Coaching Staff

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Coming up soon here in 2020, Tina & I will have been in business at Erie Gymnastics Center / Team Lightning Inc. for 30 years!  Wow!  It's been an amazing journey with a tremendous number of loyal and dedicated staff that helped us get here!  We consider them members of our family!  Coaching now for 30+ years, we're on 2nd Generations.  That is perhaps the best compliment we can receive.  Children who once attended here now are fathers and mothers and loved the experience so much they share their children with us!  In addition, a good portion of our staff are former gymnasts who've attended Erie Gymnastics and came back to share their love and passion for the program and the sport!  Below I would like to introduce you to some of our staff, their credentials, and our Philosophy in Hiring!

• Meet Director & Host- Stars & Stripes - 2002 - present -- Largest Coed Gymnastics Competition in Pennsylvania with 2,000 athletes & 55 Team attending. (one of the largest in the USA)
• Meet Director & Host - for the Level 9 / 10 (USAG highest level) State Gymnastics Championships
• Meet Director for 12 additional Pennsylvania State Gymnastics Championships
• 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award (Ron Sertz Award) Awarded by the Erie Sports Commission / Visit Erie - for contributions to Erie in the field of Sports Tourism
• 2016 & 2018 - Locally Managed Sporting Event of the Year (Erie Sports Commission / Visit Erie)
• 2017 National Locally Managed Event of the Year - National Sports Commission. 

• School of Competitive Gymnastics USA Gymnastics Rating - National Women's Artistic Coach (only one in Erie area)
• School of Recreational Gymnastics - Director
• USA Gymnastics Professional Member - cert.  Women's Artistic
• USA Gymnastics Safety Certified (U101)
• USA Gymnastics Member Club - Administrator
• U110 - Safe Sport Trained
• W200 -  Developmental Coaching Course - Hands on Training - Instructor
• W202 - Women's Meet Director
• Red Cross - First Aid Cert.
• Red Cross - CPR / AED - Infant, Child, Adult Cert.
• Team Lightning - Summer Competitive Team Camp - Director & Clinician

• Produced Numerous PA State Champions & Championships Teams.
• Numerous Invitational Champions & Team Champions.
• 97' National Gold Medalist - Vault - 6th AA
• Currently manages and Head Coaches 60+ Compulsory Athletes.
• Advanced 100's of well prepared Compulsory Athletes to Optional Levels.
• Manages and organizes over 30 Coaching Staff yearly.
• Manages, Coordinates & Head Coaches 4 Compulsory Teams yearly.

Jesse is son of Doug & Tina Pershun and was born into the Gymnastics Family.  Being a cute & friendly baby, Jesse was held and played with by numerous Olympic Champions as he traveled with his parents to  numerous competitions (Mary Lou Retton / Nadia Comaneci / Bart Conners / Kim Zmeskal / Krystal Uzelac / Svetlana Boganskaya / ... and many more.  Jesse participated and is the founder of the current 'Mom & Tot' program at EGC where we founded the class.  Jesse participated in all of the EGC Rec. Classes as well as was a member of the Team Lightning Men's Team.  Jesse went on to play travel Hockey as well as some NCAA Hockey.  

    Jesse wanted to follow in 'Dad's Footsteps', so dad made him start at the bottom of the ladder.  Jesse started helping with Preschool & Beginner Classes.  Eventually he moved up to the Preteams and Compulsory Teams with his mother.  Now, he has learned 'advanced spotting' and works as assistant to the Team Lightning Optional Team.  Jesse now has produced his first series of State Champions and has his first 'National Competitor.  Jesse has been studying and taking both online and hands on courses thru USA Gymnastics and has earned numerous credits in the School of Recreational / School of Business / & School of Competitive.  

    In addition to gymnastics, he shares his fathers love for music and his band - Real Fake Doors - has been taking flight - opening for National acts and has multiple songs on spotify.

• Kaitlyn attended Meadowlands Gymnastics, Washington, PA for 15 Years.
• Competed for Team -- Gym Dandy's for 10 years
• Qualified to Level 10, and competed at the National Level for 3 years.
• Graduated w/ Honors - Benworth H.S
• Bachelors Degree :  Applied Intelligence Studies - Mercyhurst Univ.
• Masters Degree:  Organizational Leadership - Mercyhurst Univ. 
• 2 Years Coaching / Instructing Gym Dandys
• 5 Years Coaching / Instructing Erie Gymnastics Center
• USA Gymnastics Professional Member - cert.  Women's Artistic
• USA Gymnastics Safety Certified (U101)
• U110 - Safe Sport Trained
• W200 -  Developmental Coaching Course - Hands on Training
• W202 - Women's Meet Director
• Red Cross - First Aid Cert.
• Red Cross - CPR / AED - Infant, Child, Adult Cert.

   Mackenzie - daughter of Doug & Tina - grew up in the gymnastics world.  Mackenzie participated in every class from Mom & Tot - thru - Advanced II.  She went on to Team Lightning Compulsories and was most accomplished at the Uneven Bars.  Mackenzie graduated Collegiate Academy - Summa Cum Laude - and recently graduated RIT with High Honor majoring in Biochemistry.  Kenzie currently took a job in her field in Rochester, NY.   Mackenzie comes in a coaches during the Holidays and Summer.  Kenzie is currently coaching at a prestigious club in Rochester, NY - Victor's Gymnastics as well is a NWGJA Gymnastics Judge. 

Adam is another member of our extended Gymnastics Family.  Adam was an Acrobatic Tumbler at Erie Gymnastics as a young boy.  Adam went into Cheerleading where he could show off his Tumbling.  Adam went to Slippery Rock Univ. where he helped their Cheer Team become ranked 1st in the Nation for Div. II Universities.  Adam & his partner Katerie Maille (former Team Lightning Gymnast) went on to become the National Champions in partner stunting.   

   Adam went on to become co-owner / Head Coach (with Doug & others) of the then extremely successful 'Cheer Vibe'.

   Adam then went on to marry Crystal Wozniak (former Gymnast, Graduate & Asst. Optional Coach) for Team Lightning. 

   Between Coaching, Adam enjoys raising their 2 boys - Carson & Brett (who show promise at being awesome future gymnasts)

Cindy Bretz came to EGC more that 17 years ago.  Cindy enrolled her first daughter Lexie in the classes.  Lexie excelled rapidly in the Sport of Gymnastics.  Soon after Lexie, her other 2 girls (Addison & Amelya) took an affinity to the sport, and Cindy was almost always here.

   Cindy, having experience with Autism, headed up and started a very successful Autistic Program at the gym.

   Cindy was a successful Soccer Player in her youth and went on to compete NCAA Collegiate Soccer for Mercyhurst Univ.  Shortly thereafter she became the Head Coach Meadville HS Soccer Team.  Her experience with Coaching, working with Children, fundamentals of athletics... led her to join our Gymnastics Coaching Staff.  Cindy had a thirst for knowledge and eventually became the Team Lightning Head Compulsory Coach where she had many successful Team & Athletes.  Cindy's oldest daughter Lexie recently graduated (over Covid) as a very successful Level 9 Gymnast.  Cindy's youngest daughter Lily is still at the gym as a prominent member of our State Championship Platinum Team. 

   Crystal is another member of our excellent staff who grew up in Erie Gymnastics Center.  Crystal was a former Optional Team Member & Graduate of Erie Gymnastics after 14 years in the gym.  Crystal retired her career as the reigning Level 7 State Uneven Bar Champion & Bronze AA.

   Crystal went on to Graduate Gannon Univ. as a PA (Physician's Asst.) and currently works in Hamot Hospital's Trauma Unit.  Crystal was the former Optional Asst. Team Coach and taught Classes to help pay her way through college.

   Crystal went on to marry her gym sweetheart Adam Goss.  Crystal enjoys raising her 2 children - Carson & Brett (who will likely be eventual future champions for Team Lightning). 

• Coach & Instructor for EGC for 20+ Years
• USA Gymnastics Professional Member - cert.  Women's Artistic
• USA Gymnastics Safety Certified (U101)
• U110 - Safe Sport Trained
• W200 -  Developmental Coaching Course - Hands on Training - Instructor
• Red Cross - First Aid Cert.
• Red Cross - CPR / AED - Infant, Child, Adult Cert.

