Spring 2010 – Club Close-Up

Visit the USA Gymnastics website: www.usa-gymnastics.org

Background:

Gym America began in a small warehouse in 1979; today it is a gymnastics-specific facility that is completely air-conditioned and fully equipped with state-of-the-art gymnastics and safety equipment.

Mission Statement:

Gym America’s mission is to play a constructive role in the development of healthy, confident, disciplined and responsible children. We want to develop each individual’s gymnastics potential in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.

Programs offered:

• Preschool Playtime program (no registration required)
• Boys and girls classes for all ages, from toddlers to teenagers and adults
• High School Cheer and Tumbling
• Gym America on Wheels
• Several team experiences for Level 4-10 gymnasts: Pre-team for the youngest competitive gymnasts; Star Teams (Red, White and Blue teams compete in in-house competition), Prep-Optional Team: USA Gymnastics-sponsored team that provides a competitive experience without the financial and time commitment of the Junior Olympic Program; Optional Team (highest level competitive team); Compulsory Team; TOPS

One Big Happy Family:

Visit the website of Gym America, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and you’ll be greeted with this slogan: “Gymnastics today. Character for life.” Based on the motto, you might expect to see a club that demonstrates the rigor that characterizes many gymnastics programs. And while owners Claudia and Ed Kretschmer run their gym with the firm hand necessary for any quality program that trains athletes, the club’s real strength is in something unexpected: an environment that makes Gym America feel as much like a big family as one of the top Olympics-style gymnastics training facilities in the state.

Claudia Kretschmer (a former gymnast at the University of Florida, where she met Ed, who competed as a pole-vaulter and decathlete) says one of the ways the family atmosphere of her club is expressed is by maintaining an open line of communication with parents, athletes and coaches. For example, when parents relay a concern about an issue that might affect their child’s performance at the gym, the information is passed along to the gymnast’s coach. While this includes obvious performance issues like injuries, it also extends to more subtle areas, like family challenges, a child’s having a difficult day at school, or a gymnast experiencing frustration with a tumbling skill. Claudia believes that her and Ed’s involvement in the day-to-day running of the program makes a difference in encouraging that level of openness: “Gym America is owner-based, so Ed and I are truly engaged in every aspect of the program, from the business end to teaching and coaching.”

In a healthy family, each member has a place and is valued for their unique contributions, and no one member’s needs are considered more important than another’s. Gym America boasts a similar dynamic: “Every kid is equally important,” explains Claudia. “We want every child to fulfill their potential, not just in gymnastics, but in character and life skills.” And when a big family lives in a small home, a family grows even closer, as is the case with Gym America, which trains in a relatively small facility as compared to others with an equal number of gymnasts enrolled. “We compete big, but we have to train smart,” says Claudia. Hiring good coaches who choose to collaborate rather than compete with each other is key, as is cooperation within the facility itself.

Gym America’s warmth and openness extend to the surrounding Ann Arbor community through free gymnastics exhibitions and donations to silent auctions. In addition, the club offers complimentary gymnastics instruction to area schools through Gym America on Wheels. The club’s mobile program arrives on-location in a full-sized van filled with specialized gymnastics equipment including tumbling mats; balance beams; a mini training bar, wedge and octagon-shaped fun mats; vaulting stations; and preschool-sized equipment for the youngest gymnasts.

Gym America trains winners at every level, including gymnasts who are crowned regional and state champions; those who compete on the national stage; and students who have earned full-ride university scholarships for their gymnastics ability. Just as important to Claudia and Ed Kretschmer as these indicators of the quality of their program, though, are other benchmarks that reveal the true core of the club. Gym America coach Brian Zook was recently named 2009 Michigan Male Compulsory Coach of the Year in recognition of his outstanding 27-year coaching career. In 2003 and 2005 Claudia was honored to receive the USA Gymnastics National Instructor of the Year Award, and Gym America was voted “Best Gymnastics School in Washtenaw County” in the Ann Arbor Family Magazine “Family Favorites 2008,” a tribute to the club’s popularity in the community.

A parent of gymnast who is a graduating senior recently wrote these words that sum up what Gym America has meant to a generation of Gym America gymnasts: “Our daughter came to Gym America for gymnastics. She received so much more. Thank you all for creating an atmosphere where confidence grows, friendships flourish and the importance of teamwork is understood.” Just another reason to think of Gym America as one big, happy (gymnastics) family.

Staff:

Ed and Claudia Kretschmer are the founders of Gym America and the head coaches of the competitive team. Owners Ed and Claudia Kretschmer were both college athletes at the University of Florida, where Claudia competed on the women’s gymnastics team and Ed on the track team as a pole-vaulter and decathlete. Together, the two have produced many regional and national level competitors. Ed’s bio-mechanical background has been a great force behind Gym America’s success. Claudia has served on the USA Gymnastics State Board for over 20 years and has served as a state, regional and national clinician. In 2003 and 2005 she was honored to receive the USA Gymnastics National Instructor of the Year Award. She pioneered the Prep-Optional program for the State of Michigan and Region V, and lectures all over the country about the program, which now has over 600 gymnasts participating in it. Ed and Claudia also work with the TOPS program.

Both Ed and Claudia are strong believers in maintaining a high level of coaches’ education and developing a good team through discipline, consistency and positive motivation. Claudia and Ed live in Saline and have two sons: Kevin is a college student, tutor, plays soccer and coaches. Kyle is a 9th grader at Saline HS.

