July 19, 2012
For immediate release
Former Sac State standout hopes to follow in Conley’s footsteps
Renisha Robinson looks into the future and sees plenty of career opportunities.
The former Sacramento State track and cross country standout wants to earn a Master’s degree, start her own business and maybe do some public-relations work for a sports-oriented company.
But first things first. Running remains her passion, and there is unfinished business on the track.
Robinson, a recent addition to the Sacramento Running Association’s Elite Team, finished her Sac State career by qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last month.
She then went out and ran a personal-best 2 minutes 5.15 seconds, but that wasn’t quite fast enough to advance to the second round.
“I really wanted to make it to the final,” Robinson said. “A lot of nervousness, but also a growth experience … I’d say it was a great experience leading up to that point.”
Robinson advanced to her second NCAA Indoor Championships in the 800 in 2011, won the Big Sky Conference outdoor title at that distance in 2010 and earned three consecutive all-conference honors in cross country.
What’s next? Robinson would like to find a path to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. After that, who knows?
Robinson, 23, doesn’t need to look far for a road map.
Kim Conley, one of the first members of the SRA’s Elite Team, took advantage of the SRA’s financial support to sharpen her training and become an Olympian with a dramatic third-place finish in the women’s 5,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials last month in Eugene, Ore.
“It was one of those fairy-tale stories,” Robinson said. “You can still train hard and still grow as a runner and get better at what you do.
“That was a real inspiration. That was a great moment. It was great for SRA.”
Robinson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications, plans to help out Sac State athletes as a mentor while revving up her training. She hopes to work out with SRA teammate Mary Cate Quiett and former Hornet star Lea Wallace.
“I definitely want to continue this as a career,” she said. “Meeting new people, having training partners, move to the next level.”
Look for Robinson to help SRA later this year in its push to contend in the National Club Cross Country Championships in Lexington, Ky. on Dec. 8.
Robinson, who enjoys sports, music and clothes, said she isn’t sure if she’ll stick with the 800 or pay more attention to the 1,500, where she owns a personal best of 4:16.66.
She just knows she’s ready to start her post-collegiate journey. And see how far it takes her.
“I have a lot more potential,” she said. “I definitely want to be a contender four years down the line.”
The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.
SRA events include the California International Marathon, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on Dec. 2. More than 4,000 runners have already registered for the race.
Other SRA events include the Lake Natoma Four Bridges Half Marathon, The Super Bowl Sunday 10k Run and the Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run.
SRA beneficiaries include the American River Parkway, youth fitness programs, local running venues and aspiring young runners.