SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Converse University Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jenn Bell has announced the hiring of Roger Malonda as the Valkyries new head cross country coach.
 
"We are excited to bring Roger on board to lead our cross country programs," Bell said. "We believe his experience and knowledge of training student-athletes will help our programs reach new heights. Our student-athletes are driven and want to continue to excel in the classroom and on the course, and we are confident Roger will help us do just that."
 
"I am honored to lead the Converse Cross Country team and assist with the Track & Field program," Malonda said. "I'm looking forward to continuing Converse's success within Conference Carolinas while working to establish a presence on the national stage. I am grateful to Jenn Bell, Randy Loggins, and Brandon Morton for their trust in me, as well as for the experiences at my past institutions that have prepared me for this opportunity. I look forward to building a culture of excellence, hard work, and growth while helping our student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the track."
 
Malonda makes his way to the Palmetto State from West Texas A&M University, where he has been the assistant track & field coach since August of 2023. While at West Texas A&M, Malonda helped the team to a National Runner-Up finish and coached over 30 All-Americans. Malonda also coached six individual national champions and two national runner-up finishes in his respective discipline. West Texas A&M also had a placed fourth nationally as a team one year while Malonda was a member of the coaching staff. In all, Malonda coached 21 All-Region performers, 16 individual conference champions and 54 all-conference performers at West Texas A&M.
 
Prior to his time in Texas, Malonda coached one season (2022-2023) at Dakota Wesleyan. While at Dakota Wesleyan, Malonda coached nine athletes to qualifying marks, had one achieve All-America status, set 12 school records, had 14 all-conference selections, and six all-academic selections. Maldona also helped coach the cross country team to a third place finish at the conference meet, their highest finish in program history.
 
As a graduate assistant coach, Malonda coached at Cameron from 2020-2022. While at Cameron, Malonda helped the school break 42 program records, had one conference champion in the 5K event, had five other athletes achieve all-conference status, had two athletes make NCAA Division II provisional marks in the 1500 and 5000 meter events, and had one All-American on the cross country team.
 
A native of Barcelona, Spain, Malonda spent his collegiate career at Calumet College of St. Joseph. There he earned a B.S. in forensic biotechnology and criminal justice with a minor in forensic science. As an athlete he earned USTFCCCA All-American status in the 3,000 meter indoor event, was a three-time national qualifier, a three-time All-CCAC, and notched eight school records during his four years on campus.  
 
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @valkyries_wxctf
Instagram: @Valkyriesxctrack
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics