About Us
Our mission at Leading Edge Gymnastics Academy is to provide a gymnastics training facility that can accommodate athletes from tumbling toddlers to the highest level of gymnastics. We strive to provide an environment that is fun, structured, and coached with Christian values and mentorship. Through gymnastics we believe we can teach teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness that has benefits far beyond the doors of our gym.
Conveniently located near 316 and Hwy 53 in Winder, Georgia, our fully-equipped 20,000 square foot facility and team of seasoned coaches are excited to build a LEGAcy at Leading Edge.
Conveniently located near 316 and Hwy 53 in Winder, Georgia, our fully-equipped 20,000 square foot facility and team of seasoned coaches are excited to build a LEGAcy at Leading Edge.
The LEGA Team
Misty Edgington Co Owner + head compulsory coach As Co-Owner and Head Compulsory Coach, Misty has either participated in or coached gymnastics for over 30 years. Transitioning from competition to coaching at age 15, Misty began her coaching career at World of Gymnastics in Idaho, while also continuing to dance competitively through high school. She transitioned to coaching team gymnastics in 2009 at Advanced Gymnastics in Idaho and has continued over the past 10 years. In addition to gymnastics, Misty worked for 11 years as a Commercial Collections Manager and is currently an Administration Manager for a local attorney. She and her husband David have three girls that also love gymnastics! |
Bridget Boyd Co-Owner + Head Optionals Coach With 16 years’ experience coaching team gymnastics, and three years as an assistant gymnastics coach at West Virginia University, Bridget brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as LEGA’s Co-Owner and Head Optionals Coach. In her career, she has coached multiple Level 10 regional championships qualifiers, including three-year (2007-09) Junior Olympic National Championships qualifier Lindsey Cheek (UGA). Bridget has also mentored gymnasts to the Level 9 Eastern National Championships. A 13-year competitive gymnast, Bridget competed at Classic City Gymnastics Academy and was a Level 9 Eastern National Championships qualifier. Bridget earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in Recreation and Leisure studies in 2006. |
Kalem Calien (Coach K) Vault + Bars Specialist, Head Cheer Coach Coach K comes to LEGA as an experienced gymnastics and cheerleading coach, specializing in bars and vault, and leading the LEGA cheer program. Kalem has coached cheerleading for 17 years and is certified by the US All-Star Federation (USASF). Shortly after moving to Athens, Georgia in 2014, he also began coaching gymnastics and is USA Gymnastics certified. A native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Kalem went to North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and later served as an Executive Administrative Intern for State Senator Vincent Hughes from 2006-2013. |
Alicia Pachuta Team coordinator For the person that does so much, it’s hard to write a bio to include everything “Mrs. Alicia” does for our gymnasts at LEGA. A mom to three girls that are current or former competitive gymnasts, with her youngest a Level 10 at LEGA, Alicia is our Team Gymnastics Coordinator. With 10+ years experience as a team coordinator, she handles all things related to our competitive programs - from event and meet schedules, team apparel, communications, and so much more! A native of West Virginia, Alicia received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Concord College. |
STEPHANIE WELLS Class DIRECTOR & Coach Stephanie has done it all, and we are so grateful to have her leading our recreational gymnastics program. A former math teacher, with a PhD in Math Education from UGA, Stephanie has been coaching gymnastics for 8 years. She is USAG Professional Certified and has been trained to work with young gymnasts to learn fundamental skills that they can build on. Most importantly, if you’ve seen Coach Stephanie at the gym, you know her most for being fun! Her favorite job is being mom to three kids, two that are competitive gymnasts at LEGA, and she is also a Director for Classical Conversations. |
CONNOR EZELL BOYS GYMNASTICS & TEAM COACH We are thrilled to have Coach Connor launch and lead our boys’ gymnastics program at LEGA. Connor began his gymnastics career at age 8 and competed for 16 years, making his first Nationals as a Level 9 when he was 12 years old. Competing for the Wyoming School of Gymnastics, Connor was a three-time Nationals qualifier, but tore his ACL during his senior year and was unable to compete at State, Regionals, or Nationals. Connor went on to compete as a ring specialist at West Point. As a coach, Conner has been coaching gymnastics since he was 14 and ran his own program in North Carolina for four years. He’s had multiple gymnasts win State and Regional championships and be ranked nationally. Coaching Levels 4-10, Conner was also part of the North Carolina Elite Team coaching staff from 2015 - 2018. |
