Being JC’s first ever two-time state champion wasn’t enough for senior Mat Miller. He had his sights set on the national championship only a week after pinning his way through the states tournament.

Miller, who competed in the 171 pound weight class, won the independent schools national title at Lehigh University on Sat. Feb 26. Miller was already JC’s first ever two-time state champion and with this win he also became JC’s first ever national winning wrestler.

Once he captured the state title, Miller continued to practice hard but focused on another component of his workout. “I started running more,” Miller said.

Going into the tournament, Miller made sure to get strength before competing. “I was praying and meditating [before the matches],” he said.

After going through the usual workout of laps, cartwheels, squats, push-ups, and stretches, he was ready to compete. Miller pinned his way through to the semi-finals until he met his opponent, senior Trey Adamson from Bishop Lynch high school in Dallas, Texas.

Miller wasn’t able to pin Adamson but won the match 5-3.

“It’s really a great honor. I’m in awe and I thank God and my dad, who helped me start wrestling,” Miller said.

Miller will be taking his wrestling career to the next level at the Naval Academy this fall.

Stephanie Laird is the sports editor for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.