Rohnert Park Gymnastics:
who we are
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Our Mission is to
Be happy, healthy, confident and responsible
. . . All as we help them to master and refine skills. |
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Mike Steffen
Gymnastics has been in Mike's life since 1974 at Sonoma State University. He was Team Captain in his senior year and also served as Assistant Coach for the Women's Gymnastics Team. He graduated with a BA in English. Mike started coaching gymnastics as a career in 1978. Until his first daughter Megan was born, he was actively involved in the state gymnastics organization, Nor-Cal, serving a term asw Vice Chairman and another term as Zone Representative. In 1992, when Mariah was born, Mike stepped down as Head Coach of the Girls Team Program to concentrate on developing the entire program at RPG. Mike is also a rabid 49er fan so don't bug him during the football season! Since RPG is now a corporation, Mike has designated himself as President and CEO. His life is now filled with spreadsheets, crunching numbers, and providing a livelihood for over 20 people! |
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Mary Lim
In 1974, Mary decided her fear of heights and love of gravity was a great detriment to her career as a gymnast. But her love of gymnastics made her pursue teaching and judging the sport. She dabbled in Rhythmic Gymnastics and dance while at SSU. She graduated from SSU in 1977 with honors in both History and Asian American Studies. She received her Secondary Teaching Credentials in 1978. Mary has been a USA Gymnastics Professional Member and NAWGJ certified judge (the national boards for gymnastics) since 1981. Her job has evolved into the area of administration. Mary is pursuing her goal of real life monopoly where she owns as much income property as it takes to retire on. She also loves baseball and is a Bi-coastal fan – Giants and Red Sox. In her spare time, Mary loves to read, ride bikes, and spend time with her family. |
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Ben Corr
Ben started gymnastics in L.A., when dinosaurs roamed the earth. As a member of UC Berkeley's team for 3 years, Ben qualified to NCAA Nationals on vault. While at Cal, he majored in PE with an emphasis on Exercise Physiology. Ben's vast coaching experience includes 7 years as Head Coach at Golden Bear Gymnastics in Berkeley, 5 years as Assistant Coach for the Cal Women's Team, and Head Coach here at good ole RPG since 1992. Ben is a three-peat winner of the “Optional Coach of the Year” award given by Nor-Cal's coaches. This feat is only matched by 2-time Olympian, Amy Chow's, coach. With Ben's guidance and coaching, the team has experienced remarkable success, producing champions at all levels – State, Regional, and National competitions. Under Ben's “reign”, many gymnasts have earned college scholarships for gymnastics. He is truly the King of Gymnastics! Ben just recently graduated from SSU with a computer degree and in his spare time, he loves to star gaze. He also serves on the Nor-Cal Women's Gymnastics Board as Master Score Keeper and helps manage their web-site. |
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Maureen Koehler
Mo has been involved in gymnastics since the age of 8 years old! After being a competitive gymnast, Mo took up cheerleading and dance, and eventually moved on into competitive springboard diving. Maureen then competed as a Division 1 diver for UC Irvine, where she also earned a degree in Drama. After college, Maureen performed professionally as a dancer for both Sesame Street and Disneyland, and somehow found her way back into the gymnastics life, and hasn't left since. Maureen has been married to her college sweetheart, Matt, for almost 11 years, and their best accomplishments are their daughters, Athena and Haven. You can see Mo performing everyday here at RPG, where she is the resident choreographer and is also a gymnastics judge. In her spare time, which is very hard to find, Mo likes to scrapbook, sing musical theater songs, and read books about vampires! |
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Simone Guttman
Simone returns to us after earning her BA in Sociology, with a minor in Personal Training, at UC Santa Barbara in 2005. Persistence on Mike and Mary's part worked! She was persuaded to leave the sunny beaches of Southern California to work at RPG as our Tot and Recreation Program Director. She has been here as long as the gym has been around since she began when it was Candy's School of Gymnastics and continued through the transformation. Simone competed as a level 10 gymnast here at RPG, until she injured her knee in 1997. As Simone says, “It was a blessing in disguise. I began teaching after surgery and have never been happier.” She has taught since 1998 and enjoys every minute she spends with the kids. Her two favorite things in life are gymnastics and kids so it's the best of both worlds. |
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Tracy Olson
Tracy is one of our former competitive team members and is now coaching our Compulsory Team. Tracy began coaching at our gym when she was just a Sophomore in High School, first working with our Tot Program and eventually coaching the team and becoming a certified gymnastics judge. While Tracy was away from Rohnert Park, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. Although she continued to coach gymnastics, she also worked as a supervisor in the Education Department at Seaworld San Diego. Besides gymnastics, Tracy has also competed in the fields of dance, diving, cheerleading, and boxing! Her favorite way to spend her free time is playing with her dog and cat. Tracy is excited to be back and we are sure that our students will benefit from her experience and enthusiasm. |
