Keith Roberts

Roberts, a native of Bellefontaine and a 2000 Chieftain graduate, was also a two-time state champion in the 110 hurdles.

Director of Heidelberg Athletics Matt Palm made the announcement in Tiffin.

Roberts, who served as an assistant coach last season, is to replace Kevin Lucas who resigned after four years.

Prior to arriving at Heidelberg, Roberts was head coach for the Logan County Elite Track Club in Bellefontaine.

He also was an assistant coach for Bellefontaine High School and the Summit Academy in Herman, Pa. for the 2006 season and from 2005-2006 assisted at the University of Pittsburgh.

Roberts attended Kent State University and was a member of the track and field team. He graduated in 2005. 

He won the Mid-American Conference Championship in the indoor 60-meter hurdles and currently holds the 55-meter hurdles record.

Roberts also placed 11th in the nation in Division I in the indoor 60-meter hurdles in 2003 and was named a Freshman Verizon All American in the outdoor 110-meter hurdles.

Roberts stressed that building on a winning tradition takes a lot of hard work and dedication, all of which he is ready to do.

He stated, "We have a good core of returners from the cross country teams to the track and field athletes. As a coach I stress the importance that all distance runners, sprinters, throwers and hurdlers all merge together to form one cohesive team that will welcome a strong recruiting class to strive for a conference championship this season."

Roberts is pursuing a master's degree in education at Heidelberg.