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DESERT DEVIL DIRECTORS/ STAFF |
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| Recreational Gymnastics | |
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Jane Bower is orginally from LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She started gymnastics at the age of 6 . By the time she was 15, she had left home to train gymnastics in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1986, she was offered a full scholarship to compete for the University of Nebraska. She competed there from 1986-1990. In 1990, she was the Big 8 All-Around Champion.
She received a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and coaching. She also began working on her Masters degree in Special education. She taught 7th grade Health and PE from 1991-1996 and ran the after school gymnastics program at her school. In 1996, she moved to Arizona. Jane has been coaching at Desert Devils for the past 8 years. She has headed the Hot-shots and Pre-team Program during this time, taught several recreational classes, and is now the Recreational Director. Jane is married to David Bower and has 3 children all who are involved in gymnastics. Allan (15), Allison (13) who is on the level 10 Desert Devils gymnastics team, and Alex (10). |
| Compulsory Teams | |
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Jay Soltis has been coaching at Desert Devils for 9 years, starting as a recreational and tumbling classes coach. Five years ago, Jay took over as program Director of the Compulsory Team. Since then, he has lead the Level 4 Compulsory Team to 3 consecutive State Championships (2008, 2009, 2010), as well as, the Level 5 State Championship in 2010.
Jay Soltis graduated from ASU with a degree in Elementary Education. Besides coaching the Desert Devil gymnasts, he also teaches for the full-time academic and skateboard training program apart of Kids That Rip! Skateboard School. Jay recently got engaged and is looking forward to his wedding on April 30th, 2011. |
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Kennedy Hilgers has been coaching at Desert Devils for 3 years, and is the Head Compulsory Beam Coach. Kennedy is currently going to school for Physical Therapy. She graduated from Chaparral High School in 2008. She is the oldest of seven siblings, and loves to spend as much time as she can with her family. Amidst her busy schedule, she loves making time for her horses, which she competes on. |
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Ashley Toner has been at Desert Devils for 3 years. She is the Head Floor Coach for the Compulsory Team, and also coaches beam and floor at the Optional Level. Not to mention, one of the choreographers here at Desert Devils. In 2010, Ashley received the Arizona Rookie Coach of the Year Award. In her 15 years of being a gymnast she was a 2 time JO National Qualifier and competed as an Elite at the US challenge and National Gym Fest. Being a dancer as well as gymnast, she also received 2 dance scholarships to clinics held in Los Angles. Ashley attended ASU on a full-ride gymnastics scholarship, where she competed in bars, beam, and floor. She graduated in May of 2010 with a degree in Kinesiology. Ashley is one of seven children, and loves to spend time with her family and fiance. She has one dog, Bentley, and two cats Fitz - named after Larry Fitzgerald - and Brie. In my free time I love to shop, go to the lake, or watch movies. I am also a big Arizona Cardinals fan. |
| Lil' Devils Gymnastics | |
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Beth Higginbotham is in her 8th year with Desert Devils. She teaches gymnastics to children with special needs, works with our cheerleaders, and has been the Little Devils Program Director for over 3 years. Her most rewarding accomplishments are seeing the children progress and move up, and see how happy parents are with the program. Beth also finds it fullfilling to have created new classes, improved class structure, and implemented a more challenging class that has been beneficial to the success of the program and children enrolled. Prior to working at Desert Devils, Beth was a Desert Devil competitive gymnast for 10 years. She also competed in springboard diving, snowboarding, sprint triathlons, powerlifitng and was a world champion powerlifter. Beth holds a Bachelors Degree from ASU in Exercise Science and Wellness/Kinesiology. Beth loves to serve others, bake healthy treats, spend time with family and friends, shop for bargains, and travel. |
| Optional Teams |
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Wes Jones is a Head Coach for Desert Devils Optional Team, and has been with us for six years. Since his time with Desert Devils, he has helped lead the teams to multiple state, regional, and national qualifiers and champions, not to mention, the 5 consecutive State Championship winning streak the Level 10 gymnasts are on!
Wes, a native of Johannasburg, South Africa, is currently also a physical therapist and Consultant for the South African National Team. He graduated from Columbia University. |
| DESERT DEVILS GYMNASTICS | KIDS THAT RIP SKATEBOARD SCHOOL | DESERT DEVIL CHEER 1927 N. Gilbert Rd. Mesa, AZ 85203 (480)-844-9600 | GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTION • TRAINING FACILITY • TUMBLE • CAMPS |