Robbins is the latest in a series of high-quality women’s sprinters at Wisconsin. The difference between Robbins and the likes of Ebony McClendon, Destiny Huven and Taylor Gilling is that Robbins was a swimming and basketball standout who had to be coaxed to come out for track.
“I joined it honestly to hang out with my friends,” Robbins said.
Her older sister, Shavonda, was Kiley’s first true role model in sports.
“I watched all her volleyball and basketball games and couldn’t wait to play, too.” Kiley said. “I like to model myself after her. She was a true big sister.”
Another role model for Robbins came in the form of Dr. Felicia D. Robertson, a family friend who was Kiley’s pediatrician.
“She’s a black woman who’s been like family to me,” Kiley said. “I wanted to be just like her. My dream of being a doctor came from her.”
Said Kiley’s dad: “That’s what she’s wanted to do since she was 14.”
Robbins will compete indoors for the Badgers, then, hopefully, begin prepping for outdoor competition while applying to medical schools – she wants to stay in-state – and studying for her MCATs.
“She’s run 11.13,” Jackson said. “I think if she runs 11.10 or under, she’ll certainly have a pro contract out there for her.”
Kiley’s mother, Sharonda, works as a special education teacher at a Milwaukee grade school, said she’s proud of her youngest daughter because she’s trying to maximize her future.
“You know how sometimes you can wait a lifetime to meet your favorite person?” Sharonda said. “I tell her all the time, ‘You know how people glorify certain athletes?’ I tell her, ‘I glorify you. You are such an awesome person.’”
Kiley said the upper floors of the Student Athlete Performance Center – where academic services are located – became her home over the last four years.
“I connected with a lot of people,” Robbins said. “Wisconsin has provided me with so much and I couldn’t be more thankful.”
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