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Kelsey Percich
Kelsey is our Office Manager, as well as a teacher of all levels from our Tumble Tots to our Leapers, Springers & Twisters. She's also not afraid to tackle the Boys Classes if need be. She began college at San Diego State and recently graduated from Sonoma State with a degree in Sociology. Kelsey started recreational gymnastics at RPG many years ago and was later a competitive gymnast at a different gym. She began coaching gymnastics in San Diego in 2002 and has taught at various other gyms, but none are as fantastic as RPG! |
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Sara Flynn
Sara has been involved in gymnastics since she was eight years old and has stuck with it ever since. Sara is the co-director of the Birthday and Kids Night Out programs, and teaches Tots, Boys, & Girls classes as well as coaches our Girl's Compulsory Team. She recently graduated with her B.S. in Kinesiology, and a minor in dance. Sara’s favorite thing about teaching gymnastics is watching kids progress and seeing their faces light up when they accomplish something new. |
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Danielle Perkins
Danielle is a senior at Sonoma State University, where she is studying Human Development with an emphasis on Child Development and Child Psychology. She has been with RPG for 3 years teaching every level in our Tot and Rec Program, both girls and boys. She is also the co-director of the Birthday Party Program. She is from the little town of Placerville and started teaching gymnastics at All-Star Gymnastics in Diamond Springs when she was 16. Her favorite thing about teaching is how funny kids are and she loves teaching them new skills and making them strong! When she graduates from college she would like to work in an Infant Mental Health Center, specifically working with infant attachment. Danielle has an identical twin sister, she loves to sing and play guitar, enjoys snowboarding, and she loves her family and friends!! |
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Jenna Hans
Jenna is from Alameda, where she did 14 years of Dance and Acrobatics as well as 6 years of teaching and coaching. She is currently attending Sonoma State where she is working towards a degree in Art History with a minor in Global Studies. She hopes to become the manager of a small art gallery one day. Jenna teaches our Tots, Boys, and Girls Rec. classes and is especially proud of all her students! |
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Hallie Boldt
Hallie grew up in Northern California, in the small town of Garberville. She is currently a sophomore at Sonoma State University, majoring in Sociology, and hopes to become an elementary school teacher. In high school she stayed very active and participated in many sports, such as soccer, track, and most importantly, wrestling. She placed at her state match as well as at the national level, and had the opportunity to wrestle for the University of Missouri. Due to an injury her senior year of high school, she was unable to attend UM. But fortunately for us, she went with Sonoma State instead. During her free time she loves to run and eat frozen yogurt. |
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Audrey McElroy
Audrey comes to us from Davis, California. She worked for the city of Davis as a coach in training for two years and coached on her own for three years. She worked with boys and girls ranging in ages from 4-13. She also spear headed the dance program at the city of Davis and taught tap, ballet, and jazz. She, herself, started training in Classical Ballet at the age of 3, as well as gymnastics until she was 12. She is currently a junior at Sonoma State University, studying Sociology and planning on doing non-profit work in the future. She keeps busy, not only as a full-time student and working with all our Tot and Rec classes here, but also at the SSU library, along with Costco. Free time for Audrey means breathing! |
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Taylor Wright
Taylor grew up in Malibu and began gymnastics at age 5. She competed through level 6 for Li Ning's Gymnastics and then coached for Monarch National Gymnastics for 3 years, before moving up north. Taylor was also the cheerleading captain for Oak Park High School all 4 years. She is now a student at Sonoma State University, majoring in Communications, in hopes of becoming a news reporter. In her free time, she likes to tie-dye, write poetry, and rescue small animals. |
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Caroline Raffanti
Caroline came to us from Danville, California. She began her gymnastics career at age 2 at Diablo Gymnastics and continued for 13 years, ending her competitive years at Gold Bear Gymnastics in Berkeley. She began coaching when she was 15 and quickly discovered her enthusiasm for teaching and working with children. She is currently in her second year at Sonoma State, studying to be a teacher with an English major and a Spanish minor. When she is not coaching, she enjoys painting and long walks on the beach. |
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Christian Fairfax
Christian is one of our former competitive gymnasts from back when RPG had a men's team. He is now sharing his knowledge and skills by teaching Tot and Rec. classes. Our students thinks he's great, especially our Boys Level 3 class! |
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Tara "Tex" Lanatti
Tex was a competitive gymnast here at RPG for many years, coached by Ben and Mo. We are now happy to have her teaching in our Tot and Rec. Programs as well as coaching our Compulsory Team. Kids and parents love her enthusiam and gymnastics experience she brings to her classes. |
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