As a track and field athlete, Ryan earned a total of 12 state championships during high school. He was an eight-time state track and field champion, an individual state cross country champion, a two-time member of championship state cross country teams, and a five-time Drake Relays champion. He set the Drake Relays and state records in the 800m, was a two-time Drake Relays Outstanding High School Performer, an All-Iowa Cross Country performer, a two-time All-Iowa track and field performer, and a two-time Iowa Gatorade Athlete of the Year. He currently holds the Iowa State Meet and Drake Relays records in the 800m and is the all-time fastest in the 1600m. At the Adidas Dream Mile in Boston he placed third in 4:05.1 against the best high school runners in America. As a senior he was also a member of a state 200 freestyle relay swim team and was elected team captain for cross country, swimming and track and field.

Ryan went on to compete for four years at Notre Dame, graduating with a degree in business analytics and a minor in design. Though injured for most of his collegiate career, he still recorded the all-time best in the 800m and 1500m, made the All-ACC team in indoor and outdoor track, and was a two-time Monogram winner earning MVC honors. He transferred and competed for Drake University for a fifth year of cross country and track and field and to earn an MBA which he is in the process of completing. He currently works for Accenture as a Strategy and Consulting Analyst.

He will always remember the practices and competitions with teammates and the memories they made together during their time at DCHS, whether that was winning a team state championship or eating an unhealthy amount of McDonald’s breakfast after a brutally long swim practice. Through the highs and lows, he believes the relationships created are what truly matters and what he is most thankful for.