Staff Bios

Tami Jacobs

Tami is our head team coach here at Champion. Tami completed for 13 years and has been involved in gymnastics since age 8.   Tami competed for and later coached at the University of Nebraska, where she graduated with a degree in Advertising/Marketing. Tami was a 4 year letter winner and a 4 time all conference and academic all conference winner. Tami was Nebraska's first gymnast to win more than one All-American honor. Tami has coached on and off since 1991 and has coached at Kentwood Gymnastics, USAirborne and in her earlier days coached Olympian Jaycie Phelps at Gym Nest. Tami is a Master staff, coach and clinician at Woodward Gymnastics Camp and has been invited to coach at other camps and clinics in Region 5.

Tami is currently the Level 8 State Rep on the USA Gymnastics Michigan board.

Tami is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and is also USA Gymnastics Safety Certified as well as being a USA Gymnastics Meet Director.

Tami enjoys getting to work with so many great kids and watching them grow into successful young adults.

Tami has two children daughter Morgan (12) and son Jarrod (10).

Bonnie Buis

Bonnie competed for 12 years though club, high school and college. Bonnie was a scholarship gymnast at Western Michigan University. Bonnie was the MAC Gymnast of the year in 1991 and is a member of the Western Michigan University Hall of Fame. Bonnie graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from WMU.

Bonnie has been coaching for almost 20 years. Bonnie has coached all levels from preschool to high school (Holland High) and up to level 10 in club. Bonnie currently coaches our level 6 team here at Champion. Bonnie has a great eye for details and she loves to watch children grow and learn physically and emotionally though the sport.

Bonnie and her husband Tom have three children. The two girls Jessi (13) and Taylor (10) are both gymnasts here at Champion. Tommy (7) is into hockey and his dad Tom also coaches hockey. Tom also owns Spine Align Chirobedic.  

Bonnie is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and is USA Gymnastics Safety Certified.

Missy Thompson

Missy competed in club for 12 years, with the last six years at Level 10. Missy also was a 3 time High School All American at East Kentwood. Missy was a captain of the State Championship team in 2000. Missy was a scholarship athlete at Eastern Michigan University where she competed in every meet for four years. Missy was a bars and beam specialist primarily. Missy graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Eastern and is currently pursuing her Masters in Reading at GVSU. Missy also works in the Kentwood school system during the day and is a Level 5 team coach and also coaches pre-school. Missy also works with our Park Township program during the summer.

Missy really enjoys seeing kids grow though gymnastics and is a great motivator. Missy loves to work out and run in her spare time and enjoys competing in races.   Missy is our resident sun worshipper during the summer and loves the beach.   Missy's sister Anna also works here at Champion.

Missy is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and is USA Gymnastics Safety Certified.

Kim Drooger

Kim has been coaching at Champion Gymnastics for 11 years. Kim has coached everything from Preschool visitations to the High School Gymnastics class. Kim works with high school cheerleaders and is a very outgoing energetic person. As our team Level 4 coach Kim has the patience of two saints and is great at making kids first team experience a very positive one. Kim says favorite part of teaching is watching the gymnasts master a new skill. Kim is USA Gymnastics Safety certified and is a USA Gymnastics Professional member.  

Kim has 3 children. Kim's boys are involved with football and Lacrosse. Kim's daughter Chelsea is a Level 10 Gymnast here at Champion and started here 12 years ago.

Mishel Fryman

Mishel was in gymnastics for 10 years competing up to Level 3 Optional. Mishel also competed for Kenowa Hills high school for two years. Mishel has been coaching for almost 20 years and has coached   all levels from preschool though Elite. Mishel was the 1998 Female coach of the year in Michigan. Mishel has coached several state, regional and National champions at all levels. Mishel coached at Kentwood Gymnastics and had several National Champions under her direction.

Beam is Mishel's favorite event and she works with our Level 5 & 6 team as a team coach and floats around to all levels working on details. Mishel also works at Helen DeVos Children's hospital and her love for children is very apparent.

Mishel is married and has two children. Brooke (10) is a level 4 gymnast here at Champion and Mishel and Mike also have an eight year old son Dylan.

