Kiski Area grad Darren Miller finds success in new weight class at Bucknell

Darren Miller already has had success at Bucknell, making the NCAA Championships as a sophomore last year, but he may be finding another level.

That’s in part, because he feels he has found his proper weight class for optimal performance on the mat.

Miller, a former state wrestling champ at Kiski Area, bumped up from 133 pounds to 141 and won his first six bouts of the season.

“The new weight class was a good choice,” Miller said. “It gives me a lot more stamina and energy in matches. I feel like I’ve had a good start, and I’m looking forward to getting in some more matches to keep wrestling and getting better throughout the year.”

Miller said it was a joint decision between him and Bucknell coaching staff to move up a weight class. He’s found the change has given him more stamina during matches. He’s also had an easier time managing his weight.

“I don’t have to cut down so much weight that I don’t have any energy in a match,” Miller said. “You have wrestling practices all the time, lifts and you’re just constantly working out. That shrinks your body down to the weight you’re supposed to be. We have people here that give you a diet plan, and the coaches will help you out anytime you need it. My teammates help too. If I’m a little heavy one day, my roommate Zach Hartman is good at helping out with diets.”

Miller got some validation for the change at the Navy Classic. He won his first two matches via major decision and won a 5-3 decision over Kent State’s Louis Newell in the semi­finals. A minor injury forced Miller to withdraw from the championship match, but he was pleased with his performance.

“I felt really good in the few matches that I had,” Miller said. “I was able to control the matches and work on my style and my moves. I focused on takedowns and scoring points.”

Miller is building off a truncated 2020-21 season where he went 8-4. He pulled an early season upset of Oklahoma’s Tony Madrigal, who was ranked 11th nationally at the time, earning a 4-1 decision.

Then at the EIWA tournament, he dropped his first match, but won four straight in the consolation bracket to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.

“I just wanted it. I had the will to get to NCAA’s,” Miller said. “It’s something I’ve wanted for years. That first loss at EIWA’s pushed me a little more to try harder and get to third place. It was a great feeling knowing that there’s only a select few from each conference get to go to the national tournament. It’s such a high level to get to.”

Miller lost his two matches at NCAA’s, and he’s motivated to get back. With the energy he has on the mat, he’s confident he’ll show he’s capable of matching up against the best wrestlers in the country.

“Last year at NCAA’s definitely left a sour taste in my mouth,” Miller said. “It wasn’t how I wanted to wrestle, but it gave me a learning opportunity and things to work on to push myself for this year.”