Name: Anouk Verdaasdonk
Date of birth: May 14, 2005
Sports: Track & Field
University: Houston Christian University
Placed: Spring 2025
Anouk Verdaasdonk is one of The Netherlands promising Track & Field talents. Specializing in long jump, triple jump, sprint numbers and hurdles, she transferred to Houston Christian University in 2025. With help from Slamstox, she found the perfect place to pursue her athletic and academic dreams.
From AV Spado to National success
Anouk began her athletics career with a mix of middle distances, long jump and hurdles. Around the age of thirteen, she chose to focus entirely on jumping, especially the long jump. Working with a specialized jumping coach quickly paid off. Shortly after, she also started jumping in the triple jump and immediately picked up a silver medal at her first National Championship in this discipline.
With multiple top-5 finishes and medals at U18 and U20 NKs, Anouk showed her versatility and dedication. Her club, AV Spado, was proud of her accomplishments, especially after she and the team qualified for the U18/U20 NK for club teams. In this, Anouk was a fixture in the relay, a part she is eager to continue in the U.S. as well.
Transfer to Houston Christian University
After high school, Anouk graduated in 2022 and began studying Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam. In 2025, she decided to continue her academic and athletic path in the U.S. as a transfer student.
The process to an American university was not without its challenges. There was time pressure, uncertainty about scholarships and obtaining a visa was difficult. Still, together with Anouk, we managed to get everything done in time. Despite the necessary stress in the final stage, Anouk remained focused and motivated.
Once she arrived in America, she felt right at home. The transition to the American system went smoothly and Anouk quickly emerged as a valuable force within the team. Meanwhile, together with two other Dutch girls, Noelle Huijser and Eline Mast, she has already run the relay in Texas.
Full commitment, full reward
The hard work was rewarded: Anouk was offered a full athletic scholarship at Houston Christian University. She now has the ideal combination of academics and sports, surrounded by teammates who motivate and empower her. Her dedication, discipline and ambition are the foundation for a promising future in Track & Field.
Slamstox played an important role in this process: from personal contact and quick turnaround to advising on scholarships and universities. As Anouk herself put it:
“Thank you all so much! I am very happy that it worked out to sign with HCU. It caused a lot of stress, but thanks to your great help it worked out just fine.”
Anouk Verdaasdonk
Are you also ready for an adventure like Anouk to combine track and field and study in the US? Then reach out to us now, we would be happy to tel you more!
