Robinson ends successful wrestling coaching career at Juniata

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: May 22, 2019

Photo by Tim Shumaker

By BRIAN CARSON

MIFFLINTOWN – Mike Robinson sat in the corner, on the edge of his seat, for the final time as coach of the Juniata Indians wrestling team, shouting instructions to Tyler Wileman in the 170-pound consolations at the PIAA Class 3A Championships in early March.

Behind his calm, cool demeanor, displayed the quiet intensity all champions have. When Wileman fell short of his goal to become a two-time PIAA place winner, it affected Robinson as much as it did his wrestler.

That is Robinson’s way. Wrestling is part of the fabric of his life. However, after 10 years at the helm of Juniata and over 30 years as a coach in some form, the former Lewistown standout said goodbye to coaching after the 2018-19 season concluded.

What could make Robinson leave the sport he loves so much? It was an easy answer – his family. Even wrestling can’t compete with that.

“For the most part, the reason behind me leaving is my family. I wanted to spend more time with them. One of the biggest reasons is spending time with my grandkids,” Robinson said. “Also, I wanted to make sure we had someone prepared to step into that position.”

Juniata hasn’t announced a new wrestling coach but Jared Dressler and Adam Barrick are the two most likely candidatesfor the position. Both assisted Robinson the last few seasons and both are ready to take on the role.

Despite the last couple of seasons being rough due to low turnout, Robinson had success at Juniata. Under his tenure, the Indians produced 15 PIAA qualifiers, six PIAA place winners and one PIAA champion – Zach Beitz in 2012. Robinson has nothing but fond memories of his years heading the program.

“They were good years at Juniata. I was very fortunate to have a great support system there. Great parents, a great wrestling club and the school district was great to deal with,” Robinson said. “As far as a program as a whole, a coach couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Before the Juniata job came along, Robinson helped coach the Mat Cats, Wayne Danger Freestyle and Greco club and Lewistown junior high and varsity.

As a wrestler, Robinson placed second in the state at 138 pounds for the Panthers back in 1984. A late bloomer to the sport, hestarted his athletic career as a boxer.

“The last time I competed was 2008-2009 and I enjoyed it. You love the sport and it’s in your heart. I went to Switzerland in 1988-89 and won the bronze for the U.S. senior team,” Robinson said. “When I first got started, I was boxing at the YMCA and they were closing the program down. I had some friends who were wrestling and my father encouraged me to go and take part. I started late. I started as a sixth grader in mid-season.”

Robinson found plenty of influences along the way that fueled the fire of his newfound passion.

“I was encouraged by a lot of coaches to have fun with the sport like Jeff Connors and Jim Bailey. They were two junior high coaches I had who were very enthusiastic about the sport,” Robinson said. “Those two guys kept it interesting and fun for you. My eighth-grade year, I had the opportunity to me Dick Tressler and Ed Curry – my two coaches in high school. Those two gentleman were instrumental in my wrestling career.”

Kenny Whitsel and Warren Stewart made a huge impression on the up-and-coming wrestler.

“Watching Kenny and when he would come back in for practices, he was a big help. Another one was Warren Stewart. He was a senior, I was a freshman and he took me under his wing,” Robinson said. “Warren went on to win a Division II national title. He was an individual I looked up to and helped me set my goals after my sophomore year and where I wanted to be.”

Robinson has a unique perspective on the sport, being a wrestler, a coach and the parent of a wrestler. His son, Mike ‘Chub’ Robinson was a three-time PIAA qualifier for Lewistown in the 2000s.

“One thing I certainly pride myself in is that my son loved the sport and he excelled at it on his own terms. I was fortunate he was a great student-athlete. I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Robinson explained. “I am proud of all the kids I coached. Having the opportunity to compete in that sport myself, I know what it takes to be good, to coach my son, to encourage him to go down the right path and be a good role model. Also, to coach other student athletes like I have I can honestly say I’ve been blessed. It’s been a lot of fun. I’m going to continue to support the wrestling programs, just not as a head coach.”

More than victories and accolades, Robinson will miss the interaction and the chance to mold character into the wrestlers he coached.

“I’ll miss the individual one-on-one, getting to know these student-athletes as the person they are and helping them out to be good, productive individuals,” Robinson said. “It’s not always about wins and losses; it’s what you’re instilling in them, like a solid work ethic they can use throughout life. That makes a coach feel good.”

Robinson will always have the sport in his heart because once the wrestling bug bites you it stays for life. He is grateful for all it gave him over the years.

“I love the competition and the mental discipline you put yourself through. To me, that is what always stuck with me – the driving force to be the better person, better athlete and better role model. I still try to do that,” Robinson said. “I’ve been so fortunate to be involved in all the different programs from freestyle, Greco and folkstyle through Lewistown, Mifflin County and Juniata. Over the years, I appreciated all the support from the parents, staff and the local media. I feel blessed to beallowed to be a part of these young athletes’ lives.”

It is reciprocal. The local community feels blessed to have had Mike Robinson coach for as long as he did