Topic: News: Sarah Robles, Eyes 2008 Jr Worlds, 2012 Olympics

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Former Tiger, Sarah Robles, Eyes 2008 Jr Worlds, 2012 Olympics
By Valerie Detwiler

San Jacinto High School alumna Sarah Robles has big dreams - among them the 2012 Olympics.

The 2006 San Jacinto graduate wowed the San Jacinto Valley with her discus and shotput throwing abilities and went on to University of Alabama. Robles transferred to Arizona State University, where she is a redshirt sophomore.

“If I want to compete against the top girls in the country, this is where I need to be,” said Robles of the PAC-10 school.

[attachimg=1]
BIG DREAMS: Sarah Robles, a 2006 graduate of San
Jacinto High School, hopes to compete in the 2012 Olympics
in both discus and weightlifting. She is throwing for Arizona
State University and lifting for Team Arizona. Robles has the
goal of competing in the 2012 Olympic games, but it may not
be only in her specialty - discus.

When she was a freshman in high school, Rich McClure, her throwing coach, helped her improve her throws through weightlifting.

Robles hasn't been able to put the dumbbells down since.

“It helps me with my track, and it also allows me to stay competitive in the offseason,” she said.

What's more, Robles has excelled in weightlifting and is a member of Team Arizona.

She has been invited to compete in the Junior World Championships in Cali, Colombia.

Robles' lifting marks earned her the invitation. Her lifting coach, Joe Micela, said Robles' first state weightlifting competition in Arizona got her invited to the National Junior Weightlifting Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn., in February.

Her third-place finish there is what earned her a spot to the Junior World Championships.

“Most of the girls she competes against have four or five years experience on her,” Micela said. “She's only been competing for about four months.”

Micela said what Robles has accomplished in those four months beats what other weightlifters may achieve in their entire career.

“She is taking to weightlifting like a fish to water,” Micela said. “The sky is the limit for her.”

She is one of the top 10 women in the country in her weight class in all age groups. In her age group, she is ranked third.

Robles said the Junior World Championships is the largest 20-and-younger international championship of its kind.

The competition will pit her against the best lifters in the world.

“I'll be competing against people from Asia and Europe and the Americas,” Robles said.

Robles participates in the clean and jerk and snatch. Her best weight in the clean and jerk is 243 pounds and, in the snatch, 185.5 pounds.

Robles is trying to raise the money it will take to get her to Colombia - which is $3,200. She needs $2,800 more.

This is the last year she will be eligible to compete because of her age, and she said it's important she does compete. She wants to see how she'll match up among other lifters.

“Junior World is like a mini-Olympics,” Micela said. “The athletes that compete there are usually the athletes that go to the Olympics.”

Micela said that, in the 2012 Olympics, Robles has the potential to be one of the first women in a very long time to compete in two different events.

Because she is a full-time student athlete and trains nearly 35 hours a week, Robles doesn't have the time to work a job that would cover the travel costs for the competition.

She is looking for sponsors to help her afford the trip.

Her goal is to become a professional weightlifter once she graduates from college. She would like to train at the Olympic Training Center.

Robles said there are two centers: one in Chula Vista that focuses on track and field work and one in Colorado that is geared toward weightlifting.

“That's where all of the Olympic hopefuls train,” Robles said. “They basically eat, sleep, and breathe weightlifting there. That's what I want to do.”

Weightlifting and throwing are passions for Robles - and she credits her passion for her success.

“If you don't like your sport, there is no way you're going to achieve your goals. I watch videos, I read books, and I'm always asking questions because I want to get better. I want to know everything I can. ... There is a lot involved in it so if you love it, you'll want to do better,” Robles said.

Robles said she hopes her achievements will fuel the fire of other local athletes.

“Keep trying,” she said. “Whether it be for track, weightlifting, or any other sport. It's hard. But a little hard work goes a long way. Keep setting goals - keep dreaming.”

To donate to Robles' competition costs, send payments to Performance One, at 1555 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 107, Mesa, AZ 85204. For information on Robles or to donate, call (480) 813-5477.

Because of scholarship eligibility in the NCAA, all money must go through Micela at Performance One. Contributions cannot be sent directly to Robles.

The money has to be raised in the next month for Robles to compete.

[Sarah Robles]

ha! That's me!  How'd you find that? thanks for putting it up. man I wish they didn't use that pic. lol

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

How'd you find that?

Thats why they pay me the big bucks to run this site. 

The pic isn't bad, but if you want to send me another one to replace it, I will be happy to do so. I see you have red hair. That surely means you are destined for great success in the sport. 

[Sarah Robles]

I really like my pic that's on the ASU roster. P.S. my hair isn't red. It's dark brown. Must be the sun shining on it funny. Hopefully success is my destiny. I certainly am working hard for it. I am going to go to Collegiates tomorrow. Third meet of the weekend. Cross your fingers!

---Sarah Robles

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

P.S. my hair isn't red.

Ahh, thats okay. There have been a few decent lifters that didn't have red hair.   

Good luck at the meet, though you probably won't see this until after....