–Alyssa Robinson couldn’t even believe it herself.

The St. Clairsville graduate, who now competes at Penn State University, had seemingly hit a wall and honestly wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue her track career.

“I had to do a lot of soul searching,” Robinson said. “I completely folded at Big Ten outdoors last season. It was probably the worst performance of my career.”

Robinson didn’t have to look far to figure out some of the differences in her freshman season and sophomore campaigns.

“I kind of slacked off during the summer, which put in me in catch-up mode,” Robinson said. “Once I caught up, I wasn’t prepared. It was just a mess. I just wasn’t there, mentally and track is such a mental sport that if you’re not completely there, it’s not going to go well.”

The soul searching and getting re-focused evidently worked because Robinson just wrapped a very solid and productive indoor campaign last weekend by placing fourth in the conference indoor meet at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Oh.

“It definitely feels good and it’s nice to have my confidence back up,” Robinson said. “All of the hardwork since last season is starting to pay off. I am back to the point where track is fun again.

When Robinson talks about her hardwork, it’s all encompasing. Whether it was her summer conditioning, nutrition or weight training, it was all evaluated and revised.

“It’s all working for me, and I am seeing the results,” Robinson confessed.

She even made changes on the technical side. She’s started rotating, rather than gliding, which she used to win two Division II state championships during her prep career.

“When I get the technique fully down, my coach really thinks it will benefit me,” Robinson said. “The strength is there, but it takes about a year to get it down completely.”

Unhappy with her consistency in terms of distance and staying in the circle, Robinson and her coached elected to change back to the glide for the conference meet because points were of the premium.

During the conference meet last weekend, Robinson achieved a personal best in the shot put circle. She posted a mark of 15.91 meters, which converts to 52-feet-2 1/2 inches.

“I really didn’t know how far that really was, but when I heard the mark I knew I had moved into third place,” Robinson said. “When I heard the actual number in feet, it was really exciting because throwing 50 (feet) had been my goal. I was really happy because my entire series of throws was over 50.”

Her marks at Big Ten elevated her to 42nd in the national rankings.

“I feel really good and I have a lot more confidence going into this outdoor season,” Robinson said.

Now, Robinson has three weeks until she and the Nittany Lions head to Arizona State for the start of the outdoor season.

With the start of outdoor, Robinson will add the hammer throw to her repertoire, replacing the weight she threw indoor. She will also go back to rotation for the at least the start of the outdoor campaign.

Robinson, who has qualified for the opening round of NCAAs in both of her seasons, has re-established her goals in the last year, too.

“There has to be a purpose why you’re throwing, so every day I remind myself why I am throwing,” Robinson said. “The 2020 Olympic Trials are my goal. I approach every throw, workout and practice with that in the back of my mind.”

CONDOLENCES

I wanted to express my condolences to the family and friends of Dan Adams. The long-time athletic director at John Glenn High School died last week after a relatively short bout with colon cancer.

I’d met Adams several times through post-season events that John Glenn had hosted, including regional track and sectional basketball. He was a great guy and the consummate professional.

Adams also served on the Eastern District Board and was widely respected by athletic administrators from all over the area.

Adams was college roommates, at Ohio University, with Bridgeport High School graduate Jay Meager.

FERNS UPDATE

During his pre-spring practice media session, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen was asked whether or not St. Clairsville graduate Michael Ferns will be utilized at fullback or tight end this season.

“Both” was Holgorsen’s answer.

Ferns’ versatility has allowed the Mountaineers to create some depth at both positions.

With having Ferns, Stone Wolfley and Elijah Wellman, it’s a bunch of bodies that you can keep doing that. With a fullback, you can do some lead stuff and keep pounding those guys.

SETH’S SCOOPS

• SHADYSIDE HIGH school graduate Louie Matsakis is making a career move. After spending many years at Kansas University as an assistant football coach, Matsakis has accepted a position as quality control coach at the University of Kentucky. He will be working with special teams.

• SHADYSIDE GRAD Tom Keane has accepted a position on the football staff at Florida Atlantic as a quality control coach. He spent last season as the video coordinator at Colgate University.

• WEIR HIGH grad Quincy Wilson has been hired as running backs coach at Glenville State University. He’d spent the last several years at his alma mater, West Virginia University.

• TRACK AND field practice officially begins Monday throughout the Buckeye State.