Bermuda National Team Standout Michaiah Robinson Making Name For Himself At Washington Academy


Washington Academy junior Michaiah Robinson came to Maine in January from St. David's Island, Bermuda. A two sport athlete in both soccer and track, Robinson brought seven years experience including appearances at both the IAAF World Youth Championships where he was 7th in the 400m and several top ten finishes at the CARIFTA Games. We caught up with him just days before his first state championship in the Pine Tree State to talk about the transition to the U.S., his 2016 outdoor season, goals for this weekend, and more.

MaineTrackXC: Why did you move from Bermuda to Maine?

Michaiah Robinson: I came here to finish high school and hopefully get noticed and go to college. My parents felt being in the states would present more opportunities and better competition than in Bermuda.

MTXC: What has the transition been like for you?

MR: Athletically, I feel my training was more beneficial back at home. The coaches are good here but without a track facility it's a limit to the types of training sessions I can have. Also, l this year my school only did outdoor track so the season starts later out here than it does in Bermuda. Academically it was a bit difficult in the beginning because we learn differently in Bermuda. We do a different curriculum so adjusting was a bit of a task.

MTXC: What was a typical training week like without a track?

MR: We don't have a track and I didn't anticipate this before I arrived, but it's cool I train on grass and I have pretty good workouts. 
My favorite workouts are like 150's 200's 300' 600's, 

MTXC: Another major adjustment had to be the weather correct?

MR: To come from warm Bermuda to what seemed like freezing cold Maine was a big deal. I had a pretty easy adjusting to the weather but training in the cold was difficult in the beginning and I was recovering from a sprained knee injury but the cold did slow down the recovery process a bit.

MTXC: How and when did you injure your knee and what's the recovery process been like?

MR: I sprained my lcl in October back home and I hadn't fully recovered by the time i had gotten out here. I had to go get physical therapy over a course of about 6 weeks and I'm finally healed and am still working on my fitness.

MTXC: Coming off an injury, you still have managed to have a successful 2016 season. Your times of 23.06 and 50.06 are the the best in Class C, and your 100 season best of 11.3 is ranked second. What are your thoughts on the year so far?

MR: I mean last season my times were faster than this, but I also take the adjusting and injuries into play. I feel this season has been okay not the best of seasons, but not the worst.

MTXC: You plan to do the 100, 200, 400 and 4x400m relay at state. You were 7th in the 400 at the IAAF World Youth Championships in 2015. You competed in CARIFTA in the 800 and 1,500 and at NACAC for XC. Why the shift to the shorter sprints?

MR: 
I swapped to the shorter distances because I know i have the speed and with out a track running long distance on the road to train on would have really irritated my knee

MTXC: With all these obstacles how do you stay focused and hungry?

MR: I basically have people supporting me and knowing I'm good at track. I love to win so I just needed to race and the hunger and drive came back.

MTXC: What are your plans for after the state meet?

MR: After state I want to compete in New England's.

MTXC: Finish this sentence is... Michaiah Robinson is ______.

MR: Michaiah Robinson is a great athlete in track and field and a jokester.

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