GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Head Coach Jason Schalk and Andy Wright are excited to announce the hiring of Val Richter as the new Assistant Cross Country distance coach. Richter returns to Cornerstone after graduating nearly six years ago. She graduated in 2019 with her bachelors in exercise science and received her master's in secondary education from Grand Canyon University. 

Val made her mark on the Cross Country and Track team here at Cornerstone leading as a captain in her junior and senior seasons. She collected nine trips to nationals over her career as a Golden Eagle including a conference title in the 1000m. 

Why CU?
"Being on a team at CU was one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. I formed life-long friendships with my teammates, my coaches invested in me, and I learned and grew so much as a person throughout college. Even before I knew this opportunity existed, I had been praying for a way to get connected outside of work. Coaching at Cornerstone feels like an answered prayer. It allows me to serve the Lord through something I genuinely love—investing in the lives of athletes whose shoes I was in not too long ago."
 
Val Richter is newly married and joining us all the way from Elgin Ill. where she taught high school science and coached the cross and track teams. This year coach Val will continue teaching high school biology right across the street at NorthPointe Christian. 

Val and her husband Daniel are excited about the opportunity back at her Alma Mater.