Cornerstone University - News

[Cross Country] Golden Eagles 20th in NAIA Preason Poll

Aimee Luurtsema — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 18:55:05 -0600

Men's Cross Country:

The Cornerstone University Men's Cross Country team starts 2012 ranked 20^thin the NAIA preseason poll. This is the highest preseason ranking since the men were 16^th in the 2009 poll.

The Golden Eagles return all of last year's top five, which included four NAIA National Meet qualifiers.

Two other teams from the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference made the top 30. The defending WHAC champions from Aquinas are ranked 13^th and Siena Heights starts the year 27^th.

Cornerstone opens their season on September 1 at the Vanderbilt Invitational hosted by Hope College at Ridge Point Community Church in Holland. The next NAIA poll will be released on September 12.

[Cross Country] New Positions Set for Upcoming Cross Country and Track Seasons

Randy Strawser — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:01:22 -0600

(Grand Rapids, Mich.) Cornerstone University Athletics Department announced a restructuring of the Cross Country and Track & Field programs going into the 2012-2013 seasons.

Rod Wortley, head coach of the Men's and Women's teams since 1996 has been named Director of Cross Country and Track & Field. Assistant Track & Field Coach, Paul Koutz is now the Head Women's Track & Field Coach and Assistant Men's Track & Field Coach. Assistant Cross Country Coach, Nate Van Holten has been chosen as the Head Men's Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track & Field Coach.

"With the growth and success of these two programs we felt the time was right to restructure our staff in order to handle the demands of the programs and better serve our student athletes." said CU Athletics Director, Dave Grube. "Coach Wortley and his staff have done a tremendous job and these new changes will only enhance our opportunity for success."

As Head Coach, Wortley has presided over 28 consecutive appearances at the NAIA Indoor and Outdoor National Championships as well as 14 trips to the NAIA Cross Country Championships. Most recently the teams returned from the 2012 Outdoor National meet where the women took 12^th and the men 19^th.

"Paul and Nate have been instrumental in bringing our teams to where we are today," said Wortley. "As athletes, Paul scored the first point for the men's team at a National Championship and Nate was part of our first All-American relay team. Since then, they have had a hand in training most of our All-Americans and National Champions. Their dedication to the athletes and loyalty to Cornerstone has been outstanding. I'm pleased to see them develop professionally and keep them here as head coaches."

[Cross Country] Mabe leads Golden Eagles at NAIA National Championships

Randy Strawser — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:09:27 -0600

(Vancouver, Wash.) The NAIA Cross Country National meet returned to Fort Vancouver Historic Site for the third year and for the first time the weather was ideal for racing. The rain from the previous three days softened the course, but the forecasted snow stayed in the mountains. The temperature at race time was a crisp 40 degrees with no wind.

Cornerstone returned three men who ran in the 2010 race and they took advantage of the conditions, running well over one minute faster and placing 50 to 60 places higher.

As they have all season the CU men stayed close to each other with the first three separated by just ten seconds and the fourth only 30 seconds back.

Junior, Travis Mabe reached the finish 99^th in a personal best 25:44, 1:26 and 61 places better than 2010. Sophomore, Louis Falland was just four second off his best, clocking 25:49 in 110^th place in his first national meet. Junior, Jared Courtright improved 1:22 and 52 spots from last year with his 25:54 effort in 120^th. Classmate, Cody Risch was 1:38 and 60 places better than 2010 placing 182^nd in 26:24.

[Cross Country] Five Runners to Compete at NAIA National Championships this Weekend

Carla Fles — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:00:16 -0600

Five runners will compete at the NAIA National Championships for Cornerstone University this weekend, Nov. 19th, at Fort Vancouver in Vancouver Wash. Louis Falland, Jared Courtright, Travis Mabe and Cody Risch will be representing the men's cross country team and Julie Oosterhouse qualified for the women's cross country team. The men's 8k will begin at 10:30a.m. PST and the women's 5k will start at 11:45 am. PST.

[Cross Country] WHAC Cross Country Championships Saturday, Nov. 6

Carla Fles — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:51:19 -0600

Saturday, November 6
Riverside Park 2400 Monroe NE

Men's 8,000 meter championship 11 a.m.
Women's 5,000 meter championship noon

[Cross Country] Bourdon and Lindman Win Alumni & Friends 5k

Carla Fles — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:30:01 -0600

GRAND RAPIDS (10/2) Cool, breezy conditions helped produce fast times at the Cornerstone Alumni & Friends 5k. The 16^th annual event led off the final of Homecoming week activities.

This year's official starter was Jerry Sisson, who began the Cross Country program at then, Grand Rapids Baptist College in 1968.

Sophomores, Zach Bourdon and Jared Courtright broke away from the rest of the field with Bourdon getting a one-second win over his teammate 16:44 to 16:45.

Josh Modert was third in 16:53. The 2007 alum broke the men's 25-29 age group record of 17:35 set in 2003 by Nate Clason. Clason finished 57^th, one place behind his seven year old son Ben who won the 12 & under division in 31:50.

Ben's mother Erin lowered her own age group record in the 30-34 age group by 28 seconds, taking third in the women's division in 19:33. The 2001 grad and ten-time All-American owns the 20-24, 25-29 and 30-34 age group marks.

Janelle Lindman won the women's division in 18:38, finishing sixth overall in the race. The fifth year senior and 2009 All-WHAC Cross Country runner was followed by freshman, Jill Louisignau who finished second in 19:30. For complete results click here.