The path of redshirt sophomore Ryan Milus to the ASU track and field program cannot be defined by one of his 60-meter runs or his personal record of 6.63 seconds in the event. His story truly started a mere seven years ago.
At Hamilton High School in Chandler, Milus was a football and basketball player. When the football and basketball seasons ended, Milus found himself lacking the competitive spirit he had in-season. He wanted to keep active, so he decided to join another sport.
“My first year of track was my freshman year of high school,” Milus said. “I was mostly a football and basketball player before that. I didn’t have any experience with track, but when my football and basketball seasons got done my freshman year, I was bored and decided to go out for the track team.”
Four years later, it turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life.
By the time he graduated from Hamilton in 2009, Milus tied the high school state record of 10.33 seconds in the 100-meter dash.
He was also a two-time state champion in the 100-meter and a state champion in the 200-meter dash.
Despite his track success, Milus decided football was going to be his college focus and received offers from many top tier Division I colleges.
“I got offers from the University of Arizona, Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, Air Force and Utah,” Milus said.
Milus committed to play football at UA and signed with the Wildcats in February 2009.
However, he never made it to Tucson as he requested to be released from his scholarship in late May. His reasoning for the change of heart was pretty simple.
“I just felt more comfortable and had a good senior season in track,” Milus said. “I thought I could excel a little better in track.”
From there, Milus decided to run track at ASU and had success early in his career.
Last year's record time of 6.76 seconds gave him the eighth-fastest 60-meter time in indoor school history. His time of 10.23 seconds at last year's outdoor Pac-10 championships was good enough for the fourth best time in school history.
The potential Milus has is through the roof. His time of 6.63 seconds in the 60-meter dash at the Lumberjack Invitational on Jan. 14 set a record.
While track coach Greg Kraft knows of Milus’ ability, the sophomore continues to impress his coach since the Lumberjack Invitational.
“We’ve been optimistic for a performance like (that), but (that) was a big surprise, especially with the track being under construction and not having a consistent practice site,” Kraft said.
The star runner finds inspiration to push himself to succeed from his family.
“My dad is very inspirational and pushes me all the time to keep working hard and doing my best,” Milus said. “It's just good to have him there to push me in the right direction.”
Ron Milus is not just another dad, though. He began his professional football career almost 30 years ago and is the secondary coach for the Denver Broncos.
Ron started his career at the University of Washington, where he played cornerback from 1982-85. Since then, Milus made college coaching stops at his alma mater and Texas A&M.
Milus coached in the NFL for the Broncos, Cardinals, Giants, Rams and Panthers before returning to the Broncos in early 2011.
Even though his dad is not always there to see Ryan’s meets, Ryan still feels pressure from his dad.
“The expectations are great,” Milus said. “I come from a pretty athletic family. When I decided to focus on track, it was a lot of pressure on me to do well and have all my focus on track for the very first time.”
Milus is proud of his father and his family's accomplishments, but wants to make a name for himself. He knows there is only one way to make that happen.
“I'm just working hard each and every day trying to get better,” Milus said.
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu
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