Cats' Robles signs to run track with NJCAA champion Texans

Manuel Robles admits if he’d had his way, he’d be playing football next year in college.

That didn’t work out, so the 2008 Clovis High grad will be plying his skills in track next season after winning four consecutive Class 5A state championships in triple jump.

Robles has signed with South Plains College, a two-year school in Levelland, Texas. The Texans are coming off back-to-back National Junior College Athletic Association outdoor championships, and also won the NJCAA indoor crown in 2007.

“This works out really good for him,” CHS boys track coach Darren Kelley said. “The meets they go to are big-time meets. He’ll be able to go on from there if he wants to continue in track.”

Robles set a 5A state meet record in triple jump this year with a winning effort of 48 feet, 4 3/4 inches. He also helped the Wildcats to a 5A state runnerup finish as a running back in football.

Last fall, he ran for nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage and scored 27 touchdowns, including six in the 49-48 loss to Mayfield in double overtime in the championship game.

“I always wanted to do football (in college),” he said. “That’s always been one of my dreams. But if that didn’t happen, I had to do what I can.”

The Texans plan to use him in all three jumping events, Kelley said. Robles was third in both high jump (6-5) and long jump (21-11 1/2) in the 5A state meet last month.

“I think South Plains will be good for him,” Kelley said.

Robles said his goal in triple jump is simply to improve and get as good in the event as he can.

“I like triple jump,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite events. I can be real good in it; I’ve just got to try to get better.”

Still, he hasn’t given up on playing football again and said he hopes to perhaps have that opportunity again after his two years at South Plains are over.