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Rising Sandia Prep freshman Miles Vroman ’29 claimed a national title at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Youth Junior Olympics, taking first place in the boys’ 13–14 pentathlon. The event -- comprising the 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, and 1500m run -- was held at Savannah State University in Savannah, Ga., where extreme heat and inclement weather ultimately suspended competition after the pentathlon concluded.

Vroman secured the national championship with a personal-best score of 3,049 points, winning by a margin of 160.

In addition to the pentathlon, Vroman competed in two other events at the meet, placing second in the high jump with a mark of 5’11.25” and fifth in the 100m hurdles, setting another personal record with a time of 14.25 seconds.

With these finishes, Vroman not only earned the title of national champion but was also named a 2024 USATF All-American in three events -- an honor awarded to the top eight athletes in each event and age group.

Remarkably, Vroman has only been running track for three years, beginning with the Sandia Prep middle school team. “If I’m lucky, I would love to get scholarships, sponsors, and eventually become a pro,” he says. “My dream is to be on a world championship team.”

Vroman and his family expressed deep gratitude to the coaches and mentors who have supported his journey. “We are grateful to the Prep track coaches -- Coach Kyle (Ellis) for opening the high jump mat for extra practice before nationals, and Coach (Stacey) Price for his help with hurdles,” says his mother, Esme Finlay. “We’re also thankful for his mountain bike coach at Prep, the Elevate PHW team (Jay English), and Ms. (Jenny) Davidson (Prep’s IT Director), who let him step away from his IT job to train hurdles on the Prep track this summer -- as well as his local track and field club team, Zia Track Club.”

Vroman’s talents extend well beyond the track. A first-degree black belt in Taekwondo by age 11, he is also an accomplished musician and mountain biker. He plays both guitar and drums in the Sandia Prep Jazz Band and was named recipient of the Middle School Music Award last spring by Jazz Band Director Jesse Van Dam.

On the mountain biking side, Vroman joined Prep’s team in sixth grade and quickly made his mark, becoming the state champion in seventh grade and earning a varsity letter as an eighth grader. “I’ve loved every second of it,” he says.

Vroman also thanked the members of the Prep Varsity Track Team “who trained me and gave me the resources to practice with.” As he enters high school, this rising star continues to show extraordinary dedication, drive, and range -- on the track, on the trail, and beyond.