BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Kate Robinson well remembers the heartache of missing her junior cross-country season at West because of shin splints.
But in retrospect, Robinson said the injury was probably the best thing that could have happened to her.
Robinson, the 5Star Preps 2023 Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year, rebounded with a vengeance her senior season after sitting on the sidelines a year ago.
“I definitely had a lot of big goals for my junior year,” said Robinson.
“Being out (as a junior) really helped me as a senior. It gave me a lot more motivation.”
West coach Jason Altman agreed that the injury set the stage for a great senior season cross-country finishing kick by Robinson.
“Looking back at things like that, sometimes they’re a blessing in disguise,” said Altman.
“Sometimes you’re looking for a mental and physical re-set.”
Altman said a strong showing by Robinson in the outdoor track season indicated she was on the rebound from her injury.
“I told her she’d have a good track season and she did,” said Altman.
“She was fourth in the state in the 1600 and set a couple of PRs. After that I knew she was back to being healthy and fit, continued Altman.
The impetus for a stellar senior season was in place, and there was no holding Robinson back.
“I told her we’re going to have a dynamite cross-country season and we’re going to beat some of the girls we’ve never beaten before,” said Altman.
It didn’t take Robinson long to find her stride.
In late September she cruised to a nine-second win at the KIL Championships, taking first place in 17 minutes, 54.72 seconds.
She ran a PR and set the West school record in the 5K by running 17:48 to finish sixth at the prestigious Jesse Owens meet in Alabama.
At the Region 2-AAA Championships, Robinson cruised to a 13-second victory (18:44.04) over the field.
She wasn’t done yet.
Robinson claimed sixth place (18:30.65) at the AAA state meet and posted a 41st-place showing (18:12.5) at the Foot Locker Cross Country South Region meet Nov. 25 in Charlotte, N.C.
Altman said it his pleasure to coach a finally healthy Robinson one last season.
“She has everything you want as a coach,” said Altman.
“She obviously has talent, but she works hard and is like a sponge.”
Altman said Robinson almost becomes another person when she heads to the starting line.
“She has got this great smile and is really friendly, but she has got the eye of the tiger,” he said.
“Kate can flip the switch and she has this drive and edge to her.”
That combination of talent and motivation led Robinson to recently accept a scholarship offer from Georgia to run cross country and compete in track and field for the Lady Bulldogs.
“I’m really excited about going to Georgia,” said Robinson.
“I went on a tour of campus last year over spring break and really loved Georgia.”
Robinson said Davidson and Columbia were her other two finalists.
Altman said the sky is the limit for Robinson in college and perhaps beyond.
“I think she is going to thrive in college and be really good,” said Altman.