As the cross country season winds down, it is time to show some recognition to the athletes who have dedicated countless hours since practice began training to compete at a high level.
The first Bobcat Runner of the Week spotlighted will be Senior Chase Robinson.
Robinson, although only a sophomore, has made himself a team leader by having some very strong finishes at the end of his freshman season and throughout all of this season.
Coming from Fairless High School out of Navarre, Oh., Robinson decided to attend Ohio and run cross country because his older brother, Ridge, was a senior last year and told Chase the program was a great fit for him.
Chase and his brother competed daily last season and brought the best competitive mentalities out of each other. Chase still thinks about racing his brother and uses that as motivation today.
“I always stay really calm and focused in races and never let whatever problems I’m having affect me mentally,” Chase Robinson said. “’If others are doing well, I just want to do as well as them, because I know I’m good enough.”
During his freshman season, Robinson competed in five events, but placed high in all events in which he competed. He finished in the top 40 positions in what are believed to be the two toughest races of the season for the Bobcats — the MAC Championships and Pre-National Invitational.
Chase said he would like to use his solid performances last season as fuel to not only match his finishes, but exceed them this year.
“I do a lot to keep myself in the best condition possible,” Robinson said. “I try to get as much sleep as I can, so I try to be in bed by 11 every night. I also watch what I eat and try to live as health as I can to remain strong in races and hopefully I'll continue my success.”
Despite not having the finishes every week he desires, Robinson has still led the men’s team throughout the 2011 campaign.
His best performance of the season came in the Harry Groves Invitational at State College, Pa. where he finished in fourth overall to lead the Bobcats to a third place finish overall.
As the number of meets wind down, Robinson hopes he will be able to continue to lead the team to strong finishes.
