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From High School Star to College Athlete: How Nolan Vis is Taking His Game to the Next Level
Nolan Vis has been a dominant force on the football field for Unity Christian over the past three seasons. A three-year varsity starter at both running back and linebacker, Nolan’s high school career was defined by relentless hard work, leadership, and elite-level play.
His efforts earned him first-team All-Conference honors all three years, All-Region recognition the past two seasons, and a crucial role in leading Unity Christian to a 10-1 season this past fall.
Now, as he prepares to play football at Hope College, Nolan remains dedicated to his training at PowerStrength, where he has spent the past few years sharpening his skills and transforming as an athlete.
BUILDING STRENGTH, SPEED, AND CONFIDENCE
Nolan began training at PowerStrength as a sophomore, recognizing the need to elevate his game to compete at a higher level. The results speak for themselves.
“I have improved a lot. I started coming here my sophomore year, and it’s really helped me get to the next step,” Nolan said.
One of the biggest areas of improvement for Nolan has been his strength, particularly in the bench press. At last year’s Premier Combine, he put up an impressive 17 reps at 225 pounds, something that even caught him by surprise.
“My bench went way up—I was kind of surprised at that,” he admitted.
His goal for this year’s Premier Combine?
“Beating that.”
Beyond strength, the biggest difference Nolan has noticed on the field is his speed and confidence. PowerStrength’s focus on explosive speed development has helped him shave time off his 40-yard dash, where he now consistently runs in the 4.7 to 4.8-second range.
That increased speed, combined with his strength, has made him an even more dominant presence on the field.
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE WITH PREMIER
As he nears the end of his high school journey, Nolan remains committed to training at PowerStrength in Premier—a program designed for the most serious athletes who aspire to play at the next level.
“The speed aspect has been huge for me,” Nolan said about Premier. “We do a lot of speed work at the beginning of the sessions, and that has increased a lot for me. I have gotten a lot of stuff that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. I can build off of school training as well, and PowerStrength works around what I do at school so I get all areas covered.”
Being surrounded by like-minded athletes has been a game-changer for Nolan. Many of his Premier training partners are also headed to play college football, and the environment has pushed him to new levels.
“Everyone wants to work, and everyone’s there for the same reason. Everyone wants to get better, everyone works hard. I am training with the same people every time, so I get to know those guys more. Everyone has big goals and wants to achieve those goals. You can feed off the other people in it. Having like-minded people around you helps push you.”
THE FINAL STRETCH
As he finishes high school and gears up for college football, Nolan’s focus remains on improving his strength and speed while maintaining his weight between 210 and 215 pounds.
“Getting my strength and speed up, keeping my confidence high, and not falling off after high school—continuing to increase performance,” Nolan stated as his goals.
IMPACT ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Nolan credits PowerStrength for not only preparing him for college football but also helping him develop a mindset that translates beyond the gym and field.
“With Premier, having a 1% better everyday mentality, no complaining—I transfer that over to everyday life,” Nolan shared.
When it comes to nutrition, he’s also benefited from the expertise at PowerStrength.
“I get feedback from the trainers on what to put in my body and how to gain weight, but also making muscle and not just fat. They give me suggestions on meals to eat.”
Above all, he encourages younger athletes to consider training at PowerStrength if they want an advantage.
“If you want help getting to the next level and getting an edge on your competition, it’ll definitely help you get there. You will improve on a lot of things in whatever sport you play.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Nolan’s work ethic, drive, and dedication have set him up for success. Whether it’s increasing his bench press reps or refining his speed, he continues to push himself toward excellence.
PowerStrength has played a major role in his development, providing him with the training, guidance, and competitive environment needed to succeed at the next level.
“It has helped me a lot. It will help you get better, accomplish your goals, and you’ll have a good time,” Nolan summarized.
As he embarks on his college football journey with the reigning MIAA champs, there is no doubt that the foundation he built at PowerStrength will serve him well. His best football is still ahead of him, and we can’t wait to see where his hard work takes him next!
GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH
4th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can sign up at PowerStrength at any time while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.
