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Athlete Awards

Central Close-Up

Mitchel Laihinen headshot

Mitchel Laihinen

  • Award
    Central Close-Up
  • Week Of
    9/16/2021
  • Sport
    Men's Soccer
  • Bio
    View Full Bio
Mitchel Laihinen
Rosemount, Minn.
Class of 2022


Why did you chose Central?


I chose Central because of the small school feeling, and I wanted to get to know my professors, teammates, and friends much more than I felt I could at a bigger school. Central feels more personal and the community here at the school is great.

Favorite professor and why?

My favorite professor is Tuan Nguyen because he always found a way to make my classes enjoyable and more upbeat. His jokes and personality made my classes less daunting, and I appreciated the hard work he put into making the class easy to follow along and learn the materials needed.

You’re majoring in exercsise science because?

I chose this major because it allowed me to get the prerequisites I would need for graduate school and is a good step in my education to get to my final goal of becoming a Physician’s Assistant

Who are your go-to musical artists?

My favorite artists are Logic and Yung Gravy, but I have also really liked Don Toliver as of late.

How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?

Central has given me a group of friends that I can always count on, and I have come to be very close with, especially my random roommate from freshmen year. Soccer at Central has given me the opportunity to get to know many people and the connections I’ve made I’m sure will last a lifetime.

Would you rather live on the beach or in a cabin in the woods?

I’d rather live in a cabin because I enjoy nature and enjoy spending my times outdoors at lakes. I like the idea of being in the woods because there is always something to explore and opportunities to find what the Earth has given us.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

My first celebrity crush was Lindsay Lohan.

Favorite professional soccer team and favorite player?

My favorite team is Minnesota United, and my favorite player is Marcus Rashford who plays for Manchester United.

What is the oldest thing you own?

I believe the oldest thing I own is a pocketknife that my grandpa gave to me

Favorite TV Show

My favorite TV show has got to be Game of Thrones.

What's it like to play for Coach Laidlaw?

Coach Laidlaw is wonderful and it’s a pleasure to play for him. He was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Central. I appreciate his passion for the game and his experience clearly shows. My favorite moment was seeing his glee after we won the conference title.

What’s your favorite part about being a member of Central men’s soccer?

My favorite part about being part of this team is the closeness and brotherhood that we’ve created while I’ve been here, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?

I hope to finally be done with school and working as a dermatologist.

Favorite food from Central Market

My favorite food are the cookies on Tuesdays.

Bucket list

I’d love to someday ski or snowboard in the mountains in Norway. And I would like to try skydiving at some point but at the same time it also makes me extremely nervous.
 


Athlete Awards
Date Athlete Sport
12/4/2025 Elison Ritzert Dance team
11/14/2025 Maximus Reitano Football
10/30/2025 Landry Pacha Volleyball
10/16/2025 Ava Goben Women's Cross Country
10/2/2025 Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney Women's Tennis
9/18/2025 Allie Pfantz Women's Golf
9/4/2025 Emily Patten Cheerleading
8/21/2025 Estella Allen Women's Triathlon
8/7/2025 Kelley Duffy Women's Soccer
7/24/2025 Mason Back Men's Cross Country
7/10/2025 Jack Hillis Men's Soccer
6/26/2025 Tommy Morlan Men's Track and Field
6/12/2025 Mark Kenney Baseball
6/5/2025 Mickey Martens Women's Golf
5/29/2025 Abbie Stelk Cheerleading
5/22/2025 Ernest Alvarez Chedzoy Men's Tennis
5/15/2025 Abigail White Women's Track and Field
5/8/2025 Emma Lenox Softball
5/1/2025 Caleb Douglass Baseball
4/24/2025 Ethan Gordon Men's Golf
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