The LEGA Team
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. |
Stephanie Wells Co-owner, 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. |
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. |
Ashlin Hewell Team Coach Coach Ashlin fell in love with gymnastics when she was 6 years old and competed for 15 years. She was a level 10 gymnast for 3 years and was a member of the national team in 2011 and 2012. She was also a member of the Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team and graduated with a degree in Exercise Science in 2016. Ashlin started coaching gymnastics at 15 years old and ran her own optional program for 4 years. Her passion is to have each gymnast fall in love with the sport that stole her heart years ago. |
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. |
Angel Pilgrim compulsory head coach Angel was a competitive gymnast for 8 years and a cheerleader for 5 years. She has been coaching gymnastics for almost 4 years now. She believes gymnastics taught her dedication, perseverance, and strength for all aspects of life, and loves instilling these traits in other young ladies. Coach Angel attended Gainesville State college, receiving her Business Management degree and Gwinnett Technical College, earning a commercial photography degree. Outside of the gym, she works as a professional photographer running her own business, Shot By An Angel Photography. She also works as a group fitness instructor & is a mama to a little girl. |
Sandy Palmer hugs program + camp director Coach Sandy is the head of our HUGS program as well as our Camp Director. You can find her assisting in classes, at front desk, or helping to get gymnasts to their classes! In addition, Sandy is a certified teacher and specializes in working with students with special needs. |
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. |
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. |
Angela Glaze COACH LEGA League Head Coach; Coaches Pre-Team and Recreation classes. In addition to being a certified teacher, Coach Angela is a former gymnast and has additional training on working with students with special needs. |
Kayla Tally COACH Kayla has done gymnastics since she was 18 months old! She competed USAG Levels 1-4 and Xcel Silver-Platinum. She is currently on the Acrobatics and Tumbling team at Emmanuel College. |
Tori Whiddon COACH A former gymmast, Tori coaches Team, LEGA League, Recreational gymnastics, & Tumbling. In addition she is completing her training in Occupational Therapy. Coach Tori is also looking forward to working with our HUGS program. |
Sarah Donatelli COACH Sarah competed through USAG Level 10. She has coached all levels from beginners to competition team. She continues to coach in college and coach for LEGA when she is home on breaks. |
Gabriel Graves COACH Coach Gabe specializes in tumbling! However, if you ever want something extra Coach Gabe also does break dancing! |
Katie Rachkovskiy coach Having competed through USAG Level 10, Coach Katie brings a wealth of knowledge to her coaching! She currently works with our LEGA League as well as our recreational program. |
Bailie Stevens COACH A former gymnast, Coach Bailie coaches with our USAG Team. Coach Bailie works with Xcel as well as compulsories. |
Hannah Dunfee coach Coach Hannah has a heart for our younger gymnasts! Coach Hannah works primarily in our preschool classes. |
Kennedy Hammond COACH A former gymnast herself, Coach Kennedy coaches LEGA League, Recreational classes, Tumbling, and Team. |
Ruby DeFillippis coach A current gymnast, Ruby works with our recreational program! Her sweet smile and encouraging words are loved by our young ones. |
Bailey Ellis coach A former gymnast, Bailey is excited to work in our recreational program to help gymnasts of all ages to love gymnastics and experience growth and success. |
Ansley Fields COACH Currently competing as Xcel Sapphire, Coach Ansley works primarily with our younger gymnasts through our recreational program. She has a heart for preschoolers as well! In addition, Ansley is fluent in sign language. |
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Megan Blocker coach + front desk A former gymnast as well, Megan is one of the smiling faces you see at front desk or answering your emails! We love Megan for her quick responses in email as well as her smiling face as she helps our families! |
Isabella Baker coach A former gymnast, Isabella is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to other gymnasts to continue their growth and love of gymnastics. |
Rachel Diggs coach A former University of Alabama gymnasts, Coach Rachel primarily works with our preschool gymnasts in addition to choreographing routines for our upper level gymnasts. |
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Emma Haygood coach A former gymnast, Coach Emma works with all levels in our recreational program. Her smiling face is loved by all our gymnasts! |
Sydney Barham coach Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla. |
