Ridgewood eighth-grader sets new high jump record

Ridgewood eighth-grader Brady Miller is now a record holder for middle school track.

Miller recently broke the Ridgewood Middle School record for high jump.

“It felt really good to do this,” he said. “I've been eyeing that record since last year, and it was very exciting to reach that goal."

Miller loves the challenge of high jump.

“I love to see how far I can push myself, and I was able to break the record because I continued to work for it,” he said.

The previous record of 5 feet 8 inches was set in 2021 by Matt Humphrey. Miller tied the record April 8 and then broke the record with his next jump of 5-9.

“Brady is good at track in general,” coach Jason Prater said. “He is also a great hurdler and went to the middle school state meet as a seventh-grader in the 110-meter hurdles. He will have a chance to break the records in both the 110- and 200-meter hurdles this year as well.”

Prater described Miller as a gifted athlete with great speed who is very coachable and hardworking.

“The events that he excels in all require great technique and attention to detail,” Prater said. “He is always working and wanting to get better. He is also demonstrating great leadership skills by working with other athletes and showing them the things he has learned. He is a pleasure to work with.”