CO-OWNER MARY ALLEN

Gymnastics Experience:
Opened the Gym Bin in Fall of 1987. Taught preschool gymnastics until 2006.
What she enjoys most about owning the Gym Bin: “Watching the kids learn the sport of gymnastics and staying active.”
Present Main Job: Retired
CO-OWNER CASSANDRA HIETALA

Gymnastics Experience:
“I was a gymnast from 3-18 years old and competed as a Bemidji Aerial through USAG Level 9. I started coaching the recreational levels in high school and moved to competitive levels in college and beyond. You may still see me coaching every now and then.”
What she enjoys most about coaching: “It is such a rewarding experience getting to help the athletes conquer their fears and reach their full potential as a gymnast and as a person.”
Present main job: “My #1 job is being a mom to my daughter, Wrenleigh, as well as being a wife and a first grade teacher at Blackduck Elementary.”
OFFICE MANAGER MIKAYLA SIMON

Gymnastics Experience:
Participated in Gymnastics since the age of 4, then competed for the Bemidji Aerials. Coached in Bemidji from 2005-2014.
What she enjoys most about working at the Gym Bin: “Learning more about the sport of gymnastics, and how it has changed since I first competed. I am currently a certified meet director, which has brought my appreciation of the sport full circle.”
Present main job: General Office Manager at the Gym Bin
COACH SARAH KATKE

Gymnastics Experience:
Participated in gymnastics classes till the pre-team level in Northfield, MN. Previously coached at TNT in Fargo, ND after attending NDSU for her Human Development and Family Science degree.
What she enjoys most about coachinc:Getting to know the younger athletes and watching them grow, not just as a gymnast but as a person.
Present main job: Recreational Program Director/ Assistant Manager at the Gym Bin
COACH BROOKE JENKINS

Gymnastics Experience: Coaching gymnastics since 2012. Coached MAGA, High School, Xcel, and Recreational. She has coached in Mankato, MN, Aushalia, MN, Perham, MN & Bemidji, MN. She is also a MNHSL gymnastics judge.
What she enjoys most about coaching: “Helping the gymnasts achieve their goals. There is nothing better than watching their faces after successfully completing a new skill.”
Present main job: Escrow Processor at Sathre Title Inc.
COACH HANNAH ELFERING

Gymnastics Experience:
She has done gymnastics since a young age and continued through the High School level.
What she enjoys most about coaching: “Seeing the gymnasts improve and move up through the levels. Also watching them achieve a new skill that has been a challenge for them, and how excited they are when they get that skill.”
Present main job: Collections Office at Beltrami County.
COACH VERONICA LEE

Gymnastics Experience:
“I started gymnastics as a toddler. Competed as a Bemidji Aerial till the age of 12, after which I competed as a swimmer for the Bemidji Fosston Swim Team.”
What she enjoys most about coaching: “It brings joy to my heart to see an athlete learn from my teaching and helping them become a better gymnast and person.”
Present main job: Gymnastics coach & Licensed Cosmetologist
COACH JOSIE BELTZ

Gymnastics Experience:
Started gymnastics at age 10 and competed through Level 7. Is currently practicing with Group 1 at the Gym Bin.
What she enjoys most about coaching: “Getting them to experience gymnastics and how special the sport is. The excitement on their faces when they walk through the door for practice with the determination to achieve their goals.”
Present main job: Attending her senior year at Bagley High School
COACH LEAH LUCAS

Gymnastics Experience:
Competed with the Bemidji Aerials to level 7 and now in 5th year as a Bemidji Lumberjack.
What she enjoys most about coaching: “Watching the gymnasts develop the strength and knowledge to perform skills. When a certain skill/idea clicks the they are able to achieve what they have been working on for so long.”
Present main job: Junior year at Bemidji High School
COACH BECCA OLSON

Gymnastics Experience:
Competed in the MAGA program from 2008 until 2012, then competed for the Owatonna High School Gymnastics team from 2013 until 2018.
What she enjoys most about coaching: “Watching the gymnasts develop confidence and learn to believe in themselves.”
Present main job: Attends Bemidji State University for Environmental Microbiology.
COACH IAN MOTT

Gymnastics Experience:
He was in boys gymnastics from 8-12 years old. He has coached since 2012, starting at Jam Hops coaching Tots & Recreational classes. From there, he moved to St.Cloud for college and coached at North Crest, where he primarily coached Xcel Silver & Gold.
What he enjoys most about coaching: “The fact that I am not just teaching gymnastics; we’re teaching confidence and hard work at an age where those 2 things are vital to reaching their full potential.”
Present main job: Attending Bemidji State University for Aquatic Biology
COACH TANIA GLADNEY

Gymnastics Experience:
7 1/2 years a the East YMCA in Wichita, KS (levels 2 & 3 then Gold Xcel and trained platinum) Place 2nd at YMCA nationals (lost by .5). Has coached gymnastics for two years and cheer for one year.
What she enjoys most about coaching: “Seeing the gymnasts grow in and out of the sport and grow closer to me and the other coaches.”
Present main job: Attending Oak Hills Christian College for Psychology. Plays Volleyball and Basketball.
COACH DURAN HILL AND KAYSEY LICHTENWALTER

Duran’s Gymnastics Experience:
Has never been involved in gymnastics directly but was a football player and coached for Bemidji youth football. Also has experience in boxing, weight lifting and body building.
What Duran enjoys most about coaching: “Watching kids not giving up and trying till they get it.”
Duran’s present main job: Glass Technician.
Kasey’s Gymnastics Experience:
Did Gymnastics as a preschooler. She also loves running, is a basketball payer, competitive track, cross country, marathon, and triathlon athlete. She is a tough mudder competitor and has experience in weight lifting and body building. Previously a personal trainer.
What Kasey enjoys most about coaching: “Watching the kids accomplish skills they couldn’t do before.”
Kasey’s present main job: Counselor/Case Manager at Northwestern Juvenile Center.
