Faith Robinson, Class of 2019 - Minnetonka High School
What are all your personal records? What State Meet competitions have you been in, and what were your results?
100m: 12.37
200m: 25.47
Long Jump: 18'7"
I have competed in every state meet since 2014 competing in various events such as the 4x100, 4x200, 200m, 100m, and the long jump.
How did you first get involved with track, and what other sports have you done?
I first became involved with track at the end of fourth grade, but didn't take it seriously till the end of fifth grade. My school district put on a track meet for kids grades 3 through 5 where we would compete against kids from the other schools. I fell in love with racing and I decided that I wanted to continue competing. I joined Park Flyers and I started practicing and learning techniques for both sprinting and the long jump.
When I was younger I participated in many sports, but throughout high school I participated in gymnastic and diving. Both sports, though I will not be continuing them into college, have taught me a great deal of what it means to be strong after setbacks.
What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?
My most memorable competition that I have been in was sections my 8th grade year. I was supposed to run the 100m dash, which at the time was my best event and I was the top performer from my school. All I had to do was run the race that I had prepared and I would advance to finals, for the opportunity to go to State. That was the first time I ever false-started. I was mortified and upset with myself as I was disqualified, and I felt as though I had let the team down. This competition, is the most memorable to me not because of the false start but what happened after. After gathering myself and putting the false start behind me, I took second in the 200. I took the race that I feared and I owned it! What always stands out to me about this competition is not that I false started but I got back up, focused and executed.
Tell me about what it was like to sweep the 4x200 at the Hamline Elite Meet and the State Meet last year. Do you think your team will be able to repeat that success?
It's always fun to see your hard work and prayer flourish and it's even better to do it as a team. we were committed to the race and to each other, knowing that no one wanted to let the others down. Though we will be missing key contributors Olivia O'Brien and Emma Harrison, I am super excited to see what some of the young talent we have can do!
Tell me a non-competition-related memory from your track career that stands out to you.
This was a long long time ago but I remember after one meet, I think it was Wayzata Relays or something, but a whole bunch of people went over to one house and we all jumped in the lake. I was an eighth-grader at the time and I was very confused and I jumped in with all of my clothes on, including my warm ups. It was embarrassing, but also a good bonding moment.
Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?
Robbie Grace, Shaliciah Jones, Kendra Kelley, Arianna Passeri and Taynian Walgrave are some of the girls have always pushed me to be better. It has been such a blessing to get to work with Shaliciah and Robbie in the off season, we push each other every single day. Despite the different jerseys that we wear, we always support each other.
Despite not competing directly with Erin Shoemaker and Annika Muller, their competitive spirits keep practices and workouts fun and challenging. Both of them support and encourage me to become the athlete and woman God has created me to be on and off the track!
Who are some people that have been most helpful to you in your athletic career, and how have they helped you?
Before everyone, none of this would be possible without Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. He gives me strengths when I am weak and hope when I doubt. I know that no matter the result of a competition, he loves me.
My dad become my coach when I was 10 years old and my mom has taken on the role of being a personal manager, photographer, stat keeper, and motivational speaker.
My grandma dedicated her schedule to make sure that she would never miss a chance to be the best cheerleader in the stands.
My sister became my built in training partner and teammate, even if she didn't like it.
I meet Ruby Stauber, from Wayzata, when I was in 7th grade and instantly knew that we shared a deep love for the sport! Our friendship has grown and so have I. I have learned about being strong in the face of defeat, being patient and trusting God's timing through her.
Who might we find cheering for you at competitions?
It's hard for me to think of a meet where my dad hasn't been there. He is the best and has always been a rock for me. I love looking over and seeing him cheering me on or helping me! My family has been so so amazing and supportive!
What are your main goals for this track season?
Though I have worked out goals to lower my times and further my distances, I want to fully enjoy this last season with my teammates and best friends.
Tell me a bit about your recruitment and how you came to the decision to attend Villanova.
What are you and your teammates looking forward to the most this year?
I think we are all looking forward to a great season supporting each other! We love to have a great time with each other whether is dance parties and singing on the bus or going to McDonalds after the meet.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
I don't feel like I am that superstitious, but I am pretty particular how my long jump mark is made. It has to be marked with FAR, because of my initials, Faith Ann Robinson.
When not doing anything track-related, what might we find you doing?
Last season I started a vlog channel on YouTube and I love doing it! Sometimes my videos are extremely corny, but I love sharing what I do with others around me and my friends in different states! I love the process forming and idea, filming and editing!
What advice would you give to younger athletes, or athletes just starting out in track?
I always think back to something that Sydney McLaughlin said, "it's the end of the season not the end of your career." Last year I did not achieve the goals that I made for myself , but I took the time to reflect and see what I could do change to improve. I am so excited to see where God takes me this this season and the next. Let your goals be motivation to become a better athlete but don't let them to have the power to rule your life and mind.
Do you have any specific running or jumping advice or tips that you would like to share?
Don't focus on the marks of others. You can only focus on yourself, your race and your jumps. Be so focused on executing what you have practiced that you don't have time to even think about what others are doing. If you're thinking about someone else and how they are going to perform, and they are thinking about their performance, who is going to think about you? You have to focus on what you can control, which is you!
Tell me three bizarre facts about yourself.
- My family and I are obsessed with Disney World (Disney World is better than Disneyland).
- I am terrified of birds.
- I am fluent in Spanish and created a bilingual art curriculum that I taught to a school in Nicaragua.
