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Linda Young
Linda Young opened Northshore Gymnastics 14 years
ago and currently serves as the owner, manager and level 4 girl’s gymnastics coach. Linda has over 25 years experience
as a gymnastics coach, coaching both recreationally and competitively. She competed herself beginning at the age of 4 and
continuing throughout her first year at the University of Washington. In addition to her work in the gym, Linda holds a Bachelors
of Science degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology (Cal State Fullerton), a masters degree in Psychology (University
of Washington) and a teaching certificate from Seattle Pacific University. She taught preschool and in the public education
system for twelve years before turning full time to gymnastics. Linda is greatly involved in gymnastics in the state of Washington
having served on the board since 1990, attending and helping run clinics, attending local and national congresses, and being
a USA Gymnastics Member. Linda continues to have a passion for the sport and enjoys watching kids develop physically and mentally
while having fun and staying active. She considers it a privilege to witness the sense of accomplishment children have when
learning skills, the joy kids have when entering the gym and pride parents have when their children succeed. In her free time
Linda likes to spend time with her children, MacKenzie (23) and Kirby (21), watch sports (Go Hawks, Huskies and Mariners!),
read and exercise.
Mike Hedwall
Mike Hedwall
is the program director and coach administrator at Northshore. He has been a part of the staff for over 10 years, but has
nearly 30 years of experience working with children in various settings. A graduate of Central Washington University, Mike
stays current in his coaching by attending as many clinics as he can each year. Mike has a way of making classes fun for all
types of kids, be it with his signature “elephant” noise or his ability to relate to children at every age and
stage. Mike strives to help kids stay active and healthy all while having a good time. Mike will be coaching preschool, karate/gymnastics,
tramp/tumbling and beginning level boys and girls classes and the competitive tramp teams this year at Northshore.
Christy
Ely
Christy
is in her 3rd year of coaching at Northshore. Christy has an extensive background working with children, having
taught elementary school for 6 years and coaching high school gymnastics for 2 years. In addition, Christy has a background
in dance and cheerleading (she cheered at the University of Washington). In her free time Christy likes to garden, bake, read
and spend time with her family, including her 3 daughters Allyson, Camryn and Katelyn who all are involved in gymnastics.
She decided to coach gymnastics because she loves being active with children! This year Christy will be teaching preschool
and girls gymnastics classes.
Sandra
Wolff
Sandra
Wolff is yet another of our coaches that came to Northshore because of her daughters involvement in the sport. Her daughter,
Jaci, competed for many years at Northshore, having only recently moved to cheerleading. Sandra has been involved with children
for over 20 years, as a mother to 3, a preschool teacher and a coach. She stays active by playing softball and training in
taekwondo. Sandra loves coaching because she enjoys helping kids work through their challenges and eventually succeed. She
loves to see a child’s happy face after hearing praise for a job well done! This
year Sandra will be coaching preschool, girls beginning and tramp/tumbling classes.
Kylie
McElrath
Kylie
McElrath is yet another McElrath on staff at Northshore. She has been involved with gymnastics since the age of 4 and is a
current member of the Northshore competitive trampoline program. Kylie, who attends the running start program at Shoreline
Community College, enjoys working with kids in the gymnastics setting because she wants to help children achieve their goals
and realizes that a good coach is essential to a child’s development. Over the last year Kylie has attended clinics
to strengthen her coaching abilities, learn spotting techniques and gain motivation tools. Kylie will be coaching preschool
and tramp/tumbling classes as well as the tramp/tumbling team this year.
Sarah
McElrath
Sarah
McElrath, the matriarch of the McElrath family, has been working at Northshore for the last 5 years. Sarah, the mother of
5 children – Charles (20), Kylie and Kaitlyn (16), Kathryn (14) and Kellee (5) has been coaching and administrating
the tramp/tumbling team for the last 3 years as well as coaching preschool classes and working the front desk. In addition
to being USAG certified, Sarah has attended state clinics for both trampoline and gymnastics. Sarah will continue to work
the desk and coach preschool, gymnastics and tramp/tumbling classes.
