Rick Tybor -
Head Girls Team Coach/ Hotshots Coach

Rick Tybor began his involvement with the sport of gymnastics at the age of 7 in Illinois. He moved to Arizona in 1996 and continued his involvement in the sport by coaching competitive gymnastics at a local gym. Using his extensive knowledge and experience with the sport, he is proud and excited to open American Elite Gymnastics in 2003. Rick is looking forward to producing some great gymnasts, helping build some outstanding individuals, and making American Elite Gymnastics a respected gym in the field of gymnastics.

Rick is safety certified, a USA Gymnastics Professional Member, and owner of American Elite Gymnastics. He has attended both local and national coaching clinics hosted by some of the countries top collegiate and national team coaches. He completed his studies at Arizona State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management.

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Jonnika Bailey -
Recreational Gymnastics/Cheerleading Coach

For the last nine years, Jonnika has been active in the sport of cheerleading and its promotion as a competitive sport. She cheered on her high school team for four years, while competing on an all-star team for three of those years. Jonnika cheered at SCC and GCC -- where her team placed nationally. She was also on a nationally-ranked all-star team.

Jonnika had the honor of being a National Cheerleader's Association instructor for four years, Cheeleading and DanzTeam's Instructor Pick of the Year (2002), an NCA All-American, and a member of NCA Paris All-American Team. She has spent the last six years coaching high school, elementary, and all-star cheer.

Through her varied levels of involvement, Jonnika has a broad view of the dynamic of the sport. Her philosophy as a coach is quite simple -- athletes who are given a safe and structured environment in which to pursue their sport under the direction of instructors who coach with character, commitment and integrity will be empowered to work toward achieving excellence.

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Nikki Filter -
Recreational Gymnastics Coach

Nikki began gymnastics and dance at age 4, and was a competitive gymnast for 11 years - competing through high school. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin and moved to Arizona in 1994. After taking a hiatus from coaching, she has been back in it for the past 3 years. Her passion lies in helping each gymnast learn proper form and achieving new skills.

Along with gymnastics, she is a Licensed Massage Therapist and practicing Trapeze Artist. She will be instructing Recreational Level gymnastics as well as a Trapeze class.

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Kandace Hudspeth -
Recreational Gymnastics Coach

Kandace has a variety of experience and education in many different areas. She has 15 years of experience in dance having danced at the Phoenix ballet Academy, Tempe Dance Academy, and AZ Ballet Academy and has won numerous competitions. She also was in competitive cheer for 5 years where the squad that she was part of were 4 time NCA champions. She has been involved in gymnastics for many years and has coached for 3 years. Her passion is in Fitness because it incorporates all her skills and experience. She has been a fitness competitor for 5 years and won the titles of Ms Fitness AZ, Western Region, and Natural USA. She has also been a personal trainer for 5 years. Her certifications in ISSA, APEX, and ACE. Kandace teaches the Rec Gymnastics program for AEG and offers private sessions in all of her experience areas.

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Carlie Jensen -
Level 4 Girls Team Coach/Preteam Coach

Carlie's coaching philosophy is that gymnasts should be having fun and working hard, learning new skills, and building friendships as well as learning valuable skills that will come in handy in every day life.
Carlie was a gymnast for ten years competing through USAG level eight. She also did three years of high school gymnastics and loved every minute of it. Carlie spent all her free time in the gym, and was frequently referred to as a gymrat. Carlie has been coaching gymnastics for several years now working with kids ages three to twelve with varying skill levels. She has also have worked with high school age girls in a tumbling/cheerleading class. Carlie is a certified USA Gymnastics Judge for levels five and six. She is really excited about working with all the girls at American Elite Gymnastics!

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Nick Lanza -
Boys Team and Recreational Coach

Nick Lanza has been involved with gymnastics since the age of six. He has competed in men's optional gymnastics for almost five years.

Previously, Nick coached at Desert Devils/Sportstech and now coaches Levels 1, 2, and 3 at American Elite. Nick is also the Boys Level 4 Team Coach here at the gym.

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Glen Mengel -
Head Boys Team Coach/Recreational
Gymnastics Director

Glen has been in gymnastics for over 18 years competing as well as coaching. In his gymnastics career he has coached recreational gymnastics, boys tumbling, and level 4 competitive gymnastics. In addition, he found time to run a physical education/gymnastics program at a Montessori school for 3 years while continuing to coach level 4 at a local gym. Glen's enthusiasm for the sport is contagious! Glen is safety and first aid certified.

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Naeem Munir -
Tumbling Director

Naeem has had a very strong passion for the sport of gymnastics all his life. In his words, on "November 11, 1975 a true athlete was born." At the age of 3 he was already doing backhandsprings and was competing nationally at the age of 13. He received 2 national titles in power tumbling and, while in high school, performed in three state championships in cheer. He was also known as Detroit's top tumbler 4 years straight. At 17 Naeem started kickboxing and took many state and local titles. Naeem is currently competing in kickboxing and is recognized as one of the top 5 finest in I.K.F. Amateur Kickboxing. Naeem has much experience in coaching tumbling and cheer and is also safety certified. We are thrilled to have Naeem on our coaching staff.

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Christopher J. Reder-
Tumbling and Boys Recreational Gymnastics Coach

Christopher has been involved with gymnastics for the last four years as a spotter and instructor. He works with all tumbling classes as well as the boys recreational gymnastics levels 1 through 4.

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Ashleigh Sickles -
Recreational Gymnastics Coach

Ashleigh has been part of gymnastics for much of her life. She competed up to level 6 and was All Around State Champion in Virginia in 1995. She was also part of her winning high school gymnastics team in 1999 when they won the state championship title. She holds titles as a national and international champion in power tumbling. Ashleigh is part of the recreational gymnastics coaching staff.

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Jillian Staub -
Level 5 Girls Team Coach

Jillian is the American Elite Gymnastics Level 5 Coach.

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Laura Williamson -
Optional Girls Team Coach

Laura's roots are in Arizona. She has been involved in gymnastics for 14 years. She competed up to Level 10 in club gymnastics and trained Elite under Mark Lee. She left Arizona and went on to be part of the Utah State gymnastics team. She has won numerous gymnastics competitions including state championships. Laura's coaching experience includes Recreational Gymnastics, Compulsory Gymnastics team, Optional Gymnastics team, and Collegiate team gymnastics at Utah State. She is currently completing a BS with a double major in Sociology and Family Human development but plans to stay coaching gymnastics for a long time to come. Her motto is "God gives the talent, You give the effort."

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Emily Zoog -
Level 6 Girls Team Coach/Hotshots Coach

Emily's gymnastics career started in San Francisco 13 years ago where she competed for 8 of them. In 1998 she worked out with the ASU gymnastics team until an injury sidelined her. She went on to receive a BFA from ASU in 1998. Emily coaches the Level 5 team for American Elite Gymnastics.

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