Our Coaches

Greg McCalester
	Greg is the founding member of Elite Gymnastics Academy. He has been coaching competitive gymnastics in San Diego since moving here in 1996. In addition to his role as owner of the gym, Greg coaches all levels of gymnastics at Elite. Greg is the head coach of the optional girls on Bars, Vault, and Tumbling. "When I was a competitive gymnast, I couldn't wait to get to the gym each day I had practice. I always knew that I wanted to be a part of gymnastics as long as I could. Elite has allowed me to remain a part of gymnastics, a sport that I love, and for that I am lucky."
Carrie Pohlman
	Carrie was a competitive gymnast since age 8. Carrie is our compulsory team coordinator. She currently coaches all levels of classes at Elite as well as being the head coach of the Optional Girls on Beam and Dance.
Josh Hodgson
	Josh coaches our Level 7 Girls Team. Josh was a competitive gymnast and 3 time New York state vaulting champion. He has been coaching gymnastics since 1994. Josh has coached all levels of men's and women's gymnastics, and is also a licensed massage therapist. Coach Josh says, "I walked into the gym when I was 6 and never left. I love all of the opportunities gymnastics opens for young athletes and life lessons they will use forever."
Candice Dowling
	Candice coaches our Level 5/6 Girls Team. Candice is a former Elite Gymnastics Academy gymnast and competed up through Level 9. Candice is also a credentialed math teacher and has taught middle and high school. Coach Candice says, "Gymnastics was my life until I graduated high school. My favorite part about gymnastics was learning and perfecting new skills. Now my favorite part is watching my gymnasts do the same."
Olin Eaves
	Olin was a tumbler and a cheerleader throughout high school and college. He has coached competitive gymnastics since 2004. "Childhood is the most critical part of our lives, especially in terms of developing good exercise habits at an early age. Gymnastics is the best sport there is, and I hope to share my enthusiasm for it with all of my students." Olin currently coaches Boys Team, Level 4 Girls Team as well as Tumbling, Introductory and Developmental Classes.
Sara Witherspoon
	Sara coaches our introductory classes and up to Level 4 Girls Team. She is our S.T.A.R.S. program coordinator. Sara started gymnastics at the age of 5 and competed for Harbor City Gymnastics in Florida. She quit gymnastics at the age of 17 and started coaching for her parents gym in Loganville, Georgia. She is currently working towards her degree in early childhood education.
Vincent Avalos
	Vincent coaches our introductory boys classes and Level 4/5 Boys Competitive Team. Vincent was a former gymnast and has been working with children as a Primary Preschool teacher, school age care and teen center educational aid for China Lake Navy Base, Day Camp Instructor and Men's Gymnastics Coach for the City of Ridgecrest since he was 18 years old. He holds a Bachelors degree in Health Care Administration. In his spare time he is actively involved in playing sports like Volleyball, Football, Basketball and training. He likes to teach others about staying fit, weight loss and or weight gain through healthy eating habits. Vincent is from a Ridgecrest, California located in the high desert and has moved to San Diego to be a part of Elite Gymnastics Academy.
Kelsey McCrae
	Kelsey coaches our introductory, Level 3 and Level 4 Girls Team. She is our lower level program coordinator. Kelsey started gymnastics at age 3 and competed for Tricks Gymnastics in Northern California through Level 6. She quit gymnastics when she was 12 continue dance - Jazz, Ballet and Tap. She was in a dance ensemble in High School. Kelsey says, "I missed gymnastics so much and am so happy to be back in the gym helping to teach other kids about my favorite sport!"
Kristen Brinkley
	Kristen coaches our introductory and lower level gymnastics classes and Tap Classes. Kristen danced competitively for 10 years. She graduated from Granite Hills High School and is currently attending college.
Katrina Lancia
	Katrina coaches our advanced, introductory and lower level classes. Katrina was a competitive gymnast for 11 years and competed through Level 8. She was varsity cheer captain and a varsity gymnast in high school. She is currently working towards a degree in child development.
Cheryl Lucas
	Cheryl coaches our advanced, introductory and lower level classes. She was competitive gymnast for 14 years and trained up to Level 9. Cheryl has been coaching for 8 years. Cheryl graduated from the University of Arizona in 2010 with a B.S. in Physiology and she plans to further her medical education in the future.
Elyse Palumbo
	Elyse coaches our advanced, introductory and lower level classes. She started gymnastics when she was 7 years old and competed until she graduated from High School. She graduated from C.S.U.S.M. with a B.S. in Kinesiology. She plans on furthering her education in the future. Elyse says, "I love gymnastics because it's unlike any other sport. It takes so much hard work and dedication; it's something special when you see your students come in day after day and succeed."
Katie Klein
	Katie coaches our introductory and lower level classes. Katie started gymnastics at age 12, and remained a gymnast and cheerleader until she graduated from Granite Hills High School. She is currently working towards degrees in business and criminal justice. Katie says, "I feel so at home when I am in the gym, and I cannot express how excited I am to be a part of the Elite staff. It is a true joy to see young individuals passionate about this sport, and even better that I can be a part of accomplishing their gymnastics goals."
Jaclyn Reed
	Jaclyn currently assists the lower level, introductory, intermediate, and boys classes. She began coaching at United Gymnastics Academy in Helotes, TX in 2010 after she was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a combat medic. Jackie is currently pursuing a degree in nursing through National University and plans to join the Army Nursing Corps upon graduation. Jaclyn says, "I began gymnastics when I was 7 years old and then took on cheerleading from ages 12 to 18. I always felt like a part of me was missing when I was away from the gymnastics and cheerleading atmosphere, so it's great to be back in the gym helping young gymnasts pursue their passion."
Jessika Carroll
	Jessika currently assists the lower level, introductory classes. Jessika was in gymnastics for 5 years and competed up to Level 6 before she had a back injury. She has been a preschool teacher for 11 years and just recently left to finish her last semester at Grossmont College. She has a Master Teacher Permit and Site Supervisor Permit. She graduates in the spring with AA in Child Development, Cross-Cultural Studies and University Studies of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Jessika was just accepted to SDSU where she will be working on her BA in Psychology. She has children of her own all boys and an energetic bunch. Jessika says, "Working with youth is my passion. I have missed gymnastics so much since I had to give it up and coaching is a perfect way to combine my love for the sport and working with kids."
Nique Vargas
	Nique currently assists the lower level, introductory classes. She has done gymnastics since she was 8 years old. Nique competed on Varsity for Santana High School. She is currently a Junior at Grossmont Middle College High School.
Erin Jasso
	Erin currently assists the lower level, introductory classes. She took gymnastics for 7 years when she was younger and always regretted leaving the gymnastics world. Erin is thrilled to be back and even more excited that she is a coach this time around. Erin is currently a student at San Diego State University working on her Bacholer's degree in Liberal Studies in order to become an elementary school teacher.
Brittany Spiewak
	Brittany currently assists the lower level, introductory classes. Brittany is a former Elite Gymnastics Academy gymnast and competed up through Level 7. More to come....
Donnavan Johnson
	Don coaches our Hip-Hop Classes. Don has been dancing his whole life. Don started Junkyard Dance Crew in 2004 where he has taught, performed, and trained dancers from ages 6-16. He has performed at over 100 competitions and shows throughout San Diego and Los Angeles. Don background includes Hip-Hop, Krump, Popping, Body Control and Choreography. Don has also danced for many charity events including the Relay for Life Cancer Event.
Carol Brackett
	Carol currently works at our Front Desk. Carol is a San Diego Native and volunteer at the San Diego Adaptive Sports Foundation. She has strong family values and enjoys spending time with her nieces, nephews and her two kittens.
Nicoll Nieto
	Nicoll currently works at our Front Desk. Nicoll grew up, being active in gymnastics and cheer. Native of Santee, second graduating class of West Hills High School. Nicoll attended Grossmont College and received certificates in Medical Office Typing/Insurance Billing and Transcription. She is now a proud mother of 2 teenage boys and one spunky 4 year old little girl, Nicoll spends her time volunteering, as a room parent, on field trips, for carnivals, for school breakfast club, team parent, taxi, etc. In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking, knitting, making crafts and spending time with her family. Nicoll is a Disneyland fanatic!.
Paula McCalester
	Paula is Elite's Web Master, Advertising and Marketing person and the Community Outreach Coordinator. She is often seen in the gym with her four girls. Paula competed track and cross country through College and did High School gymnastics. Her daughter Bianca is a Level 8 Gymnast. "Elite is our extended family and so much a part of our life. I think how blessed we are to work, play, form friendships, and be part of this special place."

