South Pointe track athlete sets high-jump record, and it’s a family affair

Channing Robinson is South Pointe’s record-holding high jumper.

Robinson cleared six feet, nine inches at a March 10 meet involving the Stallions, Lancaster, Indian Land and Chester.

His jump eclipsed the six feet, eight inches cleared in 2015 by Khalil Jackson.

Robinson, a 5-foot-8 senior said he’s surprised to have the record, but he’s proud of his achievement.

“It felt very good,” Robinson said. “I didn’t expect me to be able to have that record because I’m like 5’7, 5’8, so it felt good.”

When Robinson broke the record, it was a big moment for him and his family. Channing’s father, Demorrious, has helped Channing with jumping since eighth-grade. Demorrius started coaching South Pointe’s high jumpers this season.

He was the first person to greet Channing when he walked off the mat after setting the record.

“The particular day that he broke the record, I got a call earlier that day where the head coach was like, ‘Hey, I need you to run high jump,’” Demorrious said. “It was cool because he broke the record the day I was actually on the track with him. We were able to give each other a fist bump at that moment after he reached that achievement.

“That would probably be one of my greatest moments in life, just being able to share that moment with him because it was so special to him.”

Channing isn’t just a track athlete.

He’s also a member of South Pointe’s football team, where he plays wide receiver and defensive back. Those around him thought football would be his main focus.

“I never knew he would have the ability to jump so high,” Channing’s mother Kendra said. “He always carried a football in his hand when he was little. I never knew anything about track.

“I never ran track. He played football. He played basketball. His dad was a standout basketball star at Northwestern back in the 90s, so I thought he would pick up those type of traits. But he didn’t. Track is his thing and I’m so happy for him.”

Channing isn’t content with just having the record.

He wants to reach a personal best of seven feet high before the season is over. He’s approaching that the same as his most recent record.

“It was a lot of hard work and dedication,” he said. “Believing, really, more than anything. Telling myself ‘I can do it.’ Having support from my dad, my mom, brother and sister. Everybody just pushed me. Staying on top of me. Coaches as well.”

Channing received his first Division I scholarship offer earlier this month, in track, from Coastal Carolina.

This story was originally published April 18, 2023 at 12:59 PM.