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The staff at Elite Gymnastics and Aquatics has over 175 combined years of teaching and training students in gymnastics and swimming.
The staff at Elite Gymnastics and Aquatics has over 175 combined years of teaching and training students in gymnastics and swimming.
Gerald Carley, Founder
Gerald started gymnastics as a teen at Wichita High School in Wichita, Kansas. He went on to compete in high bar and rings at the University of Kansas and represented KU at the NCAA Nationals were he finished 9th. He set a high bar record in 1970 that still stands today! While at KU, Gerald also obtained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Secondary Education. Following a few years of teaching in the Shawnee Mission School District, Gerald opened Elite in 1973. As a former competitor, it is safe to say Gerald’s entire life has revolved around gymnastics. He served as a member of the USAG Kansas State Board 1978-2011 and is a safety-certified Professional Member of USAG. In 1984, 1985, 1996, & 1997, Gerald was named “Coach of the Year” by colleagues in the Kansas City Gymnastics Association and in 1986 he was honored with the “Kansas Outstanding Contribution to Gymnastics Award. Since it’s opening, Elite has trained gymnasts for State, Regional and National competitions as well as two gymnasts that went on to become NCAA National Champions. Many Elite gymnasts have obtained scholarships at various colleges and universities. In 1985, Elite was the first team in the state of Kansas to place first at all competitive levels for a State Meet. When Gerald isn't coaching, he enjoys working in his garden, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Billie.
Sierra Weekly, Owner + General Manager
Sierra has been a part of Elite Gymnastics since she started taking classes in 2000. She began competing for Elite in 2001 at the age of 9 and continued competing in gymnastics until she graduated high school. After high school she attended Kansas State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. While at K-State Sierra was involved in a number of activities including K-State Cheer and coaching gymnastics. In 2017 she graduated with a second degree from KCKCC and is now a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant for inpatient rehab. In her free time, Sierra enjoys baking, running, reading and going to concerts. That is, unless she's taking her paddle board out on the lake or planning her next vacation!
Patrick Ballard, Assistant General Manager
Patrick began his career with Elite in 2006 as a party leader later transitioning to his current role as coach for all team Levels. Patrick graduated from Shawnee Mission West in 2003 and immediately started as a resident firefighter with Fire District #1 of Johnson County while attending KCK Community College to obtain his EMT certification. After living at the fire station for a year, he was hired full-time. Patrick holds certifications as a Kansas EMT-B, Federal Wildland Firefighter Type-2, Rope Rescue Technician, Fire Office, Fire Instructor and is a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 3559. In addition to those certifications, he is also a safety-certified Professional Member of USAG. On the rare occasion that Patrick has time off work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, four-wheeling and working around his house in Gardner.
Maria Dix, Recreational Gymnastics Director
Fitness has been a part of life for Maria since she started gymnastics in California at 3 years old. When she and her family moved to Kansas City, Elite Gymnastics was her first gym. She competed on the Team here until moving to train at a gym in Blue Springs. She continued gymnastics until high school where she took up cheerleading and track. Maria coached for another Elite Gymnastics alum, Janessa Collins, at her gym, Waldo Gymnastics, until it moved with Janessa to Georgia. Prior to coming home to Elite Gymnastics, Maria taught Montessori Preschool, Gymnastics, CrossFit, Boxing, Kickboxing and Personal Training. Maria carries certifications in Montessori Early Childhood Education, CrossFit L1, and Personal Training. Outside of the gym, Maria spends time with her family, which is made up of her humans: Nate, Dean and Mecah and her 3 cats: Oswin, Meatballs and Hermione!
Emily Jones, Office Manager
Emily grew up on a farm in Brighton, Missouri with her family. She has an older brother and a twin sister. She is Auntie Em to 4 nieces and one nephew, Ainsley, Rowyn, River, Rhett, and Reign, all 4 years old or younger. Being an aunt is one of her most favorite things in the world, other than dancing. In 2016, she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. From 2018-2020, Emily trained with Störling Dance Theater’s Conservatory of Dance through the Culture House in Olathe, Kansas. This year she is pursuing her dream of dancing with a professional dance company as she is an intern with Störling Dance Theater. Here at Elite, you’ll see Emily’s smiling face at the front desk as the office manager. Her favorite thing at Elite is getting to know all the children that pass through the hallways on the way to class.
Naomi Mayekawa, Choreographer & Dance Instructor
Naomi’s involvement in dance began at the age of 3 in California where she studied ballet, tap and jazz. Excelling in ballet, Royal Ballet style, she was awarded the highest honor by teachers from the Royal Ballet School of England. While a student at UC Davis, the University hired her to teach ballet and tap while she was also coaching at numerous gymnastics clubs in Northern California. She was actively sought after as a clinician for Region 1 Congress which she lectured at from 1980-2007.
In 1980, Naomi moved to Southern California to dance professionally while continuing to coach compulsory through elite level gymnasts. During this time she began to choreograph routines for elite gymnasts and coach summer camps in Texas. Naomi has had the opportunity to instruct and consult the athletes and coaches of the Rhythmic National Team. Naomi traveled to Korea in 1981 to coach a gymnast in the National Sports Festival and introduces the jazz style of dance to the country. In 1993, Naomi and her husband moved to Ohio and was recruited to be the assistants women’s coach at Ohio State University. In 1995 they relocated to Kansas. She joined the Elite family in 1999. Naomi has had the opportunity to study many styles of dance and is also a freelance choreographer, consultant and coach. She continues to strive to invent new techniques to emphasize to gymnasts the various basics that dancers seem to learn innately. This is her challenge, her strength and her passion!