Getting To Know Daniel Robinson

Few embody the "Fight On!" spirit as much as freshman sprinter Daniel Robinson. After overcoming injuries, Robinson is transitioning nicely to college life. So far he has helped the men's 4x100m relay team place second in the Jim Click Shootout and led the Trojans with a PR of 10.59 in the 100m dash at the Power 5 Trailblazer Challenge. We had a chance to catch up with and learn a little more about Robinson the other day.

Q - How are you enjoying your time at USC so far?

D.R. - So far it's been good. In the fall it was a big transition coming from the South in Atlanta. I would say the first two months I got homesick real fast, but so far I'm loving everything about it.

Q - Why did you decide to come to USC?

D.R. - I decided to come to USC because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. My family and friends that I grew up with, they stayed in the South in school, and I wanted to branch out and experience something new. I also wanted to go where the best are, and that's here at USC.

Q - What has been the biggest challenge so far in your first year at USC?

D.R. - Just being a student-athlete at a prestigious university. I heard that being a student-athlete is a hard thing to do, going from class to practice to treatment to study hall. That's been one of the main things I had to work on, but now since it's April and school's about to be over it's been good.

Q - What do you enjoy most about sprinting?

D.R. - Just going out there and running against the fastest people in the world. Just showing what you're made of, really.

Q - How do you prepare for your races?

D.R. - Really it goes into the week of practice, having a good week of preparation, taking care of your body. Then what I like to do is turn off distractions, so social media I'll log off and just focus in the days before the meet, getting myself in that environment ready to go.

Q - How have you adjusted to the difficulty of balancing academics and athletics?

D.R. - In high school I didn't really have any time management skills, and so the first couple months here I really had to learn that. And then we have access to tutors and learning special aids, so once I got a hold of that the transition was really smooth.

Q - Can you describe how you have overcome physical obstacles and how that has impacted you both as an athlete and as an individual?

D.R. - Growing up I really had all these injuries from hamstring to ankle to quad, but I overcame them with my strong faith in God, and knowing that I'm here for a reason. I'm put on this Earth for a reason. So it was hard at first, but I just had to keep my head straight and focus on the main goal and just believe in God that all things will come in my favor.

Q - Can you describe how your faith in God has impacted you both as an athlete and as an individual?

D.R. - Without Him none of this would be possible. Coming from Atlanta all the way to Southern California, none of it would be possible, so I just stay humble, continue to work. I haven't done anything yet. Yeah I'm here and I've run some pretty good times, but that's not the main goal at hand. The main goal at hand is to win National Championships and later on become a professional athlete. So I just stay focused on the goal at hand and just keep believing in myself and go out there to do amazing things.

Q - Why did you choose to major in Political Science and Public Relations?

D.R. - Growing up my family always said I needed to go into law school and be an attorney or something like that because I always like to argue with people. So I just had to really settle down. Coming in as Undeclared you got so many options here at USC. You can take any path. So I just really had to follow my heart where I really want to go, and that's why I chose that.

Q - What do you enjoy most about Cajun food? Do you miss it?

D.R. - I'm originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana. I stayed there for about three years. All my family is from Louisiana, so every time we'd have a cookout or birthday party or just to chill, we'd always eat gumbo, boudin, etouffee. Yes I miss it because out here the food is way different, so I had to adjust a little bit to that. Then in stores they also don't have the same things, so it was kind of hard at first, but I got my mom and my family to ship me some of the food from back home, and that's what I've just been eating.

Q - What is something unique about you that isn't in your bio?

D.R. - I'm not your typical sprinter. Your typical sprinter is probably 5'8'' or 5'9''. I'm sitting at 5'4'' and I can run with anybody. I have that much belief in myself, the coaches have that belief in me. One thing that's different about me is I bring that "dog mentality" each and every day to a track meet and to practice.

Getting To Know Daniel Robinson

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Daniel Robinson

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