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Last Saturday Arizona beat Houston 79-74 in the Big 12 tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Wildcats have now made 5 straight NCAA tourneys since hiring Coach Tommy Lloyd in 2021, and will open as a #1 seed against LIU in San Diego on Friday. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Arizona Pomline captain Maya Miller about running her own business and making the NCAA tourney.

You are from Chandler, AZ: what made you choose Arizona for college? I grew up in Chandler, and family has always been a huge part of my life. Because of that, I knew I wanted to stay relatively close to home, but not necessarily right down the road, so Tucson (being about an hour and a half away), felt like the perfect balance. When I toured the University of Arizona, I immediately fell in love with the campus. It has a unique blend of a large-campus atmosphere with a small-town feel, which made it easy for me to envision myself calling it home. The Arizona Pomline also played a significant role in my decision. Our program is known as a feeder for professional cheerleading, which was very exciting to me. We focus primarily on showmanship and game-day performance rather than competition, which aligns more closely with the professional cheerleading world. On top of that, the university offers excellent academics, great athletics, and a vibrant campus community, making it truly feel like the perfect fit.

You are majoring in human development and family sciences, and minoring in communication: how did you choose those subjects? I fell in love with my major as soon as I arrived at Arizona and stuck with it for all four years. I have always been interested in understanding people, relationships, and family dynamics, which is precisely what Human Development and Family Sciences focuses on. My minor took a little longer to figure out. I entered college knowing I eventually wanted to pursue family law, but I intentionally avoided a traditional pre-law major because I wanted to explore other interests and build a broader skill set before applying to law school. At one point, I considered becoming a family and marriage counselor and even completed an internship in that field the summer before my junior year. That experience helped me realize that counseling was not the right path for me, but it reaffirmed my interest in family systems and relationships. Communication ended up being the perfect minor because strong communication skills are essential in law, leadership, and really any career. It also provides me with flexibility in the job market and helps me better understand how to connect with and advocate for others.

Your post-graduation plans involve making an NFL cheer team and going to law school: which do you feel will be more difficult? I anticipate that both paths will be challenging in very different ways. Physically, making an NFL cheer team is extremely demanding. It requires strict discipline regarding training, nutrition, and constantly improving as a dancer. There is also the mental aspect of staying confident, focused, and not comparing myself to the incredibly talented women auditioning alongside me. Law school, on the other hand, will be academically and mentally demanding. It requires a significant amount of reading, critical thinking, and long-term dedication. Right now, my plan is to focus on pursuing professional cheerleading first. I would love to make an NFL team and gain that experience while I am still young. Law school is still very much in my future, but I want to ensure that I am financially and personally ready when I take that step.

How did you 1st get into dancing? I started dancing relatively late compared to most dancers: I was nine years old. Before that, from ages three to nine, I did karate and even earned my black belt, which was a huge accomplishment for me. After that, I decided I wanted to try something new, as dance had always been of interest to me. I joined a local dance studio and eventually made their competition team. When I reached junior high, I chose to shift my focus to school dance teams because I loved the idea of representing something bigger than just myself. I attended Perry High School and was part of the varsity pomline from my sophomore year through senior year. I was also involved in the school’s dance program all four years and made the dance company my senior year. Transitioning from high school pom to collegiate pom at Arizona was a big adjustment because the styles are very different. In high school, we focused on competition and trained all year for UDA nationals, where we competed against other schools from all over the country. At Arizona, our emphasis is on being ambassadors for the university and performing high-energy game-day routines that prepare us for professional cheerleading opportunities.

You have been a captain of the Arizona Pomline for 2 years in a row: what is the key to being a good leader? I believe the key to being a good leader is always putting your teammates’ best interests first. Our team has 24 dancers, each with different personalities, strengths, and needs. As 1 of the captains, it is our responsibility to ensure everyone feels confident, supported, and prepared for every performance. Our team structure is also built around seniority, which helps distribute responsibilities. The captains choreograph routines, create formations, lead rehearsals, organize travel details, and coordinate which dancers represent the university at various events in the Tucson community. We also try to mentor younger team members by giving them opportunities to choreograph or teach routines during the season if they are interested. Leadership is not just about directing; it is about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and has the chance to grow.

1 of your hobbies is hiking: do you have any hiking suggestions for any of our readers who find themselves in the greater Tucson area? Tucson has some incredible hiking spots. For those looking for a scenic place to explore without committing to a full hike, Mount Lemmon is a beautiful option. There are charming local shops up there: one of my personal favorites is the Cookie Cabin. If you want a shorter yet challenging workout, Tumamoc Hill is a great choice. It is not very long, but its steep incline provides an excellent cardio workout. Another favorite of mine is Sabino Canyon, known for its stunning scenery and a trail that leads to a gorgeous waterfall. And for something iconic, Sentinel Peak, also known as “A” Mountain, offers a shorter hike that ends in a view of the famous Arizona “A” overlooking the city.

You also have your own eyelash business: how are you able to balance school/dancing/business? During my sophomore year of college, I became certified in eyelash extensions. It turned out to be the perfect job for my schedule, as it allows me to work around my classes and Pomline practices. A traditional part-time job with fixed hours would be difficult to manage with such a busy schedule, but running my own business gives me the flexibility I need. I also offer private dance lessons to girls who aspire to join our team. These opportunities help me pay my rent and provide some extra “spending money”. I typically schedule lash clients during the week when I do not have class or practice and reserve weekends for private dance lessons with younger dancers. The key to balancing everything is to stay organized. I maintain a weekly calendar in my room that I constantly update with practices, games, gigs, clients, dance privates, and classes. Additionally, I keep an assignment tracker for all my coursework for the semester to stay ahead. Having a system like this makes it possible to manage everything successfully.

How does your school decide who gets to attend the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? Travel opportunities with our dance team are primarily based on seniority. For basketball tournaments, six dancers travel to each round of games. Generally, seniors and juniors travel with the men’s team, while juniors and sophomores often accompany the women’s team. This arrangement depends on the number of dancers in each class. Last year, I had the opportunity to travel for the first time with the women’s team to the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. This year is especially exciting because I am traveling with the men’s team for both the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. During football season, all 24 dancers usually have the chance to travel to bowl games. In basketball, most dancers wait three or four years before getting the opportunity to travel, making the experience more meaningful. Performing on a national stage like that is something we work towards all year. Representing the University of Arizona and our team in front of a national audience is truly an unforgettable opportunity.

Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for San Diego? Our team is eager to make our mark in San Diego this year. While we are still waiting for our final itinerary, fans can expect some exciting moments, including the team send-off, pep rallies, and of course, cheering during the game itself. We are also preparing a halftime performance with the Arizona Cheer Team that we are excited to showcase. It is always a fantastic opportunity to bring energy and represent Arizona pride on a national stage.

Any predictions for the Wildcats this month? The Wildcats had an outstanding season, consistently demonstrating their capabilities. Winning the Big 12 regular season title and the conference championship were significant accomplishments, and I know the team is motivated to keep that momentum going. One of the team’s greatest strengths is its depth. With talented five-star freshmen, experienced veterans, and an incredibly energized bench, there is immense talent throughout the roster. Additionally, Coach Tommy Lloyd has done an amazing job leading the program. He remains level-headed, cares deeply about the players and the community, and has built a strong culture around the team. Because of this combination of talent, leadership, and coaching, I believe the Wildcats are well-equipped to make Tucson very proud this tournament season.