University of Mary Women's Cross Country

Newell enters his 10 th season at the helm of the University of Mary mens and womens cross country programs. Since joining the nationally-ranked Marauders to guide the U-Mary cross country, middle distance and distance athletes in 2006, Newell has helped lead the Marauders to 14 Northern Sun Conference Track & Field titles. Along the way, Newell has coached five NCAA National Champions, 153 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Conference honors, 54 NSIC champions, seven NSIC records, 47 NCAA individual Academic All-Americans, 24 NCAA team Academic All-Americans, five NCAA Womens Cross Country Championship Qualifying Teams (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015) and 33 NCAA All-Americans in cross country and track events, ranging from the 800 meters to 10,000 meters and cross country. Newell led the Marauders to the NCAA Division II womens cross country national championships for the first time in 2009, placing 18 th in the country. The squad improved to 11 th in 2010 before jumping to fifth in 2011. Despite injury issues in 2012 U-Mary claimed 13 th place. Most recently, Newell led the Marauders back to the NCAA Division II womens cross country national championships again in 2015 and a 12th place finish in the nation. While the string of women's cross country teams advancing to the NCAA national championships was snapped in 2013, the season produced the Marauders first national championship when Jennifer Agnew dominated the field. In 2014, Alexis Zeis became the first U-Mary freshman to earn All-American honors in cross country when she placed 21st in the nation. Again, showing no let up, Newell led Zeis to the 2015 NCAA Division II cross country national championships title!  This is the second NCAA Division II cross country title in three years for the Marauders and Newell. In ten years at U-Mary coaching the mens and womens cross country teams, Newell has coached nine All-Americans, 23 all-region performers, 53 all-Northern Sun selections, and four conference champions.  Most recently Newell coached Jennifer Agnew to the 2013 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship crown and Alexis Zeis to the 2015 NCAA Division II women's cross country individual championship title. He was named the 2010 NSIC Coach of the Year. In addition to success in cross country, Newell played an integral role in U-Mary winning six womens Northern Sun indoor and seven outdoor conference championships and a mens indoor conference title. The nationally ranked womens track & field program also has placed among the top 10 several times at the NCAA championships. A three time regional assistant track coach of the year, Newell earned 2013 US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Womens Indoor Coach of the Year honors after coaching two event champions at the NCAA championships. 12-time All-American Melissa Agnew won the mile run and anchored a championship Distance Medley Relay team, the first two U-Mary NCAA championships in any program. His student-athletes accounted for all but one of the teams 25 points that earned the Marauders a ninth-place finish. Agnew captured another NCAA title in the 1,500 meter run at the 2013 outdoor championships. Previously Newell was selected as the 2008, 2012 and 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, a recognition voted upon by his colleagues and peers. Newell, who joined the U-Mary coaching staff in 2006, was a 10-time All-American and 2-Time National Runner-Up at Black Hills State University, SD, and a 14-Time All-Conference and 6-Time Conference Champion before graduating from BHSU in 2004. He received his masters degree from the University of North Dakota in 2005. The 2003 and 2004 DAC-10 cross country champion and most valuable runner, Newell is a USATF Level I and II, and III (Endurance) Certified Coach and takes every opportunity to continually learn through cross country and track & field educational programs, seminars, and instructional clinics. A native of Williston, N.D., Newell spent the first ten years of his life growing up in North Dakota.  His family then moved to Billings, Mont., in 1986 and Newell graduated from Skyview High School in 1995. He is married to the former Catelin Hoffman of Parshall, N.D. They have three children, Piper Lynn, Christian Joseph, and Crosby Ray. EDUCATION M.S. Kinesiology University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND B.S. Exercise Science Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD CERTIFICATIONS/ MEMBERSHIPS Red Cross AED, CPR, & First Aid United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association USTFCCCA Cross Country Master Coach Endorsement (In Progress) United States Track & Field United States Track & Field Level I, II, III Coaching Certification (Endurance) HALL OF FAME 2013 Black Hills State University- Cross Country Team Induction 2015 Black Hills State University- Individual Induction   PUBLICATIONS Newell, Dennis, R.  (2014).  Increasing Self-Efficacy in Sea-Level Athletes Racing at Altitude .  , (208), 6627-6631.   