Coaching Staff
Rod Wortley (Head Coach)
In his 14th year at the helm of the Cornerstone University Cross Country and Track & Field teams, Coach Wortley has built a nationally recognized program producing the best runners, jumpers and throwers in school history. Every year he has taken athletes to the NAIA National Championships and nearly 100 times they have returned with All-America honors along with 32 All-America Scholar Athlete awards. His athletes have also earned 126 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference event titles.
Wortley was named NAIA Region VII and VIII Track & Field Coach of the year for women in 2001, 2004 and 2005 and for men in 2003. He has also been selected as WHAC Coach of the Year six times for Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field.
Wortley graduated from Cornerstone University in 1988 with a B.A. in English Literature. He completed his Masters Degree in English/Professional Writing at Western Michigan University in 1992. He also holds three U.S.A. Track & Field Level II coaching certifications. His wife, Anita is also a Cornerstone University alumnus. They have 2 children.
Nate Van Holten
Nate Van Holten begins his seventh year as an assistant coach for Men’s Middle Distance and Distance events. In that time his athletes have broken every school record in Cross Country and distance events in Track as well as three conference records.
In addition to coaching the Men’s Cross Country team to two NAIA Championship meets in 2006 and 2007, Van Holten guided CU’s top distance runner, Derek Scott to nine All-America honors, a national Championship in the 1500 meters and a spot on the 2004 United States Jr. National team. He has also had four of his athletes qualify and compete at the USATF Jr. National Championships.
During his collegiate career, Van Holten was an NAIA All-American 4 x 400 meter runner, competing in four national championship events and earning three WHAC titles in relay events. Van Holten received a Masters Degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2004 and completed his B.S. in Youth Psychology from Cornerstone University in 2002. He also holds three USATF Level II coaching certifications as well as instructor training certification. Nate, his wife Jane and their son live in Grand Rapids.
