Clarke Central’s Sadie Miller named Athlete of the Month by Piedmont Athens Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine

Athens, Ga. (October 23, 2025) – Piedmont Athens Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine has named Sadie Miller, a senior flag football player at Clarke Central High School, as the Athlete of the Month for October 2025.

Miller earned this recognition not only for her performance on the field, but also for her resilience and dedication to recovery following an ankle injury. In September, during a routine practice drill, she sustained an anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) sprain with an avulsion fracture of the lateral malleolus — a painful injury in which a ligament in the ankle tears and pulls away a small piece of bone from the calf bone (fibula).

Under the care of Piedmont Athens athletic trainers assigned to Clarke Central Ty Imler and Joey Twaddell, Miller followed a structured and progressive rehabilitation plan. Her recovery began with isometric exercises and range-of-motion work, gradually advancing to ankle strengthening, balance and walking training, and eventually to plyometrics and running.

“Sadie was incredibly diligent,” Twaddell said. “She completed her rehab daily — not just in the athletic training room, but also on the practice field and at home. She even motivated her teammates who were recovering from injuries to stay consistent with their own rehab.”

After weeks of focused rehabilitation, Miller was cleared to return to play and has since resumed full participation with her team. She continues to support her recovery by wearing a brace or having her ankle taped and remains committed to strengthening her ankle throughout the season.

Now midseason, the Clarke Central flag football team holds a 6-2 record, with Miller back on the field contributing to their success.

“Sadie’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork and expert care,” said Twaddell. “She embodies the spirit of what it means to be an Athlete of the Month.”

Piedmont is proud to serve student-athletes across the state of Georgia and is the official healthcare provider for the University of Georgia Athletic Association.