Sioux Center, Iowa — Amaya Van Essen, a senior at Unity Christian High School (Iowa), has announced her intention to attend Dordt and join the Defender track and cross country programs.
“We are glad that Amaya will join the track and field team next year. Amaya is a consistent runner and is disciplined in her training. She will thrive on our team and in the college environment. We are excited to work with her,” said Dordt cross country coach and assistant track coach Nate Wolf.
Van Essen has personal bests of 19:52 on a 5,000 meter cross country course; 5:18 in the 1,500 meters and 11:11 in the 3,000 meters. She finished 14th at the Iowa High School State Cross Country Meet in 2021 and finished 11th in the 3,000 meters at the 2021 state track and field meet. Van Essen has earned all-conference honors four times in cross country and twice so far in track and field.
“We are glad that Amaya will join the track and field team next year. Amaya is a consistent runner and is disciplined in her training. She will thrive on our team and in the college environment. We are excited to work with her,” said Dordt track and field coach Craig Heynen.
Amaya is the daughter of Matt and Ang Van Essen of Sioux Center, Iowa. She plans to study biology at Dordt.
