For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 24,
2001
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956)
381-2240
UTPA COMPLETES CC/TRACK AND FIELD STAFF WITH
MARISA ROBINSON
EDINBURG, TX-Marisa Robinson began her track and field
career in the far northern part of the United States. Now she’s moved to the
other end of the country to begin her coaching career as a member of the
University of Texas-Pan American cross country and track and field coaching
staff.
Robinson will join the staff of Head Coach Ricky Vaughn as
an assistant coach, effective immediately. In addition to handling sprints and
hurdles, she will serve as a liaison in assisting the cross country and track
and field team in the academic area.
A native of Missoula, Montana, Robinson was a state
champion in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles at Hellgate High School. She competed
as a sprinter and hurdler for three years at Arkansas, achieving a provisional
NCAA qualifying mark of 13.67 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles as a freshman.
She then transferred to San Diego State and competed at the 2000 USA Indoor
Championships in the 60 meter hurdles, then redshirted outdoors. In her
final outdoor season, she finished third in the
Mountain West Conference in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.49.
Robinson is excited about joining the coaching staff at
UTPA. “There’s nothing like going into something you love, and staying in a
field that you know better than anything else,” said Robinson. “I felt like
this was the best opportunity for me. I’m excited to work hands-on with the
student-athletes.”
“I feel that with Marisa’s knowledge in the hurdles and the sprints, and with her enthusiasm, we have a very good assistant coach for that area,” said Vaughn. “I’m excited that she’ll be here. With her addition, I feel our staff is as good as the staff anywhere. This is going to be a staff that works well together and, through recruiting, will really improve our team.”