Shannon and Brad Turner
Owners
Brad and Shannon are very proud to help Dan and Linda carry on the amazing tradition of gymnastics at WGC for so many years! Shannon has done or taught gymnastics most of her life. She has degrees in Sports Administration and Exercise Science.
Brad was an NCAA football player and has a degree in Business Quality Management. His A & P License has kept him busy in the aviation industry for over 20 years when he’s not busy at the gym.
They would like to say THANK YOU to all of the WGC staff and families, past and present, who have made this world better by developing an amazing place for many happy and healthy young athletes to achieve their goals and change the world!
Who are we??? WGC!!!
Melissa Killough
Head Team Coach
My name is Melissa Killough, and I am the proud mother of seven wonderful children. I have my registered nurse license, and I served in the United States Army for four years. In the past 11 years, I have coached a wide range of gymnastics from recreational class up to level 10. I have worked at Wichita Gymnastics for the past nine years. I have been the head coach for the competitive team since 2019 and assist with a wide variety of administrative duties at the gym. I am also a member of the USA Gymnastics Kansas State Administrative Committee.
I love how our gymnasts support and cheer each other on, and I get great pleasure from watching our gymnasts accomplish their goals.
Nikki Arnett
Coach
Years with WGC: 20 years
Coaching Level: Xcel Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Levels 4-8
What I love most about WGC: I love coaching at WGC because it feels like family, and gymnastics is fun here.
Gymnast inspirations: I love that we focus on building strong, successful, and happy athletes.
Bio: When I’m not coaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our pets, and my friends.
Katelyn Bennett
Coach
Years with WGC: 13 years
Coaching Level: Girls Class, Excel Bronze, Super Tots, Ninja
What I love most about WGC: I love the environment and how welcoming and flexible it is. I love how everyone is so kinda and how if you need something someone can always help.
Gymnast inspirations: I love helping kids feel confident in themselves and learn and improve.
Bio: I did gymnastics for 11 years and wanted to help out with the younger team kids, and I just stuck with it. Outside of coaching, I play soccer and spend time with friends.
Libby Burnett
Coach
Years with WGC: 12 years
Coaching Level: Girls class, tumbling
What I love most about WGC: It is so welcoming and a great place to create wonderful bonds.
Gymnast inspirations: I love watching the kids when they gain a new skill and see the improvement throughout each class.
Bio: I did gymnastics for eight years and decided to come back to coach. When I am not coaching I enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Samantha Chavez
Coach
Years with WGC: 7 years
Coaching Level: Gold, Platinum, Level 4 and up
What I love most about WGC: I love the community that we have built at WGC. Everyone trusts and supports each other here, making it a caring environment.
Gymnast inspirations: I love how our gymnasts always persist through hardships. They will fall and get right back up to try again until they succeed.
Bio: I have been a part of WGC since 2016. I started as a member of the competitive team and have now transitioned to coaching. My future goals are to be involved in the medical field and am currently in nursing school at WSU. I love watching the kids grow and gain confidence throughout their years competing.
Kerri Coleman
Coach
I am a former competitive gymnast, a judge, and a
e coach.
My passion is working with the kiddos and watching them grow. My husband of 28 years, Rick, is my biggest supporter. I am the mother to three great kids. One is a former WGC gymnast, and one is a current gymnast. I’m also the proud grandmother to my favorite little two year old, Colt, and soon to be granddaughter, Kendall. In my free time, you will find me helping others at Kansas Medical Center and Ascension Via Christi. I am so proud to be a part of the WGC family!
Emma Cullimore
Coach
Coaching Level: Mini Gym, Super tots, Mightys
What I love most about WGC: I love watching the kids learn new skills and building relationships with them.
Bio:I enjoy painting, powerlifting, and coaching at WGC.
Julia Glassburn
Coach
Years with WGC: 10 years
What I love most about WGC: I like watching the girls get better and get new skills. I like seeing the girls laugh and have fun during class. i did gymnastics from 1st through 7th grade, and now I coach!
