Cornerstone University - News

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Ross reaches Shot Put record at WHAC meet

Randy Strawser — Sat, 04 May 2013 21:00:00 -0600

(Grand Rapids, Mich. – Houseman Field) Great conditions and the usual great competition produced some great performances at the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Houseman Field.

Going into the meet, the Golden Eagles knew they would be without their top distance runner, Louis Falland, who was still not fully recovered from an ankle injury. Falland leads the WHAC with the best time in the 3000 meter steeplechase this season and without him CU's streak of six consecutive conference titles in the event was in jeopardy. That left Cody Risch as the next available candidate, but he had not raced the event since the conference meet in 2012.

The race started conservatively with all eight competitors bunched in a single pack. Just before the halfway point, Risch made a move to the front, taking only Brenden Zoltek of Indiana Tech with him. Risch maintained his pace of 1:15 per lap and found himself extending his lead. His winning time of 9:47.53 was three seconds off his best, but more importantly, kept the WHAC steeplechase title with Cornerstone for another year.

Over at the shot put circle, Ross Raymond opened with a new best of 44' 3" then followed two rounds later with a 45' 8.5" effort breaking the school record. The longest standing mark in the CU T&F record books belonged to Keith Tuttle who threw 45' 7 ¾" in 1985. Raymond finished seventh, while freshman, Daniel Door extended his best to 39' 11 ¼" in fourteenth place. Mike Mahon took eighth in the discus with a new best throw of 135' 10". Spencer Perry got third in the javelin throw with a mark of 170' 6".

Thursday evening, Travis Mabe matched his runner up finish in the 10,000 meters from 2012, taking second in 32:21.30. On Friday the senior concluded his WHAC career running 15:28.28 to place third in the 5,000 meters.

Ryan Versen took second in the 400 meter hurdles. His time of 53.89 was just over one second slower than the meet record he ran last year. Deon Fox improved his best time in the event to 57.86 in eighth place.

Perry, Zach Yeo, Zach Bourdon and Versen combined for 3:19.26 to finish fourth in the 4 x 400 meters. C

Indiana Tech continued their dominance in the WHAC, demonstrating that they are one of the top teams in the NAIA, winning the team title with 265 points. Aquinas was second with 158 followed by Siena Heights with 128, Cornerstone at 54, Davenport, 32 and Concordia 13.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Freshman record for Fox in Decathlon

Randy Strawser — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:00:00 -0600

(Hillsdale, Mich.) Day 1 and 2 - Spring weather finally arrived in time for the 47^th annual Hillsdale College "Gina" Relays, and with it record performances for the CU men.

Thursday and Friday, Deon Fox and Spencer Perry joined the field of eight men for the decathlon. With a solid 11.52 performance in the 100 meters and a PR of 21' 1 ¾" in the long jump along with his marks from the shot put (29/ 5 ¼"), high jump (5' 11 ½") and 400 meters (54.23), Fox finished the day with 3132 points with Perry close behind at 3059.

Thursday evening, Ben Foreman finished eighth in the 10,000 meters, breaking his PR from ten years ago, running 32:36.65.

Day two opened with Deon running well in one of his best events, the 110 meter hurdles, clocking 15.33. After coaxing the discus to 102' 2", Fox vaulted to a PR 14' 3 ¼" earning 716 points. Perry countered with his best in the vault, clearing 12' 3 ½". Spencer saved his best for the last two events. His third attempt in the javelin sailed 191' breaking the school record of 189' 6" set in 2007 by Travis Smith and bettering the NAIA automatic qualifying standard. Running alone at the front of the 1500 meters, Perry finished in 4:49.25 for 623 more points. Fox managed 5:11.18 and his 497 additional points gave him a combined total of 6041. Ijah Solomon of Eastern Michigan won with 6967 points. Fox was second, breaking the freshman record of 5353 set by Perry in 2011. Spencer improved his best to 6006 points for third place.

Friday's sprint action saw Ryan Versen win the open section of the 400 meters in 48.63. Jon Brinks led a trio of freshmen to new PR's in the 100 meters, placing third in 11.16. Tyler Kubik placed sixth in 11.40 and Austin Hazen tenth in 11.65.

Travis Mabe ended the day with a PR in the 10,000 meters. His 32:20.60 effort placed 24^th.

