A former University of Texas gymnast and cheerleader, Gretchen founded Champions Westlake in 1996, bringing 10 years of gymnastics and cheer experience to the west Austin community. Prior to that time, she worked as a counselor at both Friday Mountain Camp and Kanakuk Kamps, was a Young Life leader at The Kinkaid School in Houston, and taught preschool at Circle C Child Development Center. Her enjoyment of working with students of all ages and her passion for helping them achieve a greater awareness of their strengths and capabilities have given her the opportunity to reach the hearts of kids all over Westlake, creating true champions.

Her extensive gymnastics and cheerleading history includes: Town Lake YMCA Gymnastics Team, 1972-1974; Crockett High School Gymnastics Team, 1974-1978; State Balance Beam Champion, 2 years; Crockett High School Cheerleader, 1974-1978; UCA All-American Award Winner, 3 years; University of Texas Gymnastics Team, 1978-1981; Regional Qualifier, 2 years; University of Texas Cheerleader, 1980-1982; NCA Camp Champions, 2 years; Instructor and/or director of Friday Mountain Girls Camp, Austin, TX, Summer 1977; West Texas Theatre Arts, Sweetwater, TX, Summer 1978; Granada Hills Gymnastics, Austin, TX, Summer 1979; Kanakuk Kamps, Branson, MO, Summer 1980; Georgetown Community Center, Georgetown, TX, 1980-1981; Circle C Child Development Center, Austin, TX, 1995-1996; Champions Westlake, Austin, TX, 1996-Present, Champions 1826, Austin, TX, 2017-Present.

Born and raised in Austin, Krystal took part in tumbling, cheerleading and dance throughout her middle and high school years, but it was through her time at Champions, that she realized her passion for coaching and teaching. While attending Texas State University, she coached gymnastics, taught preschool and also worked as a counselor at Camp Mystic. Upon graduating, she earned a degree in education and became certified through the state of Texas to teach both Early Child Education and English as Second Language. She started a gymnastics program in Round Rock with her best friend where she developed a curriculum that combined fun, meaningful reinforcement of basic preschool concepts with developmentally appropriate gymnastics instruction. After taking a break to start her family, Krystal is thrilled to once again be part of the Champions Team.

Born and raised in Houston, Michael trained as artistic gymnast for the better part of 12 years. He competed as a level 10 gymnast during his final years of high school, and upon graduation, moved to Austin to attend The University of Texas. Here at Champions, Michael discovered his passion for working with kids of all ages and for teaching gymnastics. Since his arrival, he has helped to found our Atomic Trampoline & Tumbling Competitive Team, and has coached multiple national champions, as well as an athlete named to the Elite Development Team for trampoline. We are thrilled to have Michael as a member of our Champions staff!

Originally from Fallbrook, CA, where she started gymnastics at age 7, Rachel participated in the 2000 Olympic Trials and was a Bronze medalist for the 2001 World Championships. She’s a three-time International Elite Team Member and attended The University of Utah on full scholarship, where she was a three-time All American. She has coached recreational gymnastics up to International Elite level for over ten years and has had the privilege of working alongside the USA National staff. We are proud to have Rachel leading our Nitro Competitive Teams Program.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Micah started training in martial arts at age 12. By age 16, he was training in martial arts competitively, as well as coaching. He coached through Rec Level 7, leading three teams to place at State tournaments. Micah was the first of 10 international WFPF coaches to gain certification and is the only one in Texas certified by the WFPF.

Jeff was born in Austin, Texas and moved to Ft Lauderdale, Florida when he was 4. Jeff started cheering when he was a junior in high school for a small all-star gym in south Florida called CheerTime Bulldogs. He then cheered 3 years for Tallahassee Community College and 3 years for the Florida State Seminoles where he graduated with a Bachelors in Economics, a minor in psychology, and a minor in business management. Jeff began coaching in 2000 at CheerTime and at Capital Cheer in Austin in 2002. He then coached, in 2003, at Cheer Tech in Tallahassee, Florida and Gym Force from 2004-2010. In 2011 Jeff coached at Austin Cheer Factory at Cheer Athletics Austin in 2013. His cheer accomplishments include 8 national titles while coaching at Austin Cheer Factory in 2011 and the 2012 Mini 1 and Youth 2 NCA & UCA national championship titles. Jeff’s favorite cheer related memories are cheering on game days for college football. When he’s not coaching he enjoys football, basketball, hockey, mountain biking, fishing, and camping. Jeff’s ultimate goal in life is to be truly content, happy and travel around the world spreading joy and happiness with others. His favorite thing about being a coach at Champions is sharing a common vision with the coaches and athletes around him and knowing that he is working with the best of the best!

Kiki, a native Austinite, join the Champions staff in Febraury 2019. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Public Health from Sam Houston State University. As our Front Desk Manager, Kiki greets our customers, helps with scheduling, and is a member of our Administrative Team. She loves being a part of the Champions staff because of the fun and positive environment throughout the gym on a daily basis!