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Colyn next on tee at Dordt College
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Ripon Christian three-sport athlete Kyle Colyn has signed a letter of intent to play golf at Dordt College in the fall.

Don’t act so surprised.

The pipeline is real.

Colyn will continue a family tradition set in motion by his parents, Jim and Sylvia, both of whom graduated from the Christian Reformed university in the 1990s.

Since then, Ripon Christian has funneled its top student-athletes to Sioux Center, Iowa, with amazing frequency, including Colyn’s older sister, Kaylie.  

Now it’s his turn.

The announcement was made Friday afternoon in a press release by Ripon Christian athletic director Kevin Tameling. Colyn chose Dordt College over Grand Canyon University in Arizona.

“I felt like this was a good fit,” Colyn said. “This is like a dream come true. It’s something I’ve always said I wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to play golf in college.”

The Defenders land one of the Central Valley’s top high school golfers – and an accomplished athlete, to boot.

Colyn was a three-time all-Southern League first-team selection, two-time league MVP and was named the Bulletin’s All-Area Boys Golfer of the Year in 2014 following a sensational postseason run.

He very nearly became the first golfer in school history to qualify for the CIF Northern California Regional Championship when he posted at 1-over 73 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park.

That oh-so-close performance came on the heels of a Division VI tournament title at Haggin Oaks in Sacramento, a round in which he carded another 1-over 73.

Dordt College Mark Christians believes Colyn has the tools to compete right away for the Defenders, a NAIA program that plays in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

“Kyle is a very intelligent golfer and his successful high school career at Ripon Christian under coach Kevin Schenk has shown that he is ready to compete at the college level,” Christians said in a press release. “The competitive experiences he’s had in high school will help him transition well to college golf.”

Dordt College is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and has become a destination for many of Ripon Christian’s top student-athletes.

Colyn joins a roster that already features three Ripon Christian alums: sophomores Brandon Dotinga and Christian Manes; and senior Ross Van Groningen. In total, 12 former Knights are current members of a Dordt College athletic program.

“We have a good reputation out there,” Colyn said.

While he’ll focus on golf at the next level, Colyn’s abilities aren’t confined to the links. He has played key roles in the recent success of the Ripon Christian boys soccer and basketball teams.

Colyn was a four-year varsity member and captain of the Knights’ soccer team and helped lead the program to new heights this past fall. Ripon Christian ran away with the Southern League championship and capped its banner season with a Sac-Joaquin Section title.

His signature moment came in a 5-1 victory over Forest Lake Christian in the semifinal. Trailing 1-0, Colyn left his back line position to tally a goal and an assist, pushing the Knights into the lead for good.

Colyn is also a starter for Ron Vander Molen’s varsity basketball team, which currently sits atop the Trans-Valley League standings.

In the spring, he’ll take aim at a regional berth.

“It’s nice to know I’ll be there (Dordt) next year,” Colyn said. “Now I can enjoy my last year.”