Norman's Parker Miller – Academic Athlete presented by Republic Bank & Trust

Written by John Tranchina

As focused as Parker Miller is on wrestling, the Norman High senior makes sure that his academic responsibilities are done before anything else.

“For me, it’s pretty much my number one priority. I like to make sure I’ve got good grades, pretty much no matter what,” said Miller, who sports a 3.2 GPA. “It’s that over wrestling, for sure, on my list. I always make sure I turn in homework. That’s pretty much the most important thing, to do homework and do it right.”

It can sometimes be a challenge to get it done during the busy wrestling season.

“It’s definitely something you have to figure out how to manage, the balance between homework and all kinds of stuff and then also the wrestling,” he acknowledged. “I’ve definitely gotten more into the groove as I got older.”

As for his work on the mat, Miller is motivated by a difficult loss in last year’s Class 6A West Regional, when he was pinned in 5:10 by Westmoore’s Zachary Johnson in the 145-pound consolation semi-final. Miller took fifth, but only the top four finishers at the regionals qualify for the state tournament, and Johnson went on to place third at state.

“It was definitely hard,” Miller said of the defeat. “I’m motivated not to lose a match like that again. My number one priority is making sure I make it to state, and then, my goal is to place (at state) this year. But the stepping stone for that is definitely qualifying.”

He will be wrestling at 145 pounds again this year.