Knut Hjeltnes, a veteran of four Olympic Games, resumes control of the Army throwers for a 12th year.
Hjeltnes' Olympic experience was culminated with a fourth-place finish in the discus for the Norwegian national team at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif. in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada, and the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, Hjeltnes was able to garner seventh-place finishes. The Norway native also qualified for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia, but unfortunately for Hjeltnes, Norway took part in the boycott of the Olympic Games that year. During his competitive career, Hjeltnes established 11 Norwegian records and captured 20 Norwegian championships.
Since arriving at West Point, throwers under his guidance have won 39 Patriot League Championships, set five Academy records and now dominate the top-10 performers lists for both the Army men's and women's Olympic throwing events. Hjeltnes also developed three All-American performances, including Adam Burke's back-to-back All-America campaigns in the javelin in 2003 and 2004 and Brian Gebhardt's stellar 2000 season in the weight throw.
Additionally, Hjeltnes has developed several other NCAA Qualifiers, including two 35 lbs. weight throwers, two hammer throwers and one discus thrower, while developing three javelin U.S. Junior National Qualifiers in Marcus Canty, Mike Nulk and Jason Smartt.
Hjeltnes' athletes have been just as successful in the classroom as they have been on the field. Senior captain and javelin thrower Kevin Kumlien was named an Academic All-American and Patriot League Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2007-08 season, while discus and shot put athlete Caleb Wells earned the same honors after the 2005-06 season.
A 1978 graduate of Brigham Young University, Hjeltnes returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the Cougars from 1982-1984. While coaching at BYU, Hjeltnes earned his master's degree in Professional Leadership and Exercise Science. During his coaching career, Hjeltnes also has served as an assistant coach at University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Irvine (1984-1986) and at SUNY Albany (1997-1999).
Experienced in the world of business marketing as well, Hjeltnes was involved in sales and marketing for Nike International (1980-1982) and with Microsoft, Inc. (1989-1991).
Prior to joining Army's staff, Hjeltnes served as the Norwegian National track and field coach from 1994-97. He also worked as a personal discus coach for Olympians from Norway, Sweden and Ireland.
Hjeltnes currently resides in New Windsor, N.Y., with his wife Colleen. They have three children, Kristin, Erik and Daniel, and two grandchildren: Charlotte (6) and Graham (1).
