OCR Text |
Show 0 R E M TIMES Page 7 COMMUNITY SPORTS, PEOPLE AND OUTDOOR FUN Owlz sweep Casper in 4-2 week Former Mountain View and BYU star Nik Arrhenius to compete for Sweden in Olympics Thursday, August 7, 2008 mmm in mm Darnell Dickson NORTH COUNTY The All-American boy from Orem grew up with a dream of going to the Olympics. He just didn't know he'd be wearing the blue and yellow of Sweden when he got there. Former Mountain View and BYU standout Nik Arrhenius is traveling to China for the 2008 Summer Olympics to throw the discus for Sweden but still considers himself a local kid. "I'm a home-grown Utah American," Arrhenius said. "I have a Swedish father fa-ther and when it comes to athletics, I've always rooted for Sweden. I thought it would also be cool to represent them as well as America. When the chance came to represent Sweden, I chose to compete for them. "I also was a missionary for the LDS church in Sweden and after having learned the language and living there, the change was easier to make." How did he earn his Olympic invitation? invita-tion? Arrhenius (6-foot4, 245 pounds) has dual citizenship and has been competing com-peting with the Swedish national team since finishing a stellar track career at BYU in 2007. After a disappointing world championships last year, Arrhenius Arrhe-nius wanted to catch the attention of the Swedish Olympic Committee. To do that, Arrhenius had to work his "hack" (Swedish for "butt") off: He competed 5 v J I aft 1 A ; J? II in nine meets in seven countries over 36 days this summer. "When you're a pro athlete and not in a major team sport, you don't have the same support you have like you do in college," Arrhenius said. "1 still work out with the throwers at BYU, but have different motivations and goals. I also miss competing as a team and going to track meets with my friends on the team. "I do like the fact that you can make money. Right now, I'm not making1 much, but if I can get to be as good as the top five or 10 people in the world, I might be able to earn a decent living. liv-ing. Earning a living as a thrower is definitely nothing like the major team sports or even the sprinters, distance and jumpers earn in track." Nik's father, Anders, was an All-American All-American at BYU in the 1970s but never got the opportunity to throw in the Olympics. "We as a family are ecstatic about him going," Anders said of his soa "It's been a goal since junior high school for Niklas. Of course I'm very proud of him since he chose to represent Sweden where he also served his mis- sion. Track and field is much bigger in Sweden and they (his sons) have spent every summer since they were little in the old country." Anders Arrhenius has been a prolific file North county Nik Arrhenius prepares to throwthe discus at the state high school track meet See ARRHENIUS, Page 9 at BYU on May 12, 2000. Arrhenius will compete for Sweden in the Olympics. NORTH COUNTY Roberto Lopez and Donato Giovanatto both homered in the top of the fifth inning to help the Orem Owlz come up with their third straight win over the Casper Ghosts, this one a 9-6 victory on Tuesday night in Casper, Wyoming. A couple of errors helped Orem get two men on with one out in the top of the fifth before Lopez stepped to the plate and belted his seventh home run of the year. After another out, Giovanatto blasted blast-ed a solo shot to complete the scoring in the inning. That gave Orem a 7S lead, and the Owlz never relinquished relin-quished it, adding one run each in the sixth and eighth innings. I Orem 5, Casper 2: At Casper, Wyo., the Owlz got two hits and five RBI from Roberto Lopez in a victory over the Ghosts on Monday. Lopez hit a grand slam in the fifth inning and also doubled to lead Orem to the win. I Orem 13, Casper 2: At See OWLZ, Page 9 Family Pdltric Coam$tle yj y Dr.DnrldgCordoH.DMD t t fYlost Insurance accepted. PrtMRl this 4 lor FREE Teeth Whitening wfth lew patient exam, x-rays, and denning. www.gercionfamnfdentol.coni Hi ndcan Dental Atiocietfon iSHOP , vyonsiqnment icil s ,' loll Vbzij p for : " " I "In Jl "j js I ( ( t i Ills WANDERING WARDROBE 511 South Main St. Springville. UT 489-3893 " f P seen the 4 same 6m ask about our new pt discount Dr. Bruce Richards 233 E. Main,. American Fork, Utah 84003 Sponsored by: CARDQN LAW OFFICE. ULC 1149 West Center Street, Orem, Utah 84057 Dates: August 5th 6.00 8:30 p.m. August 26th 6:00-8:30 p.m. Jeffrey Q. Cardon Attorney and Counselor at Law 9f 1U Celebrate Your Independence with A New Mattress w s.' m r i wm wimm ii..iir v.--.. -j ilaaga's Mattress Sate mattresses not a pictured 1032 S. State, 0r6m 802-6050 (323 UUSUB GQ227 A A ROC !C2iifiiiil it SI 3 i mmm in illMFftlll ill Q03HPf Cfrpfmm nfwffH V |