Sports Performance
Sports Performance: The Three Pillars
Kent Denver Sports Performance has three interwoven pillars that make up the content of what we do and teach:
I. PRESERVATION
Preservation is the actions we take to prevent overuse injuries, mitigate the threat of future injuries and avoid behaviors that increase our risk of suboptimal performance: This includes managing athletic participation to avoid excessive and repetitive movement patterns, diversifying athletic activities, pre-hab activities, understanding and avoiding the severe of effects drugs, alcohol and poor dietary choices, and addressing sleep deprivation.
II. DEVELOPMENT
Development includes all training (both physiological and neurological) and recovery (rest, nutrition and other modalities).
III. COVENANT
Covenant is the resolute relationship that all Kent Denver students, athletes and coaches must establish with each other. Leaders do three things: provide the vision, win the season and take care of their people. Teammates also do three things: set the standard, hold each other accountable and sustain the culture. A team has to define its own mission, goals and standards.
Program Overview
The Kent Denver Sports Performance program strives to create a foundation for fitness and self-care while developing student-athletes and life-long athletes through specific physical and educational programs, including:
- Individualized coaching and team development
- Individualized strength training programs
- Educational programs focusing on self-care, body awareness, injury prevention and preparation for college athletics
Partnerships with Elite Speed and DU
New in 2023-24: Kent Denver Athletics launched strength and performance partnerships with with Elite Speed and the University of Denver! The collaboration gives student-athletes the opportunity to work closely in the weight room and around campus with some of the best professional trainers in the state.
Elite Speed—a top performance company in Colorado with experience in NFL Draft prepwork, Major League Baseball development, working with Division 1 collegiate athletes and more—holds field work and weight room training sessions with students during the school year every Monday-Thursday afternoon from 3:50-5 p.m., as well as every Wednesday and Friday morning from 7-8:30 a.m. Click here to meet the team of trained professionals working with our athletes!
Separately, University of Denver Strength and Performance Coach Amanda Hanley holds strength sessions in the afternoons from Monday to Thursday for both in-season Upper School teams and those training out of season.
Coach Hanley has a degree in Applied Exercise Science and has her NSCA, CSCS and CFSC Level 1 certifications. She's worked with all age groups, sports, and training levels and loves to push people to their full potential.
During the school day, Kelly Mcelhiney is Kent Denver's Middle and Upper School strength and performance teacher. She has an extensive background in collegiate strength and conditioning and aims to create an environment that meets all students where they are at, while encouraging them to be their best self. Coach Mcelhiney also holds employee group training sessions for school staff and faculty!
Sports Performance Offerings
1. Strength and Conditioning Class (Upper School)- Level I: Foundations of Strength and Conditioning
- Level II: Individualized and Sports-Specific Training
2. Sports-Specific Team Training
3. In-season and off-season programming for Kent Denver teams
4. Middle School PE: Fundamentals of Movement
5. Faculty Small Group Training
6. Parents’ Association Small Group Training