"In the just posted All-NorCal XC teams, the debate for female NorCal runner of the year came down to Fiona O'Keeffe and Anna Maxwell. Two terrific runners who each had a season for the ages. Lost in the shuffle was one runner who had a quite a season for herself and in most other seasons, she would have ended up as the NorCal runner of the year. Gunn HS runner Sarah Robinson became the 6th girl to break 17 minutes on the famed Crystal Springs course, she won at Stanford and CCS, finished 4th at the state meet and wrapped up her season with an 11th place finish at NXN. During the last track season, Robinson recorded PRs of 2:14.44, 4:48.37 and 10:26.65. At the CA state track and field meet, Robinson finished in 3rd place in the 1600m. and 5th place in the 3200m. recording PRs in both races. She will be a force to be reckoned with during this coming season."
1) How did you get your start in running? What was your first success?
I have been running just to stay in shape for soccer since I was young. Since my entire family runs I began running at a young age. But I didn't really compete until high school. My sister convinced me the last day of summer vacation before my freshman year to do cross country.
2) What about soccer? When did you begin to play soccer? What do you enjoy the most about that sport?
I began playing soccer at a very young age because my older sister played. I think I started playing at around 4 years old. I enjoy the skill in the sport and the intensity. I also like how it is a team sport and all the team members depend on each other. I really enjoyed traveling with my club team and the national team.
3) Tell us a little about your freshman experience in high school in both sports (XC and TF). Highlights in both sports. Who were your mentors or runners that you looked up to as a freshman?
As a freshman I was just running to have fun and simply because I loved to run. I thought it was awesome that I could run with my older sister and be on the same team with her.
I think in cross country a highlight would be placing 3rd in CCS. During track I was traveling quite a bit for soccer so I didn't get to compete in be post season but I guess it would be placing 3rd at the league meet in the 1600m.
As a freshman, I looked up to my sister and the other upper-class members on the team.
4) What about your sophomore seasons? Highlights in both sports?
For my sophomore cross-country season, I really improved. I think a highlight would be winning CCS and running on the Crystal Springs cross country course. Another highlight would be running the Footlocker West cross country meet and qualifying for the Footlocker National Meet. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend due to a commitment to the U-17 National Soccer Team.
For track I was traveling quite a bit for the national team and couldn't compete again in the post season. A highlight would be breaking five minutes in the 1600m.
5) What do you feel was your best race during your junior cross country season? What about during track season?
During my junior year cross country season I did not compete, but I competed during track. I feel that my best race during track was either the mile run at the Stanford Invitational or the 1600m and 3200m at the CIF California state meet.