SPEAKING APPEARANCES 2013 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Featured Convention Speaker DENNIS NEWELL ACCOMPLISHMENTS As a Coach:    14 NSIC Team Track & Field Championships 153 NSIC All-Conference (53 Cross Country/ 56 Indoor Track/ 44 Outdoor Track)   54 NSIC Champions (4 Cross Country/ 32 Indoor Track/ 18 Outdoor Track)     7 NSIC Records (4 Indoor Track/ 3 Outdoor Track)   65 NCAA All-Region Individuals (23 Cross Country/ 24 Indoor Track/ 18 Outdoor Track)     2 NCAA All-Region Champions (2 Cross Country)     5 NCAA Womens Cross Country Championships Qualifying Teams (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015)   33 NCAA All-Americans (9 Cross Country/ 18 Indoor Track/ 6 Outdoor Track)     5 NCAA National Champions (Womens DMR, Womens Mile, Womens 1500 meters,         2x Womens Cross Country)   24 NCAA All-Academic Teams (14 Cross Country/ 12 Track & Field)   47 NCAA All-Academic Individuals (27 Cross Country/ 20 Track & Field)   2015 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2015 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2014 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2013 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year 2013 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2012 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year 2012 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2012 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2011 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2011 Womens Roy Griak Team Champions 2010 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Cross Country Coach of the Year 2010 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2010 Womens Roy Griak Team Runner Up 2008 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year 2008 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2008 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2008 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Mens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2007 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2007 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions As a Student/ Athlete: 10-time NAIA Athletic All-American (3 Cross Country / 2 Indoor/ 5 Outdoor Track)   2-time NAIA Cross Country National Team Runner-Up (2000, 2003)   1-time NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Individual Runner-Up (2003)   1-time NAIA Cross Country National Individual Runner-Up (2002)   Dennis Newell Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach / Assoc. Head Coach Track & Field Mobile Twitter: @UMaryXCTF USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year recipient Dennis Newell enters his 10 th season at the helm of the University of Mary mens and womens cross country programs. Since joining the nationally-ranked Marauders to guide the U-Mary cross country, middle distance and distance athletes in 2006, Newell has helped lead the Marauders to 14 Northern Sun Conference Track & Field titles. Along the way, Newell has coached five NCAA National Champions, 153 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Conference honors, 54 NSIC champions, seven NSIC records, 47 NCAA individual Academic All-Americans, 24 NCAA team Academic All-Americans, five NCAA Womens Cross Country Championship Qualifying Teams (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015) and 33 NCAA All-Americans in cross country and track events, ranging from the 800 meters to 10,000 meters and cross country. Newell led the Marauders to the NCAA Division II womens cross country national championships for the first time in 2009, placing 18 th in the country. The squad improved to 11 th in 2010 before jumping to fifth in 2011. Despite injury issues in 2012 U-Mary claimed 13 th place. Most recently, Newell led the Marauders back to the NCAA Division II womens cross country national championships again in 2015 and a 12th place finish in the nation. While the string of women's cross country teams advancing to the NCAA national championships was snapped in 2013, the season produced the Marauders first national championship when Jennifer Agnew dominated the field. In 2014, Alexis Zeis became the first U-Mary freshman to earn All-American honors in cross country when she placed 21st in the nation. Again, showing no let up, Newell led Zeis to the 2015 NCAA Division II cross country national championships title!  This is the second NCAA Division II cross country title in three years for the Marauders and Newell. In ten years at U-Mary coaching the mens and womens cross country teams, Newell has coached nine All-Americans, 23 all-region performers, 53 all-Northern Sun selections, and four conference champions.  Most recently Newell coached Jennifer Agnew to the 2013 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship crown and Alexis Zeis to the 2015 NCAA Division II women's cross country individual championship title. He was named the 2010 NSIC Coach of the Year. In addition to success in cross country, Newell played an integral role in U-Mary winning six womens Northern Sun indoor and seven outdoor conference championships and a mens indoor conference title. The nationally ranked womens track & field program also has placed among the top 10 several times at the NCAA championships. A three time regional assistant track coach of the year, Newell earned 2013 US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Womens Indoor Coach of the Year honors after coaching two event champions at the NCAA championships. 