distance
Koen de Jong (2008) is an ambitious and disciplined middle- and long-distance runner from the Netherlands who is looking to join a high level college track & field program in the Fall of 2028. Standing at 176 cm (5’9”) and weighing 52 kg (115 lbs), he has a physical profile well-suited for his primary events, the 3000m and 5000m, while also competing in the 1500m, 10 km, and half marathon.
Entry semester
Fall 2028
GPA
3.38
Sat
Coming soon
Toefl
Duolingo
Country
Over the past seasons, Koen has proven himself as a consistent and competitive athlete at both national and international levels. His achievements include a 2nd place finish at the Dutch U18 Championships (3000m) and multiple podium finishes at the Swiss National Championships, including silver medals in the half marathon and the 3x1000m relay. He also placed 6th in the 1500m at the Swiss U18 Championships. This year he also became third at the Swiss championship Up&Down Aigle in the U20, third at the Swiss U20 Championships in the 5k and second at the Dutch U20 Championships in the 3k!
Koen’s strengths lie in his aerobic endurance, ability to handle high training volumes, and strong recovery capacity. He consistently runs between 80–120 kilometers (50–75 miles) per week, incorporating track sessions, VO2 max workouts, strength training, mobility work, and cross-training such as swimming and cycling. He is capable of completing multiple training sessions each week while maintaining a high level of consistency. At the same time he is working on improving his speed, explosiveness, and strength, to be able to finish off a race strong.
What sets Koen apart is his long-term vision and professional approach to the sport. He is committed to consistent, long-term development and sees progress as a result of it. In addition, he is a strong team player who values a positive team culture and thrives in an environment where athletes support and push each other to improve.
Beyond his athletic abilities, Koen is very coachable and eager to learn. He is open to feedback, communicates effectively with his coach, and applies new insights directly into his training and competition. He approaches setbacks as learning opportunities and uses them as motivation to come back stronger, demonstrating mental toughness that is essential for success in endurance sports. Koen is also a very social person. He easily makes friends and also trains younger athletes at his club in his hometown. With his combination of talent, work ethic, international racing experience, and strong mindset, Koen would be a valuable addition to any competitive college program.
Koen was born in the Netherlands but has lived in Switzerland since 2014. Because of that he not only speaks fluent Dutch, but also German, Swiss-German and English.
Koen plans to pursue a college degree in the United States. His intended major is yet to be determined. He is currently in his junior high school year at the Swiss International School Basel where he already pursues his classes in English. His goals are to develop into a successful collegiate athlete, contribute to his team’s success, and elevate his performance to an international level. Long term, he aims to reach his full potential both academically and athletically, with the ultimate goal of competing at the highest level, including the Olympic Games.
