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DEAN & ERIN MORALES - OWNERS
Over forty years of combined coaching experience!

DEAN MORALES

Dean has been a gymnastics instructor for over twenty-four years! He has helped several gymnastics clubs in Albuquerque develop a strong recreational foundation for their boys and girls programs as well as assisted their teams in achieving state and regional recognition. In that time his love for this sport and working with children has only grown. Dean was a competitive gymnast at a private club, and for Valley High School. After a short visit to Los Angeles where Dean used his gymnastics skills as a stuntman, he came back to Albuquerque and turned his focus towards coaching. Over the last twenty years Dean has continued to coach in the state and has been fortunate to witness four local gymnasts become Olympians and work with some of the most knowledgeable gymnastic instructors and clinicians in our nation. In past years, he has developed and increased the size of boys programs at three separate gyms in the city. His teams have acquired and retained the State Titles at all compulsory levels for the past three years in addition to having several athletes qualify to the Jr. National Team. In 2000, 2003, and 2004, he was awarded coach of the year by his peers, and currently holds the position of NM Men’s Program State Chairperson. Dean coaches our advanced boys team, and oversees the entire boys program. He has been married to his wife, Erin, since September 1999, and enjoys drawing, singing karaoke and wrestling with his dogs Maddie (left)& Tyson (right).

ERIN MORALES

Erin has over fourteen years of experience in the field of gymnastics. She began taking classes at a local club and quickly joined their competitive team. During that time, she was asked to begin coaching classes to offset her tuition. Erin developed a comprehensive understanding of gymnastics working with several different gymnastics schools in Albuquerque including two mobile gymnastics businesses. She has held positions that included instruction of preschool, recreational, cheerleading and adult tumbling classes and quickly progressed to assistant Boys Program Director and other various team level coaching positions. Erin also worked in the office of several local gyms and worked at Wells Fargo Bank for four years gaining experience in management, business, and financial matters. Erin now helps with all areas of the gym including preschool, recreational classes, and the competitive teams, as well as managing the office.

BRIGIT BUSZEK

Brigit came to us from Zia Gymnastics in Santa Fe in 2006. She competed as a level 9 gymnast and coached preschool through advanced team for four years at Zia. When she graduated high school, Brigit moved to Albuquerque to attend UNM. She coaches our competitive girls teams levels 5-10. Brigit also brings with her an extensive background in dance, with experience in choreographing floor and beam routines for optional level girls.

NATHAN MOORE

Nathan is attending CNM and was a competitive gymnast for over nine years. Nathan coaches both boys recreational classes and the level 5 boys team as well as being a professional men's gymnastics judge. When Nathan is not in the gym he enjoys sleeping, skateboarding, and learning about cinematography.

LISA POWER

Lisa graduated from Manzano High School in 2007, and was a gymnast from 1998 -2007. She competed as a Level 9 and qualified to the Region 3 Championships in 2007. Lisa is currently attending UNM with plans to major in Sports Medicine. Lisa is the Level 4 & 5 girls team head coach. Lisa enjoys spending time with friends and anything pink!

AMANDA SKOTCHDOPOLE

Amanda is from a small town in Northern New Mexico and is currently attending UNM. She is studying Print Journalism and Spanish. Fitness and nutrition are very important to Amanda and she loves to cook healthy foods. Amanda was a camp counselor at Hummingbird Music Camp for several years before joining SAGA’s staff. In her spare time Amanda loves to read and work out.

KELLY STOUT

Kelly joined our team in 2008 and is coaching both girls recreational classes and girls team. She says seeing kids energy and enthusiasm gets her pumped! Kelly competed college level gymnastics for the University of Minnesota while earning a degree in both history and political science! She also found time to coach gymnastics at many different levels as well as summer camp. Kelly is currently attending Law School at UNM.

CHANTELLE SOTO
Chantelle started working with our Summer-Sault Day Camp in 2008 and decided to join our staff permanently in the fall. She has completed her first year at UNM and is studying Emergency Medicine to become an Emergency Room Physician. She has just received her EMT certification and is looking forward to receiving her NM State license in June. Besides cheerleading throughout her high school years, Chantelle also played softball and T-ball, and is now playing slow pitch ball.

MEGAN STOVALL

Megan competed as gymnast on SAGA's competitive team until 2008. Megan now teaches preschool, girls recreational and girls team. Megan graduated from Cibola High School and is now enrolled at UNM. She is interested in studying to be a nurse. When Megan isn't at SAGA she enjoys writing stories and working out.

JOEL THORNBERG

Joel is currently a coach for our Boys Recreational program as well as our Level 4, 5 & 6 Boys Teams. He trained as a gymnast under Coach Dean for 5 years before leaving the sport (for a while). His nickname on team was "Peanut", although he is no longer the tiny 6 year old gymnast he used to be! Joel is currently home schooled and taking a few courses at CNM. Joel enjoys paintballing, working on his Volkswagon bus and playing video games.