12-time All-American Melissa Agnew won the mile run and anchored a championship Distance Medley Relay team, the first two U-Mary NCAA championships in any program. His student-athletes accounted for all but one of the teams 25 points that earned the Marauders a ninth-place finish. Agnew captured another NCAA title in the 1,500 meter run at the 2013 outdoor championships. Previously Newell was selected as the 2008, 2012 and 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, a recognition voted upon by his colleagues and peers. Newell, who joined the U-Mary coaching staff in 2006, was a 10-time All-American and 2-Time National Runner-Up at Black Hills State University, SD, and a 14-Time All-Conference and 6-Time Conference Champion before graduating from BHSU in 2004. He received his masters degree from the University of North Dakota in 2005. The 2003 and 2004 DAC-10 cross country champion and most valuable runner, Newell is a USATF Level I and II, and III (Endurance) Certified Coach and takes every opportunity to continually learn through cross country and track & field educational programs, seminars, and instructional clinics. A native of Williston, N.D., Newell spent the first ten years of his life growing up in North Dakota.  His family then moved to Billings, Mont., in 1986 and Newell graduated from Skyview High School in 1995. He is married to the former Catelin Hoffman of Parshall, N.D. They have three children, Piper Lynn, Christian Joseph, and Crosby Ray. EDUCATION M.S. Kinesiology University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND B.S. Exercise Science Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD CERTIFICATIONS/ MEMBERSHIPS Red Cross AED, CPR, & First Aid United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association USTFCCCA Cross Country Master Coach Endorsement (In Progress) United States Track & Field United States Track & Field Level I, II, III Coaching Certification (Endurance) HALL OF FAME 2013 Black Hills State University- Cross Country Team Induction 2015 Black Hills State University- Individual Induction   PUBLICATIONS Newell, Dennis, R.  (2014).  Increasing Self-Efficacy in Sea-Level Athletes Racing at Altitude .  , (208), 6627-6631.   SPEAKING APPEARANCES 2013 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Featured Convention Speaker DENNIS NEWELL ACCOMPLISHMENTS As a Coach:    14 NSIC Team Track & Field Championships 153 NSIC All-Conference (53 Cross Country/ 56 Indoor Track/ 44 Outdoor Track)   54 NSIC Champions (4 Cross Country/ 32 Indoor Track/ 18 Outdoor Track)     7 NSIC Records (4 Indoor Track/ 3 Outdoor Track)   65 NCAA All-Region Individuals (23 Cross Country/ 24 Indoor Track/ 18 Outdoor Track)     2 NCAA All-Region Champions (2 Cross Country)     5 NCAA Womens Cross Country Championships Qualifying Teams (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015)   33 NCAA All-Americans (9 Cross Country/ 18 Indoor Track/ 6 Outdoor Track)     5 NCAA National Champions (Womens DMR, Womens Mile, Womens 1500 meters,         2x Womens Cross Country)   24 NCAA All-Academic Teams (14 Cross Country/ 12 Track & Field)   47 NCAA All-Academic Individuals (27 Cross Country/ 20 Track & Field)   2015 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2015 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2014 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2013 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year 2013 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2012 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year 2012 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2012 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2011 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2011 Womens Roy Griak Team Champions 2010 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Cross Country Coach of the Year 2010 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2010 Womens Roy Griak Team Runner Up 2008 NCAA Division II Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field Central Region Womens Assistant Coach of the Year 2008 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2008 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2008 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Mens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions 2007 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Outdoor Track & Field Team Champions 2007 Northern Sun Athletic Conference Womens Indoor Track & Field Team Champions As a Student/ Athlete: 10-time NAIA Athletic All-American (3 Cross Country / 2 Indoor/ 5 Outdoor Track)   2-time NAIA Cross Country National Team Runner-Up (2000, 2003)   1-time NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Individual Runner-Up (2003)   1-time NAIA Cross Country National Individual Runner-Up (2002)  

Bennett enters his first year as a Marauders assistant cross country and track & field coach for both the mens and womens programs. A native of Kalispell, Mont., Bennett returns to his alma mater after graduating from U-Mary with a with a bachelors degree in exercise science in 2014. After graduation he was a Parisi Speed School Lead Performance Coach in n2014-15.   Bennett currently holds the schools indoor and outdoor 800 meter record along with the outdoor 1500 meter record.  He earned NCAA All-Academic honors seven times (3 cross country, 2 indoor track & field, 2 outdoor track & field). He also was a three-time all-Northern Sun performer in cross country and was also honored three times in outdoor track & field.