Steven Killough
Coach
I never thought I would be coaching any sort of sport in my life, but my sisters made me love the sport of gymnastics and coaching. Both my sisters are still competing. I’ve been teaching recreational gymnastics for about three years and coaching competitively for close to a full season. I coach Bronze and Silver.
I enjoy many things about the sport. I’ve come to find the most enjoyable part is meeting new gymnasts and watching them progress through rigorous training. Watching them compete and enjoy the sport is what insipers me to want to continue coaching.
I‘ve spent close to four full years with WGC, and I’ve enjoyed every moment!
I also teach girls‘ classes, boys’ classes, ninja classes, and much more.
WGC has become like a second home to me. I love everything I have done from the different summer jobs to teaching and to basic maintenance around the gym. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Dorothy McMannis
Coach
Years with WGC: Since 1969 (off and on) 42 years
Coaching Level: I coach Bronze.
What I love most about WGC: I love gymnastics
Gymnast inspirations: The kids love that they can discover how their bodies can twist, turn, and get stronger.
Jerry Murphy
Coach
Jerry has coached at WGC since 1981. He is retired from 20 years of teaching Physical Education in the Wichita Public Schools. Jerry graduated from Sterling College, and he is originally from Alabama. Jerry enjoys helping kids of all ages reach their maximum potential. He is truly a legend here at WGC!
Janna Palmer
Coach
Janna Palmer is a former teacher in the Wichita school district. She now combines her knowledge of child development with her love of gymnastics to coach preschool classes. She is married with three children, all of whom love to be in the gym. Her oldest is in her fifth year of competitive gymnastics, currently competing at level 6.
Conny Paulsen
Coach
Conny grew up doing gymnastics in Germany. Later as a teacher she loved teaching gymnastics in Germany, Pakistan and Tajikistan at different schools. Now living in the U.S. she is happy to be part of WGC teaching recreational gymnastics and Ninja classes to different age groups. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, knitting/crocheting, and helping others. Here life goal is to know Jesus more.
Renee Robinson
Coach
Years with WGC: 2 ½ years
Coaching Level: Pre-team
What I love most about WGC: Wonderful skilled staff and management, clean and safe facilities, and most of all the kids!
Gymnast inspirations: Gymnastics teaches a growth mindset; it is a chance to encourage the students to try hard things and keep working at it. It is my goal to make it fun, because the kids are so awesome when they are having fun.
Bio: Thirteen years gymnastics coaching experience as a retirement career. Formerly a business systems analyst for 20 years. Love teaching children gymnastics!
Taylor Townsend
Coach
Years with WGC: 8 years
Coaching Level: Bronze
What I love most about WGC: Making good relationships with the girls.
Gymnast inspirations: Watching the smiles they get when they do a new skill.
Bio: I have been with WGC for eight years and have been coaching for the last two years.
Marcy Turner
Coach
Coaching Level: Super Tots, Mini Gym, Mightys, Swim Lessons
What I love most about WGC: WE are truly a family at WGC. A majority of the staff are former WGC gymnasts.
Gymnast inspirations: I love the enthusiasm gymnasts have when they accomplish something they didn’t think they could do.
Bio: I enjoy learning to fly, powerlifting, and coaching at WGC as well as creating art for WGC.
Natalie Webber
Coach
Years with WGC: 6 years
Coaching Level: Girls classes
What I love most about WGC: I love gymnastics
Gymnast inspirations: They’re so dedicated and when they fall they get back up and keep going!
Bio: I’m 15, did gymnastics for 5 ½ years, and I missed it too much so I came back to work here!
Trenna Whitaker
Coach
Years with WGC: 5 years
Coaching Level: Girls classes
What I love most about WGC: The minute I walked in the door the staff and coaches were super welcoming and caring and helped me get to where I am today!
Gymnast inspirations: Seeing how dedicated they are to accomplish their goals.
Bio: I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was eight years old and am currently on the competitive team here at WGC.
