July 20, 2001

Maryland redshirt freshman Courtney Thornton (Annapolis, Md.) is among 127 of the country's most promising field hockey athletes that earned a chance to continue their National Team aspirations when the U.S. Field Hockey Association conducts its annual Women's B Camp, July 25-29, at Penn State University.

Thornton, who is certain to play a key role in Missy Meharg's young backfield this fall, spent all of last season on the Terps' practice squad. Now fully recovered from a broken finger, the Maryland-Bannaker Key scholarship recipient looks to make an impact in the national program before the Terrapins open the 2001 season on Aug. 25.

Under the direction of U.S. National Team assistant coach Tess Ellis, Thornton and the other invited athletes will spend a week of intense competition, skills training and analysis of international tactics and strategies. Maryland's representative earned the invitation to B Camp as a result of her performance at U.S. Field Hockey's Super Camp.

B Camp coaches include Kristen Holmes (Former US National Team), Amy Fowler (Head coach, Dartmouth), Kathy Krannebitter (Head coach, West Chester), Amy Robertson (Head coach, Indiana Univ.), Dee Pasternick (US U16 coach), Silvinia Corvalan (Argentina national), Pam Bustin (96 Olympian, head coach, Univ. Louisville), Marcia Pankratz (96 Olympian, head coach Univ. Michigan), Don Warner (head coach St. Catherine's HS, Richmond, Va.) and Carla Hessler (Head coach, St. Michael's College). Goalkeeper coaches include Shelley Behrens (US National Team staff), John O'Haire (Asst. coach Penn State), Lisa Cellucci (Asst. coach Univ. of Iowa), Jen Bouchie (Asst. coach Harvard).

Based on their performances at B Camp, athletes may then advance to the next step in the elite team development process with an invitation to A Camp in late December and early January. Selections to the U.S. National Team as well as the U.S. Under-18 and Under-21 Teams are made at A Camp.

A state-by-state listing of athletes attending B Camp can be found at the official website of the U.S. Field Hockey Association.