Brian Zook has been coaching gymnastics for 27 years. He competed for WMU and earned his teaching degree in Physical Education. Brian is the former owner of Great Lakes Gymnastics in Lansing Michigan. He has produced many National Level competitors, and state and regional champions. Brian is a full-time coach at Gym America. He coaches all levels of the competitive team and also works with our Junior Trainer program. Brian also heads the Gym America on Wheels program. Brian has been a clinician and coach for State and Regional Congress and training camps. Brian has been honored to win the 2009 Michigan Male Compulsory Coach of the Year Award. Brian also assists Claudia in teaching the PDCP Professional Certification Program for USA Gymnastics. Brian and his wife Autumn live in Saline and they have two children MacKenzie, 9 and Carter, 6.

Sarah Osburn has been coaching at Gym America for twenty years. She is an excellent coach with many years of experience with both optionals and compulsories. Sarah is a lawyer in her day job and is the City Attorney for Adrian. Sarah truly loves the sport of gymnastics; she is a great choreographer and works with all levels of the competitive team. She is a positive force at Gym America. Sarah is married to Brian and has two children Brock and Morgan. Sarah was the first coach in the country to score 100% on her GymCert certification exam!

Stephanie Harrigan is a Gym America graduate. Stephanie was a level 10 National competitor and started at Gym America when she was 3 years old. She competed at every level and truly “knows the ropes”. Stephanie graduated from UCLA where she was team captain for 3 years. This is Stephanie’s seventh year coaching at Gym America. Stephanie also has her level 5/6 judges certification. In her day job she is an Officer at the Bank of Ann Arbor and works as an Underwriter. Stephanie and her husband Geoff live in Ann Arbor and has a new baby boy Drew.

Liz Franas is a former level 9 gymnast. She graduated 7th in her class from Central Michigan University. Liz has been coaching the compulsory levels for seven years, and this is her fifth year at Gym America. Her favorite part about coaching is helping kids to motivate themselves and help them to believe in everything they do. Liz graduated with a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2006. She works for the Henry Ford Health System as a child and adolescent clinical social worker. Liz coaches the TOPS program. Liz has twin sons Michael and Caleb.

Eddie Umphrey has been a competitor for the past 15 years. He competed for the University of Michigan’s Men team for 4 years and is a University of Michigan graduate. Eddie is training and competing at the Elite Level. He was the 2001 National Vault Champion and 2005 All-American. Eddie competed in the 2009 VISA USA Championships. Eddie has been coaching at Gym America for four years and works with all levels of the competitive team. Eddie is a positive role model and motivating coach.

Ann Walker has been coaching for 13 years. Ann previously worked in Colorado where she coached levels 5 thru 8. Ann has been a driving force behind our pre-team program and the development of our athletes. Ann was a competitive gymnast at GTC and graduated from University of Michigan in 2003. This is Ann’s sixth year coaching the level 5 team at Gym America. Ann also coaches our TNT program.

Joy Meadows is starting her fourth season coaching the Competitive 4’s at Gym America. Joy moved to Michigan from Arizona, where she was the head coach for levels 6 & 7.She also did choreography, was a judge and a skill evaluator. Joy trained as a level 9 gymnast in Utah where she also acquired a scholarship to Southern Utah University as a cheerleader. Joy ultimately obtained her undergraduate degree from EMU in Communication. Joy believes in teaching a solid foundation through a hands-on approach and positive motivation. She now stays home full time with her two children: Kelsey, 5 and Brylee, 3. Joy is married to Tom.

Kim Cunningham has been involved in the gymnastics world for 20 plus years through competing, judging, or coaching. She competed for her high school team in Pipestone, Minnesota and then tried her hand at judging while getting her B.S. in Psychology and Special Education Minor at Mankato State University. Kim has coached preschool, recreational, and team gymnastics up to level 9 and has produced several state champions both individual and team. With that said however, her main achievement she feels is the fact that she has taught good gymnastics in a very positive manner. The important life lessons that are being taught to the young athletes are her main focus: Never say, “I can’t” and always say, “I’ll try” is her mantra.

Emily Bartley is former gymnast (though you might still catch her in a leo once in a while), Emily was bitten by the “gymnastics bug” at age 8 and has never been able the walk away. She began coaching at age 14 at her home club and over the years has coached and/or done choreography for various clubs, community organizations, high schools teams, and even a sleep away summer camp. She has been with Gym America for 6 years. In her non-gymnastics life, Emily is married, and works as a clinical pharmacist for the Veterans Affairs hospital in Ann Arbor. Emily coaches the Prep-Optional Team.

Emily Gagne has been a part of the Gym America staff for 9 years working managing the office and on the floor. She will start her third year as Pre-Team Coordinator at Gym America. She has both gymnastics and cheerleading background. Emily coaches the Team Trainers. Emily completed her Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Eastern Michigan University in 2008. Emily is an energetic coach and knowledgeable in all aspects of the day-to-day operations.

Lindsay Gaertner is in her fourth year at Gym America and second year as a pre-team coach. She will coach the Junior Trainer Gold team. Lindsay is from Pittsburgh, Pa. where she did gymnastics for 15 years. She competed for the Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team from 2001-2006. She has her Master’s Degree from Eastern majoring in Speech-Language Pathology. Lindsay brings a positive attitude and competitive experience to our pre-team program.

Heather Deacons is in her fourth year coaching at Gym America. Heather is the Star Team program director. She also coaches the Team Trainers and helps out with all levels of the pre-team program. Heather is a popular pre-school teacher. She is a positive and energetic coach. She has her Masters in International Business from Eastern Michigan University, where she competed in club gymnastics for three years. Heather brings a fun, loving attitude to our pre-team program.

Amy Mell is a former competitive gymnast and diver. She has been coaching gymnastics for 9 years. This is her first year coaching at Gym America. In college, Amy was a diver on the Swimming and Diving Team at Virginia Tech. She received her undergraduate degree in engineering from Virginia Tech and her masters in Public Health from The University of Michigan. She currently works at Thomson Reuters.