SEATTLE – Seattle University Athletics has announced the addition of two new hires on its Athletic Performance staff, featuring Aaron Sanchez as the Head Athletic Performance Coach and Rachel Wicklund as the Associate Athletic Performance Coach.
Sanchez joins Seattle U after spending a year and a half with Breaking Force LLC, working primarily with clients for men's tennis, women's soccer and National Football League athletes. Sanchez was responsible for executing rehab and strength protocols as well as program nutritional and supplementation plans for specific calorie and macronutrient goals.
Sanchez has prior experience working in collegiate athletics, serving as the strength & conditioning and sports science coach for the Washington Football team (2021) and as the assistant offensive line coach and strength & conditioning coach at Linfield University in McMinnvilee, Oregon from 2015-17.
A graduate of Linfield University in 2015, Sanchez earned his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science before going on to get his M.S. in Biokinesiology from Southern California in 2019. Sanchez has also served as a performance coach for the Seattle Sounders (2019-20) and Portland Timbers (2019) of Major League Soccer.
"Aaron possess a wealth of knowledge, from both a research and practical perspective," said Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Athlete Services Eric Guerra. "He will bring a high level of teaching and competitiveness. In addition to helping our teams win championships, Aaron's experiences and insight will help our student athletes grow personally and professionally."
Wicklund makes the short move to Seattle U from Seattle Pacific, having spent two years as the head of strength and conditioning. Wicklund oversaw the development of the men's basketball and soccer as well as the women's basketball, soccer, volleyball and rowing.
A graduate of Seattle Pacific's Exercise Science program in 2020, Wicklund has also served as a personal trainer at Flow Fitness Seattle (2020-21), olympic strength and conditioning intern at Washington (2020) and an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Ballard High School (2019-20).
"Rachael is an outstanding teacher and motivator," said Guerra. "Her Seattle roots run deep, and she emulates the mission of the university. Rachael has exceptional organization and planning skills, and she brings incredible energy to the Athletic Performance Center."
Also joining the athletic performance staff is graduate assistant Bennett Cleveland. Cleveland comes to Seattle U after earning his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions from Creighton University in 2022.
"Bennett made an immediate impact this summer," said Guerra. "We are excited for him to lead several of our teams."
Stay connected with Seattle U athletics and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.
Sanchez joins Seattle U after spending a year and a half with Breaking Force LLC, working primarily with clients for men's tennis, women's soccer and National Football League athletes. Sanchez was responsible for executing rehab and strength protocols as well as program nutritional and supplementation plans for specific calorie and macronutrient goals.
Sanchez has prior experience working in collegiate athletics, serving as the strength & conditioning and sports science coach for the Washington Football team (2021) and as the assistant offensive line coach and strength & conditioning coach at Linfield University in McMinnvilee, Oregon from 2015-17.
A graduate of Linfield University in 2015, Sanchez earned his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science before going on to get his M.S. in Biokinesiology from Southern California in 2019. Sanchez has also served as a performance coach for the Seattle Sounders (2019-20) and Portland Timbers (2019) of Major League Soccer.
"Aaron possess a wealth of knowledge, from both a research and practical perspective," said Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Athlete Services Eric Guerra. "He will bring a high level of teaching and competitiveness. In addition to helping our teams win championships, Aaron's experiences and insight will help our student athletes grow personally and professionally."
Wicklund makes the short move to Seattle U from Seattle Pacific, having spent two years as the head of strength and conditioning. Wicklund oversaw the development of the men's basketball and soccer as well as the women's basketball, soccer, volleyball and rowing.
A graduate of Seattle Pacific's Exercise Science program in 2020, Wicklund has also served as a personal trainer at Flow Fitness Seattle (2020-21), olympic strength and conditioning intern at Washington (2020) and an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Ballard High School (2019-20).
"Rachael is an outstanding teacher and motivator," said Guerra. "Her Seattle roots run deep, and she emulates the mission of the university. Rachael has exceptional organization and planning skills, and she brings incredible energy to the Athletic Performance Center."
Also joining the athletic performance staff is graduate assistant Bennett Cleveland. Cleveland comes to Seattle U after earning his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions from Creighton University in 2022.
"Bennett made an immediate impact this summer," said Guerra. "We are excited for him to lead several of our teams."
Stay connected with Seattle U athletics and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.