Villanova University

Feb. 6, 1998

With Honors

In the first-ever triple jump of her first collegiate meet on Dec. 6, Wildcat freshman Marlena Robinson not only won the individual championship at the Bucknell Invitational with a leap of 40-6, but broke the Villanova school record in the process. Not bad for a late track & field bloomer who didn't know until the end of her high school career if she even wanted to pursue the sport further on a higher level.

"I didn't start doing track until my freshman year of high school in the outdoor season," said Robinson. "I was a cheerleader, but wanted to try something else. My mom said to me, Your father was fast and I was fast, so why don't you try track?'"

Keeping her family tradition in track alive, Robinson was an instant success at Brighton High School in Rochester, N.Y. Competing in the quarter mile, the 200 meter, as well as the long jump and triple jump, Robinson was a three-time All-League and All-County selection. She set Section V records in both the indoor and outdoor triple jump and the Section V mark in the outdoor long jump.

"At first I had to prove my gain and work ethic. Senior year, I finally found I was really good at something," said Robinson. "At Brighton, we had a few big-name cross country runners. Over the years, the school has been really good. It produces two or three really good sprinters every three or four years. I guess I just kept the cycle going."

Robinson realized as a senior that she did want to make the commitment to track at the next level, knowing full well the time demands it would require. She wanted a school however, where she would have not only superb athletics, but also a school with an outstanding academic reputation. When all was said and done though, Robinson's decision came down instead to the coaching staff and the beliefs those coaches had towards track and to the overall life and well-being of their student-athletes.

"It just came down to the coaches, because I could have had academics at any of the schools on my list," said Robinson. "My decision came down to John Marshall and Antony Williams. I saw that they would be the best coaches for me. They both make sure academics come first. You are not athletic students to them, you are student-athletes."

Coming in as a freshman in the midst of Villanova's 100th year of track and field, Robinson has already added to the tradition of one of the nation's finest track programs. Setting the triple jump record in her first collegiate leap, she went on to victory in that event in each of the first three meets of her rookie season. Putting aside the first jump jitters, Robinson relaxed and remembered what first got her here. Amazingly, she had no idea that she even broke the record until reading it on the Internet. Robinson also surprisingly, had no idea of the tradition of Villanova track and field before she got to the Main Line.

"When I signed, I didn't have a clue about the tradition of Villanova track," said Robinson. "Now it is an honor. When people ask where I go and I say Villanova, they say wow.' Then when they find out that you are on the Villanova track team, there is a stigma that goes with it, that you must be good."

The adjustment from the high school to the college level is a drastic one for athletes of every sport. Track unlike some sports, however, is a 12 month a year way of life. To be successful at the national level, an individual must sacrifice themselves for the love of the sport. What has made Robinson's adjustment period easier is the methods the Villanova coaches use to make the transition a smooth one.

"Antony (Williams) is mainly my coach. There is a coach for every event, so that everyone is not worn thin," said Robinson. "Antony helps me out and is very encouraging. With this coaching staff they don't yell, they talk. They realize that we are not children anymore and they try to teach us how to separate our home, school and track lives."

Robinson has quickly learned that the life of a track athlete is quite a hectic one. After getting up to go to her 8:30 class, she practices immediately following class at 10:00. Since she is a jumper, Robinson jumps twice a week and runs for three days. On the days she jumps, she starts off with stretching and drills and then works on specific long jump drills. She works on each part of her jump separately, until putting it together at the end of practice to do full jumps. Without much time to cool down, Robinson heads back to class for the afternoon after which she spends her nights doing school work.

"At first the adjustment is quite overwhelming. The first thing you do is panic. Oh my God, I have no time for myself," said Robinson. "We are not here just to run though, we are here to work. You have to know when it is time to socialize and talk on the phone, and when it is time to go to work."

Despite breaking records and winning meets, Robinson's biggest highlight thus far in her career has nothing to do with either. Her moment in the sun came in the long jump at the Greater Boston Invitational on Jan.18. Although she has three victories next to her name, Robinson realizes that although she may win sometimes, it doesn't necessarily mean she jumped to the best of her ability.

"My most exciting moment came in the long jump at the Greater Boston Invitational, when I got the technique right on my jump," said Robinson. "It was not my best jump by any means, but it was my best jump technique-wise. I was really proud of myself because I had finally gotten in right."

Making an impact this quickly on a level considered to be the pinnacle of collegiate track and field, it is scary to think that Robinson almost chose a route other than the sport she has now grown to love. She credits her high school coaches for making her realize the potential she had and that the work that she would have to put in, was well worth it in the long run.

"The reason I stayed in track was because of my high school coaches Limau Vosylius, David McLaughlin and Cedric Walker," said Robinson. "They were so excited for me and they wanted me to be excited too. I thought I wasn't Division I material, but they made me understand that if I really worked, I could be something at this."

Confident she can now compete and win at the collegiate level, Robinson's next challenge to conquer is to make the United States Junior World Championship Team, who will compete in France. It is Robinson's last chance to make the junior squad, so she will do anything in her power to make the team whether it is in the long jump, the triple jump, or both. Like most competitors, she strives to be the best of the best, and soon hopes to be one of the top jumpers in the NCAA. Now that she knows the tradition of Villanova, Robinson admits leaving her mark on the Wildcat record books wouldn't hurt either.

To accomplish ones's goals and dreams, an individual must believe in their own heart that they can do anything they set their mind to. Robinson also knows, however, that sometimes this also takes a little support from others. If someone else believes in you, it is much easier to believe in yourself. Over the years Robinson has had many figures who have been there for her and helped her get to where she is today, but none that stands out more in her mind than her grandmother, Juanita Jackson.

" My grandmother has had the biggest impact on me because without her, I couldn't do any of this," said Robinson. "She has always been the person who has been there for me in the background. No matter what, I can always call her. My grandmother has never failed to be there for me in life and in track and field."

As a computer science major, Robinson's goal is to get her masters so that she can do something in the way of software development. Whether it is starting her own software company or serving as a head engineer, she wants to play a lead role in making computers and its software more user friendly.

"I would love to be able to do all that, but right now I just want to graduate Magna Cum Lade. With honors. I have to because it is my law," said Robinson.

Just a couple of months into her first indoor track season, Robinson is already turning heads. She has broken records and is quickly making her name synonymous with winning. More importantly, however, Robinson has worked hard and succeeded in all facets of life. She has proven that whether it's in track, school or life, she will not only graduate but she will graduate with honors.