Tim Cornell begins his third season as the head coach of the Columbia track and cross country teams. In the program's first ever season, Cornell coached the men's cross country squad to the American Midwest Conference (AMC) championship in the fall of 2012, culminating in a trip to the NAIA National Championships. He also led the women's team to a fourth place finish at the confernce meet as well. In the fall 2014, Cornell led both the men's and women's cross country team to a first place finish at the AMC Championships sending them to the NAIA National Championships.
Prior to being hired to lead the Cougars, he enjoyed a successful stint as the director of operations for the Missouri Tigers and is regarded as one of the bright young coaches in the nation, being Level 1 certified by USATF. As an athlete, Cornell was among the elite, qualifying for the USA Track & Field championships in 2009 and garnering multiple all-Big 12 honors. Tim has a background in the natural sciences field with an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and a master’s in Medical Pharmacology and Physiology.
A native of Columbia, Cornell is no stranger to the Columbia College campus. His father holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia and Cornell himself attended high school less than a mile away at Hickman High School. As a Kewpie, he won four state championships including the 2003 & 2004 MSHSAA Class 4 Cross Country Championships.
In taking the job Cornell had this to say, “I have been granted a golden opportunity at Columbia College. This institution has continuously produced athletics teams at the highest level, and Cross Country will be no exception. Columbia is a fantastic community to build a cross country program. We have a wealth of running trails and parks, a population that is highly involved in recreation, and an understanding of the value of a proper education. Columbia College is a perfect pairing for Cross Country and I look forward to sharing this experience with Columbia College and the City of Columbia as a whole.”
Tim's accolades and awards...
- 2009 USATF National Championships Qualifier
- 3 Time NCAA Qualifier
- 3 Time All Big 12 Performer
- 4 Time Missouri 4A State Champion
