Central College Athletics

Monica Ruiz joined the Central staff as assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2021.

In addition to her work at Central, Ruiz oversees the strength and conditioning program for Pella High School’s student-athletes through support from Pella Corporation, its shareholder family and the Pella Booster Club. The program also provides Central students internship opportunities.

A 2016 Central graduate, Ruiz served from 2017-21 as assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of New Haven (Conn.) where she received a master’s degree in sport management. She was a graduate assistant there in 2016-17 and supervised the university’s summer strength and conditioning training sessions.
 
A competitive lifter as well, in 2019 Ruiz qualified for the USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals in Lombard, Illinois.
 
She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has received CPR, AED and first aid training through the American Red Cross.

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 4x400-meter relay at the NCAA Division III Championships. She was a seven-time Iowa Conference placewinner and three-time NCAA national meet qualifier. Ruiz was a three-time USTFCCCA all-academic honoree and an academic all-conference honoree.