Michael Robertson, former Mustang, Best Discus in World?

[MrMustang1965]

When discus thrower Michael Robertson transferred to Stanford last year after Southern Methodist University dropped men's track and field, Coach Robert Weir knew what he was getting.

``I owe you one,'' Weir told SMU Coach Dave Wollman.

``You owe me more than that,'' Wollman replied.

Robertson, who placed third at the NCAA championships last season and seventh at the U.S. Olympic trials, already holds the school record at Stanford. He has surpassed the previous mark (198 feet, 7 inches) five times.

Some people, including his former coach at SMU, believe that Robertson, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound junior, could become one of the world's top throwers, maybe even the best.

``I've been at this a long time, and I've had a lot of wonderful talent,'' Wollman said last week. ``But this guy, his ability to summon all his energy into one moment and then to put it all into the discus is truly amazing.

``I think he can be the best in the world. I've coached some of the best in the world, and he has all the ingredients.''

Robertson's interest in throwing began in 1996 at 12 when he picked up a Sports Illustrated for Kids Olympic issue and read about U.S. shot put and discus standout John Godina. His passion grew when his mother, a paralegal for the FBI, was transferred from South Florida to Brussels, Belgium, just before he entered high school.

Suddenly, Robertson found himself living on a continent where his favorite sport wasn't perceived as merely an Olympic-year competition. He joined a track and field club, blossoming under Coach Georges Schroeder, a 1976 Olympian for Belgium in the discus and shot put.

``He worked with me on the technical points,'' Robertson said. ``Before, I was like, `Well, that felt good. Do it again.' ''

Robertson stayed abroad through high school, graduating from the International School of Brussels.

He chose SMU for college because the program had a rich history of throwers. Roberston seemed destined to carry on the tradition, but in February 2004 the school announced that it was dropping the program for financial and gender-equity reasons.

It came ``out of left field,'' Roberston said. ``Even Coach didn't know until the day it was announced.''

Roberston decided on Stanford largely because of Weir. The two had met previously, and Robertson figured Weir's coaching style would be similar to Wollman's.

``I knew Michael was very talented and very capable,'' said Weir, a three-time Olympian who starred at SMU in the early 1980s. ``But I had no idea how competitive he really was. He seems to be more of a guy who does well in competition than he does in practice.''

Referring to Robertson as a ``Jekyll and Hyde,'' Wollman said: ``He's very low-key and laid-back -- until he gets into the ring. You'd never know that side of him existed. He's violent, literally violent. From the moment he steps into the ring until about five seconds afterward, he's got so much adrenaline popping out, it's really fun to watch.''

The fun should continue at the NCAA championships June 8-11 in Sacramento, where Robertson will be on the short list of favorites. NCAA record holder Hannes Hopley, who won the past two titles and was Robertson's roommate at SMU, no longer competes at the collegiate level. The runner-up last year also won't be in the field.

Robertson's greatest threat will be North Carolina's Vikas Gowda, who competed in last summer's Olympics for India and is the NCAA leader this season at 212-3. Robertson's best this season is 202-5, but he threw 212-11 last year, a personal best.

``Mikey is absolutely my favorite to win the NCAA title,'' Hopley said. ``I don't think there is anyone in the NCAA with his potential and capability. He's really got amazing competitive ability when it counts.''

Winning the NCAA title is one of Robertson's two goals this year. The other is to finish in the top three at the U.S. championships June 23-26 in Carson, which would qualify him for the world meet later in the summer.

``People are up and down, because it's such a technical sport,'' Robertson said. ``But the way things are going, every weekend just keeps getting better. I'm expecting to be in the running by that time.''

To some people, Robertson will be in the running for even bigger prizes for years to come.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryn ... 568889.htm

[davidsmu94]

Yep,
Michael is a Stud and very well could be the be the best one day. Take a look at the SMU transfers ... SMU would be top three at the NCAAs again this year too!

[couch 'em]

Sad thing is - if we ever start up track and field again it will probably not come anywhere close to its former glory. It will be just like football and the death penalty.

[davidsmu94]

it's all about who you coach is.. If we are ever lucky enough to get it back, the alumni will be sure we get the right guy.