   Kelly joined our Staff 10+ years ago as all 3 of her daughters took an interest in Gymnastics and had an affinity for the Sport.   Kelly started with our Recreational Classes and did an outstanding job.  Her thirst for knowledge in the sport gained her experience and we added her to our Coaching Staff.  Kelly has proved herself as an excellent coach and member of our Staff.  Kelly's oldest daughter Haley recently graduated EGC and is working here helping to pay her college tuition at Mercyhurst.  Kelly's 2 youngest daughters (Alaina, Emily) are still active members of Team Lightning at part of our Championship Team.

• Asst. Xcel Team Coach - 1st Place Platinum 23 State Team Championships (1st of 72 teams)
• BS  Degree in Education - Edinboro Univ.
• Current Learning Support Teacher for Millcreek School District
• Coach & Instructor for EGC for 10+ Years
• USA Gymnastics Professional Member - cert.  Women's Artistic
• USA Gymnastics Safety Certified (U101)
• U110 - Safe Sport Trained
• W200 -  Developmental Coaching Course - Hands on Training - Instructor
• Red Cross - First Aid Cert.
• Red Cross - CPR / AED - Infant, Child, Adult Cert.

  Mackenzie - daughter of Doug & Tina - grew up in the gymnastics world.  Mackenzie participated in every class from Mom & Tot - thru - Advanced II.  She went on to Team Lightning Compulsories and was most accomplished at the Uneven Bars.  Mackenzie graduated Collegiate Academy - Summa Cum Laude - and is now attending RIT majoring in Biochemistry.  Kenzie is on college leave but comes in a coaches during the Holidays and Summer.  Kenzie is currently coaching at a prestigious club in Rochester, NY - Victor's Gymnastics as well is a NWGJA Gymnastics Judge.

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 Coach Jenn is in her 5th year at Erie Gymnastics Center.  In addition to Coaching / Instruction, she has three daughters who've all started in Mom and Tot and are now Level 5, Level 2, and Intermediate Kinder.  She currently assists in teaching Kinder and coaching Mini Team, Level 2, and Level 3 at the West gym.  Jenn is originally from Pittsburgh where she was a cheerleader all through middle and high school.  She has her Bachelor's and Master's degree in education.  Along with coaching, Jenn teaches at Our Lady of Peace School.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and making candy. 

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Justin grew up in EGC - becoming both a Class 1 and National Level 10 contender.  Nicknamed the "Showman" Justin performed in 25+ EGC end of the year shows.  Justin graduated Slippery Rock Univ. w/  Health & Physical Education Degree.  He became the Head Coach of the Butler Hy-Flyers Men's Team.  Justin then returned to EGC where he became the Head Coach of Team Lightning Men's Team.   Justin has coached numerous State & Regional Champions as well as led our Team Lightning boys to win first place Team at the PA State Championships in 2018.  

By day Justin is a school teacher at St. George Catholic School.  Justin is also a USAG Professional Coach, First Aid / CPR certified / NCIS & PA Background Clearences / USAG Safety Certified.  

Justin took a year sebatical but joined back up with the staff to assist the Team Lightning Women's Compulsory Team.  

Hobbies:  Golf, Working Out, spending time with his wife Lauren and daughter Mia (soon to be a Team Lightning gymnast!). 

   Crystal is another member of our excellent staff who grew up in Erie Gymnastics Center.  Crystal was a former Optional Team Member & Graduate of Erie Gymnastics after 14 years in the gym.  Crystal retired her career as the reigning Level 7 State Uneven Bar Champion & Bronze AA.

   Crystal went on to Graduate Gannon Univ. as a PA (Physician's Asst.) and currently works in Hamot Hospital's Trauma Unit.  Crystal was the former Optional Asst. Team Coach and taught Classes to help pay her way through college.

   Crystal later went on to marry her gym sweetheart Adam Goss.  Crystal enjoys raising her 2 children - Carson & Brett (who will likely be eventual future champions for Team Lightning). 

• BS Health Sciences - Gannon Univ.
• Master Degree - Physician Assistant - Gannon Univ.
• Works by day at Hamot Hospital Trauma Unit
• Coach & Instructor for EGC for 15+ Years
• USA Gymnastics Professional Member - cert.  Women's Artistic
• USA Gymnastics Safety Certified (U101)
• U110 - Safe Sport Trained
• W200 -  Developmental Coaching Course - Hands on Training - Instructor
• Red Cross - First Aid Cert.
• Red Cross - CPR / AED - Infant, Child, Adult Cert.