NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Yeshiva University Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Rolanda Bell as head coach of the women's cross country program. She will be assisted by Lidia Garcia, who also enters her first season with the team.

"I am excited to be a part of the YU women's cross country team in pursuit of building something special," Bell said. "My vision is that we continue to develop and grow the program over the next few years, striving for excellence in competition and in the classroom."

Bell has had a very successful running career. She trained for the 2016 Olympic Games with two Team USA Olympians. During her training, Bell participated in the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) Outdoor Track and Field Championships, competing in the 3,000 meter Steeplechase, in 2015.

In college, Bell was a four-year member of the University of Tennessee's women's cross country and track teams. While competing for the Volunteers, Bell was a 10-time All-American in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and was part of the 4x1500 meter relay team that set a Division I collegiate record, with a time of 17:08.34, at the Penn Relays back in 2009.

Prior to Yeshiva, Bell served as the head girls cross country coach at Riverdale Country School from 2014-2018, where she was in charge of competition schedule and entries, facilitating team practices, and abiding by the rules of the Ivy League Conference. She also mentored student-athletes in their personal goals on and off the field, and advised the team on fundamentals.

Bell made her coaching debut as an assistant coach for the Volunteers track and field program, during the 2009-10 season. She frequently traveled with the team to help supervise, organize, and lead the student-athletes while at competition events. Bell also recruited, evaluated, and contacted perspective student-athletes.

"Rolanda is going to bring a new tradition of excellence with her," Yeshiva University Director of Athletics, Mr. Joe Bednarsh said. "She is an elite athlete who knows how to train and get the best out of her runners. I am excited to see this team blossom."

A native of Queens, N.Y., Bell earned her Bachelor of Science in Education, Health, and Human Sciences from the University of Tennessee in 2010.

Courtesy Yeshiva sports information