When it comes to Texas high school track & field, there are few current athletes who are quite as dynamic as Celeste Robinson.
The Cy Ranch senior turned heads this past Spring when she took bronze in both the 100m (11.46 s) and 200m Dash (23.14 s) at the UIL State Track Meet.
Consequently, it made sense that college recruiters nationwide would clamor to get one of fastest athletes in the state on their roster.
While she had the pick of the litter, in terms of elite-level D1 programs to choose from, such as LSU, USC, and South Florida, Robinson ultimately announced her commitment to the University of Georgia on Saturday.
“All the schools in my top-four have outstanding track programs, otherwise I wouldn’t have narrowed it down to them,” she said. “But, Georgia was different. Whenever I went on my visit, I felt like coach Caryl (Smith Gilbert) would be like a second mom to me. I’m a family-oriented person, so the vibe I picked up there resonated with me.
“My end goal is to come in there and be the record holder for the 100m and 200m. I looked up at their board, and I thought to myself ‘that’s doable – that’s possible’. Going to Georgia and establishing a legacy there is all I really want.”
It seems fitting that Robinson would want to make history with a program whose coach has already broken the mold, given that Gilbert became the first female coach to direct both women’s and men’s athletics in Georgia’s 240-year history.
Surprisingly, her journey to this point could’ve gone very differently had she not made one imperative decision.
“I started in track at a very young age,” said Robinson. “But, at some point I grew apart from it because I didn’t like the heat or the loud noise that the starter’s pistol would make. From there, I went to volleyball for a couple years, before my middle school coach had convinced me to join the track program again.
“COVID put a hitch in my seventh grade year, but once I got to the eighth grade, I didn’t lose a race. Once I got to high school, I put it on myself to get some professional training and commit to my purpose.”
In addition to her ceaseless training, Robinson became a part of the Nike Elite track program, which she cites as one of the fondest memories in her career.
But back to high school.
As previously mentioned, Cy Ranch’s star speedster finished third overall in two events at the 2024 State Meet.
Admirable as that achievement was, Robinson intends to stand at the top of the winner’s podium come May.
“The mindset is to go and break some national records,” she said. “Indoor season has been a tune-up for me, but I’m really looking to have fun throughout the end of my high school career. Track has essentially been a hobby of mine that God has blessed me to excel in. So, I’m looking to have my name up on that national list soon.”
With aspirations of being like her role model, Sha’Carri Richardson (former LSU Tiger, now US Olympian) – who Robinson hopes to join on the USA National team one day.
She’s one step closer to achieving that goal at Georgia.
All that’s left to do is wait for the starter’s pistol she overcame.
The Wolves have been on a tear all year long, having endured just one defeat against 5A super-power Pieper in Week 3, before claiming victory in their six subsequent contests -- most recently toppling Uvalde 56-24 last Friday.
Now, Davenport (8-1) has its sights set on ending the regular season on a high note, when traveling to Canyon Lake.
Coach JD Zimmerhanzel's offense is running like a well-oiled machine, as they're currently averaging just over 44 points per game, paired with a complementary defense that's limited opponents to 20 per contest.
In terms of star-power, the catalyst for the group's immense success has been Barrett Fallon. After being named the District Newcomer of the Year in 2023, the junior running back has registered over 1,500 scrimmage yards and 20 scores throughout the Fall.
At this rate, Fallon is in line for a unanimous District MVP selection. But, he's not alone in the attack.
Senior signal-caller Daniel Soukup II is more than efficient from the QB-spot, having thrown for 1,439 yards, while adding 463 more on the ground for a combined 23 TDS (17 passing/6 rushing).
Soukup's top targets are first-team, all-district honoree Dante Singletary (29 rec, 580 yds, 7 TDs), Mason Falcone (29 rec, 309 yds, 4 TDs), Adam Elza (17 rec, 214 yds, 2 TDs), and Caden Scott (14 rec, 214 yds, 2 TDs).
Defensively, 2023 first-teamer Tate Broaddus (Jr. LB) has been the Davenport's rock, leading with 66 tackles -- 9 of which were for loss.
He's joined in the effort by junior linebacker Peyton Yankie (65 tackles, 5 TFL), Aryck Singletary (Jr. DB/first-team), Parker Bloess (Sr. LB), Markus Arvidson (Sr. DL), and Josh Johnson (So. DB).
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Meanwhile, out of Fischer, TX, Canyon Lake (6-2) comes off of a bye which was preceded by a 27-7 win against Uvalde.
Under the direction of head coach Sam Parker, the Hawks have been efficient on offense, evidenced by their 39 point average.
Similar to their district counterpart Davenport, they have relied heavily on the run-game. As it stands, senior RB James Garza has compiled roughly 800 all-purpose yards for 8 touchdowns behind a stout offensive line.
Quarterback Jace Wheeler has played some clean ball in his sophomore campaign, having averaged 165 throwing yards per contest, with 17 TDs to just 2 interceptions.
He's got two big-bodied senior receivers in Carter Williams (22 rec, 610 yds, 9 TDs) and first-teamer Harris Gilliam (21 rec, 380 yds, 7 TDs) to turn to in the key moments, which has clearly paid dividends to Canyon Lake's production.
On defense, expect second-team selection Michael Anderson (Sr. LB), Eli Hammons (Jr. LB), Jaxon Ammons (Sr.), and junior Cash Ziemba to keep boosting their highlight reel, as the team anticipates a postseason return.
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This will be the most critical matchup in the District 14-4A-D1 race, with huge playoff implications, and it all goes down when Davenport travels to Hawks Stadium Friday night (7:00 pm).
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