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Gerald Carley
Owner
Gerald, the owner
of Elite Gymnastics Club, Inc., holds a Bachelors of Science in Elementary and Secondary Education. Following a few years
teaching in the Shawnee Mission School District, Gerald decided to open Elite.
Gymnastics colleagues in the
Kansas Gymnastics Association recognized Gerald for as Coach of the Year in 1984 – 85 and 1986-87. He has served as
a member of the USAG Kansas State Board since 1978 and was honored with the “Kansas Outstanding Contribution to Gymnastics
Award” in 1986. He currently is a safety-certified Professional Member with USA Gymnastics.
Since its opening
in 1973, Elite has trained numerous gymnasts who have performed well at State, Regional and National competitions, as well
as obtained athletic scholarships at various colleges and universities. Two former Elite gymnasts went on to become NCAA National
Champions. In 1985, Elite was the first team in the state of Kansas to place first at all competitive levels for the State
Meet.
"Leaders are like
eagles - they don't flock. You find them one at a time."
~ Knute Rockne
Kristi Hansen
Kristi
is a Compulsory and Optional Coach at Elite. She holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Kansas and has been
working with children since 1989. Her experiences range from inner-city social issues (Minneapolis,MN) to CASA to Lansing
State Penitentiary’s JAIL (Juvenile Assistance Information Liaison) to juvenile detention and probation. She has worked
closely with many youth outreach programs beginning with the Salvation Army Youth Camps at the age of 16, with truancy programs
and with gangs in inner city Minneapolis. She has given many hours on behalf of children and young people and one
thing is for certain, she truly enjoys the kids.
Kristi does private lessons with many gymnasts and cheerleaders to help
them improve their gymnastics skills, routines, jumps, conditioning and tumbling.
Kristi started gymnastics
in 1975 at the age of four. She competed through high school and started coaching while in college. Since coming to Elite
in 1996, she has been coaching team, teaching classes, helping to develop the recreational program and curriculum, managing
the pool and working closely with the staff to ensure Elite has excellent staff, awesome parties, great classes and a
terrific atmosphere.
She has also worked closely with other area gyms to develop a semi-competitive
league that allows kids of all ages, sizes and competitive desires to enjoy performing in gymnastics, receiving awards and
being part of a team!
Kristi is a safety-certified Professional member with USA Gymnastics.
She has attended conferences, both Regional and National Congresses and has continued to educate herself in gymnastics.
One thing that is very important to Kristi is continuing to educate herself and the staff at Elite to ensure that the clients;
THE ATHLETES, are receiving the best teaching and coaching possible.
"Happiness is found
along the way, not at the end of the road. People will soon forget the records. What they remember is the way
you hustled, the poise you had, the class you showed."
~ Sheryl Johnson
Naomi Mayekawa
Naomi is the dance instructor at Elite and has been working with Elite since 1998.
She has choreographed optional routines and worked with compulsories. Naomi has been coaching gymnastics for more than
20 years and has an extensive backround in dance. Naomi has been a Region I Congress Consultant for many years.
"Competition
can damage self-esteem, create anxiety, and lead to cheating and hurt feelings. But, so can romantic love."
~ Jerry Glanville
Monique Penn
Monique is
the Birthday Party Coordinator at Elite. Monique started gymnastics at age three and was competing by the time she was
five years old.
She graduated from Paseo academy of Fine and Performing
Arts Majoring in Dance and Minoring in Singing. Along with dance she studied Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Lyrial and Modern.
Monique has also performed in many Productions, Musicals and Plays. She started teaching gymnastics by age 14 and
has been involved in gymnastics now for about 24 years.
Monique has competed in JUDO for seven years. She recently finished
with a blackbelt.
Monique is married to Ronn Penn and they have four wonderful daughters
who also share her love for gymnastics.
"The ability to prepare is just as important as the will
to win."
~ Bobby Knight
Gina Skiles
Emily Carney
Tami Gothard
Barbara Lawrence
Meet The Staff
Sierra Trussell
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