Elite Gymnastics Jr. Coaches

Coach Becca
	Becca is a current Elite Gymnast. She currently is a Level 10 gymnast. Becca trains in the lower level classes and can be see at camps, PNO's and in class. Becca graduated from high school and is attending college. Becca enjoys, surfing. Becca was the 2008 Women's Level 7 State Champion (14). Becca placed 3rd on Bars at the 2009 Region 1 Championships Level 8 (15) Becca placed 2nd on Bars at the 2010 Southern California State Championships for Level 9 She was a 2011 Western National Championship Team Member for Region 1.
Coach Ally
	Ally is a current Elite Gymnast. She currently is a Level 10 gymnast. She is a Jr. Coach that trains in the lower level classes and can be see at camps, PNO's and in class. She is an honors student and gets straight A's. Ally was 3rd AA in the 2009 Level 7 SoCal State Championships. In 2011 she was 3rd on floor at the Region 1 Championships for Level 8. In 2012 Ally was a Team Member on the Western National Championship Level 9 Region 1 Team.
Coach Bianca
	Bianca is a current Elite Gymnast. She currently is a Level 8 gymnast. Bianca can be seen helping at camps, and around the gym. Bianca speaks German and enjoys baking and animals. She volunteers during the year Serving Seniors at The Salvation Army and The Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center. Beam and Bars are her specialty.