Ryan Sederquist
Feature story by Larry Scott
Let's get this out of the way right away. Ryan Sederquist will make his mark in the long run at Concordia College, and, yes, he has every reason to toot his own horn.
Just don't expect him to.
That the senior from Moorhead is poised for special cross-country
and track seasons is obvious, but he is not about to let his
musical talents take a back seat. It's a juggling act very few
college student-athletes would consider, but it's a challenge he
can't resist.
A skilled trumpet player, Sederquist has managed to balance the tricky act of combining musical and athletic pursuits at a high level. There are few schools that would tolerate, and even encourage, students to follow both dreams at the same time, but Sederquist has found a welcoming atmosphere at Concordia.
The trail that led the former Valedictorian at Moorhead High School to Concordia had a few potholes along the way.
"I went to Bemidji State originally to play basketball," Sederquist said. "I also wanted to be a music major, and they also had a good trumpet studio. Basketball was my passion then, and I still consider it my favorite sport. I remember the day I was told my basketball career wouldn't work out. That was really hard, but the next day I started running and ran indoor and outdoor track as a freshman. It was an awesome experience, and it worked out with my music was during the day."
Life seemed good for Sederquist, but another curve ball was soon heading his way.
"In March they said the track program was going to get cut. I thought, where can I go?; that's when Concordia came back into the picture. My older brother, Tom, was running at Concordia and I knew I could be guaranteed a music education degree."
"(Coach) Garrick Larson knew me and he was totally willing - and Tom wanted me to come too. It was his fifth year and Tom was like world famous; that was cool. He set three school records in three straight meets as a junior and had high expectations for his senior year, but he got hurt. That was a huge bummer, and we didn't really get to run together."
Ryan Sederquist has never had to look far for inspiration.
His parents---Dave Sederquist and mother Jane Remark Sederquist---charted outstanding careers in both cross-country and track at MSU Moorhead and his dad was inducted into the Dragon Hall of Fame. Brother Tom had a great career at Concordia and twin brother Daniel is a member of the current Dragon track family.
"They are incredibly supportive and excellent role models," said Sederquist of his parents. "My dad never forced me do anything and always has the best of advice. We never felt overwhelmed. They would go to the ends of the world to see us compete. My mom may be a little more competitive, but she has the right attitude. She took a junior high program in Moorhead and it went from about eight athletes to 60."
Mixing the disciplines of athletics and music is no easy task, and few outside of the Sederquist family really understand. "I've always led this double kind of life," Ryan said. "None of my music friends really get sports, and my sports friends don't really get music."
Fortunately, coach Larson has been more willing to allow Sederquist to continue chasing both of his dreams.
"It can be a little frustrating, but I'm lucky Garrick is so forgiving," Sederquist said. "I've missed a lot of meets for rehearsals. I think the music people see now that I take this running seriously. I know they want to be good, and I'm striving for the same excellence."
"People have always said 'you have to choose,' but I never really wanted to choose. I don't mind getting up at six and going for a 10-mile run, then getting my trumpet in. I usually practice for about an hour or an hour and a half, plus ensembles. After class I try to squeeze in second run. I try to run 95 to 100 miles a week."
Sederquist fully understands there will be a time to put Concordia in the rear view mirror and teaching is a leading option, especially Instrumental Music Education.
Combining a career in music and coaching intrigues Sederquist as well. "I'm not sure if a small school would take a band teacher and a coach, but I would love to coach cross-country or track, or maybe basketball."
"I could teach seventh through 12th grade band or general music in the elementary schools. I like working with kids and my experience is that music has an incredible ability to move people. Sports is a little bit the same; there are a lot of the same elements like teamwork and the time commitment and I see the value in both."
"I want to be the spokesperson for the kids who want to do both, that might make me a little more unique when I get older. I want to glorify God with the talents I have; that is the motivating force is everything I do. . . I realize as long as I trust in God everything in else will work out."
Despite his crowded schedule, Sederquist is more than willing to accept an expanded leadership role this year. "We have a bunch of new freshmen, and they've been a blessing, so I want to be a good role model for them and instill good habits as an athlete and a man. We're shooting to be in the upper half of the conference in cross-country."
Sederquist also admits to some ambitious individual goals. "To qualify for nationals is my long (term) goal, I haven't touched that yet but in track you never know. I would like to be in the top 15 in the MIAC, and bring down my brother's mile record (4:18). It's his worst school record, and he knows it, so he would be happy if I did. He told me, 'Ryan, you've got to lower that so we can keep our (family) name on the board."