Southeast Regional Slalom Champion Payton Miller discovered his sport almost by accident some 13 years ago during a wakeboard competition.

“I went to a wakeboard competition, and they had a slalom tournament going on the lake next to us. My mom skied, and I thought it looked like fun. When I got home, I found out you could ski at college, so I was in,” said Miller, who took state and regional titles this year and competed last month at nationals, placing fourth in the nation.