Ryan Metzger, a 2011 U-W-O graduate, and strength and conditioning coach at Clemson University was recently honored with this award. During Metzger’s time here at UW- Oshkosh, she competed in gymnastics and majored in exercise science and health promotion with a minor in strength and conditioning. According to Craig Biwer, the strength and conditioning program director, he described Metzger as a “great role model,” he says she “was always ready to work hard, she never complained and was enjoyable to be around.” Her hard work not only transferred to her time in Gymnastics but also to her success in life now.
During Metzger’s graduate program at the University of Kentucky, she began competing in Olympic style lifting and was successful very early on. She had qualified for national competitions during her first year of competing which was 2012. As stated first by UW Oshkosh Today, “During the nine-plus years she’s competed, she has been named a national champion in the snatch lift, where a barbell is lifted from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion.” She still competes today while coaching at Clemson university for the women’s soccer and softball programs. She most recently competed in the 2021 American Open Finals in Denver in December.
Metzger completed her master’s degree at Kentucky and accepted a full-time coaching position at Virginia Commonwealth University. After working nearly 4 years at Virginia, she accepted her current position as the senior assistant at Clemson University in South Carolina. She is also the intern director where she is “responsible for the development and mentorship of interns who are learning about strength and conditioning and coaching at the collegiate level.”
Some advice from Metzger to students who are interested in going into this field, she says “students wanting to get into the field need to know it takes a high level of commitment. There will be long hours, minimal recognition and times when the role is misunderstood. But you also get to build relationships and have an impact on young people during one of the most memorable times of their lives.” Metzger is making her mark at Clemson while sharing her knowledge and skills with students who will be future professionals in the field. Her time at UW Oshkosh as a gymnast and kinesiology student set the foundation for all of her success.
By Emma Sauriol
