At Buckeye we understand that the most important advantage that we offer is a great staff. Our teachers and coaches are gymnastics experts and they undergo thorough training even though they might have spent much of their lives in a gym.

But we know that gymnastics knowledge and experience is only the beginning. Keeping our students safe is both the beginning and the end so we run national background checks on those who did not grow up in our program.

In addition, our teachers and coaches must obtain both Safety Certification through USA Gymnastics and First Aid certification in order to be eligible for a raise. As a result all of our teaching and coaching staff are either already certified or they are in the process of getting certified.

Ronnie Balconi: Ronnie has been teaching and coaching gymnastics for many years in both Ohio and in Florida. He is currently coaching the middle school teams at McCord and Perry in Worthington where he also teaches as a part of the Cardinal Boosters Gymnastics Program. Ryan is a graduate of Ohio University and works a day job at Children’s Hospital.

Sarah Blubaugh: Sarah is a former Buckeye Gymnast who started gymnastics at Buckeye at age nine. She also competed gymnastics for Worthington Kilbourne where she graduated in 2003. Sarah is currently taking classes at Columbus State though she will transfer to Ohio State in the Spring. Sarah also played rugby and soccer in high school and competed for the Westerville Worms Rugby Club. It is Sarah's belief that a positive attitude is key for success in sports and in life. "A positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible." It is this positive outlook that she most wants to see reflected in her students.

Kittia Carpenter: Kittia is the Girls Team Director at Buckeye Gymnastics. In the 20+ years that Kittia has been coaching at Buckeye her gymnasts have won over 250 state, regional, and national titles. She was an elite gymnast herself and a former elite national champion and she attended Arizona State University on a full athletic scholarship. Kittia is also a brevet judge and she has judged the top American athletes at the most important competitions in the country including Championships of the USA and the Olympic Team Trials. In addition, Kittia was elected by the coaches and judges to serve on the Ohio and Region 5 Boards for USA Gymnastics.

Lisa Chapman: Lisa is a graduate of Strongsville High School and is an OSU graduate with a degree in Communications and Journalism. Lisa has been accepted into the Franklin University MBA program but has not started. Lisa was the Program Director at Little Gym in Dublin before coming to Buckeye. She believes that her patience and enthusiasm and love kids and gymnastics are her greatest strengths.

Nicole Ciminello: Nicole grew up at Buckeye Gymnastics starting in Buckeye Bears at age 3 and continuing through high school. She has been a state champion many times at levels 8, 9, and 10 and traveled throughout the United States and the Caribbean with competitions in the Bahamas and Cancun. As a gymnast for St. Francis Desales High School Nicole was 3 times the Central Ohio District All Around Champion and five times named as the Columbus Dispatch Athlete of the Week. She was also named All State/All Ohio two times. Even with all this Nicole graduated at the top of her class and was accepted into the Honors program at Ohio State University where she currently attends school majoring in Industrial Design. Nicole was recruited for the Ohio State Women's Gymnastics Team and competed for the Lady Buckeyes in 2008-09.

Laura Clark: Laura started at Buckeye when she was 9 and worked her way to become a level 10 and national competitor. She returned to coach for us in 2004. She is a part of the team staff and has coached levels 4 and 5 to four consecutive state championships (2009-2010). Laura was voted 2009 compulsory coach of the year. Earlier, Laura received a full scholarship to Northern Illinois University from 1993-1998. While at Northern, she was the 1997 Midwest Independent Conference beam champion with a score of 9.95 a school record that still holds today. She was a two time All American on beam and floor at the NIT in 1993 and 1997. She also served as the 1996 and 1997 NIU team captain. She was a member of the 1995 NCAA regional qualifying team and was the 1994 NIT beam champion.

Jamie Colcer: Jamie cheered for Michigan Xtreme All Star Cheer for 3 yrs on senior teams at levels 3 & 4 while cheering for Milford High School for three years. Jamie was also a gymnast at Farmington Gymnastics Team where she trained for eight years. Jamie has taught gymnastics to both preschool and school-age children at Bounce Gymnastics. Jamie attends Ohio State where she is majoring in Marketing.

Jessica Contrino: Jessica trained in gymnastics for 13 years in four different states and in Singapore and competed in places like Hong Kong, Philippines and Singapore. In addition, she has been a varsity cheerleader since her freshman year in high school and has been involved in competitive cheerleading for four years. Jessica started teaching cheerleading in Singapore when she volunteered to coach girls who had never cheered before but were interested in the sport. She started teaching and coaching at Buckeye Cheer Elite in early 2008. Jessica attends Ohio State University where she plans to graduate with a degree in Physical Therapy.

