After breaking numerous records and qualifying for the national meets throughout the indoor and outdoor track seasons, freshman Ashlee Miller has been named Baker University’s 2006-2007 Newcomer of the Year by the Baker Orange staff.

Miller, who has qualified for nationals in both the heptathlon and long jump, set five school records during the outdoor season.

Head track coach Rob Mallinder said he knew she had talent when he was recruiting her last year, but she has gone above his expectations in her freshman year.

“Since coming to Baker, my evaluation of her talent fell short of her actual talent,” Mallinder said. “She is a lot more talented than I ever thought.”

Miller broke the 400-meter dash school record with a time of 58.13 seconds, and she holds second place in many others. She is also a part of the indoor 4×400-meter, and outdoor 4×100, 4×400 and the sprint medley relay teams, all of which have broken records this season.

Senior LaTasha Roberts said Miller has been a great addition to Baker track program.

“She’s definitely a great asset to the team, and that’s because she scores points,” Roberts said. “She’s willing to trust the coaches believing in her. They believe she can do an event, and then she’ll just go and do it. I think that’s a great role model to have an athlete to be able to do any event.”

Although Miller is currently nursing a pulled hamstring, she is expected to compete at the national meet to be held May 24 in Fresno, Calif.

Mallinder said he expected Miller to place at the meet and continue to improve during her next three years at Baker.

“If Ashlee develops how I believe she will, I believe she will leave Baker as the best women’s athlete ever to come through Baker,” Mallinder said. “I think she is capable of winning nationals in the heptathlon and pentathlon and at the least, be a multiple all-American.”

Roberts said with Mallinder leaving, Miller will have to continue becoming stronger on her own, and if she does that, she will continue to do good things for Baker.

“She has the talent to continually excel,” Roberts said. “What she chooses to do with her talent will make her excel or hold her back.”Although Miller is currently nursing a pulled hamstring, she is expected to compete at the national meet to be held May 24 in Fresno, Calif.

Mallinder said he expects Miller to place at the meet and continue to improve during her next three years at Baker.

“If Ashlee develops how I believe she will, I believe she will leave Baker as the best women’s athlete ever to come through Baker,” Mallinder said. “I think she is capable of winning nationals in the heptathlon and pentathlon and at the least, be a multiple all-American.”

Roberts said with Mallinder leaving, Miller will have to continue becoming stronger on her own, and if she does that, she will continue to do good things for Baker.

“She has the talent to continually excel,” Roberts said. “What she chooses to do with her talent will make her excel or hold her back.”