Cornerstone University - News

[Golden Eagles] Homecoming Athletic Events Announced

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-30T15:00:41-06:00

The 2012 Homecoming athletic schedule has been announced. The festivities will begin on Thursday night (Feb. 16th) at 6:30 p.m. with the Hall of Honor Inductee Banquet at Thousand Oaks Country Club. Tickets for the banquet are only $12. If you would like to attend the banquet please RSVP to Mike Riemersma at 616-254-1671 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 616-254-1671 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email at michael.riemersma@cornerstone.edu.

Make checks payable and mail to:

Cornerstone University

Attn: Mike Riemersma

1001 E. Beltline Ave. NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

2012 Hall of Honor Inductees:

Erin (Courtright) Clason - Women's Cross Country / Track and Field
Melissa (Strohmaier) Hyder - Women's Soccer
Charlie Selmon - Men's Basketball
Wayne and Diane Dalman - Golden Eagle Club

Saturday's (Feb 18th) Schedule of Events:

9:30 am - Women's Alumni Basketball Game
10:15 am - Men's Over 30 Alumni Basketball Game
11:00 am - Men's Under 30 Alumni Basketball Game
NOON - Indoor Tailgate (Dining Commons)
1:00 pm- Women's Basketball Game
*Honoring: All Women's Athletic Alumni
3:00 pm- Men's Basketball Game
*Honoring: All Men's Athletic Alumni

Please click here to go the the CU Homecoming page to see full schedule of events or to register for the event.

[Golden Eagles] Johnny's Army Vendor Show and Fundraiser

Randy Strawser — 2012-02-06T13:06:31-06:00

Cornerstone University is hosting the First Annual Johnny's Army Vendor Show and Fundraiser on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 10am-4pm in the Bernice Hansen Athletic Center. This event will be raising funds for Athletic Summer Camp Scholarships. Each vendor is donating an item to be raffled off as well as cash and carry and ordering opportunities!! For more information please contact Shawna at tiemeyer302@yahoo.com.

[Men's Basketball] Golden Eagles Come Up Short Against Warriors (67-70)

Randy Strawser — 2012-02-04T17:38:41-06:00

SCORE

Cornerstone University 67 Indiana Institute of Technology 70

LOCATION

Fort Wayne, Ind.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Cornerstone - Justin Yoder (21 points)
Indiana Tech - Rodney Bartholomew (21 points)

Cornerstone - Derek Kingshott (9 rebounds)
Indiana Tech - Rodney Bartholomew (22 rebounds)

Cornerstone - Wes Hudson (7 assists)
Indiana Tech - Jeff Hoskins (3 assists)

KEY TEAM STATS

The Warriors grabbed 9 more rebounds (45-36) than the Golden Eagles. Cornerstone also shot 17.8% (5-28) from beyond the arc.

GAME FLOW

The Golden Eagles trailed for the first 8 minutes of the first half before taking a 13-12 lead on two Justin Yoder free throws at 11:57. Cornerstone made a 9-3 run and increased their lead to 22-15 with 9:35 left in the half. The Warriors scored the next 8 points to reclaim the lead at 23-22 with 6:55 on the clock. Cornerstone would out score the Warriors 10-6 down the stretch to take a 33-29 into the locker room at the half. The Golden Eagles came out and extended their lead to 43-33 with 15:18 left in the second half. The Warrior made a 13-4 run over the next five minutes to cut the lead to 1 point (47-46) with 10:13 left. The teams traded leads over the next few minutes and Tech tied the score at 52-52 on the first of 2 free throws by Rodney Bartholomew. Tech ran off 9 straight points to take a 61-52 lead with 5 minutes left in the game. The Warriors extended the lead to 67-56 with 2:20 and the game looked to be all but over but the Golden Eagles responded with a an 11-2 run (69-67) capped off by a Dan Possehl 3-pointer with 1:00 left in the half. Rodney Bartholomew hit a foul shot with: 29 left in the game to give the Warriors a 3 point (70-67) lead. Cornerstone had a couple of shots to tied it but they wouldn't go down and Cornerstone would lose their second game to the Warriors this season.

UP NEXT

Cornerstone will host UM-Dearborn on Wednesday, Feb. 8^th at 7:30 p.m.

