Loebl
hammered 49ers into great shape
By Gina Ponce
On-line Forty-Niner
 Senior
Cory Loebl did not begin track and field
thinking he would go very far with it. To
him it was just another type of training
for football, until he came to college.
Loebl began participating in track and field
in seventh grade after his football coach
suggested taking up another sport in order
to stay active. Now in his second and last
year on the Long Beach State track team,
Loebl competes in the shot put, hammer,
discus and javelin throws.
According to Andy Sythe, head coach for
the 49er track team, an assistant coach
recruited Loebl from Portland, Or., where
he was attending Clackamas Community College.
Sythe said the coaches were able to see
that Loebl would rate well in all categories.
“Cory is a well-balanced individual. He
is a very directed, focused thrower, as
well as a good student,” Sythe said. “We
knew we were getting a good one.”
Loebl said he came to CSULB because of the
training program and the weather. He said
he believes he never excelled at track until
his last year of junior college and then
“the doors were opened.”
“I knew this was the way to continue my
education,” Loebl said.
Loebl is a kinesiology major with an option
in secondary physical education. He said
he hopes to become a coach for track and
football and teach high school physical
education. As he starts the credential
program next spring, Loebl hopes to continue
competing as an unattached open athlete.
Loebl described himself as having dedication
and desire for the sport. He was also chosen
by teammates to be a co-captain for the
49ers.
“It was an obvious choice because he’s a
strong leader and a great example of what
hard work will do,” Sythe said.
“I see myself as an inspirational leader,”
Loebl said. “I’m hard working, dedicated
and usually the one to really stick it out,
and I usually lead with actions instead
of words.”
Loebl was named the Nor-West Champion for
junior colleges for the hammer throw and
was selected last spring to the United States
Track Coaches Association Academic All-American
team. Loebl has also been selected Big West
Athlete of the Week twice and was the only
thrower in the entire conference championships
to score in all four throwing events last
year.
“Cory will certainly be a candidate for
Big West Athlete of the Year,” Sythe said.
“He has consistency and good, solid performances
every weekend and at practice.”
Last year Loebl participated in the NCAA
and U.S.A. Championships for the discus
throw and ranked 21st out of all throwers
in the United States. Loebl’s outdoor track
season so far this year has consisted of
seven individual victories out of six meets.
“Cory has a calmness that is non-boastful
and non-attention getting. He is a team
player who is always focused on the right
thing,” Sythe said. “He tries to get the
best out of himself and his teammates in
practice.”
Loebl said it has been a good experience
for him coming down here. He hopes to qualify
for the NCAA Championships in discus and
hammer this season.
“The best part about being on the team is
the friends that I’ve made and the unity
of throwers,” Loebl said.
“Cory crosses over segregated groups,” Sythe
said. “He’s an absolute animal as a thrower
and that’s respected.”
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