-50, on Friday night. The senior guard, who averages 17.5 points per game, also had 21 points to lead Highlands to a 76-55 win over Freeport on Tuesday. The Golden Rams (12-6, 5-3 in Section 1-4A) have won four of the last five games heading into Saturday’s nonsection game against Deer Lakes. Reigard, a second-team Valley News Dispatch all-star 2023, also was a Positive Athlete award winner last spring.

How did it feel to reach 1,000 career points Friday night?

It felt pretty good. In the game, I was 8 away, I was just trying to get it out of the way. As soon as I hit it, it felt good. I give credit to my teammates and coaches for helping me get there.

What did it take to accomplish that?

Being consistent, dedicated, a lot of hard work. I stayed determined, putting in a lot of ours in practice and outside of practice to be the best version of my self. Hard work pays off. That’s ultimately what got me to this point today.

How did the team play against Greensburg Salem?

We played pretty good. We’re still on a mission. We still had to lock in and win the game. We have to play together come the playoffs. Nothing is guaranteed. We have to lock in and focus on our mission, make the playoffs and make it as far as we can and win the championship.

What are some things the team is doing well at this point in the season?

Locking in. We all know the goal. We have to stay locked in. Just knowing what we have to do and knowing we have to do it. Playoff time comes, we know our goal, we know our mission, stay locked in.

Have you made plans for next fall?

I have not. (Basketball) is a possibility. I’ve been very indecisive right now. I’ll be making a decision soon.

What do you want to study?

International business and Spanish.

How do you want to be remembered at Highlands?

Just as a person who was a hard worker, who cared, was kind to others, not just about basketball. On and off the court just someone who helped out the school and helped the community. Just a hard worker and determined for a goal, not just in basketball but in life.

Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?

I’ll have to give it to the Chiefs. I just feel like they’ve been unstoppable. Everybody is against them. Realistically, I want the 49ers to win, but It’s definitely the Chiefs.

Have you ever met anyone famous?

I met a couple NBA players before, Jordan Clarkson, Thomas Bryant, Cedi Osman, Rodney Hood.

If you could meet a celebrity, who would it be?

Kobe Bryant if he was still alive, because of his mamba mentality and hard work and drive.

What is one piece of technology you would want to have on a deserted island?

Probably my phone.

Who is your funniest teammate?

Probably Jordyn (Tavarez), unintentionally.

You have previously said you’ve been 18 countries? Where is that total now?

I’ve been to 22 now. I’ve been to Canada, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Highlands, Kiski Area