[Women's Basketball] Fles Wins 300th Game at Cornerstone

Randy Strawser — 2012-02-04T15:45:01-06:00

(Grand Rapids, Mich.) Carla Fles started her head coaching career at Cornerstone in 1999 and has consistently produced winning teams as the Golden Eagles head coach. She has never had a losing season in her 12 seasons and her teams have won at least 20 games in all but 1 of those seasons. She has led her teams to eight NAIA National Tournaments which included five Sweet 16 appearances and a Runner-up finish in 2001-02. Her victory today brings her record to 300-125 for her career. Fles was named WHAC Coach of the Year three times, (2000, 2004, 2008). She was named WBCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2004 and BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan) Coach of the Year in 2002. She has coached 15 NAIA All-Americans, 17 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 1 WHAC Player of the Year, and 4 WHAC Newcomers of the Year. Prior to coming to Cornerstone, Fles served as an Assistant Coach at her Alma Mater (Central Michigan University). She was a four year starter at CMU. She averaged 13.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during her career at CMU. She was a three time All-Conference player. She ranks 2^nd all-time in blocks (104), 2^nd in scoring average (13.9 ppg) and points scored (1,539), and 4^th in rebounds (880). She was inducted into the CMU Hall of Fame in 2004.

[Women's Basketball] Flietstra records double double in win over Indiana Tech

Randy Strawser — 2012-02-04T15:38:43-06:00

SCORE

Cornerstone University 67 Indiana Tech 58

LOCATION

Grand Rapids, Mich.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra (16 points)
Indiana Tech - Yasmine Coleman (14 points)

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra (14 rebounds)
Indiana Tech - Yasmine Coleman (7 rebounds)

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra (3 assists)
Indiana Tech - Nobel, Jones, Russell (1 assist)

KEY TEAM STATS

Cornerstone out rebounded Indiana Tech 47-30 in the game. Sam Flietstra recorded her 7th double double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Freshman Ashley Neidermayer had 7 offensive rebounds.

GAME FLOW

The Golden Eagles went scoreless for the first 5:22 but Tech only scored 3 points themselves over that period of time. Cornerstone took a 5-3 lead at the 13:57 mark of the first half. They built that lead to as much as 9 points (18-9) at 9:15 but the Warriors would battle back to tie the game at 21-21 with 3:29 on the clock. They would outscore the Warrior 6-3 over the final minutes to take a 27-24 lead into the locker room. Tech came out in the second half and reclaimed the lead a couple of times. The Warriors led 37-36 with 12:11 left in the game but the Golden Eagles would start to pull away at that point. They slowly rebuilt their lead to 10 points (59-49) with 1:33 on the clock. The game came down to fouls and foul shots down the stretch and Cornerstone finished with a 67-59 victory over Indiana Tech. Coach Fles won her 300^th game at Cornerstone with the win.

UP NEXT

The Golden Eagles will host UM-Dearborn at 5:30 on Wednesday, Feb. 8^th

[Men's Basketball] Kingshott Named to Capital One District 3 Academic Team

Carla Fles — 2012-02-02T13:16:48-06:00

Derek Kingshott was recently selecteed to the Capital One District 3 All-Academic Team. The 6-4 junior from Zeeland Mich. carries a 3.95 GPA and is an Education major. Voting is done by CoSIDA members and Kingshott is now eligible to be selected to first or second team Capital One All-Academic Team in the college division.

[Men's Basketball] Golden Eagles defeat Gray Wolves

Randy Strawser — 2012-02-01T22:23:33-06:00

SCORE

Cornerstone University 6 Lourdes College 51

LOCATION

Sylvester, Ohio

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Cornerstone - Dan Possehl (19 points)
Lourdes - John Willhite (10 points)

Cornerstone - Dan Possehl (7 rebounds)
Lourdes - John Willhite (6 rebounds)

Cornerstone - Justin Yoder (2 assists)
Lourdes - Corey Harver (2 assists)

KEY TEAM STATS

The Golden Eagles made 16-18 from the foul line in the 1^st Half.

GAME FLOW

The Golden Eagles started a little slow tonight and trailed for the first 10 minutes of the game but the would capture the lead with 5:29 and would lead 24-21 at the half. The Gray Wolves would recapture the lead early 29-29 with 16:41 remaining. The Golden Eagles would push the lead back to double digits 48-37 with 9:42 left. Cornerstone would finish the game with a score of 66-51.