Ericha Mikolaizyk Team coach Coach Ericha fell in love with gymnastics at the age of five and competed for the first time in 2004. After competing for four years at Level 10, Ericha had a career ending injury in 2013 but soon after began investing her passion in coaching. Passing along her knowledge, experience, and love for gymnastics, she has coached since 2013. She also began judging competitive gymnastics in 2015. A graduate with honors from the University of Georgia, Ericha earned a degree in Exercise Sport Science. She is currently in Physical Therapy school at Georgia State University, working on her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. with plans to graduate in May of 2021. Along with coaching, Ericha’s goal is to work with athletes in injury rehabilitation and prevention. |
Megan Beckett team coach Megan comes to LEGA as a trained dancer and former gymnast, with over 16 years experience in dance. Competing for nine years in dance and three years in gymnastics (for Coach Bridget!), Megan is trained in classical ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. Her love for dance and gymnastics led her to begin coaching gymnastics in 2013. She is AAU and USAG certified as a Team Coach at LEGA. Megan’s love for working with children extends beyond gymnastics - she has worked as a camp counselor for Georgia 4-H for five years, serving as Leadership Counselor for Rock Eagle 4-H Center for two of those years. With a bachelors in Human Development and Family Science, Megan graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2019. |
Chris Kopacz TEAM COACH Chris began her gymnastics career in 1995 and competed through her freshman year of high school. After having a career ending knee injury, she immediately joined her gym's staff and coached her own teammates. Since 2003, she has coached various gyms in New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Chris also underwent extensive training a as coach at International Gymnastics Camp, where she studied under Olympic coaches and athletes in the Professional Coaching Diploma program. Chris graduated cum laude from the State University of New York, College at Oneonta with a bachelor's degree in Music Industry and Business Communications. She worked on Broadway as an account specialist prior to returning to graduate school to earn a master's degree in Student Affairs Administration and Higher Education at Ball State University. She currently works full time at the University of Georgia and is also completing her doctorate in Student Affairs Leadership at UGA with a graduate certificate in Education Law and Policy. Chris plans to graduate in May 2021. |
HANNAH KRABY TEAM COACH Hannah comes to LEGA with a passion for both gymnastics and strength and conditioning. As a gymnast, she competed up to Level 9 in Washington and started coaching at age 16. Hannah attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a degree in Exercise Science, specializing in Fitness, Nutrition, and Coaching. She also has her CSCS certification (strength and conditioning specialist). As a coach, she loves focusing on strength and conditioning, injury prevention in gymnastics, and making the sport safer and better, and we are thrilled to have her working with our LEGA athletes! |
NOELLE TAULBEE TEAM COACH Noelle joins the LEGA coaching staff after an accomplished career as both a gymnast and cheerleader. Competing as a Level 10 at both Regionals and Nationals, Noelle also won beam and vault at Regionals as a Level 9 and placed 3rd at Nationals for vault as a Level 9. At New Mexico State, she had a cheer scholarship and her team placed second at USA Nationals in 2013 and won in 2014. She also participated on an All-Star cheer team, where her team went to Summit and Worlds. For the past 11 years, Noelle has pursued her passion for gymnastics as a coach, and has been coaching team gymnasts for the past 7 years. She’s coached all levels and has also run a TOPs program. Noelle is currently in her senior year at Georgia Gwinnett College with a major in Exercise Science Clinical and a minor in Leadership. |
MECHELLE ALMAREZ TEAM COACH Coach Mechelle is one of LEGA’s own gymnasts that has now joined our coaching staff. Mechelle trained under Coach Bridget and was a gymnast for 11 years, competing at Level 9 in 2019, and also participating in competition cheer in high school. She has experience coaching Mommy and Me classes, LEGA’s Competition Ready class, Levels 1-3 and Xcel Silver. We are excited to have her join our team of competition coaches! |
JACK ROACH
CHEER & TUMBLING COACH
Joining our cheer and tumbling staff, Coach Jack brings fun and experience to LEGA. He has been coaching cheer and tumbling for seven years after falling in love with parkour and tumbling. Jack has coached at gymnastics centers, dance studios, and cheer facilities - and now he joins LEGA!
Jack also cheered for two years for the Atlanta JayHawks and went to Worlds both years.
Jack also cheered for two years for the Atlanta JayHawks and went to Worlds both years.
