By Oree Foster

Azpreps 365 Sports Writer

Pinon head cross-country coach Andrea  Charlie says her prize senior distance runner Precious Robinson is very dedicated and focused on improvement.

Due to her dedication and improvement, Robinson is Pinon's top cross-country runner.

"Precious' strength as a runner is that she is 'very dedicated and focused on improvement'," Charlie, who has been Pinon's head coach for four years. "Her attitude is that she is somewhat shy, but a very hard worker athletically and academically as well. She is easy going, well mannered, a very aspiring artist (pencil sketching of faces and the human body) and she is one of the few stidents fluent in the Navajo language. Also, she can sing and dance."

As the cross-country hits the midway point of the season, Robinson said her season seems to be going a lot quicker than the past years and quicker than she expected.

"I had a set back this season, but running is still my priority, of course, after education," she explained. "I've been multitasking on what seems like an unreal level with school, running, clubs and my chores at home."

She said because she is trying to create a routine for herself, it's been extremely difficult for her to stay focused.

"I am a member of HOSA, NHS and Atsa clubs," she said. "It's extremely difficult to stay focused. My running times are struggling anfd I haven't PR'd this season yet. That's very frustrating because it seems Like I'm putting in so much work. I try not to be hard on myself and I tell myself that 'all you can do is try your best.' I know I an do much better."

Robinson said staying focused and working much harder will help her improve her times and become a better runner.

"I just need to focus more and stay positive," she said. "All I can do is try my best. I have to make sure that running stays a part of my priority list."

She said she has always been consistent with her times in the past. She said she hopes to regain her composure.

"I wasn't the typical talented runner that most people knew," Robinson said. "Many runners that I raced with now have been at the top since they were young. I know them but they didn't know me until only a few years ago. For me to come this far and be able to catch them shows nme that I am very capable of accomplishing more than I expect of myself. This should be enough motivation for me to reach my persona goal."

Robinson, who has become one of Class 2A's top distance runner, said her person goal this season is to turn in a good time.

"I want to get a good time that will make me recognizable to some college's," she said. "I hope I can get a good offer and go to a colleger that has a strong background in running sports."

During the early cross-country season, Robinson has recorded two first places and two second place finishes.

Robinson captured first place at the Pizza Edge Twilight Invitational, hosted by Monument Valley High School in Kayenta, during the season opener. She finished second place the Hopi Invitational, crossing the finish line behind Chinle senior Alisia Honyumptewa.

Robinson rebounded with a first place finish in the Accent Division at the Peaks Invitational at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff. She faced stiff competition at the Canyon de Chelly Invitaional, hosted by Chinle High School. Robinson claimed runner-up, finishing behind Honyumptewa.

She has earned a state cross-country berth the past three years. As a freshman, she earned a berth in the state meet. While practicing for the state meet, she injured her knee. Despite her injured knee, she finished 44th place. As a sophomore, Robinson improved tremendously, crossing the finish line in fifth place. Last year, she recorded a faster time on the course at Cave Creek, claiming fourth place at the state meet.

Robinson said she is being recruited by several colleges to continue her education and athletic career.

"I am definitely interested in becoming a freshman at any college or university," she said. "But I also have a lot of other interests in other things as well. As a student/athlete, I also have to consider my acaedmics as to what school I want to go to or which school I can acutally handle."

This year's divisional cross-country championships is scheduled for November 2 at Hidden Cove Golf Course in Holbrook. A week later, the state cross-country championships is set for Cave Creek Golf Course in Northwest Phoenix on November 10.