UP NEXT

The Golden Eagles will travel to play Indiana Tech on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

[Women's Basketball] Cornerstone defeats Lourdes (OH) 72-64

Randy Strawser — 2012-02-01T21:44:03-06:00

SCORE

Cornerstone University 72 Loudes College 64

LOCATION

Sylvester, Ohio

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra (19 points)
Lourdes - Tarynn Hampton (16 points)

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra (10 rebounds)
Lourdes - Tarynn Hampton (10 rebounds)

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra, Katelyn Cousins (2 assists)
Lourdes - Tarynn Hampton (1 assist)

KEY TEAM STATS

Cornerstone shot 53% (15-28) in the first half of play and made a 20-5 run to end the first half and took a 41-24 lead into the locker-room.

GAME FLOW

Lourdes scored the first point of the game on a foul shot to take a 1-0 lead but the Golden Eagles would score a 2 point basket with 18:44 to take the lead and they would keep the lead for the rest of the game. The Gray Wolves kept the score close for the first 12 minutes of play but the Golden Eagles made a 20-5 run over the 7:44 of the half to take a 17 point lead at the half. Lourdes would make a 21-8 run to start the second half to pull within 4 points (49-45) but the Golden Eagles quickly responded with a 13-4 run to push the lead back to double digits 62-49 with 9:02 left. The Gray Wolves would get back to 7 points (68-61) with :35 seconds remaining but the game would end with a 72-64 win for the Golden Eagles. Samantha Flietstra recorded her sixth double double of the season in the win.

UP NEXT

The Golden Eagles will host Indiana Tech on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

[Women's Indoor Track & Field] Souza Spectacular in 60 hurdles

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-28T20:57:25-06:00

(Geneva, Ohio) Freshman, Anita Souza arrived at Cornerstone University on New Year's Day ready to begin the Indoor Track & Field season. Her eagerness evolved into frustration as it took four more weeks for the NAIA to clear her for eligibility. An early morning wake up call, just two hours before the bus left for the SPIRE Midwest Indoor T&F Open, brought Souza to Larry Bos' office to sign her eligibility certificate.

The good news meant Souza would celebrate her birthday on Saturday in the starting blocks for CU. Moments before the 60 meter hurdle prelims, coach Rod Wortley approached Anita in the staging area, "She was excited and nervous," said Wortley, "she held up her had to show me it was shaking. She didn't need any advice on how to hurdle, but as anxious as she was, I told her to make sure to wait for the gun."

Souza got a fair start then aggressively attacked the five hurdles. The 2011 Brazilian under-23 Champion hit the finish line as the next competitor was clearing the last hurdle. Her time of 8.83 broke the CU record of 8.87 set last year by Amy Boyer and was well under the NAIA automatic qualifying standard of 9.20. Three hours later Souza improved her record to 8.70 taking second in the finals to Ventura Brooklyn from the University of Buffalo and putting her second on the NAIA performance list.

Two other school records fell at the meet. Friday evening the distance medley relay of Julia Contreras, Lauren Pierce, Julie Oosterhouse and Jill Louisignau broke the old mark of 12:29.68 set by Becca Wright, Samantha Smith, Amy VanderSloot and Andi Owens in 2008. Their time of 12:26.17 was good for 5^th place and qualifies the DMR for NAIA Nationals for the 7^th year in a row.

Oosterhouse returned to the track Saturday to take seventh in the 800 meters. Julie added the school record to the freshman record she set two weeks earlier. Her time of 2:18.37 was just under the mark of 2:18.94 set by Andi Ripley in 2010 and the NAIA automatic standard of 2:19.00.

Other personal best from the weekend included Lauren Pierce in the 200 meters (26.96), and freshmen Kaylee Carew (11:08.06) and CallyAnne Wyma (11:11.36) in the 3000 meters.

Souza joined Oosterhouse, Pierce and Larissa Hampton to end the meet with a provisional qualifying mark in the 4 x 400 relay, clocking 4:00.94 to win their heat and finish fifth overall.

