GARRETT MILLER

The James C. (Jimmy) Montecalvo and Luke Blanock Memorial Courage Award

Garrett Miller, Peters Township High School—After receiving the 2019 Most Outstanding Freshman Award at Baldwin-Wallace (Berea, Ohio) University, the pitcher had elbow surgery to repair a nerve. It was found he had a vascular problem in his abdomen and chest – median arcuate ligament syndrome (MAL) – which is also known as the celiac artery that supplies blood to the stomach. Garrett also discovered he had another vascular condition in his shoulder – thoracic outlet syndrome. He endured exhaustive rehabilitation with considerable anxiety, panic attacks, stomach-circulation challenges and breathing problems while dealing with seeing a myriad of doctors with numerous scheduling difficulties. He refused to have a stent implanted and declined medicine, such as blood thinners with numerous side effects and chose meditation, exercise, and healthy living. Seemingly against all odds he miraculously returned to Baldwin-Wallace baseball in 2022 and went 3-2 overall which included being the winning pitcher in BW’s 7-4 victory at Endicott (Mass.) which clinched the NCAA Division III Super Regional championship and advanced the Yellow Jackets to the NCAA Division III World Series in Iowa.