Doug has been involved in gymnastics since 1979.  Doug was a competitor all through his grammar and high school careers.   Doug has been involved in gymnastics since 1979. Doug was a competitor all through his grammar and high school careers. After graduating high school, Doug was recruited for the United States Naval Academy Gymnastics Team, where he had the honor of working under Peter Kormann, who was the 2000 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team Coach. After returning to his hometown, Doug continued the coaching career he started while still in high school. There, he became a full-time instructor of over 250 students, ranging in ages from 3 years old, through high school. Along with the many recreational classes, Doug coached many cheerleaders and tumbling classes. Doug was the head coach of a team of 21 young boys. Between 1990 and 1992, Doug’s team went on to capture 5 State Titles, one Regional Title, and one National Title.

After moving to Bar Harbor in 1997, Doug took over the fledgling program at the Mount Desert Island YMCA. Doug, along with the help of Kristel, took this small cramped program of 35 students to an impressive 150 students in less than 2 years. AT the MDI YMCA, Doug and Kristel coached a competitive team of over 40 girls, and captured several State titles, with many individual Regional titles.

Springers Gymnastics Center represents the Down East Family YMCA in the Maine YMCA Pine Tree Gymnastics League. Doug is the head coach of this team of 28 girls ranging from Levels 4 through 7. This year, Doug is very eager about the new boys team that will be competing in the USAG League.

Doug is the Maine YMCA Pine Tree Gymnastics League Coordinator, and a member of the Maine USA Gymnastics Administrative Board. Doug is a professional member of USA Gymnastics, and has current Safety Certification, as well as being CPR qualified, along with holding a YMCA Gymnastics Instructor Certification.

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Kristel first got started in gymnastics in 1974.  She competed for 12 years through grammar school, as 4 year Varsity Member and Captain of the Hampden Academy Gymnastics Team, and as a member of the Texas Tech University Twisters Gymnastics Club.  Some of her individual accomplishments include top 10 All-Around in the State of Maine, with a 3^rd place finish on Balance Beam. 

 

Kristel’s coaching experience started over 17 years ago as an instructor at the Hampden Academy Summer Recreation Programs, and continued at many YMCA’s throughout the country, including the Director of East Valley YMCA gymnastics program with over 300 students.  Locally, Kristel worked as an instructor and coach at the Penobscott Valley School of Gymnastics, and as stated before, created the current program at the DEFY, before collaborating with Doug at the MDI YMCA for the past 6 years. 

 

Kristel is also a certified Women’s Level 5-6 Judge since 1994.  Some of her other certifications include Kinder Accreditation for Teachers (KAT), Movement Education and Lesson Plan Development (MELPD), USAG Safety Certification, and CPR.  Kristel also holds a YMCA Gymnastics Instructor Certification.

 

Along with their experience and qualifications in gymnastics, Doug and Kristel have both been involved with cheerleaders.  For many years, they both have taught specific classes geared toward cheerleader tumbling.  As well, Kristel has coached the cheerleading squad at Yarborough Middle School in El Paso, Texas, and attended NCAA Cheering Camp.

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Jessica Brown is our recreational coach, and assistant coach for our girls’ competitive team. Jessica started gymnastics at the age of 8 at the Old Town / Orono YMCA, and continued there until 12. She competed for four years for Ellsworth High School, where she was the captain her senior year. Jessica was the honor graduate from EHS in 1995, and went on to achieve her paralegal degree from Husson College in 1998.

Jessica is married to husband Jason for 9 years, and her children, Andrew 8, and Anna 6 are both involved in the Springers program.

Jessica is a professional member of USA Gymnastics, is currently Safety Certified, along with CPR and 1st Aid.

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