{"id":39715,"date":"2026-10-22T14:28:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T18:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=39715"},"modified":"2026-10-23T08:56:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T12:56:17","slug":"tristyn-edsall-gross-17-2026-athletic-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/alumni\/awards-nominations\/athletic-hall-of-fame\/tristyn-edsall-gross-17-2026-athletic-hall-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"Tristyn (Edsall) Gross \u201917 \u2014 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tristyn (Edsall) Gross \u201917 <\/h1>\n\n\n
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\"Tristyn<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Before we get to Tristyn Gross\u2019s Hall of Fame stats, it\u2019s worth starting with what has always mattered most to her: family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family, in fact, is what first drew her to K. After watching her sister, Taryn, have such a positive experience as a Hornet, Tristyn knew she wanted to follow in her footsteps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But by the time Tristyn arrived on campus, her definition of family had already begun to grow. During her college visit, she found that same sense of belonging among the swim team. \u201cThe swim team immediately felt like family,\u201d she explains, \u201cand that solidified my decision to come to K.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That feeling only deepened over the years. One of her fondest K memories is Cafsgiving, the annual pre-Thanksgiving cafeteria meal. For her the tradition was about far more than food. \u201cOur team would be among the first in line so that we could gather around the long table and share a meal together,\u201d says Tristyn. \u201cIt truly felt like a family Thanksgiving.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it\u2019s no surprise that when Tristyn was asked to name the people who mattered most, \u201cfamily\u201d extended beyond the traditional definition. She included her parents, Don and Georgia; her sister, Taryn; her husband, Morgan; and her daughter, Adelaide. And she expanded that circle to her relay teammates, too: Colleen Orwin, Ellen Nereux and Christina Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, about those stats! Tristyn earned all-conference honors every year she swam. She was named the MIAA\u2019s most valuable swimmer her sophomore season, the first female Hornet to earn that honor. She won at least one conference championship in five events: 100 breaststroke; 200 medley relay; 400 medley relay; 50 freestyle; and 200 freestyle relay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tristyn qualified for the NCAA Division III national championships all four of her seasons, and she earned honorable mention All-American honors in the 200 medley her junior year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her academic success stacks as high as her excellence in the pool. She majored in business and earned a minor in psychology. Her Senior Integrated Project developed a plan that large urban areas (say, the size of Grand Rapids) could use to increase swimming instruction and water safety education for underserved youth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tristyn\u2019s senior capstone class team developed a new product line for the company Stormy Kromer. Teams presented their product ideas to the class\u2019s professors and to company representatives. And, she says, \u201cStormy Kromer ultimately took our winning concept into production.\u201d The company now offers pet products in their merchandise lineup, \u201cmaking it exciting to see a classroom project evolve into a real-world business success,\u201d says Tristyn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Real world” is exactly the word Tristyn uses to describe K\u2019s impact on her life. \u201cThe College prepared me for the real world,\u201d she says. \u201cIt pushed me to think creatively, strengthen my marketing skills and refine my ability to present and defend ideas in a professional setting.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is preparation that has served her well. Tristyn currently serves as consumer care content coordinator for BISSELL Homecare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tristyn’s Athletic Achievements at Kalamazoo College<\/strong><\/summary>
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