:: Staff ::

	Mike LaFleur - Owner and Co-Head Coach Mike is one of two vault and bar coaches for levels 5-10 at LaFleur's Largo. Mike was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began gymnastics classes at age 3 at the "American Turners" in downtown Milwaukee. He was later coached by his father and grandfather at various places in the area. While competing in high school, Mike became "the first person ever to compete a double back flip on floor", in Wisconsin state history! that was January 1974 with only Nissen folding mats on top of concrete! My have times changed. The youngest in the family, Mike received a full scholarship to Indiana University in 1975. At IU, he was team captain his last 2 years, set the school record in the AA., and later became the assistant men's and women's coach while finishing his bachelor and master's degrees in physical education. In 1984 Mike moved to Florida to join brother Jeff and sister Toni who had started "LaFleur's gymnastics" in Largo 4 years earlier. It was there that he met wife Melody and they married in 1987. Soon after, Mike and Melody purchased the gym from Mike's family. Mike and Melody have a daughter, Kaley, who competes, making her one of several "4th generation" competing gymnasts in the family!
	Melody LaFleur - Owner and Co-Head Coach Melody or "Mel" is one of several full-time level 5-10 (girls) team coaches at LaFleur's Largo. She was born near Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Florida when she was 4 years old. The youngest of 8 children, Melody first began gymnastics at age 8 at "Robinson's" in Tampa. She later trained with Gene Stowe at "Apollo" in Clearwater where she remained throughout high school (class 1). During this time she competed in several national championships and received a full scholarship to the University of Alabama. Later, Melody began coaching in the St. Pete area and it was there that she met husband Mike and they married in 1987. Soon after, they purchased LaFleur's Largo from Mike's family. They have one child, a daughter named Kaley, who also competes in gymnastics.
	David Parraga - Optional Head Coach David Parraga is originally from Maracay, Venezuela, where he achieved 6 national titles, and was a member of the Venezuelan National Team for 9 years. David's experience includes competing in many international competitions such as the Pan American games where he won 3 gold medals. David also had the opportunity to compete in the 1992 World Championships for event specialists where he won the gold on vault. Since coming to the United States David has enjoyed working for many private clubs and camps such as the University of Georgia and Woodward. David currently works with the optional team on bars and vault and enjoys being a part of the LaFleurs family.
	Laura Parraga - Optional Director and Assistant Head Coach Laura Parraga is originally from Aiken, South Carolina, where she was a gymnast and worked for Aiken Gymnastics. She has also worked in Georgia and Texas as a compulsory and optional gymnastics coach and judge. Laura is a former Atlanta Falcon Cheerleader and performed in Super Bowl xxxiii. She enjoys boating, horseback riding, and spending time with her husband David. She is currently an optional beam and floor coach and choreographer.
	Kim Marks - Compulsory Director Kim competed and coached part-time for LaFleurs gymnastics during high school. While on a full gymnastic scholarship to central Michigan University, she received all American honors and was team captain. Upon graduation she taught school for 1 year in Augusta, Georgia where she coached at Augusta school of gymnastics. In 1991, she received an employment opportunity to coach full time in Tallahassee, FL with the Galimore athletic training center where she was the women's head coach up to level 10. She also organized and supervised all class operations. In 1996 she returned to LaFleur's and has been apart of the coaching staff for 14 years. Currently she is the class director and a competitive team coach. Kim is married to Mike and they have 3 children, 2 of which are on the LaFleurs gymnastics team.
	Brooke Murch Was a gymnast for LaFleur's for 7 years, 5 of which she competed. She has been coaching at LaFleur's for 6 years, she coaches classes and the compulsory and optional team. Brooke is married to Jason and they have a baby boy named Anderson. In Brooke's spare time she loves playing with her dogs, Bernie, Marly, and Jazz.
	Ariel Douds Ariel was a gymnast for ten years, five of which were spent on the LaFleur's gymnastics team.  She has been working at LaFleur's for two and a half years and thoroughly enjoy's working with and helping the kids. Outside of the gym she loves to hang with her friends at the beach, go shopping, and paint.  She is currently a senior at Seminole High School and will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall.
	Marilyn Gars Marilyn Gars graduated from Florida State University with a degree in health education, while there she was a member of the FSU flying high circus. Marilyn cheered and tumbled for 6 years. She is married to Michael and they have two children, Hannah and Jake who are both competitive gymnasts.
	Kyle Gartman Kyle has been coaching Gymnastics and tumbling since 1995 with Gymnastics Fun and the Tumble Bus. Co - founder West Coast All Stars Cheer and Dance Academy, Kyle coached 3 competitive cheer teams and was the gyms tumbling/stunt coach. West Coast went on to win over 35 regional titles, 5 High Point Champions, 2 Grand Champions, 7 National Champions, and the 2006 Americheer InterNationals Champion. Kyle also spent 4 years active duty as a US Army Infantryman, and is a Desert Shield/Storm veteran. A drummer since the age of 8, Kyle is currently a class coach and the Level 3 team vault coach.
	Tatum Tidwell Tatum has been involved in the sport of gymnastics for 7 years, and has 2 years of coaching experience at LaFleur's. She is currently a student at St. Pete College.
Picture coming soon!	Jacqui Supplee Jacqui is a fomer LaFleur's gymnast that was a member for 13 years. Along with coaching she is a student athletic trainer for the University of Tampa. When she is not working she enjoys spending time at the beach and wakeboarding.
	Megan Vonstetina Bio coming soon!
	Sandy MacDonald - Assistant Cheerleading Coach Sandy has cheered since the age of eight, through youth league, middle school and high school. She started coaching when she was 20 and has recently returned after a break. Sandy has coached for Azalea youth league and all star team, Rock Solid All-stars and Tampa Bay All-stars, bringing them to win the UCA nationals. Sandy has worked for Bay Area Heart Center for 16 years and is the Director of Operations. Her main responsibilities are to manage the computer network and applications. She has been involved with cheerleading in one way or another for the past 25 years and loves the challenge of the sport, the talent of each cheerleader and the positive rewards that come from the team environment. Outside interests include Pilates, weight training and reading. She is engaged to be married on February 29th, 2008.
	Josh Payne Josh has been a stunt and tumbling instructor for ten years. He has helped coach allstar teams for the past four years and also works as our team’s athletic trainer. Josh work’s for the city of St. Petersburg where he is a Firefighter/EMT, is a certified Life Guard for Clearwater Beach and attends college at SPC. Josh and Ashton have been married for two years, and just welcomed their first child, Colton to their lives on March 1st, 2007 . They both enjoy working with the teams together and love being committed to their athletes. Their main focus is to improve the girls’ skills and abilities, and teach a strong work ethic for use in and out of the gym.

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