Ty VanderWall '26 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ty VanderWall and I am from Grandville, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. It would be a privilege to play collegiate water polo while gaining an education for my long-term future. I am a very coachable athlete and am a versatile player with my main position being an attacking driver. I also can fill other roles in the pool that the team needs based on my size and strength. Playing for any team and being a valuable team-player for me, ranks higher over individual successes and accolades. Success also comes through helping my teammates grow while creating a larger interest in water polo as a sport. I try to lead by example, am very outgoing and well liked amongst my peers and other competitors. 

I whole-heartedly believe that work in the classroom and work in the pool are like bread and butter to each other; balancing the levels of academic discipline and athletics like no other. As a straight-A student and one of the top ranked students in my class, taking multiple AP classes each year, I strive to challenge my knowledge and interests, even post-college. I have a great interest in studying Kinesiology and Psychology in college while following in the footsteps of family members and attending a chiropractic school in my future. 

I have goals and aspirations of playing water polo at as high a level as possible in college and helping grow the sport for future generations. Ever since a young age, I’ve grown up in and around the pool. From traveling with my dad for officiating games and competing in both a swim club and water polo club nearly year-round, I have fallen in love with the water. Both of my parents played water polo at the varsity level in college and during my 7th grade year, I started to get more involved and serious about competing against the highest level of competition I could while learning many different play styles. One thing I value very much in life is the journey not the destination. I love the grind and while enjoying the ride, I am and will continue to create lifetime memories and lifelong friends.