July 30, 2001

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Terrapin redshirt freshman Courtney Thornton (Annapolis, Md.) is among the fifty-nine B-Camp athletes moving toward U.S. Field Hockey women's national teams by earning a selection to A-Camp, Dec. 27-31, in Chula Vista, Calif.

The defensive back looks to join the list of 22 Maryland field hockey players and alumni that have participated in the U.S. National program. Counting international Terrapins, a total of thirty student-athletes have played on national teams, including current Terps Autumn Welsh (U.S. National), Dina Rizzo (U.S. Under-21), Carissa Messimer (U.S. Under-21), Kerry Hearsay (English Under-21) and Lucy Morris (Australian National Youth Squad).

At A-Camp, the athletes will join current members of the U.S. National Team, Under-21 team and athletes selected through other U.S. Field Hockey programs for a week of skill and tactics training capped by selections to the 2002 U.S. teams. In addition to the senior National team, U.S. Field Hockey will select Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 teams in 2002. The U.S. Under-16 team is selected at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

Events on the 2002 competition calendar include the FIH World Cup for the National Team, a European tour for the Under-23 Team and the California and Montreal Cups for the Under-19 Team.

Conducted July 25-29 at Penn State University, B-Camp hosted 130 athletes from 18 states in an intensive training session led by U.S. assistant coach Tess Ellis. Athletes received invitations to B Camp based on performaces at the National Futures Tournament, United Airlines Field Hockey League and U.S. Field Hockey's Super Camp. Current members of the Under-18 team and Division I collegiate all-America selections earn automatic invitations to B Camp.

A listing of athletes selected at B Camp to attend A Camp can be found on the official website of U.S. Field Hockey.