Prior to SVSU/Personal: Received varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track at Kenowa Hills High School...prepped at quarterback and defensive back positions under Coach VanEssen freshman through senior years...earned all-conference, all-area Advance, Grand Rapids Press Dream Team, honorable mention All-State Division II in 2008...set school records for most touchdowns with 21, yards rushing with 1,158, and yards passing with 1,220...Honorable mention all-conference, All-Area Advance and Grand Rapids Press Dream Team in 2007...set school records in track in 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter relay and 800 meter relay and was all-conference in 2007....elected football and basketball captain junior and senior years...four year academic athlete...three year honor roll member...major is currently undecided...son of Scott and Marcia Van Essen...born on 05/26/90.