La Roca FC hires Andrew Harestad as club’s first Director of High Performance

Ogden, UT – La Roca FC has expanded its offering to include a Director of High Performance, with the hiring of Andrew Harestad.

This position is the first of its kind in youth sports in Utah. As Director of High Performance for La Roca FC, Harestad designs and implements performance training systems for athletes of all ages and abilities which includes specialized speed training techniques. Harestad’s basic philosophy is to help an athlete move with extreme efficiency while maintaining constant balance and awareness.

“My goal is to help remove any obstacles from preventing an athlete to play their best,” said Harestad. “When I help an athlete understand the need and balance of proper sleep, hydration, nutrition, etc., I feel like I’ve not only helped them become a better athlete but am helping them create great habits for a healthy life.”

Harestad brings a variety of performance training experience to La Roca Futbol Club, as well as extensive time traveling throughout the world visiting professional teams and trainers, and consulting with a variety of training centers across the country. He is a Nationally Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with advanced certifications in speed and conditioning and weightlifting. Harestad is able to use many different types of methods from Yoga to Olympic Weightlifting, or Static Stretching to PNF Stretching to help the athletes achieve the desired results. He is formally educated in Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and Exercise Physiology.

“I’ve known Andrew for many years and have wanted to extend this position to him for a long time. Besides being an expert in his field, he is also a great human being,” said Adolfo Ovalle, La Roca’s founder and Technical Director. “I personally watched Andrew work with my own son Fito and take him from a very good premier player to an elite athlete. I believe in what he does, I know it works, and I’m thrilled to have him part of the La Roca family!”

About Andrew Harestad
A native of Germany, Andrew was a collegiate football player and collegiate track and field athlete and all-American. His credentials include M.S. CSCS, NSCA-PT, NASM-CPT, ACE, BFS, IAAF 5 Sprints/Hurdles/Relays & Jumps/Endurance, USATF 3 Sprints/Hurdles/Relays & Jumps/Endurance, USATF Club Coach, USAW 2, USAW Club Coach, CrossFit Level 2, FMS Level 2/FCS. He has coached and trained athletes for over 20 years.