Becky Doggette: Becky has been involved in gymnastics since she was six years old. She was a top performer at Buckeye Gymnastics for seven years as she won many individual state titles and helped the Buckeye team win six State Team titles. She competed at the J.O. National Championships in Dallas where she caught the eye of the coaches from West Virginia University. She ended up going to WVU on a full athletic scholarship in gymnastics and leading the Lady Mountaineers to four winning seasons. She has been an important component to our coaching staff at Buckeye for many years and she has developed many state champions.

Kea Early: Kea was a gymnast for 8 years at the YMCA in Newark and finished her competitive career as a level 8. After retiring her leotard Kea stayed in the gym as a teacher and a coach for three years before coming to Buckeye. Kea enjoys teaching all ages and abilities but she seems to particularly like working aspiring cheerleaders who want to learn back handsprings. They like her too and Kea is a very effective and popular teacher at Buckeye.

Nick Fantozzi: Nick trained as a gymnast at Westside Gymnastics for 12 years and cheered for 7 years at Flights Cheer USA, the NEO All Stars and the Midwest Pumas. Nick then cheered at Wright State University where he graduated with a degree in Accounting and Business. Nick has coached cheerleading at Dennison University and NEO All Stars in Canton.

Ariane Filkins: Ariane was a gymnast for 11 years and competed at level 9 at Olympic Academy in Newark before heading to Ohio State where she graduated with a degree in Women’s Studies. She has taught gymnastics for four years in Central Ohio and coached to level 4. What she loves best about teaching gymnastics are the smiles on the kids faces.

Laura Flechtner: Laura competed in gymnastics for six years and has taught gymnastics for fifteen, the last twelve years at Buckeye. Laura is a graduate of Capital University holding a degree in Biology and Psychology. In addition to her experience teaching and coaching in the USA, Laura has also taught as an intern at Rushmore Gymnastics in London, England, where she shared the details of running an American style gymnastics school with our friends across the pond.

Weston Hendricks: Weston is a National Champion Tumbler who has qualified for and competed at the Age-group, World Championship Trials. Weston has also won a bronze medal as a Level 10 at the National Championships on Double Mini-trampoline. In all, Weston has competed in 6 National Championships winning 5 bronze, 3 silver and one gold medal over six years. Weston's favorite skills include a triple-front half-twist out and a full-twist in, half-twist out, double front. His advise to his young athletes, "Just enjoy the process of working hard to achieve a goal."

Kristin Inkrott: Kristin started gymnastics at age 3 at the Wooster YMCA and then continued on for 14 years eventually competing for her high school and competing at the OHSAA State Meet. Kristin also cheered in middle and high school. She has a degree in Art Education and loves teaching her students to love gymnastics as much as she does.

Vicki Keller: Vicki was a gymnast at Buckeye for many years before returning to us to teach and coach. Vicki brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the gym where she is a popular teacher in both the Buckeye Bears and Buckeye Stars programs. Vicki also coaches the Buckeye Flyers trampoline and tumbling team where she is the lead developmental tumbling coach. Her tumblers have won numerous state and regional USA Gymnastics Championships on their way to the National Championships where they have finished in the medals.

Maggie Kusakova: Maggie comes to Buckeye by way of the Czech Republic. Maggie trained and competed in the Czech Republic for many years advancing to a 3rd place all-around finish at the Regional Level. She came to the USA looking to complete her graduate work in education. Maggie earned her degree in Physical Education plans to be a physical education teacher one day. Maggie’s love for gymnastics and her students have made her a very popular and much requested teacher at Buckeye.

Emilee Levin: Emilee has been active in cheerleading and gymnastics for most of her life. A New Albany High School graduate, Emilee is now attending Ohio State where she hopes to enter the Physical Therapy program. Emilee's high school team won a State Title in cheerleading in the Large Mount Category and they placed at Nationals in 2005. Her favorite tumbling skills as a cheerleader were a handspring full and a standing back tuck and she loves to teach back handsprings. Emilee has taught cheerleading for several years in north Columbus and Westerville.

Li Li: Li Li is one of the most popular and decorated gymnasts China has ever produced. She competed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and in two world championships. She also coached gymnasts who won a medal at the 1999 World Championships and the 2000 Olympic Games. Li Li has been coaching at Buckeye for six+ years and she has had a huge impact sending many girls to National Team Training Camps, placing many of these girls on National TOPs teams, and getting our athletes qualified for J.O. Nationals.

Jim Mattox: Jim Mattox, commonly referred to as, “Mr. Jym” or “Mr. Jym-nastics”, has been at Buckeye Gymnastics since 2001. Jim participated in gymnastics at the YMCA and the Columbus Recreation and Parks, Sports Aerobatics and Spring Board Diving RPAC. He was also an instructor under Jim Sweeney and US Olympic Teach Coach, Peter Kormann. Jim enjoys the challenge the kids provide and the enjoyment of watching his students attempt and master new skills. Jim teaches in both Powell and Westerville working with boys and girls of all ages.

