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Former collegiate gymnast Gerald Carley opened Elite in May of 1973 as the first privately owned gymnastics facility in Kansas. He then went on to open two additional locations in Overland Park and Lawrence, providing boys and girls competitive and recreational gymnastics, dance and cheer programs.
In 1992, these facilities were consolidated to the Lenexa location. Elite continued to pioneer unique ways to share its passion for gymnastics offering a tumble bus, the first of it’s kind, that traveled to day care centers and preschools in the area to teach tumbling classes.
Elite Aquatics, built in 1988 as an outdoor pool, was one of the first aquatics facilities in the area. In 1991 the pools were covered and heated so year round instruction could be offered.
Over the last 20 years Elite Aquatics has gained a reputation for safe, quality swim instruction. Currently led by former collegiate swimmer Sofia Filatova, Elite Aquatics has grown from typical swim lessons to also coaching competitive athletes. The Elite Aquatics Swim Team (EAST) was founded in 2018 and continues to represent Elite well at their local competitions.
The KC Elite Competitive Gymnastics Team has consistently been one of the top teams in Kansas. In 1985, Elite was the first team in the state of Kansas to place first at all competitive levels for a State Meet.
While we are proud of our competitive accomplishments, what we cherish most is the character of our athletes & the relationships built.
Nearly every week a former gymnast comes by to see Gerald and reminisce on the impact Elite has had on them over the years. Seeing the incredible people they've become & the friendships they've built with teammates that still last today is better than any trophy we've ever won.
We work hard to instill important values in our athletes. Honesty, reliability, resilience, & respect are at the forefront of everything we teach.
Here at Elite, who you are as a person is far more important than what you accomplish in the gym or the pool.
We are a family-centered, character-focused community dedicated to helping grow confident, honorable, resilient kids through the sports of gymnastics & swimming.
We embrace openness. We value integrity.
We never give up.
