The Path to Eugene: Thomas Mardal
Monday, June 7, 2021 | Track and Field
The success of Gators thrower Thomas Mardal is indisputable.
He holds school records in both hammer and weight throw.
He was crowned an NCAA champion at the 2021 Track and Field Indoor Championships. It was there that he became the first person in NCAA Indoor Championship history, and the second in collegiate history, to have at least two throws of 80 feet or further in the same meet.
Yet it's his humility that is most impressive.
"I don't like to boast," Mardal said. "I just shift my mind to the next thing."
Gators throw coach Steve Lemke corroborates.
"He doesn't dwell on his success," Lemke said. "After every competition, he moves on to the next."
And now the time is here to get back to that mindset.
This week, he'll cap off a tremendous outdoor season and an illustrious collegiate career at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
It's a chance to break more records. It's a chance to add to a packed trophy shelf.
But Mardal isn't thinking about all that. His mind is focused on throwing it far.
"[Eugene] is one of my favorite places to compete at," he said. "I'm very excited to be back there and hopefully throwing far in that ring."
The Norwegian native and former high school star moved to America in search of an elite collegiate program where he could hone his skills. And for him, the choice was simple.
"This is a powerhouse," he said. "I knew that if I came [to UF], I'd be a part of a very professional team."
Four years and several accolades later, it's clear his choice was the right one.
Lemke said Mardal is a perfectionist. He's never satisfied.
After a shortened 2020 season, there was great uncertainty for Mardal heading into 2021.
"It was hard to know what to expect," he said. "I was sort of expecting a big jump this year, but the jump was bigger than I thought it would be."
Lemke believes it was the time-off last year that led to this big jump.
Mardal was back home in Norway last summer. With no meets, the pressure was off, and the distractions were limited. But finding motivation wasn't easy.
Yet Mardal just worked.
"He grinds every day at a very high level," Lemke said. "He's extremely talented and he's extremely hard working. You don't see that very often."
All eyes will be on Mardal this week in Eugene. Not only does he have the Gator Nation behind him, but he also has his rare combination of talent and determination.
And that's what he will be using to throw for a title.
He holds school records in both hammer and weight throw.
He was crowned an NCAA champion at the 2021 Track and Field Indoor Championships. It was there that he became the first person in NCAA Indoor Championship history, and the second in collegiate history, to have at least two throws of 80 feet or further in the same meet.
Yet it's his humility that is most impressive.
"I don't like to boast," Mardal said. "I just shift my mind to the next thing."
Gators throw coach Steve Lemke corroborates.
"He doesn't dwell on his success," Lemke said. "After every competition, he moves on to the next."
And now the time is here to get back to that mindset.
This week, he'll cap off a tremendous outdoor season and an illustrious collegiate career at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
It's a chance to break more records. It's a chance to add to a packed trophy shelf.
But Mardal isn't thinking about all that. His mind is focused on throwing it far.
"[Eugene] is one of my favorite places to compete at," he said. "I'm very excited to be back there and hopefully throwing far in that ring."
The Norwegian native and former high school star moved to America in search of an elite collegiate program where he could hone his skills. And for him, the choice was simple.
"This is a powerhouse," he said. "I knew that if I came [to UF], I'd be a part of a very professional team."
Four years and several accolades later, it's clear his choice was the right one.
Lemke said Mardal is a perfectionist. He's never satisfied.
After a shortened 2020 season, there was great uncertainty for Mardal heading into 2021.
"It was hard to know what to expect," he said. "I was sort of expecting a big jump this year, but the jump was bigger than I thought it would be."
Lemke believes it was the time-off last year that led to this big jump.
Mardal was back home in Norway last summer. With no meets, the pressure was off, and the distractions were limited. But finding motivation wasn't easy.
Yet Mardal just worked.
"He grinds every day at a very high level," Lemke said. "He's extremely talented and he's extremely hard working. You don't see that very often."
All eyes will be on Mardal this week in Eugene. Not only does he have the Gator Nation behind him, but he also has his rare combination of talent and determination.
And that's what he will be using to throw for a title.
Players Mentioned
Throws
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