Before stepping on the platform at the USA Weightlifting National Championships in Colorado Springs, Winter Haven senior weightlifter Rylee Miller said a short prayer to give her the confidence and strength she needed to lift the way she’s accustomed to executing.
As she was chalking up, she kept reminding herself that she could do it. In fact, she was so focused on lifting that she couldn’t see or hear anything else besides herself and the bar. When she got the green light, Miller knew she accomplished her purpose: a lift of 58KG or higher, which she was able to tally in the U17 women’s category.
Winter Haven head weightlifting coach Renard Ellis is just in the second year when it comes to taking his team to nationals. But Miller is officially the first girl weightlifter in Winter Haven history to place at nationals.
“I feel blessed that God has given me this opportunity to not only compete, but also represent Winter Haven weightlifting,” Miller said. I hope that I can inspire other girls to pursue weightlifting and give themselves the chance to see what they are capable of achieving.”
Ironically, Miller was introduced to weightlifting by her friend, senior lifter Remy Jacobson, toward the end of her freshman year at Winter Haven High School; Jacobson would have gone and placed at state and nationals last year (2025) if not for her shoulder injury she sustained. Nevertheless, it was Jacobson who sparked the lifting idea to Miller, who at the time was a competitive gymnast for the previous nine years, but on this occasion, she was looking for ways to improve her overall athletic performance. And weightlifting provided the perfect opportunity to build those skills while challenging herself in a new sport.
As she embraced her new journey of weightlifting in high school, it was Ellis who provided her with lifelong skills that not only benefited her in weightlifting but in life, she said.
“For example, he has helped me build confidence and has helped me to see the bigger picture when facing challenges. Going into my senior year, I am focusing on setting new goals, holding myself accountable to those goals, and continuing to grow as both an athlete and an individual,” Miller said.
Ellis has seen the passion Miller has exhibited through the lifting process that eventually materialized into program history.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Rylee,” Ellis said. “Making it to USA Weightlifting Nationals is an accomplishment in itself but finishing 14th in the nation in the U17 Women’s 58KG class and making history for our club, Haven of Strength, and Winter Haven High School weightlifting by being the highest finisher in this class is something truly special.”
“Rylee has embraced our program’s pillars of ‘Discipline, Dedication, and Determination,’ and those values were on full display every step of the way. She trusted the process, put in the work when no one was watching, and never stopped believing in what she could accomplish. The future is incredibly bright for Rylee, and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.”
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Winter Haven lifter Rylee Miller makes program history at nationals
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
