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THE STARTING LINE: Cy Ranch Track star Robinson commits to Georgia
When it comes to Texas high school track & field, there are few current athletes who are quite as dynamic as Celeste Robinson.
The Cy Ranch senior turned heads this past Spring when she took bronze in both the 100m (11.46 s) and 200m Dash (23.14 s) at the UIL State Track Meet.
Consequently, it made sense that college recruiters nationwide would clamor to get one of fastest athletes in the state on their roster.
While she had the pick of the litter, in terms of elite-level D1 programs to choose from, such as LSU, USC, and South Florida, Robinson ultimately announced her commitment to the University of Georgia on Saturday.
“All the schools in my top-four have outstanding track programs, otherwise I wouldn’t have narrowed it down to them,” she said. “But, Georgia was different. Whenever I went on my visit, I felt like coach Caryl (Smith Gilbert) would be like a second mom to me. I’m a family-oriented person, so the vibe I picked up there resonated with me.
“My end goal is to come in there and be the record holder for the 100m and 200m. I looked up at their board, and I thought to myself ‘that’s doable – that’s possible’. Going to Georgia and establishing a legacy there is all I really want.”
It seems fitting that Robinson would want to make history with a program whose coach has already broken the mold, given that Gilbert became the first female coach to direct both women’s and men’s athletics in Georgia’s 240-year history.
Surprisingly, her journey to this point could’ve gone very differently had she not made one imperative decision.
“I started in track at a very young age,” said Robinson. “But, at some point I grew apart from it because I didn’t like the heat or the loud noise that the starter’s pistol would make. From there, I went to volleyball for a couple years, before my middle school coach had convinced me to join the track program again.
“COVID put a hitch in my seventh grade year, but once I got to the eighth grade, I didn’t lose a race. Once I got to high school, I put it on myself to get some professional training and commit to my purpose.”
In addition to her ceaseless training, Robinson became a part of the Nike Elite track program, which she cites as one of the fondest memories in her career.
But back to high school.
As previously mentioned, Cy Ranch’s star speedster finished third overall in two events at the 2024 State Meet.
Admirable as that achievement was, Robinson intends to stand at the top of the winner’s podium come May.
“The mindset is to go and break some national records,” she said. “Indoor season has been a tune-up for me, but I’m really looking to have fun throughout the end of my high school career. Track has essentially been a hobby of mine that God has blessed me to excel in. So, I’m looking to have my name up on that national list soon.”
With aspirations of being like her role model, Sha’Carri Richardson (former LSU Tiger, now US Olympian) – who Robinson hopes to join on the USA National team one day.
She’s one step closer to achieving that goal at Georgia.
All that’s left to do is wait for the starter’s pistol she overcame.
2023-24 Fort Bend Marshall Boys Track & Field
THE BIG TICKET: Headlines entering the UIL Regional Track Meet
There are so many uber-athletes on stage this week as the Regional Track Meets dominate the high school outlook. Let’s take a look at the BIG TICKETS in Greater Houston as teams and individuals battle for their spot at State.
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JELANI WATKINS, Atascocita
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Atascocita’s Jelani Watkins is “that” guy. Watkins has made the Eagles a State favorite after transferring from Klein Forest last summer. He led KF to a State title a year ago and is the two-time defending champion in the 200-meters. He will lead the all-time national record holder for the 4 x100 relay team as well as the 4x200. The LSU football signee could almost win a track meet himself with a shot in the 100-meters also in his grasp. Remember Matthew Boling? Well, all eyes will be on Watkins as he continues to build on his resume.
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KEVIN BELLO, Cinco Ranch
Who is this guy? The senior won a the 100 and 400-meters at the Area Meet and finished second in the 200-meters. He also anchors the 4x400 relay. He will be a force to be reckoned with in the Class Region III Meet.
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BATTLE OF THE STICKS
2023-24 Klein Forest Girls Track & FieldJamey Wright (VYPE)
Klein Forest, Paetow, Randle and Summer Creek girls are showing out in the Class 6A and 5A relays. The Klein Forest Golden Eagles are the current queens coming out of Houston, but the competition is heating up. They will be in Region II, and Paetow and Summer Creek will battle it out in Region III. The new school – Randle – is going to be dangerous on the girls and boys side. Are they the new FB Marshall?
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LONDON CALLING
Katy’s London Jackson-Bray in the next big thing in girls track. She has won the 100 and 200 in the Area Meet and is no stranger to elite track and field. Don’t sleep on Celeste Robinson of Cypress Ranch in the sprints along with Avia Jones of Klein Forest.
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H(Hurdle)-TOWN
Ridge Point's Mason DossettJamey Wright (VYPE)
The city of Houston is loaded with tremendous hurdlers. Ridge Point’s Mason Dossett (Baylor football) is a beast in the 100-hurdles and Tompkins’ Jayden Keys carry the flag in the 300 hurdles. Cy Park’s Calvion Fuller (100 meters) and Andrew Jones of Klein Collins (300 meters) are also contenders. On the girls side, Lillian Harden of Bridgeland is a favorite to get to State. Kelly Frederick of Summer Creek and Mackenzie Collins of Shadow Creek are also hurdle specialists along with Aaliyah Booker of The Woodlands.
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SPEED MERCHANTS
Iliya Dryaba of The WoodlandsBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Other names who will emerge this week include Tompkins’ Jhase McMillan (Montana State football), Klein Cain’s Darius Rogers, Tomball Memorial’s Braylin Byrd, Klein Forest’s Lawson Jacobs, FB Bush's Amariya Hardeman, Dekaney’s Tanook Hines and Iliya Dryaba of The Woodlands are legit blurs on the track. Watch out for freshmen Landen Williams-Callis of Randle and Jordan Riggs of FB Marshall, who are looking special and will have big-time careers.
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THE LONG RUN
Klein's Katie KoontsJamey Wright (VYPE)
Pearland’s Maddie Peters is “that” girl. She has dominated the Houston long-distance landscape for a few seasons now. Staucie Lees of Grand Oaks and Katie Koonts (Tulsa-signee) of Klein are also contenders from H-Town. Cool story… Tompkins siblings Griffen and Rowan Saacke are tremendous long-distance talents on the boys and girls side, respectively. They push each other, which makes them solid candidates to reach the podium.