Darion took over as the new owner of Prairie Gymnastics Club in January of 2018. Prior to that, he owned and operated Leaps & Bounds Mobile Gymnastics and Tumbling, LLC. Darion began participating in gymnastics at the age of three. During his gymnastics career, Darion won state and regional championships and was the IHSA floor champion in 1993. Darion was also a member of the regional team and the Junior National Developmental Team which allowed him to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Unfortunately, a serious injury to his shoulder ended his competitive gymnastics career. For over 25 years, he has coached all levels of gymnastics and has coached several gymnasts to state and national level competitions. Darion is a professional member of USA Gymnastics, the national governing body of gymnastics in the United States. He is also a certified USA Gymnastics National Judge as well as USAG safety certified. Darion is a member of the Illinois state coaching staff.
Jillian took over as the new owner of Prairie Gymnastics Club in January of 2018. Prior to that, she owned and operated Leaps & Bounds Mobile Gymnastics and Tumbling, LLC. In 2009, Jillian received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Aurora University. While obtaining her degree, Jillian counseled at risk children with the goal of teaching them important life skills and helping them develop positive self-esteem. She is also the director of operations for her non-profit organization, Flippin’ for Fitness. Outside of the gym, Jillian enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, Olivia.
Genevieve started doing gymnastics when she was just three years old and competed up to JO Level 8 & Xcel Platinum. She was a varsity gymnast all 4 years of high school and she began coaching gymnastics at age 15. Genevieve has coached preschool classes, boys/girls recreational classes, and team gymnastics. She is an avid coffee drinker and is currently in school for nursing. At Prairie, Genevieve coaches preschool and recreational classes and is also the coach for the girls pre-team, Level 3/4 team, and Bronze/Silver team.
Coach Lily started cheer when she was just 5 years old and cheered for 12 years. One of her greatest accomplishments was making a worlds team! Lily has worked at Prairie since April 2022 and despite not having a gymnastics background, she has learned the sport quickly. Lily currently coaches preschool and recreational classes at Prairie and love working with children and seeing them master new skills!
Kaylee started gymnastics when she was just four years old and has done the sport ever since. She is a member of the girl’s gymnastics team at Prairie and loves the team program. Kaylee likes to spend her free time baking and spending time with her family. She will be graduating high school in the spring of 2023 and is hoping to further her education in exercise science on a pre-physical therapy track. Kaylee coaches preschool and recreational classes at Prairie.
Michalene “Mikey” Howard (Preschool/Recreational Coach)
Mikey started doing gymnastics at 3 years old and and discovered her love of tumbling at the age of 10. She has now been tumbling for 7 years and used her skills to cheer at her high school. Along with coaching gymnastics at Prairie, Mikey also coaches cheer at her former middle school. When she graduates high school in the Spring, Mikey would love to go on to cheer in college. In her free time, Mikey loves weightlifting and eating. At Prairie, Mikey coaches preschool classes and girls recreational classes.
Maddy began gymnastics at the age of 3 at the Fox Valley Park District and started classes at Prairie at age 9. She also enjoyed dance classes from ages 3-15! In middle school, Maddy’s focus shifted to cheerleading and she now cheers for her high school. In her free time, she enjoys going out with friends and reading. After she graduates in the Spring, Maddy plans to major in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Business. Her dream is to one day own her own daycare!