Michael
Ritchie
A
2010 graduate of Bothell High School, Michael Ritchie has over seven years of gymnastics experience. He has been part of the
competitive and noncompetive sides of gymnastics having taken both recreational classes as well as being a current member
of the competitive trampoline team at Northshore. Michael enjoys working at Northshore because he likes to see the fun that
the kids have while they are in the gym. This year Michael will be coaching boys recreational and tramp/tumbling classes.
Shelly
Sykes
Shelly
is a veteran among the staff at Northshore having coached at the gym since its inception fourteen years ago. In addition to
working with children at Northshore, Shelly has spent years coaching soccer, teaching Sunday school and raising foster children
and her own child, Taryn (21) who participated in competitive gymnastics. Shelly enjoys playing soccer, traveling the world,
walking and doing volunteer work in her free time. She has continued to work at the gym because she enjoys the work hard,
have fun philosophy and loves to watch kids learn and succeed at different levels. Throughout her years at Northshore Shelly
has coached everything from parent tot classes to competitive teams. This year Shelly will be coaching the level 4 girl’s
team.
Trina
Kelly
Trina
Kelly has been involved with gymnastics for the last 10 years because of her children (Shannon 19 and Shawna 17), who took
classes and competed at Northshore Gymnastics. Trina has worked at the gym for 9 years coaching preschool classes and working
at the front desk. She continues to enjoy teaching young children because she loves seeing kids faces when they master a skill
for the first time and seeing them progress to the next level. Outside of the gym Trina enjoys spending time with her daughters
as well as her 14 year old son Kevin. This year Trina will coach preschool and parent tot classes.
Lindsey
Bott
Lindsey
Bott is a first year coach at Northshore, having 13 years competitive gymnastics and four years cheerleading experience. Lindsey
graduated from Snohomish High School in 2004 and Washington State University in 2008 with a BS degree in history and a minor
in political science. Throughout college she taught gymnastics classes for children between the ages of 3 and 13 and was a
cheerleader at WSU her freshman year. Lindsey has come back to coaching because she has a passion for helping kids to succeed
and passing her love of the sport on to others.
Taegen
Kitchens
Taegen
Kitchens has a great deal of gymnastics experience having been a member of the boys competitive team at Northshore for 8 years.
Currently a junior at Woodinville High School, Taegen loves coaching at Northshore because of the great environment and the
happiness he experiences from working with kids as they learn new skills. Outside of the gym Taegen enjoys snowboarding. This
year Taegen will be coaching boys and tramp/tumbling classes.
Kaitlyn
McElrath
Kaitlyn
McElrath has been around Northshore for many years. She began taking classes at the age of 4, participated in the trampoline
team between the ages of 12 and 15 and now at 17, is coaching. Kaitlyn enjoys working with children and getting to know them
and watch them develop throughout their time at the gym. In her free time Kaitlyn enjoys reading and playing soccer and basketball.
She is well connected at Northshore – her mom, twin sister and brother all have worked, or are currently working, at
Northshore. This year Kaitlyn will be teaching preschool, girls gymnastics and tramp/tumbling classes.
Annette
Puccio
Annette
Puccio has been involved with gymnastics for over 16 years. She and her 3 sisters have all taken classes and competed in gymnastics
since the time they were very young. Other than gymnastics, Annette has competed in tennis, diving and pole vaulting. Annette
has a great passion for the sport, a passion she tries to pass on to her students. She finds it rewarding to pass on her love
of gymnastics to young children and see the impact the sport makes on their lives. In addition to working at the gym, Annette
is attending Lake Washington Technical College, aiming to earn a degree in Physical Therapy. This year Annette will be coaching
girls gymnastics and levels 4, 5, and 6 team.
Courtney McBroom
Courtney McBroom has been coaching at Northshore
for 5 years, teaching everything from preschool classes to competitive teams. Courtney, who is currently a senior at the University
of Washington, was a competitive gymnast for 9 years and has been a member of the Hot Dogs competitive jump rope team for
the past 9 years. She enjoys coaching because she loves the challenge gymnastics represents – she loves watching kids
conquer their fears and master skills that few people can do. This year Courtney is coaching the level 5 and 6 girl’s
competitive teams.
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