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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.