Rochelle Robinson Prepares for 2008 NCAA Championships
4/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
April 23, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Sophomore Rochelle Robinson carries on the successful Michigan State gymnastics season this week at the 2008 NCAA Division I Women's Gymnastics Championships, held inside the Stegeman Coliseum on the campus of the University of Georgia.
"This year, it feels different," said Robinson. "Last year, I was scared, but this year I am a different person. I am more confident in my performances and not as passive as I was at this point last year. I am ready for it."
For the second-consecutive season, Robinson will compete in the all-around, this year rotating with No. 2 Utah. Robinson and the Utes are in the second session on Thursday, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET. Their rotation order begins with a bye before bars, then beam, a bye before floor, and concludes with vault.
"I am looking forward to competing with Utah," said Robinson. "During the practice round today, both their coaches and gymnasts let off great energy and had a positive feel. I tend to feed off others and I am excited to compete with them as my adopted team."
The Chesapeake, Va. native qualified in the all-around with a fifth-place performance at the NCAA West Regional in Corvallis, Ore. She is the ninth non-alternate individual qualifier in Spartan history and the first to ever appear in back-to-back championships. Last year, Robinson finished 22nd in the all-around.
Robinson, a 2008 Second Team All-Big Ten selection and the owner of MSU's first perfect 10 as a freshman, has been impressive on the vault into this season. She has placed first on the vault seven times this season and for her career has 14 wins in only 27 career starts. Equally impressive, she has finished among the top-three in 10 of the 14 meets this season and 20 of the 27 in her stellar career. Her RQS of 9.865 on the apparatus is tied for 40th in the nation and sixth in the conference.
Overall this season, Robinson now leads the team with 12 individual first place finishes and is second with 22 top-three placements. In less than two seasons in Green and White, she already has 23 career titles and 44 top-three finishes.
The top four individuals from each session in each event (plus ties) from the preliminary team and all-around competition will compete in the individual-event competition Saturday, April 26 at 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
