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LGT Winner's Interview

SpoTliGht: Raquel Miller: Heart Unstoppable

Spotlight Preview: Raquel Miller: Heart Unstoppable

Raquel Miller is a basketball player for Liberty Tech Lady Crusader. A year ago today, Miller was sidelined due to a heart condition. “It was scary,” Felicia Ingram says remembering a day when she had her heart attack in practice. Even in the misfortunate events, Raquel always kept a smile on her face. Her story is truly inspirational to all athletes.

The heart, a vital muscular organ that pumps blood to the entire body. This makes the heart essential for life. Without the heart, the body would fail. Many heart problems begin in the post middle ages of adults who were victims of poor eating habits and lack of exercise What could possibly go wrong with the heart of a 6’2 high school sophomore athlete.

On one fall afternoon in a regular basketball open gym, Raquel Miller fainted. No one knew what the complication was. Even Miller was oblivious to what her body was going through on that day. It started just like every other open gym. Free throws and jump shots. Soon things turned for the worst as I could hear and see Miller gasping hurtfully for just a single breath. Soon every bounce of the ball ceased as the wheezing grew louder. Miller’s teammates rushed to the scene to assist her. Julie Carter, Liberty Tech Soccer Coach, acted quickly on the seen as she help Miller stabilize herself. Carter called for help and Miller was soon off for to safety.

Even after the faint, Miller’s doctors could not find a diagnosis. During preparations for Liberty Tech’s first game of the season, Miller would experience much pain in simple sprints to the point that it caused her to have to sit out for much of the practices. Miller says that that was the hardest thing for her to do. Miller says, “ it was hard because I only had problems when I was playing or exercising so I had to sit out doing nothing for a long time and it was hard for them [doctors] to find out what’s wrong.”

Not long after that, Miller played in the first game of the season. Her role as a starter has now been become and after thought as she comes off the bench for the first time. Not long after Miller checked into the game, the wheezing came back. It was a scary moment for Miller and for her teammates. The frustration of not being able to play never seemed to take a toll on Miller as she came to practice daily with a inspired spirit. Miller always kept a smile on her face even when she felt like playing.

In spring 2008, Miller had her open heart surgery at the age of 16. Teammates cheered upon her arrival back at the stomping grounds. Observing open gym with a scar on her chest now, Miller awaited her chance to shine again. Miller passed the test in her summer league play as her team held their breaths as she played with the only conditioning missing. After fainting, months away from the game, near heart attacks, and open heart surgery, Raquel found that her heart was truly unstoppable. In the following year, Miller made the All-Tournament Team and was one of the Lady Crusader’s leading scorers. Reflecting on her high school in experience Miller says the high lights were, being the first Lady crusader basketball player to sign with a NCAA Division I school and, “just having a good four years.” In the future she plans pursuer a medical profession.

Miller Signs With SIU

Raquel Miller is the First Lady Crusader Basketball player to sign with a NCAA division 1 basketball team. Miller signed with SIU on Friday in the Liberty Tech Library. Today the Lady Crusaders will play Madison in the Liberty Jamboree.