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Ben Sytsma of Ada, Michigan, has announced his verbal commitment to further his education and swimming career at Texas A&M University. Sytsma is set to graduate from Grand Rapids Christian High School next spring, and will arrive in College Station for the 2024-2025 season.
Sytsma follows in the college swimming footsteps of his older sister Claire, who recently wrapped up her final year competing for Calvin University.
Sytsma trains year-round with the Rapid Area YMCA Rays, also located in the Grand Rapids area. His primary event focus is sprint freestyle, as he currently holds 2023 Winter Juniors qualifying times in the 50 and 100 free.
He recently wrapped up his summer long course season at the Michigan Ultra Championship, where he took 1st in the 50m free with a time of 23.68. His swim marked a massive personal best, as he entered the meet with at 24.32. He also grabbed 3rd in the 100m free, where he dropped nearly a second to post a 52.91.
In the spring, Sytsma represented his high school at the Michigan High School State Championships (Division 3). He secured a state title in the 50 freestyle in a personal best time of 20.57, as well as was the runner-up finisher in the 100 with a time of 44.96. He later lowered his 100 free down to 44.86 en route to a 6th place finish at Y Nationals.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 free – 20.57
- 100 free – 44.86
- 200 free – 1:42.01
The Aggies finished 4th as a team at the 2023 SEC Championships and 14th at the 2023 NCAA Division I Championships. The team is currently under the direction of long-time head coach Jay Holmes, who took over the men’s program in 2004.
Kaloyan Bratanov was the team’s top sprinter this past year, owning season best times of 19.45 and 42.84. Just behind him in both events was Connor Foote, who recorded times of 19.53 and 43.85 at SECs. Bratanov will not be on campus when Sytsma arrives, but he will get the opportunity to train with Foote for a few years.
Joining Sytsma in Texas A&M’s class of 2028 is Seth Tolentino, Jacob Wimberly, Travis Gulledge, and Ryan Rautenbach. Wimberly, Rautenbach, and Gulledge are from Texas, while Tolentino is a Florida native.
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Cornball 🕌
My first summer ever coaching, I met 12-yr-old Ben just chilling on a WMSL team with a 28 in his 50FR.
Best memory I have of Ben was in the 50 FR at a SWIM LEAGUE A champs meet his goggles filled with water so badly he Tarzan’d off the breakout, then flipped a bodylength from the wall, yet managed to get 2nd and only gain a few tenths.
I’m amazed Ben has gone all in on his talent and is a D1 commit with some boastful times. Congrats!