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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
1/25/2024 Nolan Brand Men's Basketball
1/18/2024 Cally Gibbs Women's Basketball
1/11/2024 Abby Alberti Women's Track and Field
1/4/2024 Colby Tool Men's Wrestling
12/28/2023 Samantha Scott Women's Basketball
12/21/2023 Brian Hart Men's Track and Field
12/14/2023 Kaleb Brand Men's Basketball
12/7/2023 Abbi Roerdink Women's Track and Field
11/30/2023 Duncan Delzell Men's Wrestling
11/23/2023 Austin Smith Men's Cross Country
11/16/2023 John Oltman Men's Golf
11/9/2023 Evan Hackett Men's Soccer
11/2/2023 MiMi Pavelka Women's Soccer
10/26/2023 Reece Miller Football
10/19/2023 Mitchel Benhart Men's Soccer
10/12/2023 Gracie Daniels Volleyball
10/5/2023 AJ Wilkins Men's Tennis
9/28/2023 Jenna Hernandez Women's Tennis
9/21/2023 Luci Laidlaw Women's Triathlon
9/14/2023 Elyse Johnson Volleyball
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