Central College’s strength and conditioning program is adding Monica Ruiz as assistant strength and conditioning coach, due to a unique partnership recently announced with Pella Community High School. The 2016 Central graduate most recently served as assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of New Haven, where she received a master’s degree in sport management. She begins her new role May 12 and will help provide a strength and conditioning program for Pella High School’s student-athletes. Pella Activities Director Matt Fouch says the partnership is made possible through support from Pella Corporation and the shareholder family, as well as the Pella High School Athletic Booster Club.

The year-round program will provide the high school’s student-athletes training and education in physical health, nutrition and mental health. It will also provide Central’s strength and conditioning students internship opportunities in the profession. Central students majoring in exercise science can choose strength and conditioning as an area of emphasis and the college has numerous graduates in the profession. Ruiz joins a Central staff led by head strength and conditioning coordinator Kyle Johnson and assistant Charles Friday. While at Central, Ruiz was a strength and conditioning intern and was a four-time letterwinner in women’s track and field, gaining all-America honors after helping the Dutch place seventh in the 4×400-meter relay at the NCAA Division III Championships.