Junior Olympics double gold medalist from Staten Island ready for HS competition

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— The Staten Island running community’s reputation of excellence has only grown stronger thanks to recent standout performances from athletes, like Susan Wagner alum Will Cuthbertson and Ocean Breeze WaveRunners competitor Abigail Robisky, who recently capped off a remarkable season.

At the prestigious USATF National Junior Olympic Championships in late July, Robisky triumphed over a field of elite competitors twice — winning the 13-14-year-old 100 meters in 12.10 seconds and the 400 meters in 54.38 seconds. Both marks were massive personal bests, finishing off an extraordinary outdoors campaign on a high note just after her graduation from St. Charles School.

Her impressive double also followed a first-place finish in the 400 meters and a runner-up showing in the 200 meters at the USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships in June, further cementing her status as one of the nation’s most talented young runners.

Reflecting on her July performances — which included 10 races over the course of the multi-day meet, with preliminary rounds leading into the finals — Robisky admitted, “It was definitely mentally challenging racing that much in five days, but going through the rounds, I told myself, ‘I just have to make it through and do my best.’”

Long before winning two golds on one of youth track and field’s biggest stages, Robisky remembered first lacing up her running shoes at just 5 years old — a moment that sparked a long-lasting passion for the sport.

“I got into running through various family and community runs, such as Tunnel to Towers and the Martin Egan 5K, which was my first race,” she remembered.

“I really wanted to win the big trophy, so I just started to run away from my mom and she didn’t really think I was going get that far; I did end up winning, and then I got picked up by the track coach at St. Charles.”

During her time competing in CYO meets, her talent was recognized by another mentor — Stephen McLean, head coach of the Ocean Breeze WaveRunners club team.

“From the moment I saw her compete during CYO, I knew that her running form and all of her abilities were really amazing,” McLean shared.

Robisky credits McLean with being supportive of her goals and helping to refine her natural abilities, sharing that he “has really helped me through my track experience.”

“He’s just the best; we have a really good relationship as coach and athlete. He’s helped me with executing my races, making training plans and trusting the process,” she went on.

For as gifted as an athlete as Robisky is, McClean also made sure to highlight the fact that she’s an even better teammate and leader, sharing that “she’s always been a kid who’s going to come to practice, pay attention and do everything that needs to be done.”

“She’s an amazing teammate; she’s the one who’s going to go over and encourage you if she sees that you’re nervous, she’s the one that’s going to give you a little pep talk real quick. As a teammate, Abby is just as good as her performances,” he continued.

With her youth career now behind her, Robisky is set to embrace the challenge of competing at the high school level —an endeavor McLean believes she is more than prepared to tackle.

“She’s so mentally strong that when she goes to high school, I don’t see any problem with transitioning and being competitive going up against anyone,” he shared.

“She strives for competition; when she knows that somebody may be better than her or faster than her, she lives for those moments because she wants to prove herself and compete against the best and see where she is.”

Robisky will begin her prep career at track and field powerhouse Union Catholic in New Jersey — the same high school attended by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles — and she’s likewise confident about raising her level of competition.

“I’m really excited to go into high school and train with some of the best runners in the country. It also wasn’t only a fit for track; it’s a really good academic school, and I’m really thankful for my parents for making that happen,” she concluded.

As Robisky gears up for high school competition this fall, she has already made her team and her borough proud — and it’s clear the sky is the limit for this dedicated athlete.