PEPPERDINE TRACK 2016 (FR): Competed at the first two meets of the season ... Ran the 3,000 meters each time with a best of 9:11.91 at Westmont (2/20).
PEPPERDINE XC 2015 (FR): Ran at all seven meets ... Was Pepperdine's #5 runner at the NCAA West Regional (37:27.0) ... Best 8k was 26:15.3 at the Capital Cross Challenge.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Liberty High School, located in Renton, Wash., in 2015 ... Ran four years of varsity cross country and four years of track ... Earned All-SPSL first team honors as a senior in cross country ... School placed third at the 2014 WIAA 2A state championship in cross country ... In his senior year of track, placed fifth in the 1,600 and seventh in the 3,200 at the WIAA 2A state meet, and was the champion in both races at the 2A SPSL/Seamount Sub-District and 2A WCD District III meets ... Captain of both teams as a senior ... A member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Scholar-Athlete.
PERSONAL: Born in Bellevue, Wash. ... Son of Brent Sytsma and Vonni Sytsma ... Father played soccer at Seattle Pacific ... Has one sister, Karinn ... Majoring in chemistry ... Chose Pepperdine because "I loved the Christian environment, and after visiting, I felt confident that this was the school that was going to help me best become the man I want to be. And you can't go wrong with the view."
FAVORITES: Enjoys backpacking in the mountains, spikeball and writing ... Favorites include Evan Jager (pro athlete), Seattle Seahawks (pro sports team), Do Hard Things (book), Interstellar (movie), Modern Family (TV show), Avicii (musical artist), Thai curry (food) and beach volleyball (sport other than running) ... Favorite thing about running is "the simplicity of the sport. You don't need a ball, a stick or protective gear. You can just go out and do it."
