STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific cross country and track & field program has announced the final addition to the coaching staff, adding a local connection in Assistant Coach Cherise Roberts on Tuesday.

"Bringing in Cherise Roberts is a coup for our program," Head Cross Country Coach Isaac Wood said. "Not only has she been a head coach prior to joining us at the University of the Pacific, but she is also from the San Joaquin Valley, has great ties to the area and will be a significant boost to our recruiting and overall efforts as a program."

Roberts, a native of Manteca, California, brings a plethora of running experience to Pacific, previously served as the men's and women's cross country coach at NAIA school Lindsey Wilson last season and as an assistant coach at BYU for six years.

"I'm truly honored to join the University of the Pacific," Roberts said. "It's a privilege to work alongside Isaac Wood, and I'm incredibly grateful to Josh Jones, Leslie Chang, Adam Tschuor, and President Christopher Callahan for their support throughout this transition. I'm excited to contribute to the continued growth and success of Pacific Athletics."

In helping BYU, Roberts guided multiple All-Americans and was a part of a national championship team.

As an athlete, Roberts competed at Arizona State from 2008-2011 where she 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. Prior to ASU, Roberts ran her freshman year at Stanislaus State where she set the school record for the 3k indoor.

Roberts is married to Matthew Roberts and has five children (Seth, Karlee, Erin, Maya and Kevin).

Under the leadership of Director of Cross Country & Track Field Josh Jones, the staff is squared away ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. 

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