Maher will work primarily with the multi events and high jump.   A former captain for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, Maher was a four time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champion (three times in the high jump and once in the pentathlon), numerous time All-Conference athlete, and the 2015 NSIC Outdoor Conference top point scorer. She qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2014 (distance medley relay and pentathlon) and NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2015 (heptathlon and high jump).    Maher also earned recognition for her accomplishments off the track. She was named a Capital One Academic All-American in 2015, selected USTFCCCA All-Academic in 2014 and 2015, and was named the Northern Sun Conferences honoree for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year award.     The native of Sauk Centre, Minn., earned a bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2015 and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Sports and Physical Education Administration.  

Sherve enters his third season assisting Marauders Head Track and Field Coach Mike Thorson and Head Cross Country Coach Dennis Newell. Sherve, from Blaine MN, moved back to the Midwest and joined the University of Mary staff in Fall 2013 after spending four years at Slippery Rock University (PA) as a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Coach with cross country and the distance events in track and field.   Sherve competed at Minnesota State University Moorhead as a cross country and distance runner where his primary events were the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs in track and field.   Education Master of Science, Emporia State University (December 2011) Health, Physical Education and Recreation   Bachelor of Science , Minnesota State University Moorhead (May 2008) Exercise Science   Professional Experience University of Mary, Intercollegiate Athletics Assistant Mens and Womens Cross Country/Track and Field                                   2013-Present   Slippery Rock University, Intercollegiate Athletics Assistant Mens and Womens Cross Country/Track and Field                                   2008 2012     Leadership/Campus Involvement/Community Service   Skills and Certifications   Accomplishments (assisted with)

Thorson is in his 23rd season at the helm of the University of Mary track & field and cross country program. In 22 years under Thorsons direction, the Marauders have achieved unparalleled success, winning 46 conference championships, five regional cross country titles, crowned 380 All-Americans, 160 Academic All-Americans and 37 National Track & Field Champions (Individual & Relay). After creating one of the nation's top programs in the NAIA, Thorson only added to his legacy when U-Mary moved to NCAA Division II. The women won back-to-back indoor and outdoor NSIC conference titles in 2007 and 2008 and claimed a third title in four years in 2010. The men surprised many people by winning the NSIC Indoor title in 2008. These results earned Thorson NSIC indoor and outdoor Coach of the Year honors. He also was named the North Dakota AP Sportswriters and Sportscasters College Female Coach of the Year and the USTFCCCA Central Region Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year in 2010. It was really exciting to move into the Northern Sun and experience the type of success we enjoyed, said Thorson. It was especially satisfying to enjoy the success we did in seasons that can only be termed as rebuilding years. In 2006, Thorson added another remarkable chapter to his already brilliant career as he guided the Marauders into NCAA Division II competition and was named to the NAIA Hall of Fame. Thorson and Hall of Famers go hand in hand. Two of Thorsons athletes, Jamey Mulske and Mandy (Schroeder) Sheldon, also are enshrined in the NAIA Hall of Fame. So has former U-Mary athletic director Al Bortke, who Thorson always says has been instrumental in the success of the Marauders program. Thorson is also a member of the Minot State University and the U-Mary Halls of Fame. A 1978 graduate of Minot State, Thorson is a four-time NAIA National Coach of the Year, earning the accolades in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Named many times as the conference coach of the year, Thorson has guided the Marauders to 41 of the 42 conference titles U-Mary has collected in track and field/ cross country in school history. Despite the personal accolades, Thorson prefers to emphasize the team aspect of his program while always stating that he receives too much credit for the Marauders success. We are very fortunate that the University of Mary cares about our sport, said Thorson. They care whether we win or lose. For me, as a coach, that is the kind of environment that I want to be part of. The athletics departments philosophy and demands are very similar to my own personal philosophy. They hired me