Mishel is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and is also USA Gymnastics Safety Certified. Mishel has also been a Region 5 coach at clinics and camps.

Janel Folkert

Janel was active in gymnastics for 14 years. Janel finished her career in high school as a class II gymnast and letter winner in high school. Janel has been coaching for 18 years and coaches everything from Pre-school to level 4 team here at Champion. Janel works in our preschool program and is great with the little ones. Janel enjoys seeing children develop new skills and build confidence in themselves. Janel is USA Gymnastics safety certified and is a USA Gymnastics Instructor member.

Janel is married with three children ages 10,8 and 5 years old.

Kelly DeVisser

Kelly has been in gymnastics since she was 3 years old. Kelly tells us Mom first put her in gymnastics because she had too much energy. Sound familiar? Kelly has been coach ing for 6 years and works with our class level kids here at Champion. Kelly also works in the office and is our Jill of all trades. Kelly is a USA Gymnastics Instructor member and is USA Gymnastics Safety Certified.

Kelly really enjoys seeing the kids faces after they learned a new skill that they have worked so hard on getting. Kelly loves having the opportunity to be a positive influence and role model. Kelly is attending classes at GRCC.

Kerrie Esmeier

Kerrie is our newest staff member and comes with great experience. Kerrie was in gymnastics of 11 years total with 8 of those years in competitive gymnastics. Kerrie was the 1998 NorCal IIIC State Champion on floor and 2 nd all around. Kerrie competed though level Advanced Optional. Kerrie has been coaching for 6 years and has coached numerous State and Regional power tumbling and tramp champions and has also coached National Champions in Trampoline and Tumbling.

Kerrie graduated from DePauw University and is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and also USA Gymnastics Safety Certified. Kerrie is a USA Gymnastics certified trampoline and tumbling coach and is also a Level 2 judge in Trampoline and tumbling.

Kerrie is married and with her husband Kent they have one son who is 4 years old and he also loves gymnastics.

Shelia Lundstrom

Sheila has been involved with gymnastics as a coach for over 16 years. Sheila was a gymnast for 10 years with the last four on the Freeland High School gymnastics team. Sheila works with our optional groups and is terrific with teaching new skills. No one in the gym has more patience than Sheila. Sheila is very encouraging really does a great job of making the kids feel like they can accomplish anything.

Sheila is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and is also USA Gymnastics safety certified. Sheila says she has learned from some wonderful , talented gymnasts and coaches and is quick to point out that accomplishments in the sport of gymnastics can't be measured by a single person's effort.

Sheila comments that she loves watching girls grow into happy, confident, successful gymnasts and young ladies.

Bethany Cole

Bethany competed for 15 years in gymnastics. Bethany was a High School state champion in 1995. Bethanys USAG career was highlighted by multiple state, regional and Level 9 National Championships. Bethany had 4 top 10 finishes at Level 10 Nationals. Bethany competed for Central Michigan and was a 4 time All MAC selection as well as an Academic All American.

Bethany was an assistant coach at CMU in the 2005-2006 season. Bethany graduated from CMU with a degree in Cardiac Heath Promotion and Rehabilitation.

Bethany is married and she and her husband Shamon have one daughter Brienna who is a year old ( future gymnast no doubt). Bethany says her favorite part of coaching is the challenge she shares with her athletes as they learn and ultimately achieve or improve their skills. Bethany is a USAG professional member and is safety certified.

Lindsey VanDellen

Lindsey started gymnastics when she was just a toddler. She spent a lot of time growing up in the gym since her mom was co-owner of a gymnastics facility (G.U.). Lindsey competed in gymnastics through Level 8 and was the Level 6 State Floor Champion and 2nd AA. In middle school Lindsey decided to give gymnastics a break and do school sports where she held the Hudsonville High School long jump record until 2007.

After High School Lindsey got involved with gymnastics again by coaching. She has coached for 7 yrs now, working with USAG up trough level 7/8. Lindsey really enjoys getting to help kids reach their goals!

Lindsey attended GRCC and attends Davenport. In her spare time she loves to be out in the sun and her favorite place to travel is Jamaica! Lindsey is a USAG Professional Member and is USAG Safety Certified.