Elite Gymnastics Inc. is known as the Gym of the Starz, and there is little wonder why its athletes are rocketing to the top of the competition charts.
Located at 900 Glaspie Street in Oxford, Elite’s 10,000 square foot facility is loaded with safe, age appropriate equipment such as balance beams, uneven parallel bars, trampolines, and tumble mats to help build confident skill in athletes from 18 months to adults.
‘If they’re old enough to walk they are old enough to tumble but walking is preferred,? joked Ochoa adding that students who learn gymnastics also learn self-discipline, self-esteem, and self-confidence they carry with them the rest of their lives.
‘Our kids have such great manners and so respectful.?
Since 2000 the gym has been the home training facility for many local state and national championship gymnasts, as well as cheerleaders with a dream to shoot for the stars.
‘These kids are making a name for themselves nation wide and are a great group,? said Jeni Ochoa founder and Head Coach of Elite Gymnastics explaining competitive teams from Elite have been sweeping placement medals nation wide. In April several Elite Gymnastic teams are hoping to bring home the coveted first place title from the state championship.
‘It’s like the Cheers of gymnastics because everybody knows our name,? she joked.
Currently Elite has over 100 athletes on competitive gymnastic teams, three cheer teams, a recreational team, a boys developmental team, and hundreds of students in various instructional and preschool classes.
‘The Elite team is not just the kids efforts, but the parents and coaches are all a piece of the puzzle to make it click too,? Ochoa said adding that each skill level of students are coached by staff fully qualified with USAG certification and many years of personal gymnastic competition experience.
In 2000 Ochoa opened Elite Gymnastics in Oxford bring more than 19 years of combined coaching experience for local, state and national medalists in both gymnastics and cheerleading. In addition, Ochoa does instructional speaking statewide on tumbling and team motivation.
In 2003 Ochoa coached All Around Olympic Goad Medallist, Tatiana Gutsu while the athlete was training for the 2004 Olympics.
Before opening the gym Ochoa was teaching basic tumbling to small children and cheerleaders, eventually at 21 local schools sent children to her and she was forced to open a facility to accommodate the growing crowd.
Soon Ochoa’s coaching staff grew, including her sister Tricia Ochoa who runs the developmental team and is the gym operations coordinator.
Head Coach Alex Florea is a former coach for Olympian Dominique Moceanu, bring with him his Olympic coaching expertise to the Level 7 and up athletes.
‘Alex is just awesome,? said Ochoa. ‘He and I are perfect matches as head coaches.?
In addition, coaches Amber Johnstone, James Fleener, Kelley Schenkel, Dannielle Stinson, Teresa Terrain, Carla Coons, and Ashley Wentworth coach the wide variety of fun programs at Elite Gymnastics.
As office manager and co-owner of the in-house Starz Etc. pro-shop, Cathy and her Bob Ochoa are faces that have become familiar to all visitors and members of Elite Gymnastics.
If you or your child has to have an interest in anything; from preschool basic skills, open gym, intermediate balance, instructional cheer, home school programs, recreational tumbling, trampoline safety techniques, acrobatics, let Elite Gymnastics design a program for you.
‘Starting early is starting smart,? said Ochoa who believes that beyond competitiveness, every girl or boy desiring to try gymnastics should visit Elite.
Whether a member or nonmember, parents can give their kids a special private birthday full of tumbling, flopping fun.
Elite Gymnastics offers party packages from one to two hours of fun gym time with a trained USAG certified instructor, inflatable play park, balloons and much more.
As the former director of a cheer camp, Ochoa believes kids need a fun place for kids to positively focus their energy.
In addition, Elite Gymnastics offers an awesome themed ‘Extreme Power? summer camp, including over night stay, or commuter camp for both members and non members.
The first camp runs from July 18 through the 23. Because campers response was so large from last year session, Ochoa included a second camp session starting July 24 through the 28th.
Elite also offers field trip opportunities for community interests.
‘We try and give back to the community, she said.?
For more information on any of the wide variety of exciting programs Elite Gymnastics has to offer call 248-236-9600 or visit the website at: wwwelitegymnastics.org.