2005 — Sophomore: Won his first match of the season at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships over Nathan Starr of Mercer … Defeated Timothy Chang of Portland at the UNLV Fall Classic … Teamed up with Rawl Martin to win in doubles at the UNLV Fall Classic … Won at No. 6 singles against Baxter Hufham of UNC-Greensboro to help Tennessee win … Finished the season with an overall singles record of 4-6.

2004 — Freshman: Made his collegiate debut Sept. 12-14 at the Air Force Academy Fall Invitational, where he recorded his first singles victory as a Tennessee Volunteer ... Made his home debut Jan. 24 vs. UT-Martin, netting a straight-set win at No. 6 singles ... Finished the season with a 4-10 overall singles mark.

PRIOR TO TENNESSEE: A lifelong Tennessee fan, Thornton was a prep standout at The McCallie School in Chattanooga from 1999-2003 ... As a senior, he was crowned Rotary Champion at No. 2 singles while guiding the Blue Tornado to the Rotary “A” Championship ... Ranked No. 1 in state of Tennessee as a junior and was named MVP of his team at McCallie ... Captured the regional doubles championship with partner Merrill Nelson in 2002 ... Was named “Most Outstanding Junior” by the Chattanooga Tennis Association in 2002 ... Listed on the Chattanooga Times-Free Press “Best of the Preps” all-star team for 2002 ... Ended 2002 ranked No. 1 in the state of Tennessee for Boys’ 18s ... Helped guide his team to the 2000-01 regional title ... Member of McCallie’s state runner-up team in 2000 ... Coached at McCallie by former Tennessee lettermen Eric Voges (1982-85) ... Well-rounded academically and active in his community, Thornton served as a McCallie Day Student Advisor, was a member of Young Republicans and was also involved with the First Centenary United Methodist Youth Group.

PERSONAL: Plays with a Babolat Pure Drive Plus racquet ... Academic major: Marketing... Parents: John C. Thornton Sr. and Sara Lockett ... Full name: John Calvin Thornton Jr. ... Born Jan. 25, 1984, in Chattanooga, Tenn.