UBC and Western early favourites for Sun Devils’ Dykstra

Mark Dykstra has only been playing football for two years but this South Delta Sun Devil has made up for any lost time in very short order. This class of 2014 prospect has already contributed to the Sun Devils’ 2012 perfect season and Provincial Championship victory, and is looking forward to a future balancing sports and academics. 

Mark Dykstra

Positions:
Defensive Back, Receiver, Kicker

Height/Weight:
6’0, 165lbs

Teams:
South Delta Rams
South Delta Sun Devils

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Consideration:
British Columbia, Western, Open

Class:
2014

Mark Dykstra isn’t like most of the other young Canadians out there across the country from Campbell River to Goose Bay playing high school football, and he will proudly tell you this himself.

“My football background isn’t like most, if not all, the write ups I have read on this site,” Mark says, “I only started playing football two years ago for the South Delta Rams. I fell in love with the game instantly. From there I decided to take the lead into high school football and played for the South Delta Sun Devils this past season, and will continue to play for the Sun Devils this coming season.”

The 6’0’’, 165 pound Dykstra was born in Vancouver before moving with his family to South Delta thirteen years ago. Despite only beginning to play football two years ago, Mark has been a devoted athlete, participating in soccer, baseball, and track and describing himself as an “overly avid back country skier.” Since finding his football home in South Delta and falling in love with the game Mark has taken up several roles for the Sun Devils.

“I play defensive back and receiver, as well as some kicking here and there.”

During his short time on the gridiron Mark rates this past championship season with the Sun Devils has his most memorable moment in football. The Sun Devils had a perfect season, unbeaten in the eleven starts of the regular season before triumphing over the Mission Roadrunners 31-14 at B.C. Place Stadium.

Having made a relatively late start into the world of Canadian football, Mark’s success on the field and passion for the game could prove inspiring to others who have been wary about their chances on the field.

“I feel that football in Canada is progressing well,” Mark says, “Many young kids have a love for the sport that they will carry with them that will help the future of football in Canada into what it should be.”

Dykstra has been one of those kids inspired to a love of football and credits the camaraderie he has found on the Sun Devils with keeping him focused and driving him to constantly improve.

“The most influential people in both my life and in football are, without a doubt, my friends and teammates,” Mark says, “They constantly push me to be better and have the mindset to never be ok with anything less than I am capable of.”

Dykstra will be graduating from South Delta Secondary School in 2014, and is presently planning to make the transition from high school into university. But his university plans haven’t progressed any further so far.

“Although I have not picked any favourites, I have always admired UBC and Western for their balance of both academics and athletics,” Mark says, “I have not committed to any school.”

Despite his passion for football, Dykstra is planning to keep his focus on balancing athletics with his academics, regardless of which university he finds himself at.

“I pride myself in my schooling and look at a school for its academics more than anything else. I have a 90% grade average and would like to carry that into a post-secondary education that is more than only football.”

(Max Olesen’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/WritingOlesen)

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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