"In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do." - GV
coaching staff
Jen Dosch
Karli Merritt
Kyle Dummer
20+ years competitive cheerleading and coaching experience;
8+ years All Star coaching experience, including multiple top ten finishes at The Summit Championship.
Head Coach Vernon Hills High School - multiple Top Ten IHSA State Finalists.
Jen was named a 2022 "Top 20 Under 40" Real Estate Agent by the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors; sh
20+ years competitive cheerleading and coaching experience;
8+ years All Star coaching experience, including multiple top ten finishes at The Summit Championship.
Head Coach Vernon Hills High School - multiple Top Ten IHSA State Finalists.
Jen was named a 2022 "Top 20 Under 40" Real Estate Agent by the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors; she was also recently recognized as an "Outstanding Volunteer" for the Make-A-Wish Foundation!
Credentialed with USASF, USA Cheer, SafeSport, IHSA, First Aid & CPR.
Kyle Dummer
Karli Merritt
Kyle Dummer
11+ years gymnastics and tumbling experience;
6+ years Woodward Tumbling Staff;
10+ years All Star coaching experience, including: multiple Summit finalists and top ten teams at The Youth Summit. Kyle is also a 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist and 2025 NCA and Summit Champion!
*Veteran Worlds athlete with the former Ultimate Athletics
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Cody Latimer
Karli Merritt
Karli Merritt
Former collegiate athlete - Football and Track;
13+ years All Star coaching experience, including: multiple Summit Champions and Reserve Champions; multiple UCA, NCA, and Cheersport Champions; Cody's teams have represented UA at Cheersport's Friday Night Live, NCA's Battle in the Arena, and have been featured on ESPN 2. In 2026, Cody's tea
Former collegiate athlete - Football and Track;
13+ years All Star coaching experience, including: multiple Summit Champions and Reserve Champions; multiple UCA, NCA, and Cheersport Champions; Cody's teams have represented UA at Cheersport's Friday Night Live, NCA's Battle in the Arena, and have been featured on ESPN 2. In 2026, Cody's team won both the Triple Crown with Varsity as well as The League in the Extra Small Senior Level 6 division.
Cody also owns CheerOps, a cheer consultant business offering choreography and custom music for all genres of cheerleading. He is an in-house choreographer for UA as well as our music producer.
"My strength is being able to produce the music, choreograph the routine, and coach the skills."
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Karli Merritt
Karli Merritt
Karli Merritt
10+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
10+ years All Star coaching experience, including multiple top ten finishes at The Youth Summit, multiple Summit qualifying and finalists teams, Cheersport Champion and Varsity's "Champions Challenge" Champion teams, in addition to winning Top Three with Varsity's League for the Midwest Region
10+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
10+ years All Star coaching experience, including multiple top ten finishes at The Youth Summit, multiple Summit qualifying and finalists teams, Cheersport Champion and Varsity's "Champions Challenge" Champion teams, in addition to winning Top Three with Varsity's League for the Midwest Region.
Karli is also a certified Pilates instrctor, teaching specialized classes at UA and offering private Pilates sessions as well.
*Veteran Worlds athlete with the former Ultimate Athletics
Credentialed with USASF, SafeSport, and IHSA.
Tyler Teague
Ashley Thompson
Tyler Teague
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
8+ years NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
6+ years All Star coaching experience, including: multiple top ten finishes at The Summit Championship, top three finishes at NCA and Cheersport; 2nd and 3rd place for Varsity's League in the Midwest Region; Tyler's teams have been featured on ESPN 2, rep
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
8+ years NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
6+ years All Star coaching experience, including: multiple top ten finishes at The Summit Championship, top three finishes at NCA and Cheersport; 2nd and 3rd place for Varsity's League in the Midwest Region; Tyler's teams have been featured on ESPN 2, representing UA in the Small Senior Level 5 division. Tyler is also a 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist; 2025 NCA and Summit Champion, and 2026 Summit Reserve Champion.
Tyler is the head cheer coach at Schaumburg High School - an IHSA State Series Finalist and podium finalist.
