Oliver Lindqvist, a junior Colorado Mesa University student and athlete on the men’s tennis team, died Sunday, Feb. 18.
He was 21 years old and a business management student.
CMU President Tim Foster made the announcement in a school-wide email on Feb. 19.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends,” Foster wrote.
Lindqvist and his twin brother Max Lindqvist, who also plays tennis for CMU, are originally from Stockholm, Sweden. Their parents taught them the sport from the age of six.
The two brothers came to the U.S. to pursue that passion at the collegiate level and CMU happened to be the right fit.
Oliver followed Max to CMU after a short stint at Averett College in Virginia during the 2015-2016 academic year.
“Averett Athletics sends it condolences to the family and friends of former Averett men’s tennis player Oliver Lindqvist, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 21,” Averett College athletics tweeted on Feb. 21.
In the 2016-2017 year, Oliver finished with an 11-6 overall record and a perfect 6-0 league record at No. 5 singles.
The men’s tennis team played from Feb. 21-24 in Phoenix, Ariz.
“Counselors and support services are available to students all day today, Tuesday, February 19, 2018, at the Student Wellness Center, 1060 Orchard Ave,” Foster wrote. “Following today, support services will be available by appointment and those who wish to talk with a counselor may contact the center at 970.644.3740.”
Read The Criterion’s story on Oliver and Max from last spring.
