Gophers Add Thornton, Reder to Men's Staff

Quoting the U of M media release in its entirety:

University of Minnesota head men’s track & field coach Steve Plasencia announced the hiring of Paul Thornton and Lynden Reder as assistant coaches for the Golden Gopher program. Thornton will serve as the Gophers’ sprints, hurdles and jumps coach, while Reder, a former Minnesota All-American, will oversee the throwing events.

“I’m excited to have Paul and Lynden join our Gopher coaching staff,” said Plasencia, who was named the new Minnesota head coach in July. “This is a great step in Paul’s career and in his progression as a collegiate coach. In Lynden, we welcome one of our own, one of the best throwers in Gopher history, home. I’m looking forward to getting down to business and working with these talented coaches toward the common goal of continuing the tradition of excellence that is Gopher men’s track & field."

Thornton (pictured, left), a Northfield, Minn., native, comes to Minnesota after five years as the head men’s and women’s head track coach at Washington University in St. Louis, a powerful NCAA Division III program. The Bears’ women’s team placed third at the 2008 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships and Thornton was recognized as the U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Midwest Region Coach of the Year.

During Thornton’s tenure, Washington won 14 University Athletic Association (UAA) team titles. The women’s team captured UAA titles in nine of the 10 championships (indoor and outdoor) contested during his reign with the Bears. The Bears swept the men’s and women’s UAA team titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Thornton spent three seasons as the head men’s and women’s track & field coach at St. Mary’s (Minn.) before moving to Washington. He started his coaching career at Illinois State, first as a graduate assistant, then as an assistant coach and finally with four seasons as ISU’s associate head coach (1996-2000).

Thornton was a three-time Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAC) honoree during his collegiate track career at St. Olaf. He helped the Oles’ 4x400-meter relay to an NCAA Championships appearance in 1993 and was voted the team’s most valuable runner. Thornton earned four varsity letters in both cross country and track at St. Olaf, while being coached by his father Bill. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports science in 1993.

Thornton, who earned a master’s degree in exercise physiology and biomechanics from Illinois State in 1995, and his wife Julie have two children, Marisa and Zach.

Reder (pictured, right) was a four-time letterwinner for the Golden Gophers from 2001-04, earning All-America honors in the weight throw and provisionally qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the hammer during his senior season. He was a three-time NCAA Championships competitor (once in weight, twice in hammer) and completed his Minnesota career as the school record holder in the weight (67-2 1/4, 20.48m) and the hammer (215-9, 65.76m). Reder’s mark in the hammer still stands, as do his nine of the top 10 marks in school history in the event.

Reder, a Luverne, Minn., native, has spent the last two seasons as the head men’s track & field coach at Hamline University in St. Paul. During his tenure, the Pipers recorded a trio of third-place finishes in the MIAC Championships.

Overall, Reder was a member of the Hamline coaching staff for six years, including serving as an assistant throws coach during his senior season with the Gophers.

Reder earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 2004. He and wife, Britta, reside in Woodbury.

Photos courtesy of the University of Minnesota (Thornton) and Hamline University (Reder.)