WS Chronicle

Even though Terrell Robinson Jr. is a freshman at Mt. Tabor High School, his track and field resume is already impressive. Earlier this month, Robinson added two national championships to his growing list of accomplishments.

At the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Club National Championships in Landover, Maryland, Robinson Jr. stole the show by winning the 60-meter and 200-meter dash races. To make his feat even more impressive, the 14-year-old was racing in age against 15- and 16-year old’s. Robinson Jr. also finished 9th in the 400-meter dash.

“I was confident I was going to be able to perform well,” said Robinson Jr. “All indoor season, I have been up there with the top high school seniors, so I was confident in my ability coming off of last season.”

Robinson Jr. is no stranger to the big stage. In 2018 he won the AAU 60-meter dash national championship for his age group. He said that was a great experience that set him up perfectly for high school track.

The 60-meter dash seems to be Robinson Jr.’s best race. Along with winning the national championship, he set a new meet record for his age group with a blazing time of 7.09 seconds. 

“I knew I had to get out strong, because there was a guy right beside me that had a really good start and finished second in the prelims, so I knew I had to get out,” he said. “When I heard I set a new record, I was excited and overwhelmed with joy and thankful to God.”

The 200-m dash is the race where Robinson Jr. has shown the most improvement from last season. He has trimmed almost an entire second off his personal best, putting in countless hours on the track and in the weight room to improve his strength.

“I was very proud after the 200 and I was kind of surprised that I won, but all of the hard work I put in paid off,” he said.

To get him to this level, Robinson’s parents, Terrell Robinson Sr. and Celia Cager, sends him to a personal trainer up to three days a week. 

“Rain, sleet or snow we are out there,” said Robinson Sr. “We were out there training on New Year’s Day and it was only 30 degrees. We are just his support group, he is the one out there putting in the work.

“It is a lot of sacrifice and compromise on our part, but we are willing to do that for him to be successful and achieving his goals.”

Robinson Sr. said he was a little concerned about where his son would finish due to him running with older runners.  “I was a little nervous, but I knew with the determination and willpower he has, I knew he could accomplish his goal,” Robinson Sr. continued.

“I was nervous, but he tells me daily that he could do it, so I know if he sets his mind to it, that’s what he will accomplish,” said Cager. “My main concern is to just make sure he doesn’t get injured or anything like that.”

Robinson Sr. and Cager said they have seen a maturation in their son over the past year. They stated he has a “natural gift” for running, but now takes it more seriously than ever before. They feel when it’s all said and done, their son will make it to his ultimate goal, the Olympics in 2024.

Robinson is not just banking on his athletic talent to take him where he wants to go. He currently has a 4.3 GPA in all honors classes. He plays nine instruments and would love to attend Clemson University upon graduation.