Colorado State University Athletics
How Swede It Is
2/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Magnus Samuelsson appears on the television screen, his presence is powerful as he is a regular on the World?s Strongest Man contest. As he wins the Tire Flip and the Truck Pull yet again, his fan base continues to grow. Samuelsson is the epitome of strength and represents his native country Sweden well in these popular contests of brute strength.
Fellow countryman Magnus Lohse is wasting no time in making a name for himself as one of the strongest men in the NCAA shot put. Lohse, a true freshman, is currently ranked first in the Mountain West Conference and sixth in the nation in the shot put. Making such an instant impact is impressive at this level but Lohse is no stranger to winning. While in Sweden, Lohse was the Junior National Champion and record holder in the shot put and was the second ranked junior in the world last year. Not only does he dominate in his throws, but he has experienced great success in lifting as well. While in Sweden Lohse represented his country on the Junior Olympic Lifting team. So what brought Magnus Lohse to Fort Collins, Colorado?
The throwing team at Colorado State is nationally known and respected. Coach Brian Bedard has coached 26 conference champions, 18 All-American performers, and a National Champion. His expertise, dedication and treatment of athletes and fellow coaches has earned him respect nationwide. While coaching against the University of Northern Arizona, Bedard got to know the NAU throwing coach, Anders Axlid. Axlid, who also knows former CSU great Mattias Borrman, went back to Sweden several years ago but maintained contact with Bedard. Two years ago, Axlid began working with Lohse and e-mailed Bedard and a few other well-respected coaches telling them about Lohse and how much potential he holds. Bedard contacted Lohse and they found that the fit would be good, Lohse just had to complete an intensive amount of work prior to coming the U.S. According to Bedard, Lohse was required to take an English Proficiency Test, the SAT?s, get his transcripts translated from Swedish to English and a lot of other paper work that high school students in the U.S. do not need to worry about. Lohse completed these tasks and started school at CSU this spring semester. Lohse has already made an impact, setting the school record in the shot put and establishing himself as a leader through both his actions and his words.
At the Mountain West Conference Indoor Championships February 26-27, Lohse finished second in the shot put behind fellow Swede and BYU freshman Niklas Arrhenius who is currently ranked third in the nation.
Lohse will be competing at the NCAA Championships starting March 13 and if he maintains his consistency that he has shown thus far, his fan base will continue to grow and Bedard?s list of All-American?s will continue to expand.
