Between them, ELCO wrestling brothers Kyle and Klint Miller have amassed 206 career victories heading into their final competition of the 2024-25 season.
Although a good many of those wins have been important to the Millers individually and as a collective for the Raiders, they would pale in significance to any time Miller and Miller are able to get their hands raised in victory the next three days.
For the first time in their careers, Kyle, a sturdy, perpetually good-natured 215-pounder, and Klint, an agile 162-pound sophomore who is as personable as his older brother but with a decidedly more serious demeanor, will spend the final moments of their season inside the hallowed halls of the Giant Center in Hershey competing in the PIAA 3A State Wrestling Championships, set for Thursday through Saturday.
They’ll be joined by anybody who’s anybody in Pennsylvania high school wrestling, including an ELCO teammate, 114-pounder Kane Kline, and good friend and Northern Lebanon phenom Aaron Seidel, who will be chasing immortality in the form of a fourth straight state championship.
The Millers have some lofty aspirations as well, but more than anything they’re looking forward to drinking in the moment and enjoying the experiences as a whole.
“My first reaction was excitement and gratitude for just being able to wrestle (in states),” Kyle said. “It’s even better that I get to be at the Giant Center with my brother and watch him wrestle. Just the overall excitement and knowing that my hard work has paid off. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Klint expressed similar sentiments. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity to actually make it to states as a sophomore. One of my goals was knocked off my goal sheet that I signed at the beginning of the year. Especially to do it together (with Kyle) that’s pretty cool.”
Kyle will take a record of 33-8 into his first round contest against Conner Smalley of Notre Dame Green Pond, while Klint (37-8) begins his work at 160 against Brayden White of Thomas Jefferson.
Both Millers will hit the mats at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in first-round action. Quarterfinals and semifinal action is set for Friday, with the survivors competing for state gold on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m.
“I’ve envisioned it in my head for awhile now,” Kyle said. “I believe it’s gonna be a great experience just to walk out there and wrestle. I’m just gonna try and take it all in. This is my last shot, so I’m excited.”
Klint has a bit of a different perspective on his first crack at the state tournament.
“I think it’s gonna be pretty cool when I get there, but I’m also going to be thinking it’s not done yet,” Klint said.”I’m pushing toward a medal, not just the fact of being there, but having a good run while I’m there.”
It won’t hurt the Millers chances any that this will not be their first-place appearance on the state stage this season. Last month, the brothers helped ELCO to their first-ever run to the 3A State tournament after first capturing the Lancaster-Lebanon Section 3 title by dethroning perennial champ Northern and later posting a 3-1 record in the District 3 tourney to earn a spot in states.
“This is just a cherry on top kind of week,” said Kyle, who served as a team captain.
“I feel like this will maybe inspire some other kids that have never wrestled before to come try this sport,” Klint noted.
But any prospective wrestlers hoping to equal Kyle and Klint’s accomplishments on the mat may want to prepare themselves by working hard at home, as Kyle and Klint did on the family farm owned by parents Ken and Karin. Cleaning up after the animals they helped raise and other chores weren’t always welcomed at the time, but the boys know that doing them paid off handsomely in the end.
“Every day before school I had to go out and feed my animals,” Kyle said. “I knew they were hungry and they needed their food as well. And on the weekends cleaning out their cages and making sure they’re cared for. (Learning a work ethic) and also being responsible for your actions, that was important too.”
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Keep local news strong.
Cancel anytime.
Monthly
🌟 Annual
- Fewer ads
- Member newsletters
- Exclusive events
- All monthly benefits
- Most popular option
- Make a bigger impact
Already a member? Log in here to hide these messages
Local news is disappearing across America, but not in Lebanon County. Help keep it that way by supporting LebTown’s independent journalism. Your monthly or annual membership directly funds the reporting you value, or make a one-time contribution to power our newsroom. Cancel anytime.
