Miller's eyeing lots of good things in 2016

A gifted and highly successful athlete at the age group level, hotshot Bahamian sprinter Shaunae Miller really graduated to the senior ranks last season, winning silver at the World Championships in the 400 metres a result that she says has increased her confidence and improved her approach.

The sprinter only failed to win two of her nine races last year with two second place finishes including her personal best run at Beijing, the only blemishes on what would have been a perfect season for her.

She would, however, tell you that it was a perfect season, because it showed her just exactly what can be accomplished and has served as a motivating factor in her campaign this season.

Miller continued where she left off, with an unbeaten start to the 2016 season, which was extended yesterday at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon with a 50.15 seconds win over Americans Francena McCorory, 50.23 and Natasha Hastings, 50.86.

Jamaican pair Stephenie-Ann McPherson, 51.07 and Shericka Jackson, 51.34, finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The 22 year-old says she is approaching this season with more positivity and confidence as she hopes for an upgrade on last year's medal at this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The sprinter, who is set to compete in the 200m at the Jamaica National Racers Grand Prix on June 11 inside the National Stadium, said she is happy with her season so far and how well she has been reacting in training.

POSITIVE MINDSET

"Things have been going extremely well for us in training," Miller told The Gleaner. "Since last year we came out with a more positive mindset for this year and we are expecting the best for this season. Training has been going really well and we are also expecting a lot of good things this year."

Miller has already grazed her personal best, clocking 49.69 in her 400m season opener at the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational in April, which was just outside the 49.67 she ran at the World Championships in Beijing last year.

"I'm really thankful for the victory. The race didn't go as well as I had hoped but I guess I'll have to go back to training and look at a few things but it felt OK. We had a good field as always so I'm happy for the competition and happy to get the win," said Miller. "I know the hard work that I put in and the good thing about me is I love a good competition so when I feel someone pulling up beside me it always gives me an extra push."

Miller added that she is looking forward to competing in Jamaica.

"I am really looking forward to that, I am expecting a good race so I'm really excited for that event," said Miller.