NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — For many local high school seniors, these final few weeks of the school year are bittersweet.
“It’s gone by very fast. The years have been flying by, especially the high school years,” said Menchvhille soccer player Zachary Robinson.
But for Robinson and the Monarchs, the job is far from over.
“That is our one goal- to win states. Nothing else matters, we just need to win states. We’ve got to beat every other team, train hard, work hard, and have a little it of luck.”
The senior midfielder has been a major contributor to the Monarchs 12-1-1 record this season and says that the formula to win states is just worrying about themselves.
“As I’ve grown up more, I’ve learned that people really don’t care about what you’re doing because they’re focused on their own thing. I used to get so nervous before games but now that I’m older it's gotten a lot better because I know that if I show nervousness some of the younger kids on the team will also be nervous.”
Robinson will continue his collegiate career at Shenandoah University, something he says he couldn’t have achieved without support from his dad who played semi- professional soccer in Jamaica.
“He’s taught me everything I know. He’s always telling me to play hard, play physical, read the game, and always go out there and try your hardest.”
And as for what a state championship would mean for him. Well, the culmination of years of hard work.
“I’ve sacrificed a lot. Going to travel practice in Williamsburg, three times a week and then playing Menchville practice every single day with games two times a week. I could go up on the wall because state winners go up on the wall. I would love to win a state championship because I already won a regional final, I just haven’t won states.”
