Staff
Courtney Starks-Bradshaw
Head Recreational Instructor
Courtney started gymnastics at the age of 3 through 13 and was a competitive gymnast for the Pikes. After her gymnastics career she became a cheerleader at Canyon High School and was an All-American Cheerleader her senior year. Courtney has taught team, pre-team, recreational, & cheer since 1994. After high school she received an AS in Math/Science at COC& BS in Kinesiology at CSUN. She is Safety Certified, CPR/First Aid, & KAT certified. Courtney has been a preschool teacher, volunteered for handicapped children, worked at a chiropractic office, taught at the Air Force Academy Sports Camp, taught at Fun & Fit Gymnastics Center, & at Gleason’s Gymnastic School in Minnesota. Courtney is also a USAG Certified Meet Director.
Jeff Vamvas
Team Coach, Instructor
Jeff has been coaching gymnastics since 1978. He is a graduate of Western Kentucky University earning a degree in elementary education. He owned and was the head coach of Clarksville Gymnastics in Tennessee for 20 years. He has coached numerous State Champions in levels 4 through 9. He has attended many coaching and judging clinics held by the USAG and the NAWGJ. Jeff is also a NAWGJ member and Judge.
Shelby Eichman
Shelbyco, Inc namesake
Shelby has been part of the GU family since 2005 and was a former gymnast since the age of 18 months thru age 10. She has been dancing competitively for over 10 years. She is a UC Davis graduate with a BS in Genetics with a minor in Psychology. Many of you may know her from her time as a GU Summer Camp Counselor, Open Gym Coach or Birthday Party Coach.
Tricia Curran
Instructor
Tricia has been coaching at GU for over 15 years. She is a credentialed elementary school teacher but is taking a break from teaching to coach full time. She was born in Poland and came to the United States in 3rd grade. This is when she had the first opportunity to join gymnastics and has participated in recreational gymnastics ever since. Her love for this sport and coaching can be seen through her dedication to her students, as well as her amazing teaching skills. She has also volunteered in coaching Special Olympics, as she has many years of experience working with Special Needs students. In addition to coaching, Tricia is also a private tutor and a Behavior Technician for the Behavioral Learning Center. When Tricia is not busy working, she loves spending time with her daughter, Alicia, and her husband, Michael.
Shannon Springer-Bahmer
Team Choreographer
Graduated from Valencia High School, was a cheerleader all four years, did two years of competitive cheer & was a flyer. Gymnastics has always been my first love. Was a competitive gymnast for SCV Aerials, was training level 8. Did gymnastics from age 5-12. At 10 years old, I won California State Floor Champion. Taught trampoline, tumbling, and gymnastics at Anti-Gravity Sports Complex. Coached competitive cheer leading for 7 years at SCV All-Stars. Going to school at the University of La Verne-majoring in Child Development. Soon to be starting on my teaching credential for Special Education. Have been working with children for almost 9 years. I have been a substitute in the preschool environment. I have a strong love and passion for working with children.
Ally Negrosa
Recreational Coach, Ninja
Ally has been a part of the Gymnastics Unlimited family since the age of 4. She was a member of the Pikes competitive team for 4 years. She graduated from William S. Hart High School. Ally is currently competing in equestrian show jumping. Ally has been coaching at Gymnastics Unlimited since 2014. She finds the years of gymnastics has truly helped with her athleticism and balance. She has a great passion for children and loves coaching.
Jennifer Giglio
Office Manager
Jennifer has two beautiful children, Bella and Kai. Bella is a current student her at Gymnastics Unlimited. Jennifer feels very happy to be part of the GU office staff. Jennifer was a former barista at Starbucks for 11 years and has been with GU since 2016. Jennifer on her spare time loves to volunteer with animal rescue groups.
Tanell Hooker
Tumbling Coach
I’m from mobile Alabama. I’ve been a gymnastics/cheer instructor for 11 years . I also coach at Jams Cheer Camps on the weekends. My hobbies include being a stuntman, music and disc golf on weekends.
