Age:  41

   Wife:  Christina

   Daughters:  Brooke 12, Faith 7 and Cheyenne 5

   Hometown:  Turlock, California  

   Occupation:  Full-Time Coach/Private Trainer and Athlete

Coach Vierra returns back to his Alma Mater in late-spring of 2008.  Coach Vierra comes to MJC with 24 years of throwing experience, ranging from youth to Professional level coaching.  During the past 15 years Ryan has also been competing professionally in the Scottish Heavy Events worldwide, where he has won five World Championships and eleven US National Championships (View bio at www.ryanvierra.com).  He competes in 30 plus competitions throughout the year.   Coach Vierra also organizes and instructs throwing clinics all over the world, which provides opportunities to young athletes to learn the skills necessary to become successful in throwing. 

During his brief time at MJC he has coached several athletes to state leading throws in the shot, discus and hammer.  His athletes have produced 6 Conference Titles, 1 Nor Cal Championship, 2 California State Championship Runner-up and 1 School Record. 

1990 to Present – Coach Vierra privately trains athletes in Track & Field, Heavy Events, Olympic Lifting, Football, Volleyball and softball with major focus in sports specific training and conditioning, which focuses primarily on core development and stability.  During that time he’s Coached athletes in the US and abroad to US Championships, Conference Championships and other major titles worldwide.  

1990 to 1992 – Competed for California State University, Northridge on a full Track & Field Scholarship and was coached by one of the best coaches in the USA John Frazier, who is now the head throws coach at the University of Tennessee.  At Northridge Ryan competed in the Shot Put, Hammer and Discus.  During his two years throwing at CSUN he was honored with the best performance award with a throw of 58’2 in the Shot Put at the Reno Indoor Invitational.  He also received the 1991 most Valuable Athlete award for the Team.  As a Junior Ryan produced a 194’4 hammer throw before sustaining a severe back injury that ending his college hammer career.  Although his hammer was cut short Ryan managed to improve on his Shot during his senior year throwing 58’4.      

1987 to 1990 – Competed for Modesto Junior College in Track & Field and Football under the tutelage of Bob (Coach Mac) McKay, who is one of the leading figures in the USA for the throws.  Ryan was a three event State qualifier in the Hammer, Discus and Javelin.  He received All-American status in the Hammer and Discus.  He broke the school records in the Hammer with a throw of 175’2 as a sophomore, and the freshman record, which was held by John Rade (Former 9 year All-Pro Linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons) in the Discus with a throw of 165’0.

Coach Vierra:  "Modesto has a rich history in the throws and I would like to see that continue with athletes that want to work hard to meet their goals to become successful athletically, and more importantly, academically"