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Strength and conditioning staff
Jake Anderson, CSCS
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator
Director, Ron Schipper Fitness Center
Jake Anderson is in his fifth year as strength and conditioning coordinator at Central College.
The Atlantic native is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Anderson received a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports medicine at Iowa State University. He earned a master's degree in higher education at The University of Iowa.
Anderson was a graduate assistant at Iowa with the football staff, helping implement the athletics department's strength and conditioning programs and assisting in speed, agility and conditioning training. He worked closely with Hawkeye football strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle.
At Iowa State, Anderson was a student assistant strength and conditioning coach for Olympic sports. He implemented workouts for all Olympic sports teams and was the primary assistant for men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, baseball, volleyball and diving. Anderson designed year-round strength and conditioning programs as well as various exercises that are now incorporated into the programs.
Tim Bates
Head assistant coach
Tim Bates is in his fourth year as a strength and conditioning coach and his second as the head assistant coach. A Lakeville, Minn. native, Bates is a Central graduate with a political science degree. He served in the U.S. military in Afghanistan for three years, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service.
Coach Anderson says: “Tim’s contributions to Central Strength have been critical to all of the Central athletics teams’ success. Tim’s past history has trained him well to be a solid leader and motivator. His knowledge of strength and conditioning as well as his leadership has been critical to the overall growth of the department.”
Joe Niehaus
Director of internship program
Joe Niehaus, an Oskaloosa native, is in his third year as the director of the internship program for the strength and conditioning team and is an exercise science major at Central.
Coach Anderson says: “Joe is one of the internship curriculum supervisors and has served a major role in preparing and developing students interested in strength and conditioning as a career path. For the past two years Joe has designed and implemented programs for the Central men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball and the track and field throwers as well as assisting with the other sports teams.”
Tom Hartshorn
Head intern
Tom Hartshorn is in his third year as an intern strength and conditioning coach and second as the head intern. The Carlisle native is an exercise science major.
Coach Anderson says: “Tom is one of the internship curriculum supervisors and has served a major role in preparing and developing those interested in strength and conditioning as a career path. Tom has a true passion for strength and conditioning and his ability to research and apply his knowledge is extraordinary. He has interned with the University of Iowa and gained a great deal of knowledge through his experience there. Tom has designed programs for the Central volleyball team as well as assist the other sports teams.”
Ryann Engholm
Student intern
Ryann Engholm is in her second year as an intern strength and conditioning coach and is majoring in exercise science. A member of the Central softball team, Engholm is from Bloomington, Minn.
Coach Anderson says: “Ryann has developed an extensive knowledge base and coaching skills over the past two years and continues to gain more and more coaching responsibility. She has proven to be a solid leader on the softball team as well as in the weight room as a coach. Ryann has displayed a passion and dedication that has been infectious as she continues to challenge our athletes.”
Matt Paja
Student intern
Matt Paja, of Stockton, Ill., is in his second year as an intern strength and conditioning coach, majoring in exercise science.
Coach Anderson says: “Matt has developed significantly over the past two years and in doing so has taken over the reigns of our men’s basketball strength program. His skills have been vital in continuing to develop and challenge our student-athletes.”
Ricky Ramirez
Student intern
Ricky Ramirez is in his second year as an intern strength and conditioning coach. An exercise science major, Ramirez is from Oswego, Ill.
Coach Anderson says: “Ricky came a long way in his first year as an intern and is ready to take on more responsibility. Ricky is designing programs for men’s and women’s tennis as well as assisting with the other sports teams.”
Charlie Eastlund
Student intern
Charlie is in his second year as an intern strength and conditioning coach. An exercise science major and a member of the Dutch baseball team, Eastlund is from Boone.
Coach Anderson says: “Charlie is a great guy to be around. He is always modeling our beliefs both as a student-athlete and as a strength coach. His responsibilities continue to grow and his impact has been tremendous both inside and outside the weight room.”