‘We were the underdogs’: New Robinson athletic director reflects on school’s first boys’ state championship

ROBINSON, Texas (KWTX) — Robinson High School’s first boys’ state championship in school history means more than a trophy, according to athletic director Mandi Roberts.

The Rockets defeated Brock 3-1 on June 5 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock to capture the Class 4A baseball state title.

Roberts, one of the first female athletic directors in Central Texas history, said the championship shows what can happen when a community rallies behind its team.

“This state championship means so much to the community of Robinson,” Roberts said. “It goes far beyond the field. This is the first state championship on the boys’ side in school history. I know without a doubt that our boys would not have been able to do what they did this season without the community backing and fan support that they have had.”

Robinson finished second in district to China Spring during the regular season, making the Rockets underdogs heading into the playoffs.

“Every single week the stands are loud and proud,” Roberts said. “They did it with class and dignity and supported them every step of the way. Win or lose, no matter if it was raining, lightning delays, anything and everything that happened, the fans stayed and I know that our teams and our coaches are so thankful for that.”

Championship game

Robinson struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Cason Helpert drove in Cash Cleere on a fielder’s choice to give the Rockets a 1-0 lead.

Brock tied the game in the fourth inning and threatened to take the lead, but defensive plays by Bryce Vasquez and Landon Armes cut down a run at home. Caden Coe and Cleere got a runner at third to keep the game tied.

Robinson did not record its first hit until the fifth inning on a bunt single by Cleere.

With two runners on and no outs, Vasquez moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice. Coe delivered the game-winning hit, driving in two runs on a single up the middle to give Robinson a 3-1 lead.

Coe was named MVP of the game.

The Rockets took a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning, but a lightning delay paused play for more than 30 minutes.

Junior pitcher Eddie Villarreal came in to close the game in relief of Cayden Birkes, who pitched six innings of one-run baseball. Villarreal loaded the bases but got a pop fly to Vasquez to end the game.

Roberts said the championship proves success is about more than individual talent.

“We can’t wait to see what impact this has on our athletic program for future years to come,” Roberts said. “This will be a season that we always talk about because we were the underdog. So, it shows it’s not about the best player, not about the hype of some things, it’s about the best team and building the best team chemistry. We are so proud of this team, and we cannot wait to see the future of Robinson athletics. Rockets never quit.”

Roberts was named Robinson’s director of athletics and operations in early April, following the retirement of Lonnie Judd. She is among a small group of women in Central Texas to ever lead athletic departments.

In the early 2000s, Angie Wishert served as athletic director at Midway High School, and Johanna Denson held the role in Waco ISD for about a decade.

Roberts graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2006 and began her career in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She joined Robinson for the 2024-25 school year and has coached volleyball and powerlifting, producing state medalists in powerlifting both years.