Gary Gantz

President ● CEO

Education/Certification: BA Degree, Ohio University, Masters Degree Education, Wright State University

Experience: 30 years high school teaching in Ohio, coached national level gymnasts over 23 years including numerous state, regional and national champions, Owner & President of TOPS Gymnastics since 1981

Family/Interests: Wife - Debbie, children and grandchildren

Contact: ggantz@kidsaretops.com

Dawn Gantz

Director of Operations

Education/Certification: Kettering College of Medical Arts, RN Degree, 1993, Registered Nurse, First-Aid and CPR certified, USAG Safety Certified Professional Member since 1995

Experience: 19 years experience coaching gymnastics, Former Class 1 gymnast

Family/Interests: I enjoy most being a mom. I have a beautiful 4 year old daughter named Bentley

Contact: dawn.m@kidsaretops.com
 

Melissa LaPeer

Assistant Director of Operations ●
Gymnastics Level 4-6 Head Coach

Education/Certification: Attended Indiana State University 4 years, USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership, Meet Director Certified, KAT Certified, Certified Skill Evaluator Levels 1-4

Experience: Coached and judged high school gymnastics 2 years, coached since 1990.

Awards: Hard Working Award, Favorite Coach Award

Interests: Loves dogs

Contact: melissa.l@kidsaretops.com

Dan DeClark

Marketing & Public Relations ●
Swim Director ● Gymnastics Coach

Education/Certification: BA Degree, Kent State University, 1973; Dale Carnegie Graduate, USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership, American Red Cross Lifeguard, WSI, First Aid, CPR/AED

Experience: Coached and judged men's & women's gymnastics off and on since 1970. Meet Director - 1979 Men's & Women's Gymnastics Championships of the USA. Coached many state & regional champions.

Awards: 3 varsity letters at Kent State University - Men's Gymnastics.

Family/Interests: Wife Lynn and sons Jeff, Kevin & Tom

Contact: dan.d@kidsaretops.com

Donny Bent

Instructional & Competitive Gymnastics Director
● Gymnastics Level 7-10 Head Coach

Education/Certification: Attended Sinclair Community College and the University of Dayton, USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership since 1992

Experience: 16 years coaching gymnastics, Team USA staff member 1995 - 2005, trained w/Russian Jr. Olympic team in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Awards: Coached many state, regional and national champions.

Family/Interests: Wife - Emily. Daughters - Zoey (4) and Dakota (1 1/2).

Contact: donny.b@kidsaretops.com
 

K. C. Rose

Cheer Program Director ● Gymnastics Coach

Education/Certification: Alter High School Graduate, Attended Wright State University.  American Championship and AmeriCheer Judge Cert.  AACCA Member and Safety Cert. USASF Member and Cert. Level 1-5 NCSSE Member.

Experience: High School cheerleader and gymnast.  College cheerleader.  Five time All-American. Coached All-Star teams since 2002.  Coached school teams since 2000.  Choreographed countless All-Star, School/Rec., Individual and Stunt Group Routines.  Winning over twenty national titles and 100+ regional titles.

Awards: Nominated Coach of the year from American Cheerleader Magazine. 

Interests: Spending time with her brothers.  Being out side in the sun.  MAC!! Loves Baseball, GO REDS!

Contact: cheerHERE@kidsaretops.com

Carey Tiernan

TOPS All-Stars Cheer Teams Head Coach

Education/Certification: Attended Wright State Univ. 2 years, Associates Degree in Dance, Sinclair Community College, 1999. USAG Safety Certified, COA Certified, USASF credentialed through level 5.

Experience: High school & college cheerleader, 2 year member WSU Emerald Jazz Dance Team, captain of Dayton Skyhawks Indoor Football cheer team. Coached cheerleading in private clubs since 1997.

Awards: Captain of HS team 3 years, twice COA Varsity National Champions, UCA All-Star Cheerleader and performed in London, England.

Family/Interests: Married & has 1 daughter.

Contact: carey.t@kidsaretops.com

Marina Rode

Party Director ● Gymnastics Instructor

Education/Certification: Currently a Junior at Wright State University, Art Education Major

Experience: Lifelong gymnast and cheerleader, coached cheerleading squad 2 years, TOPS gymnastics instructor 3 years.

Awards: 2 year Captain of cheerleading team, Ranked in top 10's in German Gymnastics Championships and swim meets. German National Champions in Cheerleading. 

Interests: Loves working with kids, enjoys art and art history. Likes to travel and learn about other cultures and countries.

Contact: marina.r@kidsaretops.com