Former UTEP track and field All-American, Olympian has died
Former UTEP track and field All-American Hans Hglund passed away on October 4, 2012, UTEP’s Athletics Department announced Friday.
“On behalf of the UTEP track and field and cross country community, it saddened us to learn of Hans Hglund’s passing,” said head coach Mika Laaksonen. “We lost a great champion and our condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”
Hglund was a seven-time All-American for UTEP and was the first Miner to become an NCAA Indoor Champion in the shot put with a mark of 19.54m registered in 1973. That same year he claimed the indoor and outdoor conference crown in the shot put and punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The throw dominated the national competition and earned his first outdoor title in the shot put with a toss of 19.68m.
In 1974, Hglund led the men’s team to an indoor conference title after finishing first in the shot put. The squad went on to claim their first NCAA Championship title with the help of Hglund, who took gold in the shot put with a mark of 20.60m.
Hglund ended his collegiate career on a high note registering the school record in the shot put. In 1975, the former Miner not only received the individual conference title in the shot put, but also helped the men’s team win their second indoor conference championship. The squad earned a bid to the national championship and secured another victory, after Hglung won his third NCAA Indoor title with a season-best of 20.67m.
The All-American took the field for his final outdoor season in the Orange and Blue and led the team to its first conference outdoor championship since 1972. The Miners success continued to the national level where they were named the 1975 NCAA Championships, with the leadership of Hglund, who posted a school record of 21.33m in the shot put earning his fifth NCAA title of his career. Hglund was the national record holder of the shot put until 1984 when John Brenner from UCLA registered a toss of 21.92m.
Source: UTEP Athletics
