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College of Life Sciences
Exercise Sciences

Students

The Strong Youth Project is powered and run by students! We currently have 12 students who love and enjoy working to better the youth sports experience and create healthy, life-long habits. Read about each student in their individual bios below!

Bios

Ben Barton
Ben Barton is an exercise science major with hopes of attending medical school. He is the youngest of 6 kids and was born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hungary. Currently does the decathlon for the BYU Track and Field Team.

Parker Dean
Parker Dean was born and raised in Keizer Oregon. He is currently studying exercise science at BYU. His plans are to go to medical school in the fall of 2025 and specialize in orthopedics. Parker loves his amazing wife and enjoys playing volleyball, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family.

Callie Rae Floyd
Callie Rae Floyd is a sophomore in the Dance BA program with a minor in Gerontology, planning to go to Physical Therapy school in four years to specialize in Dance Kinesiology. She is from Dallas, TX, loves staying active, and has been dancing for the past 14 years. Callie has been a member of various BYU dance companies, including DancEnsemble for the past two semesters and Kinnect last winter and spring.

Makayla Gent
Makayla Gent is from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a sophomore at BYU majoring in exercise science. She loves to weight lift, play soccer and basketball, and go for hikes. Makayla also enjoys learning about nutrition and physical wellness.

Alyssa Higley
Alyssa Higley is from San Antonio, Texas and enjoys all things outdoors. She enjoys trying new foods, listening to music, and working out in any form. She is a junior studying Exercise Science and will be starting the Masters of Athletic Training Program at BYU in the fall.

Christian Hunt
Christian Hunt is from Highland, Utah, and is an Exercise Science Major at BYU. He enjoys running with music (and a half stick of gum in), memoirs, good food, and hiking. He also loves playing soccer and hopes to work in the National Womens Soccer Leauge someday.

Blake Lee
Blake Lee is currently studying microbiology at BYU with plans to apply to medical school in the spring of 2024. He is from Hillsboro, Oregon and enjoys organized sport. Aside from sports, Blake also enjoys singing, beatboxing, playing the piano and ukulele, teaching in the anatomy lab, and working in the Walgreens pharmacy. He is committed to improving the organized sports experience for youth, parents, and coaches in order to promote positive experiences that will lead to lifelong physical activity!

Jordan Searle
Jordan Searle is a Sophomore at BYU studying Exercise Science, planning on attending medical school after graduating from BYU. He was born and raised in Murray, UT, and then served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador and Arkansas. Sports have always been a huge part of his life growing up, especially football, basketball, and skiing.

Jared Steele
Jared Steele is a 2nd year Ph.D candidate in the Exercise Sciences department. He currently works under Dr. Hunter investigating how environmental perturbances alter running mechanics. Jared is also the coach of the BYU running club when he is not in the lab or teaching in the classroom.

Corinne Vorkink
Corinne Vorkink is a freshman at BYU, studying Exercise & Wellness. She was born and raised in Kirksville, Missouri. She is interested in pursuing a career in massage therapy. She has participated competitively in volleyball, basketball, and track & field. She also enjoys music and the outdoors.

Dallin Vorkink
Dallin is a senior at BYU, majoring in Exercise Science and minoring in Spanish and Gerontology. He was born and raised in Kirksville, Missouri, and served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Rosario, Argentina before attending BYU. He is a 2-time All-American decathlete on BYU’s track and field team, and he loves watching and playing almost any sport. He plans on attending medical school in Missouri following graduation.

Peter Williamson
Peter is passionate about sports and athletes. He has personally competed in competitive athletics throughout his life. He was a three sport letterman, competed on the BYU Men's Lacrosse Team in the MCLA National Championship, and continues to play lacrosse at the semi pro level. Additionally, he coaches youth lacrosse across the country as well as at a local high school. Peter will continue his education seeking a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.