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Elite Athletics Staff
Melissa Thompson is the owner/founder of Elite Athletics Inc. Melissa was born into an athletic family and did a variety of activities growing up, including gymnastics. She holds a Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University. She has been working as an Occupational Therapist in pediatrics for over 20 years. She has a strong background in sensory-motor integration and sensory processing. Melissa is married and has 3 children, one of whom has special needs. All three of her children began taking gymnastics classes as toddlers. Her youngest is a competitive gymnast. She has experience running a bicycle touring business as well as teaching downhill skiing prior to having children. Melissa is very dedicated to providing a “customer first” based business where athletes will strive to reach their greatest potential. She is also interested in providing a unique business that offers something special for both special needs and typical children/adults.
Melanie Kiger is the Head Coach at Elite Athletics and is responsible for overseeing our additional coaches. She has coached gymnastics
since 1998. Her coaching experience includes pre-school aged children through competition level gymnasts. She graduated from Lynchburg College with a BA in Child Development. Melanie was born and raised in Lynchburg and is currently teaching first grade for Campbell County
Schools. Coaching gymnastics is Melanie’s passion and she looks forward to her team’s success each and every season. Melanie’s 3 rules of gymnastics are: 1) Always try your best and believe in yourself; 2) never give up when something is hard; and 3) have fun while working towards your personal best.
E-Dee Taylor is the assistant team coach. She has been involved in gymnastics for over 7 years. As an involved parent, E-Dee has always been available to help the coaches. Her willingness to learn the sport of gymnastics led to her training and certification as a USA Gymnastics Professional Coach. Her coaching philosophy is every gymnast can reach their highest potential with hard work, dedication and the strength to over come obstacles.
Ashley Sellers has a passion for working with children of all ages and is incredibly excited to be working with Elite Athletics. Having participated in different sports teams all through elementary, middle and high school, she enjoys all social and health benefits to participating in any sport. Ashley is currently completing her Master's degree in Special Education at Lynchburg College and hopes to remain in Lynchburg after degree completion.
Lauren Waller has joined Elite Athletics as Assistant Coach of the Elite Allstar Cheerleading team. She fully believes in hard work, dedication, and commitment! She is very excited for what this program holds, and hopes to create many long lasting memories with the wonderful people she will be able to meet. Lauren is from the local Concord area, and has cheered here since middle school, through high school, and into college. At this time she is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science and Women’s Ministry with a minor in business and communication at Liberty University. She is going to attend Physical Therapy school for her graduate program. Lauren became a part of the cheerleading squad at Liberty the first two years of attendance for both Football and Basketball. She is certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, and is working to complete her credentialing through levels 3 and 4 through USASF until further credentialing is needed. Lauren has coached tumbling, football cheerleading, and Allstar Cheerleading and hopes to user experience as both a coach and a cheerleader to lead this team to success! She is very excited to be a part of this growing program!
Katelyn Hyman
is very excited to be a part of Elite Athletics. She greatly enjoys
working with children and hopes to be a positive influence to Elite
gymnasts. Katelyn was born and raised in Lynchburg and is a 2009
graduate of Brookville High School. She took dance for twelve years all
throughout elementary, middle, and high school and was a Brookville
basketball cheerleader for three years. Katelyn is currently attending
Longwood University where she is working to get her
Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies/Elementary Education, with hopes of
getting her
Master's Degree in Special Education. After graduating college,
she aspires to become an
elementary school teacher.
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