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Miller is "blue collar.'' Presnick is "non-stop.''
By KEITH NIEBUHR
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2001
Citrus athletes Rick Miller and Amber Presnick have a habit of making things look easy, but coaches say their true gift is desire, not talent.
Miller is "blue collar," Citrus boys track coach Tom Darby said. "He's a workaholic."
Same goes for Presnick.
"She's non-stop," girls soccer coach Brady Bogart said. "We have to tell her to relax sometimes. Those are the people you like to coach."
Miller made his mark on the track, but also was solid in cross country and basketball.
His senior season began with a 13th-place finish in the Class 2A state cross country meet in Titus ville. With his help, the Hurricanes placed fourth, which tied for the best finish in school history. Miller earned Times All-Citrus/Hernando first-team honors.
On the basketball court, the lanky 6-foot-3 forward was a full-time starter known for his hard-nosed style. His play was solid and steady, if not spectacular.
In the spring, Miller turned his attention to track and field. A consistent season climaxed with a second-place performance in the 800-meter run at the state meet in Coral Springs. Prior to state, Miller captured first in conference, district and regional meets in the same event. He won conference titles in the 4x400 and 4x800 and a district crown in the 4x800, which helped him earn Times All-Citrus/Hernando Boys Track Athlete of the Year honors.
"I wanted to win the state title, but you can't have everything," Miller said.
Presnick, who competed in soccer, cross country and softball, was equally successful.
The sophomore advanced to the state cross country meet and started for Citrus' softball team. Presnick's best sport, though, was soccer, in which she established herself as one of the Suncoast's top players.
A midfielder, she scored 29 goals and had 18 assists in helping lead the 'Canes to a 21-2-3 record. They won conference and district championships and reached the second round of the state playoffs.
Presnick was the Times All-Citrus/Hernando Girls Soccer Player of the Year and a first-team Times All-Suncoast pick -- honors she also received in 2000.
"She's very fluid," Bogart said. "She's just a tremendous athlete. She does so many sports year-round, and the good athletes are the ones who combine all sports together."