[Men's Indoor Track & Field] Relays Qualify at Spire

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-28T20:53:30-06:00

(Geneva, Ohio) The Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio serves as the host site for the 2012 NAIA Indoor T&F Championships. Cornerstone's men competed at its Midwest Indoor T&F Open with the intention of performing well enough to make the return trip in March.

Friday evening they went two-for two, qualifying in both events contested. The distance medley relay of Jared Courtright, Adam Duerksen, Zach Yeo and Louis Falland needed a time of 10:23.50 or better and through three legs they were on pace. Falland had extra motivation for the anchor leg as his family was visiting from Australia and in the stands watching him race collegiately for the first time. He didn't disappoint, splitting 4:17 for 1600 meters brining the Golden Eagles in 5^th in 10:14.98.

Travis Mabe ran a brilliantly paced race in the 5000 meters. In last place at 600 meters, he held 54-55 seconds per lap on the 300 meter oval, moving steadily through the field. After reaching 4800 meters in 14:35, the junior from Deford, MI covered the final 200 meters in 32.9 for a 52 second personal best and NAIA provisional time of 15:09.22 for 7^th place.

Only two teams entered the 4 x 800 meter relay on Saturday morning: Aquinas and Cornerstone. Saints' coach Mike Wojciakowski joked to CU coach Rod Wortley, "Instead of driving 6 hours we could have come over to your place." As usual, when it comes to Cornerstone and Aquinas, the setting means nothing but the competition means everything. Through the first three legs, John Klumpp, Zach Bourdon and Falland kept Cornerstone within striking distance. Zach Yeo pulled even with the Aquinas anchor with 150 meter to go, but his 1:55.6 effort came up short as the Saints prevailed, 7:53.69 to 7:55.12. The time bettered the NAIA provisional standard and was just .56 off the automatic mark.

Bourdon returned to run a PR 1:57.22 taking 11^th in the 800 meters. Jared Courtright doubled in the 3000 meters squeezing .26 under the NAIA auto mark placing 9^th in 8:40.24.

Bryant Langdon had the best CU field event performance taking third in the 35-pound weight throw with a 54' 6" effort.

[Men's Indoor Track & Field] Perry Fourth in Findlay Heptathlon

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-28T20:42:54-06:00

(Findlay, Ohio) Cornerstone Track & Field's multi-events man, Spencer Perry entered the two-day heptathlon competition at the Findlay University Indoor Classic with his sights set on scoring 3750 points.

The sophomore from Adrian, MI began by clipping 2/100ths off his best time in the 60 meter dash, running 7.73. After an average performance in the long jump of 17' 11.5", Perry came up big in the last two events of day one. In the shot put he added 2 feet to his previous best with a toss of 33' 10.25" then cleared 6' 5" in the high jump. Perry's point total of 2387 put him 5^th in the field going into the second day.

Saturday morning, Spencer picked up where he left off, knocking .11 of his best time in the 60 meter hurdles finishing in 9.14. From there he cleared a new best of 10' 11.75" in the pole vault then finished the day with a four second PR in the 1000 meters of 2:44.01, finishing 9 seconds ahead of the next competitor.

Spencer's score for both days totaled 4375, moving him to fourth and bettering the NAIA minimum standard of 3750.

Friday evening, Cornerstone's race walkers open their season. Cody Risch was the top collegiate finisher covering 3000 meters in 13:09.68 placing 4^th. His time was well under the NAIA automatic qualifying standard of 14:00.00. Freshmen, Isaac Withrow (15:38.54) and Tyler Steigenga (15:59.00) finished 11^th and 12^th.

[Men's Basketball] Big first half leads to Cornerstone victory over Aquinas

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-28T17:12:27-06:00

SCORE

Cornerstone University 81 Aquinas College 57

LOCATION

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Cornerstone)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Cornerstone - Wes Hudson (18 points)
Aquinas - Zach Eddy (10 points)

Cornerstone - Ronald Bates (7 rebounds)
Aquinas - Jake Shockey (6 rebounds)

Cornerstone - Justin Yoder (2 assists)
Aquinas - Joe Powers (2 assists)

KEY TEAM STATS

The Golden Eagles shot 64.3% (9-14) from long range in the first half of play. They only shot 58.6 % (17-29) from the field overall in the half. That led to a 46-17 halftime score.

