Speed and Athletic Development | Elite Prep (14-18 y/o) MWF 6:45pm | Junior Performance (11-13 y/o) T/Th 6:45pm | Youth Velocity (8-10 y/o) MW 3:30pm | Location: Strive Strength & Conditioning |
Youth Speed and Athletic Development
Located at strive Strength & Conditioning
303 Martin Luther King Dr, Bastrop TX 78602
Youth Velocity (Ages 8–10)
Mon/Wed at 3:30pm (45 min)
Building the Foundation
Youth Velocity is where athletic development begins. This program focuses on fundamental movement skills, age-appropriate sprint and agility mechanics, and bodyweight-based strength exercises. Sessions are designed to be fun, engaging, and challenging, while teaching coordination, balance, and body control.
Athletes learn:
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Proper sprint posture and technique
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Acceleration and change-of-direction fundamentals
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Strength and stability through bodyweight and light resistance training
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The value of effort, teamwork, and discipline
Goal: Develop a love for training, build coordination, and lay the groundwork for future athletic success.
Junior Performance (Ages 11–13)
Tue/Thu at 6:45pm (60 min)
Unlocking Speed & Power
Junior Performance is where athletes take their training to the next level. We build on foundational skills with sport-specific speed, strength, and agility development to prepare athletes for higher levels of competition.
Athletes learn:
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Advanced sprint mechanics and movement efficiency
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Multi-directional agility and reactive speed
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Strength training to improve power and resilience
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Injury prevention strategies through proper movement and mobility
Goal: Improve performance on the field or court, enhance durability, and give athletes the tools to stand out in middle school and early high school competition.
Elite Prep (Ages 14–18)
Mon/Wed/Fri at 6:45pm (60 min)
Preparing for the Next Level
Elite Prep is our flagship program for competitive high school athletes pursuing peak performance. This group trains at a collegiate-level standard with the goal of improving speed, strength, explosiveness, and leadership both on and off the field.
Athletes learn:
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Acceleration, top-end speed, and game-changing agility
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Explosive strength and power development for sport-specific demands
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Advanced movement prep and recovery protocols to stay healthy all season
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Leadership, accountability, and competitive discipline
Goal: Prepare athletes to dominate in high school, attract college opportunities, and become team leaders who elevate those around them.
Meet the Coaches
Thomas Lower
Co-Founder of OP1 Speed | Head Strength & Conditioning Coach | Olympic Weightlifting Specialist
Thomas Lower is a veteran Strength and Conditioning Coach, Olympic Weightlifting specialist, and speed coach with 20 years of experience training athletes at every level. He is the co-founder of OP1 Speed, home to a certified Universal Speed Rating (USR) Speed Lab, where he blends elite-level strength training with cutting-edge sprint science to develop complete athletes.
Currently serving as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Jackson Hole Football, Thomas also works with athletes in lacrosse, soccer, wrestling, basketball, and track and field—building explosive speed, first-step quickness, and injury-resistant strength.
A USA Weightlifting-certified coach, national-level weightlifting competitor, and Level 1 USR Coach, Thomas has coached athletes to success at the National Championships, American Open, Arnold, and Masters Worlds. He is known for delivering measurable results through tailored programming, technical precision, and a relentless focus on athletic development.
Athan Schindler
Co-Founder of OP1 Speed | Performance Coach | Speed, Power & Resilience Specialist
Athan Schindler is a veteran performance coach, speed specialist, and co-founder of OP1 Speed, a certified Universal Speed Rating (USR) Speed Lab dedicated to developing powerful, durable athletes. With 27 years of experience and a Master's in Exercise Science, Athan has helped athletes at every level build elite speed, explosive power, and injury-resistant strength.
Athan has owned and operated Strive Strength & Conditioning in Bastrop, TX, since 2017. He holds certifications as a CSCS, USAW Level 1 Coach, PN Level 1 Nutrition Coach, and USR Level 1 Speed Coach. He blends velocity-based training, sprint mechanics, and sport-specific capacity to develop athletes who are not only faster and more agile but also resilient and ready for high-level competition.
A U.S. Army Airborne Ranger and former Master Fitness Trainer Instructor, Athan brings a unique blend of structure and purpose to his coaching. He’s known for helping athletes and leaders sharpen their focus, pursue excellence, and grow through purpose-driven development that goes beyond the field and weight room.
About OP1 Speed
OP1 Speed is a speed-based performance center that helps athletes improve strength, acceleration, change of direction, and max velocity so they can play better, earn more time on the field, and get noticed by coaches at the next level. As a certified USR Speed Lab, we use data-driven coaching, sprint mechanics, and advanced tools like velocity-based training to deliver real results that transfer directly to sport. Our mission is to elevate Bastrop athletics by developing high-performing athletes and young people of character, toughness, and purpose—preparing them to change the game on the field and in life.