Strong Youth Project Research Assistants

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.

Sara Diener
Sara Diener grew up in Draper, Utah. She is a senior in Digital Marketing at Utah Valley University. Sara was exposed to the challenges of youth sports when she worked as a middle school cross country coach. She is passionate about helping the rising generation have a balanced sports experience. When she is not studying, she enjoys running, hiking, climbing, paddleboarding, swimming, and anything else you can do in the sun.

Callie Rae Floyd
Callie Rae Floyd is a Senior in the Dance BA program with a minor in Gerontology, graduating this April. She will begin her Doctorate of Physical Therapy this May at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX. Her goal is to specialize in Dance Kinesiology and the Schroth method of physical therapy for scoliosis. She is from Dallas, TX, loves staying active, and has been dancing for the past 16 years. Callie works as a PT Aide, Teaching Assistant, is currently getting trained as a STOTT Pilates instructor, and has been a member of various BYU dance companies, including DancEnsemble and Kinnect.

Kaitlyn Heilner
Kaitlyn Heilner is a Junior at BYU studying Exercise Science and Marketing. She is from Wilsonville, OR, and loves the beautiful outdoors. She grew up playing soccer, volleyball, swimming, running, and biking. She currently coaches middle school XC, has taught swim lessons, and loves to help encourage youth sports participation. In her free time, she loves to spend time with friends and family playing pickleball, hiking, and traveling.

Blake Lee
Blake Lee is currently studying microbiology at BYU with plans to apply to dental 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!

Makayla Gent
Makayla Gent is from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a senior 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.

Julia Hammond
Julia Hammond is from Eugene, Oregon and loves to be hiking in forests or kayaking down rivers. She is a senior at BYU majoring in Exercise Science with plans to attend OT school after graduating. Julia also loves playing soccer and basketball and works as a Program Coordinator for BYU Intramural Sports.

Spencer Jones
Spencer Jones was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona. He is a Senior studying Exercise Science at BYU and plans to attend Physical Therapy School. He enjoys weightlifting, pickleball, and working with youth athletes. Spencer served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Alyssa Price
Alyssa Price 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 currently in her first year of the Masters of Athletic Training Program at BYU.

Jordan Searle
Jordan Searle is a Junior at BYU studying Exercise Sciences, planning to attend 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 sophomore 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.

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.

Kaleb Augat
Kaleb grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. As an avid soccer player, he was able to play NCAA Division I before a career-ending injury. Since then, he has worked as a health coach, personal trainer, and is a former head coach & head of human performance at the Utah Red Wolves USL Soccer Academy. He is currently a soccer coach in Utah County and is working toward a B.S. in Psychology at Utah Valley University, with the hopes of becoming a Clinical Sport Psychologist.