Coaches / Staff

Yelena Urusova - Head Coach

Gymnastics has been a part of Yelena's life since she was 9 years old. She started as a gymnast in the famous "Dynamo" club of Ukraine where she competed as an elite level gymnast and received the title "Master of Sport". Yelena took over leadership of Monarchs in 1994. During this time, Monarchs produced Sectional, State, Regional and National Champions. Yelena believes in a strong foundation in the basic skills of gymnastics and that hard work and dedication are the keys to a successful gymnastics career.

Connie Thornbury

Connie brings nearly 30 years of gymnastics experience to Monarchs Gymnastics! With Connie comes not only her USA Gymnastics Safety certification, but also a Fitness and Nutrition certificate from Roswell College and a USA Gymnastics Kinder Accreditation for Teachers (K.A.T.) certificate. She has been here at Monarchs specializing in Kinder Gym for 7 years. Connie stays involved in the sport outside Monarchs by attending clinics to keep her teaching techniques updated and coaching for the Special Olympics.

Marina Kukhta

Marina is from the Ukraine where she had extensive training in rhythmic gymnastics and ballet. Since 1996, Marina has single-handedly run our rhythmic gymnastics program. Additionally, Marina coaches our developmental and competitive teams in floor and dance.

Lee Coltman

Lee has been a competitve women's gymnastics coach since 1985. He has produced numerous State, Regional, and National champions at levels 5 through Elite. Lee himself was a compulsory level and exhibition gymnast in his elementary and middle school years. His favorite events were the high bar and rings. Lee holds Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees in Anthropology from UCLA. When he is not teaching or coaching, he enjoys composing, racing in-line skating, and exercising.

George Haroutynian

Coach George is a highly qualified and skilled Team coach for Boys and Girls, he is an international level coach, and has trained athletes from Austria, Armenia, Brazil and various others. He was appointed referee of International category during the Atlanta Olympics. During the Atlanta games he was also asked to officiate at the artistic gymnastics competition and received a plaque of excellence for his outstanding contribution from the Olympic Committee. Coach George is passionate about coaching gymnastics and seeing his students succeed in competitions and in their lives.

Sioux Wing

Coach Sioux was a competitive gymnast for 9 years, until she made the transition to dance which led to a BFA from the University of Arizona. After graduation Sioux danced professionally for several dance companies and has coached all levels of gymnastics including Team and Developmental for many years. Sioux has brought tremendous gymnastics and dance experience with her to Monarchs and she enjoys passing it along to our younger generation of gymnasts. During her free time Sioux enjoys swimming, and watching movies with her husband Valentine.

Alison Blaschke

Coach Alison began gymnastics at 9 years old. She was a competitive level 9 gymnast here at Monarchs. Alison began coaching at Monarchs right after she left the team and continues to enjoy being a part of the sport and helping her students improve on their skills. On the weekends, she enjoys going to the beach and shopping with friends.

Angela Burns

Coach Angie came to Monarchs in 2005 but started coaching in St. Louis, MO in 1998. She continued coaching while attending Kansas State University where she completed her degree in elementary education. Angie recently completed the USA Gymnastics Kinder Accreditation for Teachers (K.A.T.) certificate. She loves seeing her students master new skills. In her spare time she enjoys walking her dog and watching college football with her husband!

Britton Bickle

Coach Britton has been doing gymnastics for 12 years. She was a competitive gymnast for 8 years. She loves to coach at Monarchs and is often seen tumbling after work. Britton has been a competitive cheerleader for 6 years and is on the college team PACE All-Stars. She has also been coaching cheerleading for 3 years. On the weekends Britton loves to cheer and coach.

Daniel Vainshtein

Daniel was a Class 4 gymnast and has been tumbling for over ten years. He started coaching in 2000 and has taught both Recreational and Team Boys and Girls. He loves gymnastics, tumbling, and cheerleading. He is currently a National Cheerleading Association coaching staff member and is an Emergency Medical Technician as well as being safety certified. He enjoys coaching at Monarchs and is always enthusiastic.

Ivan Bereznyakov

Coach Ivan started as a gymnast at the age of 5 in the Ukraine. As a gymnast he was a member of the National Team of Ukraine. He is a "Master of Sports" of the USSR. From 1996 he has coached at two of the leading gyms in Ukraine and today he is happy to be a part of the Monarchs family teaching Developmental and Team Boys and Girls. On his days off Ivan enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

Jared Hall

Coach Jared started out as a competition cheerleader at Wolfpack All-Stars. He currently is a National Cheerleading Association coaching staff member. He has been tumbling for over a year and competes at the advanced and pro levels. Jared is on the International Open Team at Cheer Force All-Stars. He loves teaching at Monarchs and the sport of gymnastics; he plans to stay involved in cheer and tumbling for many years to come.

Drew Fouarge

Coach Drew is one of our most energetic and fun loving coaches. He teaches boys classes and uses his expertise and cheer experience to teach tumbling classes. He now cheers for the world ranked California Allstar Bullets in San Diego and can always be seen tumbling and working to become a better all around athlete and learning new skills to pass on to his students. You can find him at Monarchs on most Friday nights during our Parents Night Out program where his energy and enthusiasm is sure to make all the kids have a time they will never forget. Coach Drew is also studying zoology and music when he isn't coaching at Monarchs Gymnastics.

Kathy Swatosh

Darcy Gale

Nicole Manning

Lora Durand

Jim Richardson

Heather Ziegler

Coach Nadia

Sarah Berson

Sarah Berson has been a part of the Monarchs Family since the age of 10 and under the coaching of Yelena Urusova since the age of seven. Sarah was a level 10 gymnast and a level 8 regional floor champion. She has been coaching kinder and recreational classes since 2002 and started a developmental program in 2005. Sarah loves gymnastics and passes her enthusiasm onto her students.

Natalie Todak

Dan Mast

Kelsi Umebuko

Coach Kelsi started gymnastics at 8 years old and she was a competitive gymnast here at Monarchs. Coach Kelsi has been coaching here since 2005. She loves gymnastics and is happy to be able to teach and pass along her love of the sport to her students. In her spare time, she likes to write poetry.

Kathryn Young

Jackie Falk

Jackie started her gymnastics career when she was 7 years old at Monarchs with Coach Holly back in 1995 and was a successful competitive gymnast. She was also a cheerleader with Calabashes High School from 2002-2006 and continues to do gymnastics, tumbling, and cheer in her spare time. On the weekends Jackie enjoys reading, going to movies, and relaxing with her friends. She loves working with our Kinder Gym classes and always finds new and fun ways to engage their attention.

Brandon Bennett

Nicole Perry

Crystal Riggs

Taylor Wright