The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has selected Tom Thorkelson as the 2009 Division III Central Region Women’s Track and Field Coach of the Year. Thorkelson was one of eight coaches to receive regional coach of year honors and is now eligible for Division III National Women’s Track and Field Coach of the Year.
In his tenth season as head coach at Gustavus and 24th season overall, Thorkelson led the Gusties to a second-place showing at the 2009 MIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships with the highest point total in school history at 173 points. Gustavus also achieved nine NCAA provisional or automatic qualifying marks this season under his guidance. Thorkelson was honored as the MIAC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of Year last week.
Ten men’s and women’s track and field student-athletes have qualified for eight individual events and two relays at the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which will be held at Marietta College on May 21-23.