to do a job. They continue to have the confidence in me that I can lead our program. Of course, that means that winning is part of the mentality and for me, that keeps me at the University of Mary. Thorson, who received his masters degree in educational administration from the University of North Dakota in 1992, coached at both UND and North Dakota State University. In 1993, the University of Mary brought Thorson aboard as the womens track and field coach. After becoming head coach of both the mens and womens track & field programs in 1999, Thorson was named U-Marys Track & Field Coordinator. Before moving to the college ranks, Thorson honed his coaching talents in North Dakota high schools at St. John, Minot Ryan and Grafton. A native of Minot, ND, Thorson graduated from Minot High School in 1973. He is marred to the former Ann Dunnigan of Bismarck. They have five children, Troy, Andrea, Marisa, Niki and Bryan. THE THORSON FILE 1978- B.S., Minot State University 1979- St. John (ND) High School, Head Coach 1981-1990 Minot (ND) Ryan High School, Head Coach 1991- University of North Dakota, Assistant Coach 1992- North Dakota State University, Assistant Coach 1992- M.Ed., University of North Dakota 1993- University of North Dakota, Assistant Coach 1994-PRESENT University of Mary, Head Mens & Womens Track & Field Coach / Head Cross Country Coach 1997- NAIA Track & Field Coach of the Year 1999- NAIA Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA Great Plains Regional Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA Great Plains Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year 2000- NAIA Regional Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA National Track & Field Coach of the Year 2002- NAIA Regional Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA National Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA Regional Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2003- DAC- 10 Mens & Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / DAC- 10 Mens Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2004- DAC- 10 Mens & Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / DAC- 10 Womens Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2005- DAC- 10 Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / Region 3- 4 Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / DAC- 10 Womens Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2006- Named to the NAIA Hall of Fame Coaches Division 2007- Named NSIC Coach of the Year Indoors & Outdoors 2008- Named NSIC Mens & Womens Indoor Coach of the Year 2008- Named NSIC Womens Outdoor Coach of the Year 2010- Named NSIC and Central Region Womens Coach of the Year 2010- Named NDAPSSA Female College Coach of the Year 2011 - Named NSIC and USTFCCCA Regional Indoor Women's Coach of the Year 2012 - Named NSIC and USTFCCCA Regional Indoor and Outdoor Women's Coach of the Year 2012- Named NDAPSSA Female College Coach of the Year 2013 - Named NSIC Women's Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year, USTFCCCA Women's Outdoor Regional Coach of the Year 2014 - Named NSIC Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year, USTFCCCA Women's Outdoor Regional Coach of the Year 2015 - Named NSIC Women's Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year, USTFCCCA Women's Indoor Regional Coach of the Year CAREER COACHING TOTALS (22 years)  37- Individual National Track & Field Champions    5- Great Plains Regional Cross Country Titles 160- Academic All- Americans   46- Conference Championships 380- All- Americans (NAIA & NCAA) Mike Thorson Head Men's and Women's Track & Field Coach Mobile Twitter: University of Mary 7500 University Drive Bismarck, ND 58504 Recognized as one of the nations leading coaches, Mike Thorson is in his 23rd season at the helm of the University of Mary track & field and cross country program. In 22 years under Thorsons direction, the Marauders have achieved unparalleled success, winning 46 conference championships, five regional cross country titles, crowned 380 All-Americans, 160 Academic All-Americans and 37 National Track & Field Champions (Individual & Relay). After creating one of the nation's top programs in the NAIA, Thorson only added to his legacy when U-Mary moved to NCAA Division II. The women won back-to-back indoor and outdoor NSIC conference titles in 2007 and 2008 and claimed a third title in four years in 2010. The men surprised many people by winning the NSIC Indoor title in 2008. These results earned Thorson NSIC indoor and outdoor Coach of the Year honors. He also was named the North Dakota AP Sportswriters and Sportscasters College Female Coach of the Year and the USTFCCCA Central Region Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year in 2010. It was really exciting to move into the Northern Sun and experience the type of success we enjoyed, said Thorson. It was especially satisfying to enjoy the success we did in seasons that can only be termed as rebuilding