In-Season Resistance Training for Collegiate Women’s Soccer
Ryan Metzger, recipient of the 2022 NSCA Assistant College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year, arrives to Rocky Top after serving as the Senior Assistant of Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning at Clemson University since June of 2019.? While at Clemson, Metzger was directly responsible for the strength and conditioning efforts of Women’s Soccer and Softball as well as having direct oversight of all volunteer interns. Metzger has experienced success with both Women’s Soccer and Softball while at Clemson.? Women’s Soccer advanced to the Elite Eight in the 2020 NCAA Tournament; their deepest run since 2006 and Softball captured the 2021 ACC Regular Season Championship in the program’s first complete season. Before her time at Clemson, Metzger served as an Assistant Sports Performance Coach at Virginia Commonwealth University.? During her time at VCU, Metzger was directly responsible for field hockey, women’s lacrosse, cross country and track and field; she was also the intern director for Olympic sports. While at VCU, the Rams track and field team captured 5 conference championships. Prior to VCU, Metzger served as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Kentucky. Metzger worked with several programs including Football, Women’s Basketball, Volleyball and Women’s Soccer. Metzger also earned her Master’s in Exercise Physiology while at Kentucky. Metzger, who was a gymnast at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, earned her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and Health Promotion with a minor in Strength and Conditioning in 2011. In addition, she served as an intern strength and conditioning coach working primarily with Football. Metzger has continued to stay competitive in athletics and currently competes in Olympic Weightlifting.?She has competed in multiple National events and managed to earn a handful of National medals, most recently finishing 2nd?in the snatch and 3rd?in total at the 2018 American Open Finals. She competes in the 55kg class and frequently ranks among the top 10 in the nation for that weight class. Metzger currently holds SCCC, CSCS and RSCC certifications through the CSCCa and NSCA. She is also a Level 1 Sports Performance Coach through USAW and is FMS Level 1 certified, FCS certified as well as being First Aid/CPR/AED certified.