Day 3 - After two full days of competition, the final day of the Hillsdale "Gina" Relays centered on two important races for the Cornerstone men.

A season of bad weather left 2012 All-American, Ryan Versen still looking for a qualifying mark in the 400 meter hurdles and the 2013 Indoor All-American squad had yet to post a time on the NAIA nationals list.

Running in the Championship section, Versen faced competition for Michigan State and Grand Vallet State. Closing fast off the last turn, Ryan worked his way to second in 53.58 just behind GVSU's Logan Hoffman's 53.22. The time was well under the NAIA automatic standard of 53.80.

Ninety minutes later, Versen joined Spencer Perry, Zach Yeo and Eric Schroeder for the 4 x 400 meter relay. Schroeder, the usual lead off man, switched to the anchor leg. A slight hamstring injury made it difficult to push out of the blocks. One day after completing the decathlon, Perry got the starting job and turned in a solid 50.3. Yeo followed with a 49.7 then passed to Versen who bought the team from the

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Freshman record for Fox in Decathlon

Randy Strawser — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:00:00 -0600

(Hillsdale, Mich.) Spring weather finally arrived in time for the 47^th annual Hillsdale College "Gina" Relays, and with it record performances for the CU men.

Thursday evening, Ben Foreman finished eighth in the 10,000 meters, breaking his PR from ten years ago, running 32:36.65.

Travis Mabe ended the day with a PR in the 10,000 meters. His 32:20.60 effort placed 24^th.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Raymond throws well in the cold

Randy Strawser — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:20:00 -0600

(Allendale, Mich.) After Friday's throwing events were postponed by highway speed wind gusts and blowing snow, Ross Raymond returned to the Grand Valley State shot put and discus circles on Saturday, bettering the elements and his personal bests.

While the rest of the events at the Al Owens Classic Track & Field meet were moved indoors to the Laker Turf building, the throwers remained outside where the temperature took most of the day to climb above freezing, but the wind chill never did. "There's a storage shed by the discus cage and shot put ring, but no real shelter," said CU Coach, Rod Wortley. "Grasping and throwing cold metal objects was a lost cause for most of the athletes."

But for some reason, CU sophomore, Ross Raymond had his best day. In the shot put, Raymond's third attempt measured 43' 11.5", a personal best by five inches and good for tenth place. In the discus, his second attempt was a new best, 134' 1" followed by a 139' 6" effort on his next throw. The mark put him thirteenth in the competition and second on the CU all-time list.

Indoors, Logan Norton took advantage of pole vaulting without it being windy or cold and placed seventh in a season best 14' 6.75".

In the 5,000 meters Cody Risch raced aggressively through the opening mile in 4:49 and two miles in 9:43 on his way to a new best time of 15:18.94 to place sixth.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Falland fourteenth in Mt. Sac Steeplechase

Randy Strawser — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:00:00 -0600

(Walnut, Calf.) Louis Falland escaped the dreary conditions in West Michigan to get in a good steeplechase race at the Mt. Sac Relays in California. Instead of cold and rain, he was greeted with temperatures near 80 degrees.

"The heat was a factor, tonight," said CU men's distance coach, Nate Van Holten. "They delayed the start of some races and you could tell it was affecting others."

Nevertheless, Falland put himself on sub-nine minute pace through the opening mile in the Olympic Development Elite heat of the 3,000 meter event. Louis struggled, though in the last kilometer, partially from the conditions and partially from a minor ankle sprain he sustained on his run the previous day.

His parents and sister, visiting from Australia, were on hand to see Louis finish fourteenth. His time of 9:10.89 took seven seconds off his personal best and is the second fastest time in the NAIA this season.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Golden Eagles Take Three Jumps

Aimee Luurtsema — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:15:00 -0600

ADRIAN (4/6) The Cornerstone men won seven events and took second in five others at the Adrian College All-American Invitational.

Freshman Deon Fox and sophomore, Logan Norton accounted for four wins including three of the four jumps. Fox won the high jump at 6' 2.75" while Norton finished first in the pole vault clearing 14' 5.25" and the triple jump with a new personal best 42' 2.75". Fox also won the 110 meter hurdles clocking 16.00 into a stiff headwind. He also took second to teammate Ryan Versen as the Golden Eagles went 1-2 in the 400 meter hurdles. Versen clocked 56.36 to Fox's 59.63.

