Gymnastics Staff

Kristen grew up doing gymnastics and cheerleading is Fishers, Indiana. Bars was her favorite event in gymnastics while stunting was her favorite in cheer. In the end Kristen stuck with cheerleading and she competed in multiple National Championships and her team won Level UCA Large Senior 4 Nationals in 2010. My philosophy is that “Its not just about being the best athlete, its all about being the best person.”

Jolene, or Coach Jo, as she is known, has been teaching and coaching gymnastics for 18 years. Coach Jo has been a Preschool Gymnastics Program Director and a Head Team Coach for Levels 2-6 during her coaching career. She has developed many Individual State Champions and State Champion Teams. Coach Jo has always had a passion for working with kids thru sports teams and church. She is now our Tumble Bears Preschool Director at Buckeye Gymnastics in our Westerville location.

Bri competed with Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, and later tumbled at Midwest Cheer Elite. While attending the Ohio State University, Bri joined the recreational gymnastics team and trampoline and tumbling team, and received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Bri has coached at a few gyms in Columbus and San Francisco for a total of four years. She has been with Buckeye since Autumn of 2016, where she is a Director in Training, teaches rec classes, and coaches the Scarlet and Grey team.

Nate learned gymnastics at Olympic Academy in Newark, Ohio and he learned to teach and coach over the past 13 years at gyms throughout central Ohio. Along the way John developed experience and skill in teaching preschool gymnastics, girls and boys gymnastics, competitive girls gymnastics, special needs, and Trampoline and Tumbling. John has a great way with kids and he provides his students with a fun, effective , and positive approach to learning.

Jim, commonly referred to as, “Mr. Gym” or “Mr. Gymnastics”, 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 Peter Kormann, the  US Olympic Teach Coach.

Julia grew up in Rocky River, Ohio where she trained and competed for Great Lakes Gymnastics. Julia went on to cheer for Rocky River High School while teaching gymnastics at Great Lakes. Julia is now at Ohio State.

Ariane was a gymnast for 11 years and was a level 9 State Champion gymnast at Olympic Academy in Newark. Ariane has a degree in Women’s Studies from Ohio State University, and is a licensed Esthetician. She has taught gymnastics for four years in Central Ohio and coached to level 4. She loves her cats and dogs, music, Colorado, and the smiles on kids’ faces while coaching.

Ray attended Desmet Jesuit High School in the St Louis area where he wrestled and tumbled before heading to Ohio State. Ray is going to head up the Buckeye Warriors program and that tumbling and wrestling experience will be put to good use. One of Ray’s favorite quotes comes from Dumbledore, ‘Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light.’

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. Angie has been teaching at Buckeye for a decade.

Laura competed in gymnastics for six years and has coached gymnastics at Buckeye for over a decade. She is a graduate of Capital University, graduating with a degree in Biology and Psychology. Laura attended a six-week internship at Rushmore Gymnastics in London, England, where she shared with our British sister club the details of running an American style gymnastics school.