<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=47oF9k_0utJKKnH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=47oF9k_0utJKKnH00" width="650" height="433" ><figcaption>Frankfort sophomore Owen Mills receives the pitch from Carter Kerby against Mancelona on Aug. 25, 2023.&nbsp; (McLain Moberg/Record Patriot ) </figcaption></figure> FRANKFORT — Owen Mills is a junior running back and linebacker at Frankfort High School. Mills is also a sprinter and record-breaking weight lifter. "(He's) the best leader we have on the team. I wish we had 10 of him," said Frankfort football offensive line coach A.J. Eilers. Mills was a 2023 Northern Michigan Football Conference <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/sports/article/frankfort-football-earns-all-conference-honors-18532372.php" rel="nofollow"> all-conference first-team </a> selection for his contributions to Frankfort's success. Mills was also a Northwest Conference all-conference track <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/sports/article/benzie-central-frankfort-athletes-given-19532005.php" rel="nofollow"> honorable mention&nbsp; in the 100-meter sprint </a> last season. Mills took second place in the state tournament while breaking a Michigan state record in the&nbsp;powerlifting squat in the 165-pound weight class, lifting 430 pounds. Mills dead lifted 435 pounds and bench pressed 225 pounds. Mills was the second leading tackler for the Panthers, piling up 117 take-downs. Frankfort's head football coach Ed Schindler thinks very highly of the multi-sport athlete, both as a player and a person. "Owen constantly does all the work, he is a guy that is going to show up at six&nbsp;in the morning and work hard. And he's respectful and he's very coachable, and he's willing to do things for the team and then he also takes time to mentor other people and so that's very admirable that's exactly what you want from an athlete as a finished product before they graduate from high school," said Schindler. On Aug. 8, Mills spoke with Benzie County Record Patriot sports reporter <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/news/article/get-know-benzie-county-new-sports-reporter-18633223.php" rel="nofollow"> Nick Cooper </a> about football, track, weight lifting and his greatest influence. Benzie County Record Patriot: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? OWEN MILLS: I have a total goal of playing at the upper level in college and my brother ( <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/sports/article/Ten-Frankfort-football-players-headline-NMFC-16663302.php" rel="nofollow"> Adam </a> ), who's a huge mentor for me, plays at Albion College as a middle linebacker. (He's a) huge helper for our team as well. I also power lift, I power lifted last winter and I was fortunate to make it to states. I was actually able to break a squat record for my weight class which was awesome. I was in the 165 weight class, I squatted 430 pounds, dead lifted 435, then benched 225 I took second place. BCRP: What is your favorite sport to play? MILLS: Of course football, it has always been my top sport. I worked hard to get to this point, I strive to continue on to the next level. BCRP: Can you tell me what a practice with coach Ed Schindler is like? MILLS: Coach Schindler, he keeps us running just like his track dynamics. He's all about the track stuff and always high energy a lot of talking, a lot of team stuff. BCRP: What do you think makes you so successful? MILLS: My family pushed to me a lot. My brother, he's a huge supporter for me. He makes workouts for me all the time, always there for me. He was like a coach for the powerlifting, coaching me through that. And he's always there for football, he gives me some advice. BCRP: What do you think makes your team so successful? MILLS: We're very close on our team. We're all close friends, we've known each other forever and coaches have really helped with that. They brought us together, set up many things for us to bond. BCRP: What do you see yourself doing athletically this year? MILLS: The goal&nbsp;for football this year is to win at least one playoff game. We haven't had one in a while. And maybe all states, that's possible and that'd be awesome. And for powerlifting, go to states and possibly win. For track, I'd love to make it to states in the 100 meter dash, I just missed it last year by .01 so I'll be working toward that this year. BCRP: How does your team help you improve? MILLS: We're always pushing each other in the weight room, and during practice we're all close friends. We all love to push each other and play around, and we're always there for each other. BCRP: Who has been your biggest influence? MILLS: My father and my older brother. They've pushed me forever through my sports and just through life in general. It helps me so much through everything. They're two amazing people. BCRP: Can you tell me how rewarding it is to do things for the community like the <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/sports/article/frankfort-football-offers-drive-thru-pigskin-19622852.php" rel="nofollow"> Pigskin Dinner </a> ? MILLS: It's amazing to help our community, being so close knit, where we all know each other. And it's just always a blast. </div></body>

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Meet powerlifting phenom, Frankfort gridiron star, Owen Mills

Frankfort's Owen Mills is a running back and linebacker while also breaking state powerlifting records.