Women's Track and Field | 6/19/2019 1:26:00 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Assistant Coach Andy Wright who oversees sprints and jumps has announced the addition of eight freshmen to the 2019-20 Golden Eagle track & field recruiting class. Wright is adding six new additions to the women's program and two to the men's as he enters his second season as a track & field assistant at Cornerstone. Of the eight new additions to the program, six come from Michigan while one comes from Florida and one from Illinois. 

Grace Callahan – Elgin, Ill. 
Grace comes to Cornerstone from Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin, Illinois where she competed in the high jump, triple jump, long jump, discuss, shot put, 200m, and 100m. Grace went down as the best jumper in school history, setting the program record in the high jump, triple jump, and the long jump. She also played basketball for Harvest Christian and helped the team to a fourth place finish at state finals. 

 

Why CU?
"I chose Cornerstone because I have always liked this school and I am connected to the people who go there and I enjoyed the track team." – Grace Callahan
 
Joshua DeVries – Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Joshua comes to Cornerstone from South Christian High School where he was a pole vaulter for the Sailors. Joshua capped off a fantastic high school career with a D2 State Championship in the pole vault this season for the second of his career. On top of that, he has been named OK Gold All-Conference three times, a 2018 All-State member, and the D2 State Runner-Up in 2018. Joshua also played soccer for the Sailors and was a standout athlete for them as well. 


 
Why CU? 
"I chose Cornerstone because I believe that when I am there I will be surrounded by teachers and coaches that will always want the best for me. I also believe hat I will be able to strengthen and grow my faith in Jesus well at Cornerstone." – Joshua DeVries
 
Alexis Earley – Comstock Park, Mich. 
Alexis comes to Cornerstone after concluding her career at West Michigan Aviation Academy. Her main event was the high jump in high school, but she also competed in the 800m, 400m, 300m hurdles, and the 3200m relay. Alexis is a Regional Champion in the high jump and jumped a personal record of 5'4" in both her sophomore and junior seasons. Alexis is also a gymnast and has won five State Regional Competition Championships in each of the last two years. 
 


Why CU? 
"I decided to go to Cornerstone because I wanted to attend a smaller size school that would help me achieve my goals and aspirations. I am also looking forward to strengthening my faith and relationship with the Lord." – Alexis Earley
 
Kaitlin Essig – Bridgman, Mich. 
Kaitlin comes to Cornerstone from Bridgman high school where she did sprints, hurdles, high jump, and relays. She was an All-State athlete in the high jump in 2017, and the high jump regional champion in 2018 and 2019. She also won the 300m hurdles regional championship this past season. Kaitlin also competed in cross country in high school, where she was a state qualifier all four years, First-Team All-Conference all four years, and Academic All-State. 
 


Why CU?
"I picked Cornerstone because I wanted a smaller school that focuses on Christ and made me feel welcome and at home." – Kaitlin Essig
 
Cassandra Mcnamara – Constantine, Mich. 
Cassandra comes to Cornerstone from Constantine High School where she competed in sprints, hurdles, and relays. Her best event in high school was the 300m hurdles, breaking the school record and finishing seventh at state her sophomore year. She also finished seventh in the state in the 100m hurdles as a junior. Cassandra was also an Academic All-State Athlete her sophomore and junior seasons. 
 


Why CU? 
"I chose Cornerstone because of all the wonderful things I have heard. I loved the environment on all the visits I have gone on and I just think it will be a great fit for me." – Cassandra Mcnamara
 
Chelsee, Martino – Orlando, Fla. 
Chelsee comes to Cornerstone from the farthest away of any of the new additions, after concluding her high school track & field career at Lake Nona High School in Orlando, Florida. Chelsee competes in sprints and hurdles and racked up multiple awards while at Lake Nona. She was named the Lake Nona Athlete of the Year, All-Metro, and All-District in 2019. Chelsee also earned third and fifth place finishes at districts, a fourth-place finish at Metro's and a first place finish at the Winter Park Meet. 
 


Why CU? 
"I chose Cornerstone because of the amazing people. From the moment that I stepped on campus, I was welcomed and it felt like home. I truly feel like God paved the way and led me here so that I can follow the path he has created for my life." – Chelsee Martino 
 
Ashley Verplank – Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Ashley comes to Cornerstone from Forest Hills Eastern High School where she competed in the pole vault, hurdles, and high jump. She placed third at the 2019 Team State Finals and the 2019 Regionals as well as qualified for Individual State competition in both 2018 and 2019. Ashley also was a competitive cheerleader for FHE and was named to the All-Conference Team in 2017, 2018, and 2019. 
 


Why CU?
"I chose Cornerstone because the environment is very community-based and will positively impact my future." – Ashley Verplank
 
Peter Willcome – Petoskey, Mich. 
Peter comes to Cornerstone from Petoskey High School where he competed in hurdles, the high jump, and the long jump. Peter was a two-time State Qualifiers and finished first in Regionals for the 110m hurdles. 
 


Why CU? 
"I chose Cornerstone because I like the size of it. It is smaller so I can get to know people better. I also like how it is a Christian university and that it is located in Grand Rapids." – Peter Willcome 
 
Track & Field Contact: Jesse Campbell 
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