Final Home Meet Means The World To Folkestad
Concordia senior Cooper Folkestad is set to compete in only the second home meet of his college track and field career.
Article reprinted with permission from the InForum and feature writer Eric Peterson
MOORHEAD — Concordia senior Cooper Folkestad plans to relish this weekend, with the Cobber Open track and field meet scheduled for Saturday, May 2, and graduation slated for the next day.
Folkestad, from Wadena, Minnesota, will have a strong contingent of family and friends at his final home meet, including his parents Craig and Eve Folkstad and his sister Corryn Cooper.
"That's the part that means the world," said Cooper Folkestad. "They're the people who have been there through it all, the people that have helped make the dream a reality. When I didn't believe in myself, they were consistently doing that for me."
Field events are slated to start at 1 p.m. with running events at 2 p.m. Saturday at Jake Christiansen Stadium. This will only be the second home meet for Folkestad during his Cobbers career as the track was part of renovation project earlier in his career. Prior to last spring, Concordia hadn't hosted a home outdoor meet since 2019.
"I think there's real magic to throwing at Concordia," Folkestad said. "I think there's magic to having meets at Concordia."
There's also been a magic to Folkestad's college career. The multiple-time NCAA Division III All-American has to top men's shot put and discus marks in D-III this outdoor season. He owns school records in both events. The MIAC and Division III outdoor championship are on the horizon after this weekend.
"We're getting ramped up," Folkestad said.
Folkestad has a top throw of 63 feet, 2-1/4 inches (19.26 meters) in the shot put, with a 181-3 (55.25 meters) best in the discus.
While a national championship is the end goal, Folkestad plans to relish his final home competition.
"The emotion is going to make it all that more special," Folkestad said. "I really want to continue thinking about why I love doing this. ... I try to stay as humble as possible. At some point, I've got to be proud of where I'm at."
Cobbers throws coach John Gallagher added: "It's home. We've spent a lot of time here. It's kind of nostalgic. ... You kind of run through your whole career in front of your eyes."