PHIL ROBERTS (email: proberts@tusculum.edu)
Head Cross Country Coach

Phil Roberts has directed the Tusculum College cross country program for the last two seasons.

Roberts, a 1986 graduate of Western Carolina University, has coached at both the high school and collegiate level.

In his two years at Tusculum, he has mentored three runners to South Atlantic Conference cross country honors, including 2006 SAC Freshman Female Runner of the Year Alex Frary.

Prior to joining the Pioneer staff in 2005, he coached locally at Greeneville High School.  He guided the Greene Devils to a fourth place finish in the IMAC.  His GHS harriers won the Tusculum Invitational High School meet while two of his runners, Ben Wills and Lauren Anderson, garnered All-IMAC recognition.

Roberts served as the assistant cross country and track coach at his alma mater from 1986-91.  During his coaching tenure at WCU, the Catamounts boasted several All-Southern Conference honorees including All-Americans Tony McKinney and Richard Rowe.

The Roberts' Family Ketura, Kris, Micah, Phil, Josiah & Simeon.

During his collegiate running career, Roberts was a three-time All-Southern Conference cross country runner (1983, 1984, 1985) while also lettering in indoor and outdoor track.  In 1985, he was the Southern Conference Steeplechase Champion and also claimed the SoCon title in the indoor 1500 meters in 1986.  He is still the holder of eight school records at WCU.  His 8K time of 24:17 at the Citadel Invitational in 1985 is still the best in Catamount history.  He also holds the second best 10K time at WCU running the 1983 Appalachian State Invitational in 31:11.

Roberts' indoor records include the 3,000 meters (8:19.59), two miles (8:59.00), three miles (13:50.80) and the 2000 meter steeple.  He is also the holder of three outdoor records including the 5,000 meters (14:30.24) and the 10,000 meters (30:10.84).

The Charlotte, N.C. native continues to be an avid runner himself.  He has run over 130,000 miles in his lifetime.

Roberts is married to the former Kris Staskunas of Milwaukee, Wis. and they are the parents of three sons (Josiah, 13, Simeon, 11, Michah 9) and one daughter (Ketura, 7).