Chandler Smith
Summer Camp Head Coach/ Rec
Chandler has been a competitive cheerleader for 10 years, and was a member of the Hart High School cheer team for three years. She has been tumbling at Gymnastics Unlimited throughout her cheerleading career, and has always loved the positive atmosphere the coaches provide. After high school, she plans to go to a four year university to pursue a teaching degree, because she loves helping children and watching them grow.
Gina States
Recreational Coach, Office staff
Gina is from Bayville New York. She was a competitive gymnast for 13 years, competed through level 9, and qualified for the Regional Team in 2010. Gymnastics has always been a huge part of her life and wants to stay involved as much as possible. She went to college at Virginia Tech where she studied Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. She worked as part of the office staff at a gym while she was in school. Before Gina moved to the west coast she was coaching recreational classes at her home gym. She loves being able to share her passion for the sport with young kids and watch them grow to love it as well. In her free time she loves to bake and go on hikes with her dog Lola.
Theresa Perovich
Team, Recreational Coach
Theresa started Gymnastics when she was 3 years old. She was a competitive gymnast from age 9-17 ending her competitive career as a level 8. She has been coaching for 13 years with experience in preschool gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, and tumbling. After she was done competing in gymnastics she started competing in Martial Arts and is currently holding a brown belt in Karate. She is hoping to compete in Boxing and loves to find new hobbies to try but, her first love is gymnastics. Currently she is pursuing a degree in Athletic Training because she wants to help athletes who have been injured.
Arianna Gilmer-Wallace
Recreational Coach
Arianna was a competitive level 9 gymnast in Northern California. Gymnastics has been a major part of her life for 12+ years. She is currently attending California State University Northridge, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. Using her extensive gymnastics experience to coach children continues to be a passion of hers.
Macie Potter
Rec Coach
Macie started gymnastics when she was 3 years old. She trained at numerous gyms and started her training at Gymnastics Unlimited when she was 7 years old. A few years later she joined our Pikes competitive team. She competed for 4 years and loved every second of it! Macie loves working with kids and even teaches her younger sisters new skills in her free time. She currently attends Valencia High School and wishes to major in psychology once she graduates. She is excited to be a part of the GU family!
Brandon Polak
Summer Camp Coach/Rec Visiting Coach
Brandon was a competitive gymnast for 11 years and qualified for JO Nationals. Brandon loves working with children and teaching gymnastics. He is currently a student at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. He is studying Biology with intentions of pre-med. Brandon is so excited to be here at GU.
Lauren Stein
Office staff
Lauren is a recent transplant from Orange County, where she managed a specialty coffee shop. Lauren is excited to be a part of the GU office team. She studied English and French at Penn State before returning to her customer service roots in California. She loves working with children, and hopes to one day become a teacher. In her free time she enjoys playing with her overly rambunctious German Shepherds, trying new restaurants, and seeking out the perfect cup of coffee.
Nick Poehls
Ninja Coach/Rec Asst Coach
My name is Nick and I am a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. I have also trained and competed in competitive Karate tournaments, Boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Years of break-dancing and “Xtreme” Martial Arts (XMA) taught me all the gymnastics I know, which I help teach now. I’ve been an instructor for 14 years, taking a couple breaks in between only to graduate from Loyola Marymount University and earn my Masters in English.
Ashley Oillataguerre
Rec Coach
Ashley started taking gymnastics classes at GU at the age of 7 and fell in love with the environment it provides. She graduated from Hart High School in 2018 where she cheered for 3 years. She is currently going to COC with hopes of transferring to a 4-year university. Ashley is studying psychology with the intention of one day becoming a child psychologist. She enjoys working with kids and loves watching them improve.
Vanessa Villalpando
Recreational Coach
Vanessa was a competitive gymnast for 5 years. She grew up in Ventura and is now living in Santa Clarita attending College of the Canyons. She is very loud, funny, energetic and loves working with kids. She hopes one day to work with children with special needs. She coached a year of competitive gymnastics and is now happily coaching here at GU.
