MOUNT VERNON – Courtney Zierten returns to the Hilltop as Cornell's new head athletic trainer, as announced by Director of Athletics Jeff Meeker.
 
Zierten served Cornell's student-athletes as an intern during the 2019-20 academic year. She takes over the sports medicine program for Loren Nydegger, who stepped away after 16 years of service with the Rams.
 
"I am super excited to be back at Cornell," said Zierten. "I've had wonderful experiences so far, personally and professionally. The students are amazing and the staff is like family."
 
Zierten has been an adjunct faculty member in Cornell's kinesiology department since August 2023. She was assistant athletic trainer at Coe in 2023-24.
 
Zierten will oversee Cornell's 20 intercollegiate varsity sports teams. Her primary sports coverage are men's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track & field, men's wrestling, women's lacrosse and men's and women's tennis.
 
"We are very excited to have Courtney joining our team," Meeker said. "Her connections to Cornell, passion for college athletics, tremendous work ethic and diverse experiences make her a valuable asset for our department and student-athletes."
 
Zierten received her bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Northern Iowa in 2019. She earned a master's in epidemiology from the University of Iowa in 2023.
 
During her first stint at Cornell as athletic trainer intern, Zierten covered the tennis, track & field and women's soccer programs. She's also assisted as strength and conditioning coach for Cornell's men's lacrosse team.
 
"I learned a lot from Loren (Nydegger)," Zierten said. "This opportunity came about and I thought I'd be a good fit here. Cornell has one of the best Division III facilities I've seen, across the board. I'm excited to work with the student-athletes in the SAW, but also the students on the Hilltop."
 
Zierten held roles as graduate assistant athletic trainer for women's soccer at Western Illinois University (2020), outreach athletic trainer at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (2020-24) and studio manager and coach at Orangetheory Fitness in Cedar Rapids (2021-23).
 
While at Northern Iowa, Zierten was named Terry G. Noonan Athletic Training Student of the Year. She was also recipient of UNI's Purple and Old Gold Award, Athletic Training Leadership Award and Athletic Training Student of Distinction Award.
 
Zierten is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (NSCA).   
 
Zierten's husband, Lane, is in his eighth season as Cornell's head men's lacrosse coach.