PROVO — While one Arrhenius is dangerous enough in a throwing ring, having two Arrhenius brothers in the same throwing event is just asking for trouble.
For the second year in BYU history, a duo of Arrhenius brothers has topped conference and national throwing events. While senior Dan and freshman Niklas teamed up last year, Niklas now has the responsibility to show his younger brother Leif how to rule the throwing ring at BYU.
"It's a legacy," Niklas said. "I've tried to show him the ropes like my brother Dan did when I was a freshman. I was nervous my first few times, and Dan helped me out a lot and calmed me down. By the end of the season, I was really comfortable throwing, so I try to do that with Leif."
As the youngest of the three brothers, Leif has started his chapter of Arrhenius tradition at BYU much like his brothers Niklas and former Cougar Dan did after setting state records in the shot put and discus at Mountain View.
Their father, Anders, started the Arrhenius legacy when he threw for BYU decades ago and earned All-American honors in 1975. Anders also went on to represent Sweden in the 1976 Olympic Summer Games.
As the outdoor season winds down, both Niklas and Leif have their sights on the Mountain West Conference Outdoor Championships as well as the regional and national meets. With two All-American citations already, Niklas hopes to bring Leif along for the postseason ride in the shot put, discus and hammer throw.
"They'll be a terror in conference," head coach Mark Robison said. "They have a good opportunity to win region, and I think they could easily be All-Americans in the discus. They're unbelievable and incredible technicians out there. Plus, they're as strong as horses."
One of the biggest benefits of this duo is the competitive spirit they feed off of one another. Although Niklas has won three MWC titles, two in the shot put and one in the discus, Leif has always found his brothers to be a tough act to follow. While growing up, keeping up with your older brother was a daily struggle.
"I have pushed their records my whole life," Leif said. "I've tried to live up to my brother, and I just do my best. In the last few years, I've tried to beat my brother, but I've had some injuries. Under the circumstances, I've done well."
Niklas said he experienced the same scenario with his older brother Dan, who tallied 12 top 5 finishes in the throws at conference meets during his career at BYU, including winning the discus as a sophomore. Last spring, Dan also competed in his final meet alongside his brother Niklas in the discus at the outdoor national meet.
"It's fun to have family around," Niklas said. "It's just cool because they're more than a teammate. It's more personal because it's your brother out there with you."
Not only do they have a sibling to work out with, the Arrhenius brothers also enjoy having their dad as their coach. While Anders has coached his sons since junior high in the throws, he now serves as a volunteer coach with the BYU throwers. Perhaps one of Niklas' biggest feats came when he surpassed his father's record in the shot put at the 2004 MWC Indoor Championships by almost three inches.
Although Niklas and Leif both have a few years of eligibility left, the duo may not compete together until 2008 after Leif returns home from a mission, which could lead to Stockholm, Sweden, where Dan and Niklas both served.
While it may take a few years, the incredible duo will eventually return to BYU for the third time in school history.
"We're fortunate to have them," Robison said. "I wish we could have both of them for the next three years. But Leif will serve a mission, and we'll have Nik redshirt an indoor and outdoor season somewhere, so they can compete when Nik's a senior and Leif's a sophomore."