STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Carrie Penzien

PreSchool Director

 

"I have been coaching at Olympia for more than 12 years, I began coaching here when my oldest daughter Taylor began competitive gymnastics. I was spending so many hours here, that it seemed like a perfect fit for our family. I love working with children. Seeing my students achieve a goal they have set for themselves and being a part of that achievement is extremely rewarding. I feel that gymnastics promotes all aspects of a healthy lifestyle; cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, and healthy eating habits. These are things that are not only important in the sport of gymnastics but also in life, Gymnastics builds a great foundation for young people to excel in any sport. I love that I come to work every day and work with a group of people that are all working together to positively impact the lives of children. Outside of gymnastics I enjoy running, reading, coaching middle school and junior high track, and spending time with my family."

Staff Highlight:

Jennifer Pulich

Coach

"My gymnastics obsession began at a young age. My mom put me in a mom & tot class because I climbed on everything and it turned out gymnastics was a good fit. I started gymnastics when I was 2 years old, and continued for 13 years. I began competitive gymnastics around the age of 7 and worked my way up to a level 10 gymnast. I learned so many life lessons as a gymnast. Now as a coach I love helping children learn some of those same life lessons.

There are so many reasons why gymnastics is beneficial in young children. It helps them achieve goals they never thought they could. It also teaches them the importance of a healthy lifestyle, self motivation, and so many life tools. Gymnastics taught me that I can face adversity and overcome it. The injuries I experienced as a young athlete, really taught me the value of perseverance and a positive attitude. Aside from gymnastics, I am inspired daily by my best friend's mom, Joanne, who is suffering from cancer. She has taught me to always look on the bright side ofhings and realize that I can handle anything life throws at me."

Staff Highlight

Laura Sanford

Coach

"My mom enrolled me in gymnastics when I was just 7 years old. I continued in gymnastics for 11 years and was a level 9 gymnast. My favorite event as a competitor was uneven bars. I graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor degree in exercise science. I really enjoy working with the kids at Olympia and helping them grow and develop a love for gymnastics like I did when I was young. I was very honored to be nominated for Prep-Op coach of the year in 2009 and 2010. I like the philosophy we instill on our gymnasts at Olympia. Working here is so fun and enjoyable, the kids I work with are great, and I love the relationships I have with my co-workers. When I'm not working, I like to go on vacation as much as I can."

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Casey Rotary

Office Manager

 

"From a young age I loved roller skating. One day while at a local roller rink I was asked about joining a competitive speed team.I tried one practice & was hooked. I began competing locally and it was during that time that my love for speed skating developed. Soon it became a main priority in my life and as time passed my passion for the sport grew. I began traveling the country and eventually transition to inline speed skating. During my days as a skater, I experienced exciting victories and some heart breaking losses. Skating taught me how to handle adversity, the value of preparation, focus & perseverance. It was my love for sports that drew me to Olympia 15 years ago. I love knowing that I work with a team of people who are instilling those same life lessons in our young athletes. My parents made big sacrifices so I could train. My position in the office allows me the unique opportunity to witness the parents of Olympia making those same sacrifices. Because of that, I grow more and more thankful for my own parents every day. When not at work I enjoy traveling, electronic music and spending time with my friends,family and dog Joey."

Staff Highlight

Lori Koch

Owner/Head Coach

“I have been the owner and head coach of Olympia Gymnastics since 1995. I was a collegiate gymnast at Bowling Green State University from 1986-1990. I then became an assistant coach at BGSU in 1991. As a coach, I have had many amazing opportunities. I have traveled to Slovenia & Venice with the Region 5 All-star team. I coached at the Cover Girl Classic in 2009 and 2010 and the Visa Championship in 2010. I was honored to go to the USA Gymnastics National Training Center in Houston as well. I won Michigan Coach of the Year in 1993, 2009, and 2010 along with Region 5 Horizon Coach of the Year in 2010. Outside of the gym, I love spending time with my husband Bob and our 3 children. We enjoy family vacations together and love to visit Disney as often as possible. ”

Staff Highlight

Delanie Gavan

Coach

“I began taking recreational classes at Olympia when I was in 1st grade. I continued with gymnastics until my sophomore year of high school, but I never stopped loving the sport. Gymnastics benefitted me as a young person because it taught me patience, the importance of goal setting, built my self-confidence, taught me to always challenge myself and to never give up. Working at Olympia is such a great experience because it is like being part of a family. I love watching the athletes grow as gymnasts. The smile on their faces after they land that new skill that they’ve been working so hard on is priceless. When I’m not coaching, I like being with my friends, going to concerts, reading, watching movies and going on vacations with my family. This fall I will be a sophomore at Ferris State University and will really miss Olympia while I’m gone.”

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Lexi Rollason

Recreational Director 

“I started gymnastics at age 7 down in Tennessee. I competed up to a level six gymnast.  I moved to Michigan in 7th grade and because no gymnastics facilities were located near our home, I started cheerleading. I cheered all through high school and loved it. I went on to graduate from Western Michigan University and earned a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science. The best thing about being a gymnastics coach is helping a child achieve something they worked so hard on! I love gymnastics and love working with kids so putting those two worlds together is so rewarding for me.  I love working at Olympia because the staff here is great. Everyone works well together and share a great passion for gymnastics and children. When not coaching gymnastics, I love spending time with family, and playing with my toddler son Joshua.” 

