University of North Carolina Athletics
Cross Country
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- coachlogan@unc.edu
- Phone:
- 919-962-6000
Logan Roberts is in his third year as an assistant coach for the University of North Carolina track & field and cross country program. He works directly with the cross country program and middle distance runners, but has a hand in coaching all distance runners. Roberts was promoted to his current position in August of 2015 after previously serving as a volunteer assistant coach with the program for two years.
“I am honored and humbled that Coach Meaders and Coach VanAlstyne have faith in me as one of the next leaders to assist this distance program,” Roberts said. “This University demands the very best in all areas and as an alumnus, I share the same love and passion that is contagious for this community and campus. I am eager to continue building off of the successes that this program has enjoyed and work toward furthering the tradition of excellence here at Carolina.”
The 2017 cross country season was defined by youth with nine underclassman competing in the top seven for the Tar Heels. Highlighting the fall were the All-ACC and All-Region performances of veterans Caroline Alcorta and Morgan Ilse. Both Athletes had top-20 finishes at the ACC Cross Country Championships and NCAA Southeast Regional. Alcorta also earned ACC Performer of the Week honors on October 18.
During the 2016-17 track and field season, Blake Dodge qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round in the 800 and Erin Edmundson competed in the 800 and 1,500 at the USA Track and Field Junior Championships. Dodge and Edmundson were also recognized as USTFCCCA All-Academic Individuals, which contributed to the women's program being honored as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team.
The 2016 cross country season featured two athletes earning All-ACC honors (Morgan Ilse, Logan Carroll) and Mark Derrick was an All-Region honoree. Under the direction of Roberts, the men were also able to capture sixth at the ACC Cross Country Championships. Morgan Ilse had a breakout season for the Tar Heels in which she became the clear leader for the women’s team in the absence of Caroline Alcorta. Ilse finished 20th at the ACC Championships and 36th at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
During the 2015-16 track and field season, seven UNC student-athletes qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round, including Mark Derrick, Logan Carroll, Stephen Mulherin, Lizzy Whelan, Caroline Alcorta, Josette Norris and Hannah Christen. Under the guidance of Roberts and VanAlstyne, Lizzy Whelan and Caroline Alcorta earned All-ACC honors in their respective events at the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The 2015 cross country season saw three All-ACC honorees (Caroline Alcorta, Josette Norris and Mark Derrick) and five All-Region honorees (Hannah Christen, Josette Norris, Caroline Alcorta, Stella Radford and Stephen Mulherin) between the men's and women's teams. Stephen Mulherin also qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships as an individual, placing 118th. Mulherin finished ninth at the regional meet while sophomore Hannah Christen finished sixth.
In Roberts' first track and field season (2014-15), he helped coach Cory Nichols to a breakout season and a runner-up finish in the 800 at the ACC Indoor Championships that earned Nicholls first-team All-ACC honors. O’Neal Wanliss also reached the NCAA East Preliminary Round in the same event.
Roberts first joined the coaching staff at UNC after completing his Master’s in Sport Administration in May of 2013. In his time as a volunteer assistant, Roberts helped coach the men’s cross country program to two-consecutive NCAA Championship appearances and their highest finish since 1985. On the women’s side he helped coach the women’s team to an ACC Championship in 2014 and an NCAA appearance. The women’s team also achieved its highest USTFCCCA ranking since 2004.
Roberts, along with his brother Sandy and partner Pat Price, are co-founders of Sir Walter Running, LLC of Raleigh, North Carolina. The partnership has successfully organized the annual Sir Walter Miler, a track event that features the nation's top milers in a short, high-energy program at Meredith College with community races beforehand. In its second year, Sports Illustrated touted the event as the "best glimpse of future growth for American track.”
Roberts is an alumnus of Baylor University where he completed his undergraduate degree in Health Science Studies (Pre-Physical Therapy) while competing on the track and field and cross country teams. During his time at Baylor, Roberts served as the Big-12 Conference representative on NCAA Division I National Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the NCAA Division I Sport Management/Championships cabinet. After earning his degree at Baylor, Roberts received the Dr. Gerald Lage Award, the highest academic honor distributed by the Big 12 Conference.
Roberts earned the USATF Level 1 coaches certification in February of 2013.
