Middle-distance coach Robin Martin has made several appearances in the Penn school record books, but he would like nothing more than for his athletes to surpass his own athletic accomplishments.
Credit: Courtesy of Penn AthleticsAct like you’ve been there before.
It’s a maxim that is often thrown around by coaches, regardless of the sport. Whether it comes to handling victory or defeat, success or failure, familiar or uncharted territory, coaches always seem to think that it is best to approach athletics with an air of experience.
Of course, it always helps — for both coaches and athletes — to actually have been there before. On both accounts, Robin Martin has Penn track and field covered.
Martin is currently in his second year serving as Penn’s middle-distance coach for both the men’s and women’s squads. As only a second-year middle-distance coach, the Penn Relays may seem like a monumental task to tackle.
But Martin has been here before.
He also attended Penn as a student-athlete from 1996-2000, excelling on the track in middle-distance running events throughout all four years.
Over his collegiate career, Martin earned All-American status twice and was an Ivy-League champion 11 times.
And that’s just getting started.
Martin still currently holds the school’s indoor 500-meter record and top-six positions in four other middle distance events. He was also a world junior champion in the 4x400m and a top three 800m runner at nationals.
It suffices to say that Martin is no stranger to big-time college track and field competitions.
In fact, it wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that he lives for it. Even when struggling with his potential elays lineups and a horde of anxious athletes sorting through boxes of new spikes a week ahead of the relays, he could hardly contain his excitement to be on the Franklin Field track.
“It’s an exciting next couple weeks for Penn track,” Martin beamed. “I feel honored to be able to coach here.”
Although he certainly has the energy and charisma to compete once again, Martin has hung up the spikes and is all-in on coaching. His experience as an athlete has clearly helped him in his transition.
“It’s a lot easier to take to heart what the coach is trying to sell you if you know he’s been there and he’s done it himself,” junior middle-distance runner Mato Bekelja said.
As a former Penn athlete, Martin brings a unique perspective to his group of middle-distance runners.
“He goes through not only the physical aspect of practice, but also coaches you through the mental aspect as well,” sophomore middle-distance runner Kirk Webb said.
“When you’re under the watchful gaze of 52,000 fans, it’s tough to not be excited,” Martin added. “So I just try to keep them as calm as possible. I always want to remind them of the destination ... and that we’re gonna have a lot of fun getting there.”
It’s tough to know exactly what to expect from Penn’s middle-distance relay squads this year.
Penn has plenty of talent in certain areas, such as the men’s 4x400m, which features speedy juniors Bekelja and Tom Timmins .
However, there are also quite a few question marks. Both the men’s and women’s 4x800m teams have been relatively unknown entities all year, plagued by injury and inexperience.
Regardless, Martin anticipates strong performances from all of his athletes at this year’s Penn Relays and beyond.
“I think our best overall performance is yet to come,” he said.
“Our middle-distance program is really on its way to being one of the best in the country. Maybe it’s not this year, but in the next year or two, we’re looking to hold a trophy in the center of the infield and do a victory lap at Franklin Field.”
In the face of uncertainty, Martin’s experience has remained a constant all year.
“It’s nice to have somebody who’s been to all these great meets and done all the things you’re trying to do as an athlete,” Webb said.
Additionally, Martin has encouraged his athletes to seize the moment and enjoy what the Penn Relays have to offer.
“I was lucky enough to go the USA Championships and multiple NCAA Championships. I raced in Europe,” he said. “But all of my favorite experiences came from Penn Relays.”
Who knows, one of the new Quakers just may end up becoming the new Robin Martin.
And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
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