Folkestad Has An Affinity For Art & Shot Put Suspense

Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson

MOORHEAD — Concordia Cobbers senior Cooper Folkestad has an affinity for photography, specifically landscapes.

The art major had a masterpiece of a performance recently at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Conference outdoor track and field championships.

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Folkestad won the men's shot put in dramatic fashion.

"That was kind of a special moment for me," said Folkestad, from Wadena, Minnesota.

"It was like something out of a Rocky movie," added Cobbers track coach Garrick Larson.

Battling a foot injury, Folkestad popped a personal best toss of 56 feet (17.07 meters) on his final attempt to overcome St. Scholatica's Trent Beseth for first place. Folkestad is ranked No. 9 in the men's shot put entering the NCAA Division III Outdoor championships, which run May 23-25 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

"Every time he goes to a national meet, he learns a little bit more," Larson said. "There's definitely a bigger throw out there for him."

At the MIAC championships, Folkestad scratched and injured his foot on his first attempt of prelims. He also scratched his second attempt before his third and final throw of prelims that traveled 51-5 1/2 feet to advance to the finals.

Heading into his third and final attempt of finals, Folkestad trailed Beseth. He hobbled in the circle and then uncorked the best toss of his career.

"My teammates started a slow clap for me and it was awesome," Folkestad said.

"It's stuff that usually happens at a championship," Larson added. "There is just a different energy and environment that allows special things to happen."

On the Concordia athletics website, the school's article compared Folkestad's effort at the MIAC meet to former New York Knicks legend Willis Reed, who famously hobbled onto the floor in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals and helped inspire the Knicks to victory and the league championship.

"I had to Google Willis Reed," Folkestad said with a laugh.

Folkestad is a multiple-time All-American in the shot put, both indoor honors. He's set to compete in his second Division III Outdoor championships to go along with his two D-III Indoor championship appearances.

"Cooper is a big, strong kid," Larson said. "You can tell he's not just a big guy, he's a spectacular athlete."

Even though he is listed as a senior, Folkestad plans to return next school year for another year of track and field.

Post-college, he wants to get a job in either art education or art therapy.

Photography, sculpture and ceramics are among his favorite mediums.

"Photography is what I really enjoy doing," Folkestad said.

"He's super talented and very creative," Larson added.

Larson said Folkestad has a magnetic personality that's going to make him a student favorite.

"I think the kids would just love him," Larson said. "He's a fan favorite, and a favorite among his competitors. He's got that 'it' factor."

Folkestad did some videography work for the North Dakota State men's and women's basketball teams this past season. He added the photos he took during a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee were among his favorite landscape images.

"That was probably the coolest to go to the Smoky Mountains," Folkestad said.

For now, he's focused on enjoying the upcoming D-III Outdoor championships.

"I'm very thankful to be able to qualify," Folkestad said. "Going into it, I want to have fun."