Exeter's Cara Miller is proving she's not just raising the bar—she's redefining it. The junior pole vaulter made history Friday, May 1, at the John H. Shaner Meet Invitational in Wyomissing, soaring to a Berks County record of 12-1¼. That mark eclipsed the previous record of 12-1, set by Schuylkill Valley's Bre Manzolillo, and cemented Miller's status as one of the county's most dominant athletes.
"Breaking the county record was just something really special to me, and I've worked really hard to get here," Miller said, reflecting on her milestone. The achievement is the latest in a string of standout performances—Miller already owns the Shaner Invitational and Panther Invitational meet records, and she has held Exeter's school record since her freshman year, breaking her own mark four times. With districts and states still ahead, the sky's the limit.
Miller's success is no accident. The team captain dedicates herself to a grueling training regimen that includes not only hours of vaulting but also sprint work and weightlifting. Her work ethic has impressed the Eagles coaching staff—head coaches Drew Eckel and Kevan Schaeffer, along with pole vault coach Christa Steinmetz—who saw this record coming. "It was pure elation," Eckel said. "Cara has been focused on this for over a year since first clearing 12 feet. She trains at practice, but also spends time at Philadelphia Jumps Club in Eagleville. She is very dedicated and has truly earned this record."
Miller's impact goes beyond the runway. She's known for supporting her teammates, and the feeling is mutual. "Everyone was really excited—my coaches, my family, and even my competition, who I've become really close friends with," she said. "I couldn't have done it without any of them."
Her versatility shines through as well. At the Shaner Invitational, Miller placed sixth in the long jump with a mark of 16-2¾, finishing just behind teammate Melanie Adams (16-3). She also anchored the 4 x 100-meter relay team—alongside Adams, Juleen Fortney, and Juliana Nerney—to a fifth-place finish with a time of 51.34.
Most recently, Miller defended her two-time BCIAA Championships pole vault title, clearing 11-7 on May 8 at Gov. Mifflin High School to retain gold. Next up is the District 3 Class 3A Championships, where she placed sixth last season at 11-6 to qualify for the PIAA Championships. At states, she finished strong, and with her record-breaking momentum, she's poised to soar even higher.