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 brother Brian and her sister Anna also work 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.

Brian Thompson

Brian has been coaching here at Champion Gymnastics for 5 years. Brian works primarily with our optional gymnasts on bars and Vault. Brian is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and is also Safety Certified. Brian is very much the muscle in the gym helping to spot kids and is also the loudest person in the gym. Brian is a great motivator and cheerleader for his kids. Brian loves seeing kids get new skills that they sure they would never achieve. Brian uses his football background as a fantastic spotter.

Brian enjoys working out in his off time and will beat anyone in a guitar hero contest!

Brian has two sisters that also work at Champion so it's a family affair!

Anna Thompson

Anna works with all team levels and works mostly on conditioning, mental toughness and nutrition. Anna has coached TOPS and also level classes. Anna works with our cheerleading classes. Anna was a gymnast for 10 years before switching over to competitive cheer in High School. Anna cheered at East Kentwood before moving on to Grand Valley as a member of the All Girls Cheer team. Anna is a USA Instructor member and is Safety Certified. Anna is a Health and Wellness major at GVSU. Anna also works with our Park Township program during the summer. Anna loves to snowboard in the winter and is a Ski Patrol member. Anna enjoys working out and cooking. Anna has a sister Missy and a brother Brian that also work here at Champion.

Joy Love

Joy coaches our level 5 competitive team and also does Tumble Cheer classes. Joy also helps with Preschool visits and works as our Spanish emersion teacher. Joy has been coaching at Champion for 8 years and also teaches many Community Ed programs in the Holland area. Joy competed in Club gymnastics for 8 years finishing at level 8 and also competed for Holland High School for 2 years, finishing on the 2000 State Runner up Team.   Bars have always been Joy's favorite event.   Joy is a graduate of Grand Valley State and has a degree in behavioral science and a minor in Spanish. Joy uses her degree everyday working with children and parents both to understand and enjoy our sport. Joy really enjoys her kids and can always count on them to keep her laughing.

Joy tells us that she really loves working with kids and it shows. Joy also works here with her sister Sunny. Joy's mom Kathi used to work here and many kids had Miss Kathi as their first teacher.

Joy is a USA Gymnastics Professional member and is also USA Gymnastics Safety Certified.

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.