Natalie V. Barnett

Program Director

Team Coach

• USAG Safety Certified
• USA Gymnastics Professional member
• 2007 Region VII Congress Attendee
• Former Level 10 gymnast
• B.S. in Psychology

Natalie was a competitive gymnast in Northern Virginia for Karon’s Gymnastics Center, where she was the Level 5 State Champion and Level 6 State Runner-Up.  Natalie continued competing as a Level 8, 9 and 10, and then began competing for Oakton High School.  Natalie made it to and placed in VHSL States three out of her four years, placing first on balance beam.  Natalie attended Virginia Tech, where she received her B.S. in Psychology and competed for one year for the gymnastics club.  She has coached for Fairfax County Parks & Recreation as well as at the high school level. 

Natalie has been with WGC since they opened in January of 2006.

Keisha Thompson

WGC Gymnastics Team Director

Team Coach

• USAG Safety Certified
• USA Gymnastics Professional member
• M. Ed in Exercise Science
• B.S. in Sports Management
• Former Level 9 gymnast

Keisha was a competitive gymnast in New York City for the Flushing YMCA through level 9, and was part of their National Championship team. She then went on to get her Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Springfield College in MA. While in school Keisha has coached at Tim Daggett’s Gymnastics in Agawam, MA. She then went on to become the Gymnastics Director at the Farmington Valley YMCA in Granby, CT where she started their gymnastics program as well as the competitive team and dance programs.

Keisha has been here at WGC since March, 2006. 

Carissa Baldwin

WGC Pre-Team Head Coach

• Kinder Accreditation for Teachers certified
• Movement Education Lesson Plan Development certified
• USAG Safety Certified
• USA Gymnastics Instructor member
• Former Level 8 gymnast
• B.A. in Public Relations

Carissa was a competitive gymnast in California and Virginia up until Level 8. She then went on to competitive Cheerleading in high school and cheered for Christopher Newport University. While in college, Carissa worked for World Class Gymnastics as an instructor. When she moved to New Kent, Virginia, she was the Pre-Team Director and Recreational Gymnastics Director for one of Richmond Olympiad's facilities. Carissa has a B.A. in Public Relations from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Carissa has been coaching for 7 years and started with WGC when it opened.

Suzie Henry

WGC Coach

• B.A. in Industrial Relations
• Former Junior Elite National Team member
• Competed in 1980 Olympic Trials

Suzie started gymnastics at age 5 and continued through college. She was on the Junior Elite National Team for 3 years. Suzie competed nationally and internationally for 5 years. She competed in countries such as Bulgaria, Austria, Holland and South Africa. She also competed at the 1980 Olympic trials. Suzie received a full gymnastics scholarship at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She competed and was an assistant coach for 3 years. She received a degree in Industrial Relations.

Suzie has been with WGC since January 2006.

Brittany Gleason

Team Coach

WGC Coach

• USAG Safety Certified
• USA Gymnastics Professional Member
• Former Level 7 gymnast
• Red Cross Sports Safety Training Certified

Brittany was a competitive gymnast at Majik Saints Gymnastics where she excelled through level 7. She then was a member of her high school competitive cheerleading team and gymnastics team. Brittany goes to William and Mary where she is studying Kinesiology and Hispanic Studies. Brittany is a member of the William and Mary Cheerleading squad.

Brittany has been with WGC since September 2006.  She now works with the Level 4 team.

Megan Murray

Team Coach

WGC Coach

• Former Level 8 Gymnast
• B.A. in Political Science

Megan began her gymnastic career in Ohio where she was a Level 4 and 6 State Champion. She went on to become an All-American on floor exercise, balance beam, vault and All-Around. She was also given the honor of being All-State for 2 years in Texas and became a Nationals competitor in high school for Virginia. She competed for Oxford University in England against other United Kingdom teams, including Cambridge. Megan has been coaching for 4 years, including two summers with Bela Karolyi at his summer camp in Houston, Texas. Megan is currently studying for a Masters in Public Policy at William & Mary.

Megan has been with WGC since January 2008.

Sarah Sams

WGC Coach

• Former Level 7 gymnast
• Competitive Cheerleader with WISC Southern All-Stars
• Current USA Gymnastics Cheerleader

Sarah is a senior at Jamestown High School. She has cheered for Jamestown for three years and has been on a competitive squad for four years. In the past, Sarah has won many national titles with her team for competitive cheerleading. She also won UCA outstanding cheerleader and Bay Rivers all-district runner up. She is one of our most requested coaches and is great working with all skill levels.

Sarah has been with WGC since February 2006.

Kathryn Wilson

WGC Coach

Jane Wulf

WGC Coach

• Former Level  4 gymnast
• B.A. in Anthropology
• M. Ed. in Elementary Education

Jane was a competitive gymnast at the YMCA where she excelled as part of their team.  She then went on to be on her high school cheerleading and gymnastics team.  Jane went to the University of Virginia where she earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Jane has taught Kindergarten and used movement to develop math and language skills.

Jane has been with WGC since September, 2006.

Kelly Williamson

WGC Coach

• Former Level 9 gymnast
• B.S. in Education
• M.S. in Education

Kelly was a competitive gymnast at Ocean Tumblers in Chesapeake for 9 years where she excelled through level 9. She then went on to compete on her Jr. High and High school teams. Kelly went to Old Dominion University where she earned her Master’s Degree in Education. Kelly has taught middle school math and science and is currently a librarian at Seaford Elementary in York County.

Kelly has been with WGC since August 2006.

Andre Bland

WGC Coach

Sarah Deavers

WGC Coach

Damara Garrison

WGC Coach

• Former Level 7 gymnast
• Former competitive gymnast
• 7 years of gymnastics

Damara started gymnastics at age 6 and was invited to join the competitive team shortly after. She went on to place second on balance beam at the Virginia State Championship meet. Damara's favorite event is balance beam. She is excited to be able to continue her love for gymnastics through coaching.

Damara has been with WGC since October 2007.

Lauren Klein

WGC Coach