Changing lanes
- Updated: June 25, 2018
Pleasant Valley’s Miller now headed to Wallace State after last-minute eligibility issue blocks him at JSU
By East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE – Matisse Miller was all set to continue his running career at Jacksonville State when he suddenly found a hurdle blocking his path.
Matisse Miller walks up to accept his Calhoun County Cross Country Championship certificate. (Photo by B.J. Franklin/GungHo Photos)
The champion distance and cross country runner from Pleasant Valley is now heading to Wallace State after learning he wouldn’t be eligible to run at the NCAA Division I level because he was missing one credit.
“After some thinking and some last minute things happening, I have decided I will further my athletic running career and academic career at Wallace State,” he wrote on social media announcing his decision.
Miller, who signed with JSU in November, said Gamecocks track and cross country coach Steve Ray told him about the miscalculation Friday, which immediately sent him scrambling for a Plan B.
“The team that I run for now is insanely good,” he said. “Our top eight is all in the top 50 best runners from this past year 1A-7A in Alabama. We will win our conference and run at nationals … Our 4×8 (relay) and DMR (distance medley relay) is going to be sick nasty fast.”
Miller said he wasn’t certain to which subject the credit was attached, but he’s just concentrating on moving forward.
“I just have to focus on the fact that God’s plan is always better than mine and Wallace must be where I belong on a stellar team,” he said.
Miller won the Calhoun County cross-country champion last fall with a record time of 16:55.86; has won multiple county outdoor track titles, including this year’s 800 and 1600; and won this year’s Class 3A state 800 and 1600 outdoor crowns.
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