WINONA, Minn. — First, there was the prediction of a conference champion — and it came true.

Then, there was the prediction of a national qualifier — and it came true.

What’s next for Saint Mary’s University track and field coach Paul Thornton? A national championship?

Not quite.

“I guess the natural progression for us would be to land the school’s first track and field All-American,” said Thornton, who notched the school’s first two conference champions two years ago when Lindsey Smith won the weight throw and Kari Pederson captured the 55 meters, then followed that up with SMU’s first-ever national qualifier last season when Ashley Dingels (Gibbon, Minn.) made it to the nation’s biggest stage in both the high jump (indoors) and heptathlon (outdoors). “And to be honest, I think that that is a very realistic goal.”

Especially considering that Dingels is back — faster and stronger than ever — after getting a taste for the national spotlight a year ago as a freshman.

“Ashley had a great freshman season, and we’re certainly looking for more of the same from her again this year,” said Thornton. “Last year gave her an idea what it’s like to compete at the national level, and hopefully she will be able to use those experiences to her advantage this season.”

But as the Cardinals continue their quest to put Saint Mary’s on the conference and national map, Thornton knows that Dingels won’t be able to carry the load herself.

After all, as individual as track and field is, it’s the team that matters most.

One of our goals as a coaching staff is to develop SMU track and field into one of the top programs in the conference,” explained Thornton. “There’s a big difference between being a great team and being a great program. One or two individuals can make a team great, but it’s continuing to improve over the long haul, so that in four, five, six years, we are constantly in that top three (in the conference) — that’s what makes a great program.

“You have to learn to walk before you can run, and right now, our approach (to building the program) is to take baby steps.”

And while Thornton knows that developing his program is going to take time, he certainly expects this year’s squads to do their part.
“Everything we do during the season is preparing us for one thing — the conference championships,” said Thornton, whose men placed ninth in the MIAC indoor and eighth in the MIAC outdoor championships last season, while the women were eighth in the indoor and 10th in the outdoor. “And our goals for that meet are pretty lofty. Our women want to finish in the top four, while the men are looking for a top six placing.”

Not exactly baby steps.

“This is a great opportunity for these kids — we feel this year could be the year that we turn the corner and make a statement (around the conference),” said Thornton, who along with returning a double national qualifier, also returns the men’s conference champion in the javelin in junior Todd Yankowski (Chicago, Ill.). “We’ve got a lot of individuals who have trained hard in preparation for this year — and I see nothing but great things for them this year.”

Coming from a man who has a rather impressive track record when it comes to predicting the future, who’s to argue?