Bryant Landgon's 154' 9" effort in the fifth round of the hammer throw gave him the win while Ross Raymond finished second in the shot put with a mark of 34' 2.25".

In the 800 meters, the first lap was slow and tactical as runners looked for a place to draft. Louis Falland dueled his way to second on the final lap in 1:58.77. Freshman Jon Brinks won his heat in the 200 meters and took second overall despite racing into a ten mile per hour headwind.

CU ended the day as Spencer Perry, Zach Bourdon, Versen and Zach Yeo won the 4 x 400 meter relay comfortable in 3:25.36.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Throwers Set Freshman Records at Grand Rapids Open

Randy Strawser — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:00:00 -0600

(Grand Rapids, Mich. – Houseman Field) Sunny skies and mild temperatures created nearly ideal conditions for the Grand Rapids Open hosted by Aquinas College. Cornerstone's men totaled five top-three performances including two freshman records.

Friday evening, Mike Mahon erased the freshman record in the hammer throw on his first attempt. His 146' .75" effort bettered the mark of 138' set last year by Ross Raymond. Mahon then broke his own record twice, throwing 159' 4" and finally 163' 8" to place fourth.

Saturday, Daniel Door came within four inches of the freshman record on his first attempt in the discus. He found the extra distance two throws later adding 18 inches to the old mark of 138' set in 2012 by Jon Norris. His new record of 139' 6" placed fifth.

The Golden Eagles did well in the other throwing events as Spencer Perry won the javelin with a 160' 11" effort and Ross Raymond set a new outdoor season best, 43' 6.5" for third in the shot put.

In the jumps, Logan Norton took second in the pole vault, clearing 13' 11.25" and Deon Fox placed third in the long jump at 20' 7".

Cornerstone ended the meet winning the 4 x 400 meter relay. Eric Schroeder, Nick Hayes and Zach Bourdon set up Ryan Versen whose 48.8 anchor leg got the stick home in 3:23.67 ahead of Calvin College in second place at 3:24.09.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] School Record for Risch at Goshen Race Walk

Aimee Luurtsema — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:35:00 -0600

GOSHEN, IN (3/28) Senior, Cody Rish led a 1-2-5 Cornerstone finish in the 5,000 meter race walk at the Goshen College Invitational.

Leading from the gun, Risch set an ambitious pace in pursuit of several goals. About the only thing he didn't do was break 21 minutes. Cody's winning time of 21:02.18 broke the track and meet records, bettered the school record of 21:32.14 from 2011, and bettered the NAIA and USA Track & Field national championships qualifying standards.

In second place, Nathan Vanderwall took 1:12 of his previous best, clocking 22:54.81. He also qualifying for NAIA and USATF nationals.

Isaac Withrow took fifth in 24:56.99, just under the NAIA provisional qualifying mark of 25:00.0

Next on the race walk schedule is the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, PA on April 27.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] School record for Risch at Goshen Race Walk

Randy Strawser — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:00:00 -0600

(Goshen, Ind.) Senior, Cody Rish led a 1-2-5 Cornerstone finish in the 5,000 meter race walk at the Goshen College Invitational.

In second place, Nathan Vanderwall took 1:12 of his previous best, clocking 22:54.81. He also qualifying for NAIA and USATF nationals. Isaac Withrow took fifth in 24:56.99, just under the NAIA provisional qualifying mark of 25:00.0.

Next on the race walk schedule is the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, PA on April 27.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Sprinters Take Off in Outdoor Opener

Aimee Luurtsema — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:45:00 -0600

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (3/9-10) Sunny skies and warm temperatures created ideal conditions for Cornerstone's Track & Field sprint crew at the Coastal Carolina Invitational in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Senior, Eric Schroeder combined with freshmen Jon Brinks, Austin Hazen and Tyler Kubik for second place in the 4 x 100 meter relay. Their time of 42.88 was less than one second away from the NAIA provisional standard. "For three freshmen to pass the baton effectively in the first meet and run a good time is impressive," said CU coach, Rod Wortley

Schroeder also ran a personal best 11.25 taking twelfth in the 100 meters while Ryan Versen claimed third in the 400 meters in 49.05. Spencer Perry placed eighth in the 400 with a new best time of 50.36. Perry also added over 14' to his best in the javelin taking tenth with a throw of 167' 10".

