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Penn High School swimmer makes remarkable return to the pool after cancer
Tristan Zuyderwyk at a swim meet before being diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in 2019. (Photo: Keenan Johnson)

Penn High School swimmer makes remarkable return to the pool after cancer

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (BVM) Most high school athletes already have enough on their plates as it is. But Tristan Zuyderwyk could have never imagined what was coming his way in May 2019.

Tristan is a swimmer, and has competed in the pool since his mom signed him up to join a team at 5 years old. His youth career took off from there, as he would win multiple youth state titles while setting records in the process during his time swimming in New Mexico. 

Tristan’s father, Rodney, is a former track and field coach for the University of New Mexico. But after nine years there, Rodney took an assistant coaching position at Notre Dame in 2018, bringing the Zuyderwyk family to Mishawaka. 

After just one year participating in club swimming in Indiana, Tristan, 15, reached the state finals again in his new home. However, it wouldn’t be long before the teenager was forced out of the pool.

In 2018, Tristan began experiencing back pain while he and his family still lived in New Mexico. Assuming it was a muscle issue, he began physical therapy. After the move to Indiana, Tristan was pain free for several months which allowed a full swimming season during eighth grade. But it was in March 2019 that the pain would return.

“In March, the pain came back and it was more severe,” Tristan said. “I was even getting nerve pain down my legs.”

That would lead Tristan to the doctor’s office in May, where an MRI was ordered immediately. The results discovered that the swimmer had a tumor, and two weeks later he was officially diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma.

Tristan began receiving treatment in South Bend right away, and was told by doctors that it could be up to a year before he recovered. But the 15-year-old is a fighter, and was determined to beat that timetable.

“I didn’t want it to take a year so I made a goal that I would be done by Jan. 23 so I could have time to make state this year,” Tristan said. “I even wrote on my Google Calendar in June 2019, ‘Jan. 23, 2020, best day of my life.’”

Turning to his faith as well, Tristan created a poster that said, “Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He made sure to have it with him in the hospital during every treatment. 

Between his faith, perseverance, and determination, Tristan accomplished his goal. He received his last treatment on Dec. 31, and was declared cancer free in January.

Defeating the disease was a joyous time for the teenager, but the comeback was not entirely complete. Tristan was now ready to do all he could to get back in the pool and compete. But he did realize it would take a lot of time and effort.

“Right away I knew this was going to take time. I started doing core and glute work to build up stability and I had to get my back and hips strong again,” Tristan said.

During his time in the hospital, Tristan had lost 20 pounds, his strength disappeared and he became low on hemoglobin. But again, the 15-year-old’s determination would prevail.

Tristan Zuyderwyk getting ready to compete in a relay at sectionals just weeks after being declared cancer free. (Photo: Jill Zuyderwyk)

By January, Tristan was back in the water. And only a week after returning to swimming, he would compete in Penn High School’s medley relay on senior night with his brother, Brock. Although he still wasn’t feeling his best in the pool, Tristan’s team picked him up as they won the relay. While he knows he is capable of more, it was a special moment for Tristan to be back to the sport he loves.

“I’m glad I did it even though it was hard to swim slower than I know I am capable of,” Tristan said. “But I knew it would only get better.”

Tristan was able to swim a relay for Penn at sectionals as well, and also got to go to state as an alternate. Those are two things that were nearly unthinkable just eight months before.

It took a community of family, friends and teammates to help Tristan to fight back from his cancer. But perhaps one of the biggest helps was Penn swim coach, Jess Preston.

“Coach Jess was so supportive of me. He was determined to use me in relays for the remainder of the season. I am looking forward to getting back and swimming individual events for him next season,” Tristan said.

As he continues to work his way back to full strength, the rising sophomore has begun setting goals for the rest of his time in the pool at Penn. This includes winning an individual state championship at some point. Tristan is unsure what the future holds beyond high school, but does have goals of swimming for a Division I college program, perhaps back out west at the University of Arizona.

Tristan has completed a remarkable comeback story in under a year that we can all look at for inspiration and hope. As he continues to get back to full health, his swimming career has the potential to really take off. But Tristan will not forget the past year in his life which has ultimately made him stronger. And he hopes others who endure the same can follow the message he did.

“If I could tell someone in a similar situation one thing, I would say that God is with you and you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Just keep persevering.”