COLUMBIA, Ky. – Cherise Roberts has been named the Lindsey Wilson men's and women's cross country coach, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Anthony Thompson announced today.

Roberts will also work with the Blue Raider track & field programs as an assistant coach.

"I would like to say thank you to Anthony Thompson for giving me this opportunity to grow and develop with the team," Roberts said. "I am very blessed to get to work with him. I, also, want to thank Dr. Bill Luckey, Dr. Dean Adams and Willis Pooler for supporting me and this program. I look forward to our future together and the future of the program."

Roberts previously served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Brigham Young University for six years. She helped coach multiple All-Americans at BYU and was a part of a national championship team.

"I am beyond ecstatic to train and mentor these Blue Raiders," Roberts added "I look forward to developing the program alongside coach Thompson, Josh Kles, Alexia DeHaven, and Heather Pearson. I look forward to building the team and the lasting relationships that come with coaching these athletes."

Athletically, Roberts competed at Arizona State where ranks ninth all-time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. In 2010, she finished sixth in the steeplechase at the Pac-10 championships with a time of 10:26.40.

" My coaching philosophy is, nobody said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it," Roberts said. "I hope to instill that philosophy into my athletes."