years. In 2006, Thorson added another remarkable chapter to his already brilliant career as he guided the Marauders into NCAA Division II competition and was named to the NAIA Hall of Fame. Thorson and Hall of Famers go hand in hand. Two of Thorsons athletes, Jamey Mulske and Mandy (Schroeder) Sheldon, also are enshrined in the NAIA Hall of Fame. So has former U-Mary athletic director Al Bortke, who Thorson always says has been instrumental in the success of the Marauders program. Thorson is also a member of the Minot State University and the U-Mary Halls of Fame. A 1978 graduate of Minot State, Thorson is a four-time NAIA National Coach of the Year, earning the accolades in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Named many times as the conference coach of the year, Thorson has guided the Marauders to 41 of the 42 conference titles U-Mary has collected in track and field/ cross country in school history. Despite the personal accolades, Thorson prefers to emphasize the team aspect of his program while always stating that he receives too much credit for the Marauders success. We are very fortunate that the University of Mary cares about our sport, said Thorson. They care whether we win or lose. For me, as a coach, that is the kind of environment that I want to be part of. The athletics departments philosophy and demands are very similar to my own personal philosophy. They hired me to do a job. They continue to have the confidence in me that I can lead our program. Of course, that means that winning is part of the mentality and for me, that keeps me at the University of Mary. Thorson, who received his masters degree in educational administration from the University of North Dakota in 1992, coached at both UND and North Dakota State University. In 1993, the University of Mary brought Thorson aboard as the womens track and field coach. After becoming head coach of both the mens and womens track & field programs in 1999, Thorson was named U-Marys Track & Field Coordinator. Before moving to the college ranks, Thorson honed his coaching talents in North Dakota high schools at St. John, Minot Ryan and Grafton. A native of Minot, ND, Thorson graduated from Minot High School in 1973. He is marred to the former Ann Dunnigan of Bismarck. They have five children, Troy, Andrea, Marisa, Niki and Bryan. THE THORSON FILE 1978- B.S., Minot State University 1979- St. John (ND) High School, Head Coach 1981-1990 Minot (ND) Ryan High School, Head Coach 1991- University of North Dakota, Assistant Coach 1992- North Dakota State University, Assistant Coach 1992- M.Ed., University of North Dakota 1993- University of North Dakota, Assistant Coach 1994-PRESENT University of Mary, Head Mens & Womens Track & Field Coach / Head Cross Country Coach 1997- NAIA Track & Field Coach of the Year 1999- NAIA Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA Great Plains Regional Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA Great Plains Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year 2000- NAIA Regional Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA National Track & Field Coach of the Year 2002- NAIA Regional Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA National Track & Field Coach of the Year / NAIA Regional Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2003- DAC- 10 Mens & Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / DAC- 10 Mens Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2004- DAC- 10 Mens & Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / DAC- 10 Womens Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2005- DAC- 10 Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / Region 3- 4 Womens Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year / DAC- 10 Womens Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year 2006- Named to the NAIA Hall of Fame Coaches Division 2007- Named NSIC Coach of the Year Indoors & Outdoors 2008- Named NSIC Mens & Womens Indoor Coach of the Year 2008- Named NSIC Womens Outdoor Coach of the Year 2010- Named NSIC and Central Region Womens Coach of the Year 2010- Named NDAPSSA Female College Coach of the Year 2011 - Named NSIC and USTFCCCA Regional Indoor Women's Coach of the Year 2012 - Named NSIC and USTFCCCA Regional Indoor and Outdoor Women's Coach of the Year 2012- Named NDAPSSA Female College Coach of the Year 2013 - Named NSIC Women's Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year, USTFCCCA Women's Outdoor Regional Coach of the Year 2014 - Named NSIC Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year, USTFCCCA Women's Outdoor Regional Coach of the Year 2015 - Named NSIC Women's Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year, USTFCCCA Women's Indoor Regional Coach of the Year CAREER COACHING TOTALS (22 years)  37- Individual National Track & Field Champions    5- Great Plains Regional Cross Country Titles 160- Academic All- Americans   46- Conference Championships 380- All- Americans (NAIA & NCAA)