DREAM COME TRUE

By: Quintan Van Wijk

Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Quintan Van Wijk, a senior from Willemstad, Curacao, began his collegiate career at Division II Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich., and spent the previous two years at Nebraska-Omaha before transferring to Baylor. Named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year at Davenport in 2022, he has a career singles record of 75-25. Majoring in management information systems, Quintan is scheduled to graduate in December 2025. Ranked 14^th, the Baylor men's tennis team (10-6) will face 28^th-ranked Pepperdine on Friday and either No. 17 Princeton or No. 40 Arizona State on Sunday in Indian Springs, Calif.:

As I sit down to write my Champion's TriBUne, I find myself reflecting on the past 3 ½ years in college. My journey to Baylor has been anything but ordinary, one filled with countless memories, personal growth and the unwavering support of my teammates and coaches, past and present. Yet here I am, not knowing how to start my story but convicted with the desire to point out the individuals who have had the greatest impact on my path to becoming a Baylor Bear.

"While this chapter is closing, in on know that everything I have experienced up until now has prepared me for the next chapter of my life, one I'm excited to attack."

Curaçao
It all started back home on a small island called Curaçao, an island where the sun shines year-round, but tennis hardly exists. It was there that I grew up with my parents and my brothers, Xaveam and Larenz. I credit my family with a majority of the success I have had up until now. My parents, Bernice Bernabela and Pieter van Wijk, were the ones that always put my brothers and me ahead of themselves. Not only did they do what was best for us at every turn, but they believed in us every step of the way. It wasn't just tennis where they pushed us to be the best version of ourselves. In every aspect of life, they taught us to learn from our experiences and move forward. It was never tolerable to make the same mistake twice. I honestly never truly understood their wisdom until I started college. It was then that I realized the depth of their words and sacrifices made for my brothers and me.

My two brothers, Xaveam and Larenz, are the people I love most in this life. They have always been there for me, whether I needed advice, encouragement, or just someone to talk to. My older brother, Xaveam, is the one that paved the way for me to get where I am today, while Larenz, my little brother, is the guy that always believed in me and wanted to see me shine. You never realize how much your siblings mean to you until you're separated. College did that to the three of us, and it was then that we fully grasped how special our bonds are.

Just as my family has been my greatest form of support, I hope to be the same for my brothers and friends. I strive to be a person they can turn to when they need guidance, support, or simply someone to talk to. I want to inspire them, just as my brothers have inspired me, and be there for them as they continue their own journeys, no matter where life takes them.

"My journey to Baylor has been anything but ordinary, one filled with countless memories, personal growth and the unwavering support of my teammates and coaches, past and present."

"My journey to Baylor has been anything but ordinary, one filled with countless memories, personal growth and the unwavering support of my teammates and coaches, past and present."

My dad, who was also my coach, introduced Xaveam and me to both tennis and volleyball at around 5 years old because we needed something to do in our free time. He chose these because he had played them both at a national level when he was growing up in the Netherlands. We made our choice to focus on tennis after we played our first tournament at 7 years old. The individual aspect of the sport is what drew us to it.

The next decade was filled with practicing five hours a week, countless national tournament victories and opportunities to compete internationally. I proudly represented Curaçao multiple times in both the World Junior Tennis Competition and Junior Davis Cup.

As my senior year of high school approached – what should have been the most important year of my junior tennis career – COVID-19 hit. Months passed where I couldn't leave the house and couldn't compete. No tournaments led to no results, which gave me no way to prove to college coaches that I was worth recruiting. This severely limited my options and left me with only one place to go. That place ended up being a small Division II program in Grand Rapids, Michigan, called Davenport University.

Davenport University
With my brother being in the USA for the previous year and a half, I thought that I was prepared for what was to come, but I was sorely mistaken. The freezing Michigan weather was a shock, and I was uncomfortable with the concept of college tennis. I went from playing an individual sport to playing an individual sport as part of a team. The new dynamic added extra pressure to all aspects of the game. Despite the challenges, I finished my first season as Freshman of the Year in our conference. And with a lot of encouragement from my teammates, I knew I could push myself further, so I entered the transfer portal. Though I knew I needed to move on, Davenport gave me experiences, friendships and lessons that shaped me into who I am today. And for that, I'll always be grateful.

"I will never forget walking out onto the (Baylor) courts, not knowing that the following year those same courts would become my home."

University of Nebraska-Omaha
The confidence I entered the portal with was quickly shattered by the amount of Division I offers I received, which could be counted on one hand. After floundering through the process. I was recruited by the same coach who convinced and pushed me to strive for more after my two years in Omaha, Matthew Barlow.

I was able to play a lot of matches for Omaha, but one still stands out for me, playing against Baylor. It had always been my dream to compete on the Baylor courts, and in the spring of 2024, it became a reality. I will never forget walking out onto the courts, not knowing that the following year those same courts would become my home.

The time I spent in Omaha was filled with unforgettable memories and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The one lesson that stands above all is to give your all in everything you do, because you never know when it might be your last opportunity.

"From completing 60 credit hours in a year to countless hours of training, I look at every challenge as a test of how far I can go."

Baylor University
Entering the transfer portal one last time turned out to be one of the best decisions of my college career. I entered it without much confidence and trust, but that changed the night coach Michael Woodson contacted me. I still remember how excited I was, and how happy my teammates were for me. Being a fan of Baylor Athletics since before coming to college made my decision relatively easy. I committed as quickly as I could!

My time being a Baylor Bear has been everything but easy. Transferring to a prestigious academic and athletic institution meant working harder than ever before. From completing 60 credit hours in a year to countless hours of training, I look at every challenge as a test of how far I can go. Of course, besides all the hard work, there have been endless memories made with people that I am thankful for. My teammates becoming family, attending my first football game, representing Baylor Athletics at the Big 12 Career Tour and competing at Indoor Nationals are just a few.

Baylor is a special place to me. It's a place where everyone, from coaches to advisors to professors, want you to succeed and achieve the potential we all have. The culture here is built different. It's built on bringing out the best in people, something that is rare in college athletics, and that's why I love it here.

Special Thanks
I wanted to start this off by thanking my current head coach, Michael Woodson. He has gifted me an opportunity to be part of the best athletic department in the United States and has believed in me every day before, and during, my time as a Baylor Bear. He has taught me invaluable lessons, whether through the countless books he recommends, or through the conversations we have on the court. I can always turn to him, and he will go out of his way to help me find a solution. I will always be grateful for his guidance and trust in me.

Secondly, I wanted to thank my previous coach, Matthew Barlow. He taught me how to believe in myself and my abilities on and off court. He pushed me to always strive for more. Coach Barlow is one of the people that played a crucial role in my journey to becoming a Baylor Bear, and I am truly thankful.

Lastly, I wanted to thank my family and friends, as they are the ones who always pushed me to be more than what I thought I could be. Without their constant help, guidance and support, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Reflection and Gratitude
My year at Baylor has been unforgettable, a dream come true for me. I have grown so much as a person and as a player and am forever grateful for the opportunity I have received to give my all to something greater than myself.

At the same time, I know I wouldn't be here without the institutions that shaped me, the friends I have made along the way and everyone I have said goodbye to. To all of you, thank you, and I love you dearly.

Knowing that my time as a student-athlete is coming to an end makes me sad, but while this chapter is closing, I know that everything I have experienced up until now has prepared me for the next chapter of my life, one I'm excited to attack.

Sic 'em Bears forever!

DREAM COME TRUE

Players Mentioned

Quintan Van Wijk

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DREAM COME TRUE

Players Mentioned

Quintan Van Wijk

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