Florida Atlantic University Athletics
From Belgium to Boca: Daniel Laureyssens Leaves His Mark
5/6/2026 11:01:00 AM | Academics
76 Spring Graduates
“You put years into this sport. Training, sacrifices, everything,” he said. “At some point, you realize you can’t quit. You want to reach the top of it.”
There is something to be said about taking a leap into the unknown and making it count. Since arriving to the United States, senior swimmer Daniel Laureyssens has done exactly that, turning uncertainty into one of the most decorated careers in Florida Atlantic swimming & diving history.
The Brasschaat, Belgium native did not always have a clear path forward. Back home, balancing academics and high-level swimming proved difficult, leaving him unsure of what came next.
“I was going into my senior year with no idea what I was going to do,” Laureyssens said. “I wanted to keep swimming, but I didn’t know how that would work.”
That changed when an opportunity to compete in the United States presented itself. After beginning his collegiate career at St. Thomas University, Laureyssens quickly adapted to a new culture, new level of competition, and a new way of viewing his sport.
That shift paid off early. Laureyssens emerged as what his coach called a “dark horse,” eventually capturing national titles and helping St. Thomas secure a national championship.
He carried that same mentality with him to Florida Atlantic and elevated it.
Over his time with FAU, Laureyssens has rewritten the record books. A school record holder in nine events, including the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle, he established himself as one of the most versatile swimmers in program history. His 2025-26 season alone saw him earn ASUN Male Most Outstanding Swimmer honors while capturing five gold medals at the conference championships on the way to earning the men’s team’s first conference championship.
Individually, Laureyssens became the first male Owl since 2006 to qualify for the NCAA Championships, competing in both the 50 and 200 free.
But for Laureyssens, the success was never just about the accolades.
“You put years into this sport. Training, sacrifices, everything,” he said. “At some point, you realize you can’t quit. You want to reach the top of it.”
That same drive went beyond the pool. As an international business major, Laureyssens learned to balance the demands of academics and athletics, developing a discipline that shaped him both as a student and as a competitor.
“At the beginning, it was difficult,” he said. “But you learn how to manage your time. You figure it out.”
Laureyssens' commitment to the classroom was recognized by Florida Atlantic, receiving the prestigious honor of Student Athlete of the Year.
His journey has also been one of personal growth. Moving thousands of miles from home forced Laureyssens to step outside of his comfort zone, build new relationships, and grow into the person he is today.
“You’re forced into a new world,” he said. “You meet new people, create bonds, and learn to open up more.”
As his collegiate career comes to a close, Laureyssens is still processing what it all means.
“It’s kind of weird,” he said. “You get used to this lifestyle for four years. It doesn’t feel real yet that it’s coming to an end.”
Following graduation, Laureyssens will return to Belgium to compete at nationals, with his sights set on qualifying for the European Championships and continuing his pursuit of international competition. With long-term goals that include competing on the Olympic stage, his journey in the pool is far from over.
When reflecting on his time at FAU, Laureyssens hopes his impact goes beyond records and medals.
“I want to be remembered as a teammate you could rely on,” he said. “Someone who was there for others, but also someone who performed.”
And if he could offer advice to the younger version of himself, the one still in Belgium, unsure of what came next, it would be simple.
“Never quit. Trust the process,” he said. “And just have fun. It’ll work out.”
The Graduates
Alex Atcavage, football
Danny Baez, baseball
Jada Bolhuis, indoor and outdoor track & field
Alexis Burns, cheer
Gianni Carlino, men’s swimming and diving
Cica Carvalho, women’s swimming and diving
Caleb Chapman, men’s soccer
Bernice Chau, dance and SAAC President
Rush Clark, men’s swimming & diving
Eli Conway, men’s soccer
Daniella Diaz, women’s soccer
CJ Doggette Jr., football
Megan Drover-Smith, women’s swimming & diving
Sara Faulkenberry, dance
Ella Freeman, women’s swimming & diving
Paul Glick, men’s cross country
Guilherme Grinberg, men’s golf
Kayla Groppe, women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field
Yani Guzman, softball
Leon Hart Jr., football
Ellie Hogan, dance
Michelle Horan, women’s soccer
Madison Inscoe, softball
Mia June, dance
Zach Kilby, baseball
Okino King, football
Cameron Knifton, beach volleyball
Ainsley Lambert, softball
Bryce Langston, football
Daniel Laureyssens, men’s swimming & diving
Meredith Lauther, cheer
Jackson Lee, football
Marshall Lipsey, baseball
Paris Lugo, dance
Madison Micioni, women’s soccer
Xavier Moronta, baseball
Tyler Murphy, baseball
Dylan Oborne, baseball
The Graduates
Andreas Raisanen, men’s soccer
Nick Romano, baseball
Michiyah Simmons, women’s basketball
Rocco Simonelli, men’s swimming & diving
Adrianna Mier, women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field
Kendall Mignerey, beach volleyball
Earl Miller, football
Emma Morris, cheer
McKenna Mulholland, softball
Isabel O’Brien, women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field
Cameryn Orland, softball
Kaleb Palm, men’s golf
Maja Piotrowicz, women’s swimming & diving
Anabell Reumann, women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field
Kayla Richardson, volleyball
Simone Rivard-Roberts, women’s soccer
Amelia Robertson, women’s swimming & diving
Yasemine Safargar, women’s swimming & diving
Maya Shanok, women’s tennis
Enyce Sledge, football
Payne Smith, men’s swimming & diving
Presley Staretz, women’s swimming & diving
Kate Stoughton, beach volleyball
Savannah Stroop, cheer
Kristina Syragkis, women’s soccer
Rosa ten Berg, women’s cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field
Enrique Toro, men’s cross country
Kerfalla Toure, men’s soccer
Aura Vilarrasa, women’s swimming & diving
Ednilson Violes, men’s soccer
Ariana Waldron, dance
Haley Walker, women’s basketball
Patrick Ward, baseball
Christoff Weiss, men’s swimming & diving
Brooke Wilkens, dance
Dillion Williams, football
Chloe Yeatts, softball
Sebastian Zettl, men’s soccer