Travis Mabe and Cody Risch ran a well-paced race in the 10,000 meters. Mabe covered the final mile in 5:00 placing third in 32:43.37 Rich was seventh, lowering his PR to 32:54.43.

The meet ended with sense of what might have been in the 4 x 400 meter relay. After Schroeder and Perry split sub-50 second legs, Versen put the Golden Eagles in contention with a 47.7. Zach Yeo was closing what was left of the gap on the leaders from Coastal Carolina when he felt a twinge and pop in his hamstring coming off the final turn. The senior wisely pulled up and walked off the track as the host team went on to win in 3:15.29.

The men are idle until the end of the month when they compete at the Grand Rapids Open at Housemen Field on March 29-30.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] CU Alum to Represent USA in Jamaica

Randy Strawser — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:00:00 -0600

The dead of winter is the perfect time to leave Michigan and head to Jamaica. Better still, to do so as a member of team USA. Cornerstone alumnus, Zach Ripley leaves today as one of five men representing the US at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Cross Country Championships (NACAC). The meet is open to 31 nations in the region. Ripley will run in the 8 kilometer senior men's race on January 26.

Ripley earned his spot on the team by placing tenth at the USA Track & Field Club Cross Country Championships on December 8, 2012. The 2010 Cornerstone grad covered the 10 kilometer course in 30:33.96, leading his Playmakers Elite / New Balance team to a fifth place finish out of 42 teams.

As a Golden Eagle, Ripley earned All-America honors three times in Cross Country and four times in Track & Field as well as being the 2010 NAIA National Champion in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. He has continued to train and complete post collegiately while teaching high school English at West Michigan Aviation Academy.

Cornerstone Men's Cross Country Coach, Nate Van Holton has remained Ripley's coach since college, "We were planning on trying to make a US team in the next two years so this has bumped up the schedule and expectations a little in preparation for 2016."

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Mabe makes off with school record in Half Marathon

Randy Strawser — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 21:00:00 -0600

(Grandville, Mich.) One year ago, CU Men's Cross Country Coach improvised an accurate half marathon course on just a few days' notice. The event in Nebraska he planned to take his athletes to was cancelled due to inclement weather. This year, with more time, Van Holten put together an excellent course and attracted 30 entrants from five NAIA schools.

The forecasted snow fell overnight, but didn't stick to the road. The start / finish line had to be moved, since the precipitation collected in an ankle deep puddle on the original line.

Spring Arbor's Nate Martin led wire to wire, winning with a jaw dropping 1:04:16. The next three men raced together most of the 13.1 mile distance with Arbor's Kyle Anderson claiming second in 1:10:35, just ahead of Travis Mabe of Cornerstone whose 1:10:42 took 22 seconds off the school record set last year by Jared Courtright. Bryan Burke of Spring Arbor was 15 seconds back in fourth.

The top five men bettered the NAIA National qualifying standard of 1:13:00. Four more slipped under the NAIA provisional mark of 1:15.00, including CU's Cody Risch who finished seventh in 1:13:31.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Mahon Inks with Cornerstone

Randy Strawser — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:36:46 -0600

Mike Mahon of Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg high school has signed a Letter of Intent to Cornerstone University. MHSAA Division II All-State and Regional Champion in the Discus and Conference Champion in the shot put, Mahon has thrown 159' 3" in the disc and 45' 10" in the shot.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Deon Fox (Western Michigan Christian) Signs with Golden Eagles

Randy Strawser — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:33:47 -0600

Western Michigan Christian High School's Deon Fox has signed with Cornerstone University for the 2012-2013 school year. Fox earned MHSAA Division IV All-State honors in as runner-up in the 110 meter hurdles, 8^th in the 300 meter hurdles and 5^th in the 4 x 100 meter relay. Deon's best times include 15.28 in the 110 hurdles and 41.81 in the 300 hurdles.

[Men's Outdoor Track & Field] Austin Hazen Signs with Cornerstone

Randy Strawser — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:29:30 -0600

Freeland High School senior, Austin Hazen signed his Letter of Intent to Cornerstone University. Hazen helped the Falcons to the Regional team title running on the winning 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relays. At the MHSAA Division III State Meet Austin earned All-State honors as part of the runner-up 4 x 200 squad.