Feb. 14, 2002
"And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good? "
For freshman tumbler Alisha Robinson, every day is a step toward reaching her goals. As exemplified in her favorite song, "It's a Great Day to Be Alive," by country legend Travis Tritt, her positive attitude towards gymnastics, like her pearly white grin, is contagious. Always smiling, Alisha has vaulted her way to success.
Alisha's gymnastics career began when she was three years old. Her older brother, Quinton, was already enrolled in classes when she decided she was interested. Originally from Bates City, Mo., she enrolled in Great American Gymnastics Academy in Blue Springs. She took to the regimen instantaneously and fifteen years later, her enthusiasm and dedication to the sport of gymnastics has continued to grow.
"I love the challenge. Before a meet when you are nervous you think, 'I hate competing', but as soon as I get going I forget all about the nerves. I get the chance to show everyone the hard work I have put in," Alisha explained.
Like many inspiring teenagers, Alisha's work ethic and commitment to excellence extends well beyond the gymnastics arena. An aspiring student, she knew that college would be the next step after high school, but unlike regular students, Alisha wanted a school that would challenge her both academically and physically.
"I looked at a few different schools, Nebraska, Arizona, Florida and Iowa," Alisha said. "I chose Mizzou because I really like the coaching staff. Rob was real supportive of me," she added.
After settling in at MU, Alisha quickly found her groove relearning artistic gymnastics. After competing as one of the world's top power tumblers, it took a little bit of help to reclaim her style.
Alisha owes much of her success at Mizzou partly to the coaching staff and partly due to superstition. She talks with the same coach before every meet. A simple word from one of the coaches makes everything "click".
Also, before every meet she fixes her hair in a pony tail with the same rubber band and clips. She makes sure to listen to her favorite song and eat a Luna bar for energy.
Some days, even the superstitions don't help.
When Alisha was 14 years-old she performed a handspring-front on the vault. Somehow she over-rotated and when she landed, her head became stuck between the mat and the wall. Her bottom was sticking out and no one bothered to help her back up.
"Everyone except my coach was laughing, even the judges. Afterwards my coach told me it was a pretty nice vault!"
Even during the ups and downs, Alisha was not allowed to get involved with another sport. Gymnastics took up most of the free time she had. Her club team in high school spent more time in the gym than she spends now. If Alisha had the time to play any other sport in the world she said she would play football.
"Everybody watches football. It would be fun to have everyone watching me," she beams.
In the small amount of free time that she does have, Alisha enjoys just staying in and relaxing. While kicking back, the small-town Missouri girl loves listening to country music and the song "Superman", by Five for Fighting.
"I'm not a going out person. I enjoy just hanging out with my friends," she explains.
Even though she isn't interested in painting the town, Alisha, along with her friends and teammates, provide each other with enough laughs to keep her radiant smile constantly visible. In addition to her friends, Alisha can also find a reason to expose her pearly whites with the support of her family. Her parents, Roger and Pam Robinson, are ever stoic in their dedication to her sport--they have attended every meet this season to cheer her on.
Backed by the support of family, friends and coaches, Alisha has become both a record-breaker and a fan favorite here at Mizzou. Through hard work, dedication and a smile that never quits, she has proven herself to be one of the most competitive and successful gymnasts Missouri has ever seen. In just her first year of collegiate competition, the young freshman is proving that it is a "great time to be alive," especially when she's a Tiger!