Erin McCoy: Erin cheered in high school where she was captain of both her JV and Varsity squads as they traveled to and competed in many regional and state competitions. Erin went on to cheer at Columbus State and has coached high school cheer for 3 years and All Star teams for 7 years. Erin is both CPR and First Aid certified in addition to her NFHS certification. Erin coaches at BCE and works at MedVet in Worthington. At Buckeye Cheer Elite coached our 2007 COA National Championship Team along with her Cheer Power National Championship squads in 2009.

Michelle McNabb: Michelle was a Buckeye gymnast and team member for many years and was strong contributor on many State Champion Teams at Buckeye. Michelle has been a strong teacher for Buckeye for many years as her schedule allows.

Shawn Miller: Shawn holds a BS and a MA in Technology Education from Ohio State University where he cheered from 1991-1996. During this time he appeared along with the rest of the OSU squad in the Holiday and Citrus Bowls and the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Shawn also worked at Ohio State as a Junior Varsity Volunteer Coach and as the Assistant Head Coach. Shawn has coached cheerleading and gymnastics in both private clubs and at summer camps for many years. Shawn was also competitive gymnast though the advanced levels. He teaches Technology Education at Bellefontaine High School.

Justin Oldham: Justin graduated from Ohio University where he was a cheerleader for four years, and was a member of the 2001 nationals team that placed 10th at NCA nationals. He has been coaching for seven years, teaching for eight, and is currently in his fifth year coaching at BCE. His teams have won several National titles with various companies such as Jamfest, COA, and Cheerpower. He has also worked with several high schools and middle schools in the Columbus area and has judged for various competitions. Justin is NFHS certified, and both First Aid and CPR certified.

Megan O’Reilly: Megan O’Reilly has a very long history with Buckeye Gymnastics. She started gymnastics here when she was 6 years old. She was a member of our competitive teach for 12 years. Her personal experience with gymnastics and her love for making kids laugh and smile make Megan a great addition to the Buckeye coaching staff. She is currently coaching preschool, recreational and TNT classes at our Westerville location.

Lyndsie Rabung: Lyndsie comes to us from North Ridgeville High School where she excelled in track and cross-country when she wasn't in the gym doing flips. She currently attends Ohio State where she is majoring in Dietetics. Even though she is well versed in good nutrition she loves cupcakes and hopes to one day open her own bakery specializing in- what else- cupcakes! Lyndsie competed through level 9 and her favorite events were bars and floor and her favorite skill was a double back which she competed on both events. While she no longer trains in gymnastics Lyndsie has kept her interest alive in running. She completed a half-marathon last May and she is training for her first full marathon this coming May.

Leah Rhodes: Leah comes to central Ohio from Kenston High School in Chagrin Falls where she did12 years of gymnastics and 4 years of cheerleading. Leah competed for Turles Gymnastics for and advanced as far as Level 8 Regionals. She stopped competing private club when she entered high school and she was captain of her high school gymnastics for three years. She also cheered for four years. Leah attends Ohio State University where she is pursuing a major in early Childhood education.

Cheryl Ryan: Assistant Manager Powell, Cheryl comes to Buckeye Gymnastics with over 14 years of coaching experience in various parts of the country, including Florida, Maryland and California. She was a gymnast herself and competed up to level 9. Her favorite thing about coaching gymnastics is watching the kids progress as both gymnasts and as people. Cheryl is currently and teaching a variety of levels in both Westerville and Powell.

Melanie Schmidli: Melanie graduated from River Valley High School where she excelled in both gymnastics and cheerleading traveling as far as Texas to compete at Cheer Nationals and winning a State Championship in cheerleading as a senior. While attending Marshall University Melanie was selected for an internship with the Marshall Football team. Melanie has been teaching cheerleading and gymnastics at Buckeye for over 5 years and she is the Cheer Stars Program Director.

David Steigerwald: David is the head coach for the Buckeye Flyers. He is a graduate of Aurora High School and Columbus College of Art and Design. David has bounced at a National and International level for several years. David started at Buckeye teaching our tumbling and trampoline classes but he was so enthusiastic about the sport that he soon had us thinking about starting a competitive for tumbling, trampoline, and double mini-trampoline. Now the Buckeye Flyers are ranked the top tumbling team in Ohio and in the top two in trampoline and double-mini trampoline. David has developed many state, regional, and national champions and has coached at the Age-Group World Championship Trials.

Andrea Cost: Andrea comes to Buckeye from Indiana where she spent her entire childhood in the gym. She was a competitive gymnast and then added cheerleading before getting into coaching. Andrea has coached preschool, school age gymnastics, and tumble for cheer. She is now a coach for the Buckeye Flyers Trampoline and Tumbling team and is also teaching in the Buckeye Stars program.

