Wyoming, MI – In a recent flurry of signings, the Grace Chrisitan University cross country and track teams, along with the men’s basketball program, are excited to announce the addition of 2020 graduate Collin Bishop.  As a student athlete at Creative Technologies Academy (CTA) in Cedar Springs, Bishop was a top performer in both cross country and basketball for the Chargers, where he finished with a personal record 5k time of 17:20 at the Michigan Class D State Championships.  He will be pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice while at Grace. 

Ironically, Grace head coach Gerry Verwey had founded and coached the cross country team at CTA but left to coach at Grace the first year that Bishop joined the team.  Outside of a few summer runs that the two had enjoyed together, Coach Verwey never had the chance to coach Bishop up until now.  "I am excited to finally have an opportunity to work with Collin as he gets back into his running form and to prepare him for the upcoming basketball season, as well," noted Coach Verwey.  "Then we will really see what he can do when the outdoor track season rolls around."  

Bishop is excited to work with Coach Verwey and Coach Krombeen (men’s basketball) at Grace too.  He noted at his letter of intent signing that he has learned a lot from sports, such as setting goals, perseverance, and to be selfless and never quit.  "Coach Bowmar at CTA pushed me to my full potential and never let me give up," commented Bishop.  He also stated that he chose Grace because of the strong Christian environment and the people within it, which feels like a family to him.  When asked why he wanted to join the cross country and track teams, Bishop stated, "I was influenced by Coach Verwey and know he will help me to be conditioned and healthy for me to reach my new goals."  

"He’s all in, that I have no doubt, I just have to remind him that it is a process he has to trust and to try not to overdo it early on, but I assure you, he’ll be in shape by the end," added Coach Verwey.

The mens’ and women’s cross country teams will kick off their competitive meet schedule on Friday, September 2 at St. Clair Community College, in Marysville, MI.  The women’s 5k race is slated to begin at 1:30 PM with the men’s 8k race to follow.  The course is hosted at Marysville City Park and will provide a good litmus test for a young and hungry cross country squad.