GAME FLOW

The teams traded baskets in the beginning of the game and were tied at 8-8 with 12:20 left in the half but the Golden Eagles were getting ready to explode offensively and put the locks on Aquinas defensively. Cornerstone made a 17-1 run over the next 6 � minutes of play to take a 25-9 lead with 6:56 on the clock. The Golden eagles made 5 straight 3-pointers (Mason - 2, Yoder - 1, Possehl - 1, Hudson - 1) during that stretch. Cornerstone continue to pour it on outscoring the Saints 21-8 during the remainder of the half and took a 46-17 advantage into the locker room. The Golden Eagles came out in the second half and preserved their lead throughout the second half. The pushed the lead to as high as 36 points (76-39) with 7:31 on the clock but finished with a 24 point (81-57) margin of victory over the Saints. Wes Hudson, Justin Yoder, Jake Plite, and Ronald Bates all scored in double figures for the Golden Eagles.

UP NEXT

The Golden Eagles will travel to Ohio to take on Lourdes College at 7:30 p.m. as part of a double header with the women's team.

[Women's Basketball] Moon shots lead to Golden Eagles win over Aquinas

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-28T15:41:54-06:00

SCORE

Cornerstone University 62 Aquinas College 54

LOCATION

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Aquinas)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Cornerstone - Ashley Moon (21 points)
Aquinas - Taelor Sanders (17 points)

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra (9 rebounds)
Aquinas - Taelor Sanders (9 rebounds)

Cornerstone - Samantha Flietstra, Katelyn Cousins (2 assists)
Aquinas - Taelor Sanders (2 assists)

KEY TEAM STATS

Cornerstone went 10-10 from the foul line in the 2^nd half to maintain their lead. They also forced a couple of turnovers late in the game to secure the win.

GAME FLOW

The teams played the first 13:11 pretty close with the biggest lead being (15-10) for Cornerstone. The teams were tied at 18-18 with 6:49 left in the half. Cornerstone made a 17-8 run to finish the half up 35-26. Cornerstone would increase the lead to 40-28 and a 3-pointer by Ashley Moon with 18:15 left in the game but the Saints would respond with a 17-5 run to tie the game at 45-45. Melissa Veltkamp converted 2 free throws to give the Golden Eagles the lead for good at 9:12. The Golden Eagles converted 8 straight foul shots down the stretch to hold off the Saints and walked off with a 62-54 win over Aquinas. Ashley Moon sank 7 of 9 shots from long range to lead the Golden Eagles with 21 points.

UP NEXT

The Golden Eagles will travel to Sylvania, Ohio to take on Lourdes College on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. as part of a double header with the men's team.

[Men's Basketball] Golden Eagles On WBBL 107.3

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-28T14:30:07-06:00

Today's game between Cornerstone and Aquinas can be heard on WBBL 197.3. Click here and then click on listen live to hear the game.

[Women's Indoor Track & Field] Freshmen Experience Pentathlon at Findlay

Randy Strawser — 2012-01-27T20:40:19-06:00

(Findlay, Ohio) The annual Findlay Indoor Track & Field Classic has been the opening multi-event meet on the CU T&F calendar for years. Two freshmen got their first taste of competing in five events in one day.

Brittany Green and Lindsay Lipa have traded long jump freshman records all season and proved to be fairly evenly matched in four other events.

Green started out ahead running 9.50 in the 60 meter hurdles with Lipa clocking 9.78. Lindsay cleared 4' 10.25" in the high jump to Brittany's 4' 6.75". Green had the better day in the long jump (17' 8" vs. 16' 10.75") and the shot put (33' 11.25" vs. 27' .5"). Lipa ran 2:31.11 in the 800 meters to score 3048 points, just over the minimum NAIA reporting mark, while Green's 2:39.13 brought her just 13 points short of the CU freshman record at 3110. The two finished 6^th and 7^th in the field of ten competitors.

Sophomore, Liz Baller's day got off to a rough start with a fall in the 60 meter hurdles, then three fouls in the long jump. She finished 10^th with 1562 points.

In the race walk, sophomore Monica Lawrence took over one minute off her best time in the 3000 meter race walk. Her 15:59.72 effort placed her 6^th and was well under the NAIA automatic qualifying standard. Freshman, Brianna Griffiths finished 11^th in her race walk debut in 18:57.98.