Dakota State University senior Connor Thordsen has made headlines after competing on the Trojan track and field team for five years. He was named NAIA’s Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week on April 26, making it the second time he’s earned this honour during his college career, with the first being on April 13, 2022. Thordsen has smashed all Dakota State University records in hammer throw, with several being set during this year’s events.
Thorsden utilises a four-turn system when throwing his hammer and has set several school records in the shot put, discus, and javelin throw. He was recognised by the North Star Athletic Association for setting a new school record with a hammer throw of 202-1-3/4 at the Mount Marty Twilight Meet in William Fields, Yankton, South Dakota, and has qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Athletics Championships on May 24-26 in Marion, Indiana.
Thorsen graduated last spring with a degree in biology and minors in health and chemistry. He has been eligible for five years after missing one year due to the pandemic but is using the extra year to take a few business courses to learn as much as he can before heading to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota dental school.
Thorsen played football for the Trojans for four years and was a defensive end, earning All-Conference honours for two years. He has two younger brothers, who are juniors and freshmen at Fairmont High School in Sawyer and Oliver, respectively.
Thorsen now focuses on the final weeks of college track season before moving from Madison, South Dakota to Minneapolis, where he will enroll in dental school in the fall.