To enhance the well-being and performance of its student athletes, Pella High School has brought on Garret Jansen as its sports nutritionist. The school will be introducing a nutrition program in hopes of enhancing athletic potential and recovery in a fraction of the time. Through adequate refueling, athletes will become people who have created habits for a healthy nutritional lifestyle.

“It is our hope that proper nutrition and training will help keep student athletes healthier, have less injuries and more sustained energy,” said activities director Matt Fouch.

Fouch has been invested in seeing his students succeed in all of their activities and competitions. Fouch knew taking on Garret Jansen would be important for reaching a higher level of performance. His plan is to implement nutrition education into athletes training to give them a way to learn more about what they put into their bodies.

“Garret is a PHS graduate, and we knew he was in the athletic performance and nutrition profession. We met with him several times and it became apparent that he was a great fit for what we are trying to accomplish at PHS,” described Fouch.

Success in this program will look different for individual athletes. Some will utilize this program to further their gains, while others will work to learn the importance of eating the right things. One such athlete at Pella High School is junior Madison Holland. Holland participates in soccer and is very passionate about her role as goalie. She has a very positive outlook on this program for herself and her teammates.

“I think it will make everyone more excited to play and will make everyone more energized to run. I think this program will impact the school by making everyone healthier,” said Holland.

Although most have excitement and high hopes for the new program, some were skeptical about it amidst budget cuts. Emalee Weuve, a Swimmer at the high school, said she thinks Garrett is coming at the “wrong time,” considering an entire department was taken from the school. Fouch later commented that Garret would receive a “stipend” from the Pella High School booster club instead of a full-time hire, which settled the disapproval. The program will continue to develop as the year goes by and will be modified as the athletes begin to use the program.

“We will continue to work with Central College, Garret Jansen, and others to see what our next steps should be regarding nutrition,” said Fouch. “We want to perfect what we are doing before adding more.”