FLAGGING YOUR ATTENTION: COLOR GUARD PRACTICE

Robinson Athletes: On Their Way to Greatness

Nuria Dakake Staff Writer Rob Muzzio, a graduate of Robinson, went to the 1992 Summer Olympics as a decathlete. Chris Warren, another graduate, was a member of the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks. From football to lacrosse, Robinson has produced some amazing athletes over the years. According to Project Play, 71.8 percent of kids participate in sports from the age of 6-17. But how do some athletes rise above the rest and become champions?

High school is where many athletes began their journey to success. Football legend Tom Brady started playing in high school. James A. Barrineau, the varsity track coach at Robinson, earned a track scholarship to college and was in the 1972 Summer Olympics. Barrineau says that he would, “never get a scholarship today,” with the ability he had in high school. This is because today, colleges are looking for athletes who have already peaked in their sport. Colleges are less willing to take a chance on athletes who have the potential to excel in a sport.

Grace Gilbert is a ninth grader at Robinson. She plays softball most days a week and has been playing since fourth grade. Some softball players Gilbert looks up to include JMU pitcher Odyssey Alexander, and Olympic champion Rachel Garcia. Gilbert plans to take softball all the way to college and play professionally if possible. Gilbert is considering attending Division I schools like JMU and UCLA for college. In order to reach her dream of becoming a D1 softball player Gilbert needs her pitching speed to be 60 miles per hour; her current pitching speed is 55 miles per hour. To achieve this Gilbert practices pitching while using a resistance band around her legs. “It takes a lot of patience because softball is very strategic. It’s a mental game more than a physical game,” Gilbert said.

Kristen Baird is a ninth grader at Robinson. Baird runs cross country. Baird began running in sixth grade and would love to run professionally if possible. She plans on continuing cross country through college. Baird’s 5K time is 21.50. In order to reach her time goal of 21.30, Baird does something called mile’s repeated. When practicing miles repeated Baird runs about the pace she would run a mile and practices maintaining that speed. “It’s a lot of work, you’re always running,” Baird said.

There are many athletes at Robinson with incredible potential. Training most days a week and competing every weekend is a reality for most serious athletes. Robinson is ready to nurture these young athletes, help them reach their greatest potential, and push their furthest limits. “Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it lit.” - Mary Lou Retton.

Photo by: Kevin Baird

Kristen Baird runs a 5k for Robinson

Photo by: Melissa Shaffer

Grace Gilbert throws a pitch.