Sasha Timchenko: Sasha is a former champion of the USSR and he was the head coach of one of the Soviet Gymnastics Training Centers in Ukraine where he developed national team members and at least one Olympian for the former USSR. Sasha brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Buckeye. He is hard-working with a focus on the development of solid and technically correct basics.

Philip Todorov: Phillip is one of the most accomplished gymnastics coaches in the world. He was the head coach for the Bulgaria National team during most of the 1980’s when Bulgaria was a gymnastics powerhouse. He has coached at the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Championships and other top international competitions where his gymnasts have won gold, silver, and bronze medals. Phillip was a top international competitor himself winning a silver medal at the World Championships in Sports Acrobatics with his twin brother Mathew. Phillip has coached at Buckeye since 1990 and has become a U.S. citizen.

Tricia Trenzek: Tricia attended United Local High School in Alliance, Ohio. She was a gymnast for 13 years training and competing both at Al's Gymnastixs and the Alliance YMCA through level 8. In 2006 Tricia competed at YMCA Nationals, Tricia taught gymnastics at the Alliance YMCA and the local community center before coming to central Ohio to pursue a degree in Animal Science at Ohio State.

Dawn VanWinkle: Dawn is the Buckeye Star & Buckeye Bear Director, as well as the Assistant Manager at the Westerville Gym. Dawn has been with Buckeye Gymnastics since we first opened our doors. She started the year we opened and competed for us through class III-O. (Level 7). Along the way she contributed to at least five State Championship Team Titles for Buckeye Gymnastics. Dawn was also a high school and semi-professional cheerleader. Since graduation she has taught for us off and on until permanently joining Buckeye in December of 2006.

Luke Wasson: Luke Wasson, Luke grew up in Amherst, New York where he trained for ten years at the Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center where he qualified for Nationals as a Class I (level 10) competitor. Luke has been teaching and coaching gymnastics for nine years first in Buffalo and later at Stars Gymnastics in Dayton. While at Stars one of his athletes won the All Around at Level 9 Nationals and he has developed numerous state and regional champions at levels 7 and 8. He has coached extensively at the premier summer camps including International, Lake Owen, and Flip-Fest. Luke has devloped many state and regional champions since joining Buckeye and has helped many gymnasts qualify for JO Nationals and National TOPs testing and National TOPs Teams.

Ashley Watson: Ashley graduated from Fremont Ross High School in North West Ohio. Ashley trained with Tumble City Gymnastics In Toledo and Gold Medal Gymnastics in Findley for a total of 12 years and competing at levels 5 through 9 and winning several State Titles along the way. She also cheered at Top Notch Cheer an all-star cheer team where she contributed to two National Champion teams. Ashley attends Ohio State where she is perusing a degree in Biology.

Karlyn Whaley: Karlyn was a gymnast and cheerleader in Dublin and was a member of a National Champion All-Star Cheer Squad. She is a Columbus State student in Event Planning. She is new to teaching gymnastics and is thrilled to be back in the gym and around all the high-energy kids.

Holly Weller: Holly comes to Buckeye from Crestwood High School in Mantua, Ohio, where she lettered in five different varsity sports including gymnastics and graduated in the top ten in her class. Holly went on to the University of Akron where she graduated cum laude, from the Honors College, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Holly works full-time in her field at Honda. Along with all of that studying, Holly found time to train and compete in gymnastics at H & H Gymnastics where she competed through level 8 winning awards and honors along the way. Holly wants her students to know that she loves the color yellow, has three cats, and that spaghetti is her favorite food.

Angela Wiegan: Angela is a graduate of Big Walnut High School and she has been teaching preschool for almost nine years including three years at the YMCA. She is certified in CPR, First Aid, Communicable Disease, and Child Abuse by the State of Ohio.

Rachel White: Rachel attended Ashland High School where she was active in Vitoria Dance Company and enjoyed numerous leading roles in dance performances. She is also looking forward to performing in Times Square this spring at project Dance. Rachel was hired for her outgoing personality to work the front desk but she soon found herself watching the preschool classes and then jumping in to help whenever she could. Given her extensive dance background we decided to see what she could do as a teacher and we could not be more pleased. Apparently her students feel the same way because she already enjoys a strong following.

Mike Young: Mike was a cheerleader at the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee while earning his degree in Graphic Design and Psychology. He coached for Cheers Inc. (now known as Kentucky Elite), the KGTC Sharks (now known as Premier Sharks) and Premier Dolphins in LaFollette, TN, before starting Buckeye Cheer Elite in 2000. Mike is First-Aid and CPR certified, AACCA certified (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors) and USASF certified (United States All Star Federation). He was a founding member of NACCC (National All Star Cheerleading Coaches Congress). His teams have won top honors at the senior level 5 division in various national championships while participating in the top cheer competitions available. He has also coached and developed dozens of college cheerleaders for the Big Ten Conference, other big name conferences, and for many smaller schools as well.