Austin Miller, an American pole vaulter representing Team ESSX and Vault House who has personal-best efforts of 19-0.75 (5.81m) both indoors and outdoors, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing July 8 at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Miller, 29, is ranked No. 6 in the United States this year and equal to the No. 13 competitor in the world, in addition to being one of 32 athletes in American history to clear at least 19-0.75 outdoors. He is also a published music journalist, in addition to being the head coach of the High Point University men's club lacrosse team that won the national title in the National College Lacrosse League this past season. Miller reflects on recently competing in four events in Europe in May and June, highlighted by a 19-0.75 clearance May 21 in Poland, placing second overall against Polish star Piotr Lisek based on total attempts. He also revisits a victory May 6 at the adidas Atlanta City Games in Centennial Park, clearing 18-9 (5.71m) to edge Sam Kendricks and Jacob Wooten. Miller also reminisces about his first career 19-0.75 performance Feb. 4 at the Doc Hale Invitational at Virginia Tech. He explains how his collaboration with Team ESSX has developed and how different pole companies produce models that are better suited for the height and grip of certain athletes. Miller shares the confidence he has gained from being able to train and compete with the biggest poles he has used in his career, in addition to how significant it was to take attempts at 19-2.75 (5.86m) in Poland. He speaks about benefitting from the insight, experience and perspective of his coach Scott Houston, as well as Kendricks, and how Miller hopes to continue to be an inspiration for all the vaulters who have found success later in their professional careers. Miller analyzes the field for the U.S. final, and highlights the recent success of KC Lightfoot, along with the consistency of Chris Nilsen and Kendricks, and his ambition to challenge for a podium finish, placing him in contention for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August, as well as the Pan American Games in October in Santiago, Chile.