Strength & Conditioning Staff

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Justin D. Snyder, MS, PES, CSCS

Justin was hired by Simpson College in January 2006 and is the first full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach in the school’s history.

The Panora, Iowa native is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Justin is also a certified Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

Snyder received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Central College and earned his masters of science degree in injury prevention and performance enhancement from California University of Pennsylvania.

Snyder has been a professional in the field of strength and conditioning since 2001. During that time he has owned/operated a private strength and conditioning business and interned with Iowa State University, Drake University, and Central College. He has designed, implemented and administered year round strength and conditioning programs for athletes in a wide variety of sports at the high school and collegiate level since 2001, training himself for over 20 years.

Snyder also played college football for four years and was selected as a first team all-American defensive-end. He led the nation in sacks by a defensive-end that year with 21, as well as leading the conference in tackles for lost yardage.

Snyder resides with wife Lindsa and son Wyatt in Des Moines, Iowa.

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach - Becca Carstensen

Becca was hired as an assistant strength and conditioning coach during the summer of 2007. She also became a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in the summer of 2007. A 2005 UW-Eau Claire graduate, she lettered in basketball and became an All-American volleyball player.

Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach - Nate Seberg

Nathan graduated from Simpson College in the spring of 2007 with a degree in sports administration and management. He was a three-year letter winner for Simpson as a defensive lineman and also a three-time Academic All-Conference recipient.

Undergraduate Assistant Coach - Zach Haworth

Zach is a sophomore at Simpson and comes from Indianola High School. He is undecided with his major at this point but is leaning toward exercise science and business management. Zach looks to one day be a collegiate strength and conditioning coach. This is his second year with the department. Zach also plays offensive line for the Storm.

Undergraduate Assistant Coach - Martha Davis

Martha is a senior from Red Oak, Iowa. She is majoring in sports administration and plans to earn a coaching certificate. In the future Martha plans to work with a college or professional team in the sports administration department. Martha has been a varsity competitor for the Simpson women’s tennis team for three seasons.

Undergraduate Assistant Coach - Ryan Napoli

Ryan is a sophomore from Kansas City, Missouri. He is majoring in exercise science with a minor is sports administration. Ryan wrestles for Simpson and plans to one day become a strength and conditioning coach.

Intern Assistant Coach - Scott Danielson

Scott is a sophomore from SE Webster, Iowa. He is majoring in physical education with a minor in exercise science. He loves the weight room and is considering becoming a strength and conditioning coach someday.

Intern Assistant Coach - Kayla Knaack

Kayla is a junior at Simpson from Correctionville, Iowa. She attended River Valley High School. She is majoring in biology and minoring in exercise science and planning on earning a coaching certificate. In the future Knaack plans on going on to chiropractic school and possibly being a chiropractor for a sports team. Kayla has been a varsity thrower for track and field for the last two years. She is one of Simpson's strongest female athletes.

Intern Assistant Coach - Michael Owens

Michael graduated from North High School in Des Moines in 2004. Owens played football for Iowa Central Community College for two years while earning his associate’s degree, which he received in 2006. After finishing at ICCC, Owens then transferred to Simpson College to attain his bachelor’s degree in sports administration. He was part of the Simpson football program for two seasons, gaining experience at linebacker and on the defensive line. Michael will be helping out during the spring semester of 2008 as an intern.

Intern Assistant Coach - Robert Napoli

Robert is a sophomore here at Simpson from St. Pius X High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Napoli plans on majoring in marketing and minoring in sports administration and exercise science. Robert wants to get his coaching license and plans on working in the marketing profession for a sports team or sports equipment manufacturer but is also strongly considering being a strength and conditioning coach. He also plays on the defensive line for the Storm.

Last Updated: 4/7/08