Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary announced the addition of three-time IWLCA All-American midfielder Taryn VanThof to the Gators coaching staff Friday afternoon.
Florida Adds Talented Taryn VanThof to Coaching Staff
Friday, July 29, 2016 | Lacrosse
VanThof was a three-time All-American at Loyola University Maryland and heads to Gainesville following a season coaching at Rutgers.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida head coach Amanda O'Leary announced the addition of three-time IWLCA All-American midfielder Taryn VanThof to the Gators coaching staff Friday afternoon. A 2015 graduate of Loyola University Maryland and a 2014-15 U.S. National Team member, VanThof joins the Florida coaching staff following one season as an assistant coach at Rutgers.
"I am thrilled to welcome Taryn to the University of Florida lacrosse program," head coach Amanda O'Leary remarked. "She is an excellent addition to our staff. Taryn was an outstanding collegiate midfielder for Loyola University Maryland, has played at the highest level on the U.S. National Team and in the UWLX. She will make an instant impact and help us address some areas we would like to improve as a team. We are lucky to have Taryn heading to Gainesville and we look forward to the influence she will have on our program and student-athletes."
O'Leary, second-year assistant coach Crysti Foote and VanThof compose the 2016-17 Florida coaching staff.
"I am so excited about the opportunity that the University of Florida, Mandee and Crysti have given me," VanThof said. "I can't wait to get started, to bring my passion to Gainesville and share my midfield and draw control experience with such high caliber athletes at a top-tier program like Florida. I look forward to contributing to the excellence of the Gator program both on and off the field, and helping our athletes to be the best they can be in all areas."
In Rutgers' third season in the Big Ten Conference, VanThof helped guide the Scarlet Knights to a second straight conference tournament semifinal game and the program's first conference tourney win since 1998. Rutgers notched two ranked wins last season – both against Ohio State – with VanThof on staff.
VanThof is among the talented pool of players selected to try out for the 2017 Women's National Team Aug. 5-7 at the national team training center in Sparks, Md., and was also part of history when she was drafted to the Long Island Sound this past spring for the inaugural season of the United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX).
A decorated NCAA athlete with the Greyhounds, VanThof earned IWLCA Third Team All-America honors from 2013-15. The midfield standout racked up 160 points -- 108 goals and 52 assists -- in her career, also accumulating 127 ground balls and a staggering 318 draw controls. VanThof owns the single-season (122) and career (318) Loyola University Maryland draw control records.
A three-time all-conference selection (BIG EAST '13, Patriot League '14, '15), VanThof helped Loyola to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2015, and in her final season, VanThof tallied a career-best 53 points (30g, 23a), including two game-winning goals. The Greyhounds advanced to at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament in all four years of VanThof's playing career, also making a quarterfinal run during her redshirt season in 2012.
Along with her success on the field, VanThof dedicated her time on the coaching front throughout her playing career. While with the Greyhounds, the Livonia, N.Y., native spent time as a coach and player coach with Seven Lacrosse Training (Baltimore, Md.), C2 Lacrosse (Baltimore, Md.), Lady Roc Lacrosse Inc. (East Rochester, N.Y.), and Maximum Exposure Lacrosse Company.
VanThof was selected by the Greyhounds' coaching staff to represent the program on the Jeff Jansen Leadership Academy, where she honed her leadership skills with a variety of training sessions and activities. She graduated from Loyola University Maryland in 2015 with a bachelor's in business administration, earning a double specialization in management and marketing.
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"I am thrilled to welcome Taryn to the University of Florida lacrosse program," head coach Amanda O'Leary remarked. "She is an excellent addition to our staff. Taryn was an outstanding collegiate midfielder for Loyola University Maryland, has played at the highest level on the U.S. National Team and in the UWLX. She will make an instant impact and help us address some areas we would like to improve as a team. We are lucky to have Taryn heading to Gainesville and we look forward to the influence she will have on our program and student-athletes."
O'Leary, second-year assistant coach Crysti Foote and VanThof compose the 2016-17 Florida coaching staff.
"I am so excited about the opportunity that the University of Florida, Mandee and Crysti have given me," VanThof said. "I can't wait to get started, to bring my passion to Gainesville and share my midfield and draw control experience with such high caliber athletes at a top-tier program like Florida. I look forward to contributing to the excellence of the Gator program both on and off the field, and helping our athletes to be the best they can be in all areas."
In Rutgers' third season in the Big Ten Conference, VanThof helped guide the Scarlet Knights to a second straight conference tournament semifinal game and the program's first conference tourney win since 1998. Rutgers notched two ranked wins last season – both against Ohio State – with VanThof on staff.
VanThof is among the talented pool of players selected to try out for the 2017 Women's National Team Aug. 5-7 at the national team training center in Sparks, Md., and was also part of history when she was drafted to the Long Island Sound this past spring for the inaugural season of the United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX).
A decorated NCAA athlete with the Greyhounds, VanThof earned IWLCA Third Team All-America honors from 2013-15. The midfield standout racked up 160 points -- 108 goals and 52 assists -- in her career, also accumulating 127 ground balls and a staggering 318 draw controls. VanThof owns the single-season (122) and career (318) Loyola University Maryland draw control records.
A three-time all-conference selection (BIG EAST '13, Patriot League '14, '15), VanThof helped Loyola to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2015, and in her final season, VanThof tallied a career-best 53 points (30g, 23a), including two game-winning goals. The Greyhounds advanced to at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament in all four years of VanThof's playing career, also making a quarterfinal run during her redshirt season in 2012.
Along with her success on the field, VanThof dedicated her time on the coaching front throughout her playing career. While with the Greyhounds, the Livonia, N.Y., native spent time as a coach and player coach with Seven Lacrosse Training (Baltimore, Md.), C2 Lacrosse (Baltimore, Md.), Lady Roc Lacrosse Inc. (East Rochester, N.Y.), and Maximum Exposure Lacrosse Company.
VanThof was selected by the Greyhounds' coaching staff to represent the program on the Jeff Jansen Leadership Academy, where she honed her leadership skills with a variety of training sessions and activities. She graduated from Loyola University Maryland in 2015 with a bachelor's in business administration, earning a double specialization in management and marketing.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
#FLax
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