Overview

The Golden Eagles had another productive year in 2011 earning NAIA All-America honors twice, setting five school records and three freshmen records. In addition to a USA Track & Field National and a USATF Jr. National qualifier, ten men with NAIA Nationals experience return for the 2011-2012 seasons joined by a talented group of freshmen.

Sprints

Always a strong point at CU, this group has sent both individual and relays to Nationals since 2001. The 2011 4x400 squad won the WHAC Outdoor title setting both school and conference records, giving the Golden Eagles eleven consecutive trips to Indoor and/or Outdoor Nationals. Senior Adam Duerksen (Mancelona HS / Mancelona, MI), junior Zach Yeo (Cedar Springs HS / Cedar Springs, MI), Spencer Perry (Lenawee Christian HS / Adrian, MI) and Ryan Versen (Kenowa Hills HS / Grand Rapids, MI) return. Zach Yeo, who was named the 2010 WHAC Indoor Athlete of the Year in his freshman campaign, broke the CU school record indoors in the 600m (1:20.30), and posted an NAIA qualifying mark in the 400m (48.33) as a sophomore. Ryan Versen set the 400m freshman record running 48.23 at the outdoor WHAC meet. Transferring into Cornerstone is three-time NJCAA national qualifier, Stephen Murphy (Rend Lake CC / Lamphere HS). Murphy was the 2009 MHSAA D2 state champin the 400 meters when he ran 47.94. Additional depth comes from freshmen Alex Macias (Haslett HS / Haslett, MI) who was part of the MHSAA Division 2 state runner-up 4x400, and Jeshurun Washington (Forest Hills Eastern HS / Kentwood, MI) who qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 championships and finished 8^th in the 100m.

Hurdles

CU hurdlers scored in the 60H, 110H and 400H at the conference level last season. Three from that group posted NAIA national qualifying marks in the 400m hurdlers. Senior co-captain John Klumpp (Wyoming Park HS / Wyoming, MI) and fellow senior Adam Duerksen have run 53.85 and 54.19 respectively. Versen bettered the freshman and school records in the event and earned a trip to the USATF Junior Nationals with his time of 52.98

Jumps

Sophomore, Spencer Perry cleared 6' 4" in the high jump last season and is joined by freshman, Cameron Hill (Coopersville HS / Marne, MI) a MHSAA D2 state qualifier with a best of 6' 2". In the long jump, junior Eric Schroeder (Climax-Scots HS / Scots, MI) comes off a great fall of preseason conditioning and should improve his spots on the CU indoor and outdoor top ten lists. Excelling in both pole vault and long jump is MHSAA All-State athlete Logan Norton (Calvin Christian HS / Comstock Park, MI) whose career bests include 14'8" in the vault and 20' 9.75" in the long jump.

Distance

Cornerstone's strong distance tradition continues led by men with NAIA nationals experience.

Jared Courtright (Hudsonville, HS / Wyoming, MI) has helped qualify the distance medley relay to indoor nationals the past two seasons. The junior also qualified individually in the 3,000 meters (8:42.97) and holds a 5,000 meter best of 15:36.92. Classmate, Travis Mabe (Cass City HS / Deford, MI) placed 28^th in the marathon at the 2011 NAIA Outdoor T&F Championships and has PR's of 15:53.88 for 5,000 meters and 1:12:57 for the half marathon.

Junior Zach Bourdon (Reeths-Puffer HS / Muskegon, MI) and sophomore Tyler Grey (Oakwood/Armstrong-Potomac HS / Penfield, IL) provide middle distance depth. Last season Zach lowered his 800m best to 1:58.77 and Grey ran 4:08.38 in the 1500m. They are joined by freshman Jared Holmberg (Muskegon HS / Muskegon, MI) who ran 2:00.22 for 800m and 4:35.66 for 1600m last Spring. Thomas Bambach (Allendale HS / Allendale, MI) completed his high school career with bests of 4:27.76 for 1600 meters and 9:49.40 for 3200 meters. In addition to earning MHSAA Division 3 Division 3 All-State honors Bambach also qualified for USATF Jr. Nationals with a 10:06.56 mark in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

Multi-Events

Spencer Perry, who captured the outdoor freshman mark in the Decathlon and number two mark on the freshman heptathlon list, looks to become a first time NAIA qualifier in the multi-events. Perry, recorded marks of 6'4" (high jump) 141'5" (javelin) and 4:37.68 (1,500m) in his best events.

Throws

The 2011 CU T&F Most Improved Award winner Bryant Langdon (Big Rapids HS / Big Rapids, MI) is set to lead the Golden Eagle throwers to NAIA nationals qualifying in the 35-pound weight throw in his junior season. He is joined by MHSAA D3 State qualifier and shot put specialist Ross Raymond (Leroy Pine River / Tustin, MI) whose high school best is 54' 4" and discus thrower Jon Norris (Hamilton HS / Holland, MI) whose top mark is 144' 10".