In overtime matches, Eric Miller says he feels quite confident.  Miller, a senior wrestler at Upper Perkiomen High School, relies on quick bursts to escape from the bottom position or score a crucial takedown.  "I'm in very good condition," he said. "That really helps a lot."

                On Dec. 17, Miller scored his seventh consecutive overtime victory in the 145-pound weight class to help lead the visiting Indians to a 61-14 victory over Pottstown in their Pioneer Athletic Conference dual meet opener.

                He scored the decisive point on an escape in the third overtime period to post a 3-2 victory over Bryant Wise, a state tournament qualifier.  "Eric's conditioning is out of this world," said Samuel Walters, Upper Perkiomen's first-year head coach. "He was hardly breathing heavy at the end of his match."

                The Indians dominated the match, posting pins in seven of their 11 victories.  Levi Homan (132 pounds), Michael Felix (170), Owen Leister (195), Michael Modugno (220) and Marlon Shaffer (285) each registered first-period falls.  Dustin Steffenino (113 pounds) and Trevor Weeks (182) each scored a second-period pin. Mike Lockoff (160) added a major victory for Upper Perkiomen.

                Walters said he expects Steffenino, a returning state medalist, to capture a state title.  "He's on track to win it all," the coach said.

                According to Walters, Miller, who finished fourth in the district tournament last spring, also has a good chance to win a medal at the state tournament.  "We're expecting big things from him," the coach said.  Miller said the win should help propel him to his goal of competing in Hershey.  "This win should really boost Eric's confidence," Walters said.

                According to the coach, Miller relies on his defense to outlast most opponents.

"Winning a match that way is perfectly acceptable," Walters said. "You can always figure out a way to score a point or two. He's a grinder, which is the style we stress."

Miller, who has won six straight matches to start the season, is working to refine his top offensive moves, which he said includes a "dump" and a double-leg takedown. The senior said he would like to add a single-leg takedown to his repertoire.

                On Saturday, Miller was among seven Indians to reach the finals of the Caldwell Tournament in West Caldwell, N.J. and help them capture the overall team title.  Upper Perkiomen finished with 189 team points, edging Hunterdon Central (N.J.) by 16.5 points, according to information posted at NJ.com.

                Steffenino captured the lone individual title, beating Kittatinny Regional High School's Nick Klinger in the finals of the 120-pound weight class.  Miller (145), Lockoff (152) Weeks (170), Mike Felix (182) Leister (195) and Billy Bower (285) each lost in their championship finals.