Athlete of the Week: Westside’s Stella Miner

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - For the second time in her high school track career, Westside runner Stella Miner has landed in the record books. At the Westside Invitational on Saturday, Miner posted a time of 4:47.49 in the girls’ 1600m, breaking the all-class girls state record of 4:49.3 that stood for 21 years.

“My entire high school career I’ve just loved running and I’ve loved the atmosphere,” said Miner. “Track has always been my favorite, better than cross country. I’m just so glad it’s paid off, all those years of work.”

In 2022, as a sophomore, Miner set a state meet and class A record in the girls 800m. Ever since, she’s had her eye on the 800m all-class record.

“Going into the season I didn’t really plan on breaking the mile record,” said Miner on her performance in the 1600m. “I wanted to go sub 4:50 but didn’t actually know that the record was 4:49. So that wasn’t really in my mind. I had my eyes on the 800 all-class record. I still do, but that was more of what I was focusing on, but the mile happened, so can’t complain about that.”

“She really has the speed and she has the base for a distance runner,” said Westside long-distance track coach Theresa Gosnell. “She really could do anything we wanted to put her in.

Next year, the senior will run cross country and track at Kansas State. Until then, Miner is focused on posting some more crazy times in her final weeks in a Warriors uniform.

“I’ve just been at that level where I think I can. I’m fit enough to do it,” said Miner. “I know I can but it kinda is like every race alright you gotta put out something crazy.”

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