In this article, we introduce you to student-athlete Steven Knol. Below you will also find a video in which Steven introduces himself.

Sports: Men’s Swimming
Entry semester: Fall 2026

Meet Steven Knol, a 16-year-old swimmer, from Nigtevecht. Steven learned to swim when he was four years old. Because his entire family swam, competitive swimming was familiar to him at an early age. At the age of seven he started competitive swimming at Triton, a local club, and later switched to De Otters Het Gooi to further develop his skills. There he qualified for his first Dutch championships. To specialize in medium and long distances and gain experience in 50-meter pools, he joined De Dolfijn in Amsterdam, where he swims at the highest national level.

What makes Steven special as a person is that he is sociable, easy going and works well with others both in and out of the pool. He is open to feedback and applies new tips and directions immediately.

What really sets Steven apart as an athlete is that he is very coachable and can perform well over longer distances. His trainers call him “even Steven” because he keeps his lap times consistent during races. Over the years he has made a lot of progression and believes he has a lot more potential to exploit.

In the future, Steven hopes to compete at the highest level in America, in an environment where sports and studies are well matched. Academically, he is passionate about economics and business administration and wants to pursue studies that will prepare him for a career in international business. He believes that combining his discipline as an athlete with academic challenges will help him grow both as an athlete and a professional.

“I’m disciplined, focused, and like to contribute positively to any team, pushing myself and others to new heights.”

Steven Knol

Would you like to see more from Steven? Check out the video below where he introduces himself.