New assistant hopes to continue program tradition

The UTEP track and field program has a new assistant coach. Starting this semester, Scott Roberts will be leading the women track team, overseeing the sprints, hurdles, multi-events and jumps athletes.

"We had a position open and we had a lot of candidates and he was by far the most qualified for the position so that's why he's here," head coach Mika Laaksonen said. "I think he brings experience and he has great coaching skills. He has a very good personality for the job, he's very team oriented so a lot of positives so far that I see."

Roberts previously held the same position at the University of Alabama from 2007-11. During his tenure with the Crimson Tide, Roberts coached eight All-Americans, including four SEC champions.

He also worked as a speed trainer and consultant with the Alabama football program for one year that included working with current NFL players Rolando McClain and Javier Arenas.

Prior to his time at Alabama, Roberts spent a decade at Iowa State University, where he helped lead Aurelia Trywianska to the 2004 and 2008 Olympic games in the 100-meter hurdles.

Roberts hopes to have similar success with his runners at UTEP and sees potential already.

That is because of some of the talent he has already inherited such as in two All-Americans with senior sprinter Endurance Abinuwa and senior distance runner Risper Kimaiyo.

"We've got some really good kids to work with, really excited about this upcoming season. After the first meet, we had one girl, Endurance Abinuwa, who's already ranked fifth in the nation in the 60-meter dash," Roberts said. "We want to score as many points as we can at the conference meet and I've challenged my women to score maybe 30 points at the conference meet and help us bring a conference (title) back to UTEP."

Laaksonen said he is confident about Roberst, especially given the type of learning ability and athleticism some of his runners already possess.

"I think they're responding very well. He has tough practices, but because of his personality and the way he is, I don't hear any complaining and I see them working very well as a group," Laaksonen said. "I don't see any negatives right now, it looks really good, really solid. With time we'll see real good results from the group. We've already had some good results from the group in the first meet but even better as time goes on."

The SEC has found much success in recent years, winning 24 combined indoor and outdoor NCAA titles from both the men and women between 2000-11. Roberts knows the talent to compete against in the SEC is elite and believes Conference-USA has elite talent of its own.

"It's pretty comparable so far. The SEC is a very strong league, as we all know, and very deep, but certainly we have those same type of athletes in C-USA," Roberts said.

Even though Roberts came from the SEC, he believes he can contribute to the UTEP custom.

"I think the thing that makes this job really attractive is the tremendous tradition that UTEP has had. All the national championships and all the All-Americans, All-Conference performers," Roberts said. "So I think that's what makes this a very attractive opportunity. A place where we can certainly develop kids and bring kids into the program."

Daniel Ornelas may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.