Linfield University Athletics

JUNIOR
Dean’s List recipient.
Studied abroad in Japan for Food and Health Innovations.
Interned at Hollingsworth Performance.
CSC Academic All-District.
Secured third in the 200 medley and the 400 medley relay at the NWC Championships.
Placed fifth in the 400 free relay at the NWC Championships.
Placed sixth in the 200IM at the NWC Championships.
Placed seventh in the 400IM at the NWC Championships.
Placed eighth in the 200 butterfly at the NWC Championships.
ALL-NWC Second Team in the 400IM, 200IM, 200 butterfly, 200 and 400 medley relay.
 
SOPHOMORE
Letter winner.
CSC academic All-District Honors.
First-Team All-NWC Honors in the 400 IM.
Secon-Team All-NWC Honors in the 400 medley and 400 freestyle relay.
Secured an eighth-place finish with a personal-best time of 1:58.32 in the 200 butterfly at the NWC Championships on February 11.
First-place finisher in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:59.34 at home on January 26. 
Clocked a season-best time of 1:59.69 worthy of a first-place finish in the 200 IM at George Fox on Janauary 20.
Nabbed a first-place finish in the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:38.10 at Willamette on January 27. 
Third-place finish with a season-best team-time of 3:35.41 in the 400 medley relay at the NWC Championships on February 9, moving the foursome into no. 5 on the all-time Linfield ladder.
First-place finish with a team-time of 3:36.16 in the 400 medley relay at home on January 26.
Clocked a team-time of 3:37.22 to finish in first in the 400 medley relay at George Fox on January 20.
 
FRESHMAN
Placed third at the NWC Championships in the 200 IM with a time of 1:54.84.
Member of the fifth place team at the NWC Championships in the 800 freestyle relay with a time of 6:59.52.
Placed sixth at the NWC Championships in the 400 IM with a time of 4:12.25.
Swam a personal best in the 400 IM with a time of 4:12.07 at the NWC Championships.
 
KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL
Scholar-Athlete.
Graduated with honors.
Four-time varsity letter winner in swimming.
Three-time varsity letter winner in cross country.
School Record hinder in the 100 butterfly with a time of 51.83.
State Finalist in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM placing second in both.
NISCA Academic All-American.
4 year "Ironman" status - met every WA state 2A division State qualifying time standard.
KHS most valuable swimmer three straight seasons.
Team Captain for two seasons.
 
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Majoring in exercise science.
Son of Petra and Steve Velie.
 
WHAT ARE THE REASONS YOU CHOSE TO ATTEND LINFIELD?
I chose Linfield because I wanted the balance between sports and education. Many schools I looked at fit that description, so I chose to come down and visit after coach Kyle extended an invitation to spend a weekend with the team on campus. I met many of the team members, and through meeting them I got attached to Linfield and the people here ever since. 
 
HOW HAS PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON?
Participating in sports has made me goal oriented, taught me the importance of discipline, and taught me the importance of camaraderie. 
 
WHAT’S THE BEST LINFIELD CLASS YOU’VE TAKEN? 
The best class at Linfield I have taken was my abroad trip in Jan term of '25. We got to explore loads of cities around Tokyo and Kyoto, eat amazing food, meet some awesome people, and see breathtaking cultural sites (Shoutout to JD, Yumi, and Meg!). As for a class on the McMinnville campus, CHEM 300 - Art of science and brewing was one of a kind. We learned about al the different types of beer, brewed our own beer, and bottled and tasted everybody's brew.
 
WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INSPIRATION IN YOUR LIFE? WHY HAS HE OR SHE BEEN SO INFLUENTIAL?
The greatest inspiration in my life has been my high school coach, Mark. By the time I had reached high school swimming, I had been competing in the sport for 9 years, year-round, and was getting burnt out. Mark obviously want me to swim and succeed, but urged me to try out other sports and swim more seasonally. He helped me get into my current rhythm of how I prepare for the season and fall back in love with the sport I started out with. He instilled the "process mindset" into everything I do in sport and in life.
 
THE GREATEST PRINCIPLE I’VE LEARNED WHILE COMPETING IN ATHLETICS AT LINFIELD HAS BEEN… 
You've gotta set the tone. If that means for the first relay of the meet you swim a best time and blow the other team out of the water, you do it. If it means sitting down and having a serious heart-to-heart with someone to have a great season, you do it. How you start sets the tone for the rest of your experience - set it right.
 
AS A LINFIELD STUDENT-ATHLETE, MY GOALS INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY FOR MY TEAM ARE… 
Individually, my goals are to break a school record and just have fun competing. For the team, I want us to reach that top 3 team in the conference and throw down with the Washington schools. All the while, I want the team to enjoy their time together and enjoy the process.