In four seasons at the helm of the Bears track and field teams, head coach Paul Thornton has made the WU men's and women's squads among the most successful in the country.

Consider the following: he has mentored WU's women squad to eight University Athletic Association (UAA) championships in eight attempts (indoor and outdoor), extending its conference reign--a period from 2000-07 when the Bears have won all 16 indoor and outdoor titles. The Red and Green took both UAA Indoor championships again in 2007, the third-consecutive year the teams accomplished the feat. The women's team also boasted two All-America honorees in 2007.

Moreover, the men and women swept the 2006 indoor and outdoor titles at the UAA Championship for the second-straight season. Six Bears also combined to amass seven All-America honors in 2006.

Additionally, WU's women placed a program-best ninth at the NCAA indoor Championships in 2005, and also took 13th place at the NCAA Outdoors. Nine student-athletes also combined to register 18 All-America citations in 2005, which is a school single-season record.

In 2004, Thornton guided the Bears women's squad to the indoor and outdoor UAA titles. The men's team placed second at the UAA indoors and outdoors. Meanwhile, two student-athletes qualified for the NCAA indoor Championships, while 11 Bears made the trip to the NCAA Outdoors.

Thornton came to Washington University from Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minn., where he had been the Cardinals' head men's and women's track and field coach for three seasons. During his tenure, Thornton coached one All-American, one MIAC record holder, 14 MIAC champions and was a part of 35 school records. In 2002 and 2003, he coached SMU's Ashley Dingels to national meet appearances.

Prior to his stint at SMU, Thornton spent seven seasons (1993-2000) as an assistant coach at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. As a member of the ISU staff, the Redbirds won 12 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) team championships and had 28 individual conference titles.

As a college student-athlete, Thornton was a three-time all-MIAC track standout at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. In 1993, Thornton qualified for the NCAA Division III national meet in the 4x400 meter relay and was named the Oles' Most Valuable Player.

Thornton, a native of Northfield, Minn., is married to Julie Thornton. The couple have two children: Marissa (9) and Zach (6).

Quick Facts About Thornton

Years at WU: Four

Previous Coaching Experience:
College: Assistant men's and women's track and field coach at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. from 1993-2000. Head men's and women's track and field coach at Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minn. from 2000-03.

College Career:
Four-year letterwinner in cross country and track at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Was a three-time all-MIAC selection in track. In 1993, Thornton qualified for the NCAA Division III national meet in the 4x400 meter relay and was named the Oles' Most Valuable Player.

College Education:
Graduated from St. Olaf College with a bachelor's degree in sports science in 1993. Received his master's degree in exercise science from Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., in 1996.

Family:
Married to Julie Thornton. The couple have two children: Marissa (9) and Zach (6).