leaders of the pack
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SCOTT BELANGER
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TRAVIS WALCZYNSKI
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ALYSSA WATTS
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OWNER
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HEAD INSTRUCTOR
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head class instructor |
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Hometown: Londonderry, NH
Education: Bachelors Degree in Marketing from SIU Experience: 41yrs of gymnastics, Full scholarship member of SIU Men's Gymnastics Team, Coached State, Regional and National Champions. Why I coach gymnastics: Kids are fun! They laugh at my jokes. They like to learn new skills and have fun. I enjoy helping them feel good about themselves. I enjoy watching them grow stronger and more confident. Also, the families that enroll their kids in gymnastics, are very special. They want to do extra for their kids. They want to give their kids every opportunity they can to be the best that they can be. I am very thankful that I get to work with these great families! |
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Years SI Gymnastics: 6 Experience: Competitive High School Gymnasts, 4yrs. Education: BA in Flight and Airport Management, SIU Why I coach gymnastics: I like working with kids to improve their abilities. It's a lot of fun to see their progress and the enjoyment they get from it. Talking them through a skill and seeing it click in their head is a lot of fun. It's also different with every kid which is always a new challenge. I always like a new challenge, which is why I have been putting real effort into improving my coaching. I want to be the best coach I am capable of. Finally you develop a real connection with the kids based on trust and respect. For some reason, gymnastics attracts genuinely good kids and its awesome to see them grow into great people. I feel like, as their coach, I get to help them turn into those better people, which feels great. |
Hometown: Round Lake Beach, IL
Years with SI Gymnastics: 3 Experience: Competitive gymnasts and cheerleader. Milikin & SIU Cheerleader Education: BA in Political Science from SIU Currently: Studying Pursing a Law degree Why I coach gymnastics: I love the kids and the atmosphere of the gym. The environment that comes along in working in the gym is what I grew up with. Respect, teamwork and life long friends are made in the gym. I love meeting new people and mostly I love the feeling I get when I help someone learn a new skill or accomplish a goal. |
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SHEILA KING
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SARAH CANNES
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INSTRUCTOR
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INSTRUCTOR
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Hometown: Houston
Years with SI Gymnastics: 6 Experience: 30 years on gymnastics, as an athlete and then as a coach Currently: Mother of 2 girls Why I coach gymnastics: I coach gymnastics because I love to see a kid's face light up when they learn a new trick or reach a goal. Gymnastics has always been a part of my life and I'm thrilled to pass on the skills to kids. |
Hometown: Miami, FL
Years with SI Gymnastics: 1 Experience: 12 years of competitive gymnastics. Sarah is the mother of two beautiful boys who is currently finishing her bachelor of arts at SIU in University Studies with minors in Photography, Journalism and Psychology. Why I coach gymnastics: I love sharing this passion with others. I feel honored and privileged to share my experiences and knowledge with developing minds and those eager to learn. |
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KELLYN DALY
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TAYLOR WOODS
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CORGAN LYNCH
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INSTRUCTOR
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Hometown: Carbondale
Years with SI Gymnastics: 10 Kellyn is a senior at Carbondale High School. She is a former competitive gymnast with us and has been working with us since the age of 15. Why I coach gymnastics: I grew up in the gym and developed an absolute passion for gymnastics. It taught me coordination, how to work hard, discipline and many other life lessons. I coach gymnastics because it is an opportunity to help children learn these life lessons and help them develop a passion for the sport like I did. Coaching is also very rewarding because there is no better feeling than watching a child’s face light up when they do a new skill for the first time! |
Hometown: Merrillville, IN
Years with SI Gymnastics: 2 Taylor started gymnastics at the age of 5 and competed through high school. She took her team to state for the first time in 11 years. Currently studying rehabilitation with a minor in psychology. Why I coach gymnastics: I decided to start coaching gymnastics because of the amount of love I have for the sport. After my gymnastics career came to an end, I knew I wanted to help kids learn and have fun in gymnastics. |
Hometown: Dowell
Years with SI Gymnastics: 1 Corgan is a southern Illinois native and is currently a nursing student at John A. Corgan developed a love of gymnastics when she became a high school cheerleader. She hopes to transfer to a University and continue her cheerleading. Why I coach gymnastics: I coach gymnastics because I enjoy the sport and l love working with the kids. I love seeing their faces light up when they learn a new skill! It is very rewarding! |