Staff Highlight

Brandan Ulewitz

Boys Program Director

“I started gymnastics in a parent/tot class and continued on as a competitive gymnast for my entire youth. During my college years I earned multiple degrees related to children including an adolescent psychology degree, an elementary education degree, and minor degrees in language arts & mathematics.  In conjunction with coaching competitive level gymnastics, I also was a mathematics specialist for 7 years with the Roeper School for gifted students. 

I enjoyed my time as an educator, but the time commitment required for performing two careers at once proved overwhelming.  I chose gymnastics over teaching because of the greater freedoms it afforded in sharing proven childrearing philosophies with the greatest amount of families. The part I enjoy most about coaching gymnastics has little to do with gymnastics.  I am most gratified by helping children become better learners and outstanding members of society.  I enjoy assisting them through their troubles and aiding them in making good life choices as they transition into adulthood. I try to be this way because I feel there are enough takers in this world already and every day I have a desire to give back.”

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Christy Schawarts

Team Coach

“After trying skiing, ice skating, sledding, etc., my mom gave me the choice between gymnastics and figure skating.  I chose gymnastics – all those others: too cold! I started at the age of 10 with the Bloomfield Hills Schools Recreation Department. Then I went to Steve Whitlock’s School of Gymnastics.  I started on the pre-team, then moved on to up to Class I. I finished my competitive career on scholarship at the University of Michigan as a four year letter winner, two-year co-captain and member of the first Michigan team to win Big Tens and to compete in the NCAA finals. I enjoy helping gymnasts be part of a team effort and teaching them to appreciate the discipline, perseverance and commitment required to succeed in this sport. Teaching the life lessons and watching the gymnasts mature into confident young ladies is very rewarding. I am also an animal lover. I am the proud owner of Lucy, my “four-legged” friend. When I am not in the gym coaching, I love spending time hanging with her.”

Staff Highlight

Jennifer Shornak

“I started gymnastics at age 2 in a parent & tot class with my Dad. I continued to do gymnastics until I was 15 and ended my career on Olympia's team as a level 9 competitive gymnast. Gymnastics gave me skills as a young person that many young people do not have. I learned how to manage my time, the importance of hard work, and how to set goals. I love everything about coaching gymnastics. The gymnasts I work with are the best part of my day. The people I coach with are some of the most amazing people I know. My favorite part about being a staff members at Olympia is that we really are like a family. Many of my co-workers coached me as a gymnast and shaped the person I am today. I spent more time with them growing up then my own family. They have all served as strong role models in my life and they continue to influence me to be a better person.”

Staff Highlight

RocQue Umphreys

“Gymnastics taught me to follow my heart and take risks. To this day I continue to follow my heart and except new challenges. Gymnastics kept me from getting involved with the wrong crowd growing up in the inner city. To be honest, Gymnastics saved my life. I have taught all levels from preschool to level 10. I worked on the Master Staff at Bela Karoyli’s Summer Camp & eventually opened my own gym in Plano, Tx. The greatest thing about coaching is simple; I like to make children smile. When I work with children it reminds me to be in awe with life, to laugh, to be curious. Olympia is an incredible and a credible program, here the coaches’ care about the individuals and their overall development. I am fortunate and excited to part of the awesome, fun loving, (crazy) staff here. Oops, did I say crazy? Outside the gym I enjoy riding my bike, eating vegetarian dishes, relaxing, watching movies, writing a book, traveling and taking Zumba.”

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Deanna Sigler

 

“In 3rd grade, I saw a girl do a back flip on the play ground. I went home and asked my Mom to sign me up for gymnastics. I continued in gymnastics for most of my youth and was a competitive gymnast for 8 years. Gymnastics taught me the value of hard work and today I enjoy passing those lessons on to the young children and team athletes I coach. As a coach of women’s optional gymnastics, I play such an important role in the gymnast life, both as an athlete and a person. I love when the team girls realize the “ah-ha moments” of life. In today’s society, children (especially girls) need to set high standards for themselves and I feel gymnastics is a sport that sets a tone for high standards in young people. Gymnastics is a big part of who I am as a person and I feel very blessed to be part of the staff at Olympia. I love that I come to work every day and do something that I love. Everyone here has their own special way of inspiring me to be a better person. ”

STAFF HIGHLIGHT

Becca Fitch

“When I was young, I first started in dance, but I thought it was boring and not challenging enough. I then started gymnastics when I was 4 years old. I continued for 10 years and was a level 9 gymnast. I unfortunately had to stop due to injuries. I loved being a gymnast because I made friends that I got to be with all the time and enjoyed traveling to meets. Over my gymnastics career, I have earned over 150 medals and plaques. Gymnastics made me the person I am today because it helped me with time management and many other things. I like coaching because I am able to help kids try new things and it helps me stay active. Outside of the gym, I enjoy soccer, swimming, and school. I have a dog named Cosmo and my boyfriend, Ryan, of 2 years that I enjoy spending time with.”