RUNNING RUNS IN THE FAMILY : SHE SHOWS HER GENES WITH A SPEEDY TRIAL.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

Sprinter Inger Miller always had the genes. It was good health that had evaded her.

Miller, a graduate of USC, is the daughter of Lennox Miller, the sprinter from Jamaica who won a silver medal in the 100-meter dash in the 1968 Olympics and a bronze in the same event in 1972.

The first time she stepped on the track as a child she displayed raw speed handed down by her father, speed that enabled to succeed at Muir High School and USC. However, chronic injuries prevented her from taking that one final step to stardom - until now.

Miller, 24, outleaned Gwen Torrence to earn the third and final Olympic berth in the 200 and, as the fourth-place finisher in the 100, will be part of the 400 relay pool.

``I knock on wood every time I say this: This is the first time I've ever been healthy this time of year. And it's about time,'' she said.

Lennox Miller, who also ran for USC, never pressured his daughter to become a runner.

However, it became obvious while she participated in other sports that she had unusual speed and ultimately she drifted to the track, where she excelled immediately. Her potential seemed limitless.

As a high school sophomore, in 1988, she participated in the Jamaican Olympic trials and reached the final, although she failed to make a typically strong team.

Then the injuries set in.

She's had lingering problems with a hamstring, she wrestled with knee pain, but the worst came sometime in 1990 or 1991 - she's not sure - when she broke the navicular bone in her foot. It wasn't until she rebroke the bone in 1994 that x-rays revealed the first injury.

In June of '94, after her college eligibility was up, she underwent surgery that kept her from any type of training for six months. She wasn't certain she would ever run again.

``When I saw the stitching, how big the foot was, I thought, `Oh, God, this is never going to be right again,' '' she said. ``. . . I just had to let it heal and wait and see. It really never felt right until '95.

``It's been really frustrating to know I have the ability but not be able to prove it. What I've gone through is unbelievable.''

Unbelievable is the way she's been able to come back.

Miller, who is coached by her father and fellow Jamaican Olympian Don Quarrie, missed the '94 season and most of last season during her rehabilitation, which left her precious little time to train for the Olympic trials.

Apparently, it was enough time, however: She proved she's among America's fastest sprinters.

``To make the team is wonderful,'' she said. ``I couldn't be happier.''

Neither could her father.

After all the years of disappointment, the elder Miller - both as father and coach - is gratified to see her finally succeed. And he believes this is only the beginning.

``I sensed when she was 10, 11 years old that she had exceptional talent,'' he said. ``How far she goes depends on how far she wants to go, how much work she puts in.

``Barring injury, I think she can be the best woman sprinter in the world.''

Even better than dad.

PROFILE Age: 24

School: USC

Fast fact: Miller's father, Lennox Miller, won a silver medal in the 100-meter dash in the 1968 Olympics and a bronze in the same event in '72 for Jamaica.

When to Watch First round: July 31, 9 a.m.

Second round: July 31, 3:50 p.m.

Semifinals: Aug. 1, 2:50 p.m.

Finals: Aug. 1, 4:45 p.m.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, 2 boxes

Photo: (1) USC graduate Inger Miller of Pasaden a is ecstatic after finishing third in the 200 meters to make the U.S. Olympic team.

Associated Press 

(2) Inger Miller

(3) THROUGH THE YEARS

1982: While participating in other sports, she shows that she has inherited the sprinter's speed of her father, two-time Olympian Lennox Miller.

1988: Participates in the Jamaican Olympic trials but fails to make the team.

1990 or 1991: Around this time, she's not certain of the date, she breaks a bone in her foot that isn't discovered until she rebreaks it three years later. It is just one of several nagging injuries that would hinder her performances.

1994: Has surgery on the foot, which heals and allows her to run without pain the following year.

1996: Qualifies for the U.S. Olympic team by outleaning defending champion Gwen Torrence for the third and final spot in the 200-meter dash. She also places fourth in the 100, which makes her part of the 400 relay pool.

Box: (1) Profile (see text)

(2) When to watch (see text)