Chris Orr

Chris Orr is originally from Fredonia, NY.  He has been coaching

gymnastics for 10 years.  Within those years he has coached competitive

levels 3-10 and helped produce many state/regional champions along with 2

National qualifiers.   In his younger years, Chris was a four sport

All-American athlete and went on to get a degree in Computer

and Electronic Technology from ITT Tech.  Chris is CPR, AED, and

USAG Safety Certified.

Tamee Tindal

Tamee Tindal has been coaching youth sports for over 20 years and

teaching here at Thomas Gymnastics for the last 8 years. Tamee coaches

all levels of competitive gymnastics including prep-optional, compulsory

and optional. Her primary motivation for coaching is her love for the                       

kids and gymnastics and the opportunity to help each gymnast

achieve his or her individual best. Tamee has two daughters and when not at the gym she enjoys spending time with Jaelyn and Jodee.

Lauren Walker

Lauren C. Walker is from Columbia, SC where she taught at

Columbia Gymnastics Academy for 4 years. She has worked

for Thomas Gymnastics for 8 years, where she coaches levels

4 – 9 and has produced many state and regional champions. Lauren

also is CPR and USAG safety certified. In addition, she has

received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a 

concentration in  Entrepreneurship from Winthrop University.  

Lauren’s loyalty and love for the sport and the children make

her a great asset.

Dani Berry

Dani Berry was a competitive gymnast at Thomas

and has been coaching here for eight years.  She

teaches all levels of gymnastics and tumbling classes.

She coordinates birthday parties, Saturday Fun Nights,

and gives private lessons. Dani has received her degree in

Exercise Science and Psychology at Winthrop

University.

Ashley Phaup

Ashley Phaup has 8 years experience with cheerleading.

She has cheered at Northwestern, C3 Allstars in Charleston

and Charlotte All-Stars Teal squad. She has coached with

Thomas Gymnastics since 2004.  She is currently a student

at  The Art Institute for Fashion Marketing and Management.

Natosha Woodson

Natosha Woodson is the proud mother of 2 beautiful daughters and

has been involved in dance, cheerleading and gymnastics all of her life.

She has been teaching gymnastics for over 7 years from preschool to

competitive levels. She has participated in cheerleading at all school levels

including college. She is assistant to the Front Desk

She enjoys demonstrating for her students and spends her off 

time with her girls and husband, Dino.

Jimmy Bagley

Jimmy Bagley has been involved in the cheerleading program at

Westminster Catawba for over 6 years.  He is safety certified by

American Associations of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors and

is a certified EMT  Jimmy enjoys  teaching tumbling and is the proud

dad of 3 – wonderful daughters Andrea, Julia and Olivia.

He enjoys spending time with his family and wonderful wife Angela.

Carrie Riggs

Carrie Riggs has been a gym mom for over 16 years. She is the proud

mom of Kimberleigh who is a sophomore at Clemson University.

She is CPR certified.  She enjoys all the kids in the gym. When not

with her gym family she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time

with her husband Brian, family and friends.

Rachida Williams

Rachida Williams was raised in Norway and was a level 6 gymnast. 

She has over 15 years coaching experience in Norway and the US. 

She currently teaches bronze and silver competitive teams.  She is

USAG and CPR certified. She loves all sports and enjoys spending

time at the gym. She is the proud mother of Nadia and Zach.

Beth Dantinne

Beth Dantinne has been coaching gymnastics for over 20 years.

She is the coach for most of our younger specialty groups as well

as some preschool and rec. classes.  Her goal as an instructor

is to make gymnastics a life long love for every student. She is CPR

and Safety certified. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her

husband, Derek, daughters Ryan & Maya and son Maddox.

Rebecca "Becca" Bigham

Rebecca” Becca” Bigham has been a competitive dancer

for over 15 years and was a competitive cheerleader for 3 years, where she got

her start at Thomas.  Becca loves spending time with kids and loves

spending time with friends and family. She is First Aid/CPR certified.

She is the proud mother of Bryce.

Jessica Blalock

Jessica Blalock is a senior at Winthrop University currently

studying, Exercise Science. She is a former competitive gymnast.

She is First Aid/CPR certified.

Liana Ramirez

Liana Ramirez is a senior at South Pointe. She started gymnastics

at Thomas when she was 4 years old and was part of the competitive

team and competed Level 8.  She teaches specialty  classes and loves

teaching her students to love gymnastics as much as she does.

Peggy DePass

Peggy DePass grew up a competitive gymnast and cheerleader in

Rock Hill.  She taught gymnastics at preschools in Columbia, SC

during college.  She has five children of her own, four of whom have

taken at Thomas. She loves children and hopes to teach them that fitness is fun!

Joel Kovacs

Joel Kovacs is a graduate of Nation Ford High School.  He has been in the

sport for 12 years and is currently a Level 10 gymnast who has competed

in state, regional, and national meets.  Joel’s ambition is to be accepted

to the Naval Academy.  Joel is currently attending York Tech and is hoping to transfer to the Naval Academy and be part of their competitive gymnastics team

Steve Kovacs

Steve Kovacs has been involved in gymnastics most of his life.  He was

a gymnast growing up in the north, and has stayed involved in the sport. 

He is USAG Safety Certified, is a Pro Member of the USAG, has been

a meet director, coach, and is a Certified Men’s JO and National Level

judge.  He is the proud father of two accomplished gymnasts. His daughter,

Janie, who will be competing for Thomas gymnastics team.  His son, Joel,

is a L10 gymnast and coach at Thomas. 

He is married to Tricia and works as a Senior Electrical Tester and Software Development Engineer. 

Tara Bowman

Tara Bowman started gymnastics at age 2 and was a gymnast for 10 years

Originally from Wilmington, Ohio. Tara is a senior at Winthrop University

Majoring in Physical Education. She is First Aid and CPR certified. She

currently pole vaults on the Winthrop Track Team.

Janie Kovacs

Janie Kovacs has been a gymnast since she was 4 years old. She also

did competitive dance and coached in Michigan. She attended the

US Air Force Academy where she was a member of their gymnastics

Team. Janie coaches prep-optional.

Kali Benfield

Kali Benfield started dancing and gymnastics at age 3. Kali was a gymnast for 5 years and a dancer for 15. She is from West Palm Beach Florida. Kali attended

University of South Carolina and has been coaching for 6 years.

Kristina Shaw

Kristina Shaw grew up in Rock Hill, SC and took gymnastics when she

was little. She always loved the sport and started teaching at

Thomas Gymnastics in 2002. She has taught preschool, regular, 

advanced  and specialty classes. In her spare time she enjoys spending

time with her husband and four children.

Cassie Burroughs

Nathan Ernst

Nathan Ernst competed and coached men’s competitive gymnastics for over

15 years and has over 8 years experience with girls team, recreational,

preschool and tumbling classes. Nathan enjoys all sports and was a member

of Wofford College football team.

Laura Wren