It's Miller time

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MARQUETTE - Randi Miller joined Adam Wheeler on the list of former United States Olympic Education Center athletes who have won medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

Miller of Arlington, Texas, claimed the second U.S. medal in wrestling in women's freestyle. She defeated three-time World silver medalist Martine Dugrenier of Canada at 138.75 pounds.

"I really wanted a gold medal today, but I'm very happy with a bronze," Miller said. "She (Dugreneir) was a very tough opponent."

Miller was a resident-athlete at the USOEC during 2004-06. She has visited the USOEC to train twice since then. She now trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

While at Northern Michigan University, she was an outdoor recreation major. In Miller's first match, she pinned Haiat Farac of Egypt in about 40 seconds. Miller defeated Yuliya Ostabchuk of Ukraine in the second round before being pinned in the quarterfinals by 2004 Olympic champion and five-time World champion Kaori Icho of Japan.

In the repechage match, Miller defeated her opponent Olesya Zamula of Azerbaijan by pin early in the second round, putting Miller in contention for the bronze.

"This is my first Olympic medal," Miller said. "Will it be my last? Who knows?"

Earlier in the competition, Wheeler of Lancaster, Calif., won the United States' first wrestling medal with a victory over Han Tae-Young of Korea in the 211.5 pound weight class.