Ben Sytsma

Top Times

50 Free: 19.22 – Texas Invitational (25-26)
100 Free: 42.30 – Texas Invitational (25-26)
200 Free: 1:37.48 – Texas Invitational (25-26)

All-America: 200 Free Relay (2025)

2024-25 (Freshman):

Helped the 200 free relay take eighth at NCAA Championships with a school record time of 1:15.25.
Clocked personal bests of 19.51 in the 50 free and 43.19 in the 100 free at the Last Chance Meet.
Went a then-season-best 20.22 in the 50 free and 43.94 in the 100 free at the Art Adamson Invite.

High School / Club:

Was a four-year letterwinner at Grand Rapids Christian High School swimming for coach Jeremy Pyper
Seven-time Michigan state champion and five-time All-American
12-time conference champion
Helped his team to top-six finishes at the state from his sophomore to senior seasons
Set school records in the 50 free (19.96), 100 free (43.87), 100 back (50.66) and 200 free (1:40.67)
Spent five years swimming for Rapids Area YMCA Swimmers and coach Brian Vigna where he became a YMCA national medalist and holds the east central YMCA record
Was a two-time state champion in 50 free LCM and was a national finalist in the 100 free SCY.
An excellent student, Sytsma graduated in the top five of his senior class and was a National Merit Scholar

Personal:

Parents are Jerry and Lynn Sytsma.
National Merit Scholar with a top 5 class GPA.
Was a member of Michigan high school athletic association student advisory council in high school.
Was a dual-sport athlete in high school, lettering in lacrosse and swimming
Says he chose A&M because “It has the best facilities in the nation, great resources, amazing people.”