Name Knut Hjeltnes | Role Olympian | |
 | ||
Education Pennsylvania State University | ||
Knut Hjeltnes (born December 8, 1952) is a college coach and former athlete from Norway.
Hjeltnes, who was born in Øystese, has won 20 National Championships; 11 in Discus throw, in 1975-1976, 1978, 1980-1981, 1982-84 1986, and 1988–89 and 9 in Shot Put, in 1975-1978, and 1980-1984.
He was ranked 2nd through 7th in the World in the Discus for twelve years from 1976-1988.
He was a 4-Time Olympian in Track & Field (76, 80-boycott, 84 & 88). His best Olympic placings were two 7th places in 1976 and 1988, and a 4th place in 1984. His best World Championship placing is 9th in 1983. His best European Championship placing is 4th in 1986. He still holds the Norwegian national record with 69.62 metres, achieved in 1986. He attended Western Maryland College, Penn State University and BYU, receiving a BS degree and a Masters from BYU. While attending BYU, he was coached by the legendary, world record holder Jay Silvester.
As a Masters Athlete, he has an All Time World ranking of 8th in the men's 35-39 (2 kg.) class.
Hjeltnes coached athletes at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY from 1999 until 2013. While coaching at USMA West Point, his athletes produced 40 Patriot League Championships, 3 NCAA All-Americans, 30 NCAA Regional Qualifiers, and 2 Academic All-Americans.
Hjeltnes was hired as the throws coach at Auburn University in 2013.
Knut Hjeltnes has been coaching at the NCAA Division I level for the last 20 years and has left a trail of school records, All-Americans and Conference Champions wherever he has been. He has retired from full-time coaching at the end of the 2016 outdoor season and is doing some personal training for future Olympians in Florida while supporting his wife Collen in a new business venture.