Tyler also serves as an in-house choreographer for UA as well as surrounding recreational and high school programs.
*Veteran Worlds athlete with the former Ultimate Athletics
"Credentialed with USASF, SafeSport, and IHSA.
evan teague
Ashley Thompson
Tyler Teague
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
6+ NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
5+ All Star coaching experience including: 2023-2024 National Prep Champion, 2023 Top Three Division Leader for the Varsity League, Youth Summit and Summit qualifier; Evan was also a 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist and 2025 NCA and Summit Champion!
Evan is the curr
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
6+ NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
5+ All Star coaching experience including: 2023-2024 National Prep Champion, 2023 Top Three Division Leader for the Varsity League, Youth Summit and Summit qualifier; Evan was also a 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist and 2025 NCA and Summit Champion!
Evan is the current assistant cheer coach for Mundelein High School Cheerleading.
Evan also serves as an in-house choreographer for UA and surrounding recreational and school programs, as well as front desk managerial duties.
*Veteran Worlds athlete with the former Ultimate Athletics
Credentialed with USASF, SafeSport, and IHSA.
Ashley Thompson
Ashley Thompson
Ashley Thompson
20+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader - Lewis University;
Former Cheer Coach for South Elgin High School; IHSA Top Ten State Finalist;
6+ years All Star coaching experience, including: multiple Prep National Championships, Cheersport Champions, multiple finalists, top ten, and top five finishes at The
20+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader - Lewis University;
Former Cheer Coach for South Elgin High School; IHSA Top Ten State Finalist;
6+ years All Star coaching experience, including: multiple Prep National Championships, Cheersport Champions, multiple finalists, top ten, and top five finishes at The Summit Championship.
Ashley is the current head cheer coach for St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Credentialed with USASF, SafeSport, and IHSA.
Greg Wilhelm
Ashley Thompson
Ashley Thompson
12+ years coaching gymnastics for Glenbrook North High School; current Head Coach for GBN Varsity Cheerleading.
11+ years of All Star cheerleading experience as both a former competitive cheerleader and coach.
In 2026,, Greg's team earned UCA, NCA, and Cheersport Championship titles, represented the Extra Small Senior Level 6 division at Ch
12+ years coaching gymnastics for Glenbrook North High School; current Head Coach for GBN Varsity Cheerleading.
11+ years of All Star cheerleading experience as both a former competitive cheerleader and coach.
In 2026,, Greg's team earned UCA, NCA, and Cheersport Championship titles, represented the Extra Small Senior Level 6 division at Cheersport's Friday Night Live, were Varsity's Triple Crown and The League Winner, as well as bronze medalist at The Cheerleading Worlds.
Greg's education and career within the high school guidance and counseling profession is an added benefit and value to the UA program.
"My favorite thing about coaching gymnastics is witnessing athletes throw a new skill for the first time. Everything from the individual's reaction to the cheering and comradery that coincides with the team. Being a coach is an incredible experience."
Credentialed with USASF, USA Cheer, SafeSport, and IHSA.
Jorden Zarate
michael kniesel
CAITLIN CONNER
10+ competitive cheerleading experience;
2+ years and current coach of Schaumburg High School Varsity Cheerleading - IHSA State qualifying and finalists teams.
2+ years of All Star cheerleading coach experience, including 2023 Summit qualifying teams, 2024 Summit qualifying teams, 2024 Summit Finalists teams and multiple national champion t
10+ competitive cheerleading experience;
2+ years and current coach of Schaumburg High School Varsity Cheerleading - IHSA State qualifying and finalists teams.
2+ years of All Star cheerleading coach experience, including 2023 Summit qualifying teams, 2024 Summit qualifying teams, 2024 Summit Finalists teams and multiple national champion titles; 2025 Summit 8th Place finish!
Credentialed with USASF, USA Cheer, SafeSport, and IHSA.
CAITLIN CONNER
michael kniesel
CAITLIN CONNER
15+ years of All Star competitive cheerleading experience;
2+ years of All Star coaching experience which includes a Cheersport Championship title, multiple finalists at The Youth Summit, and a 5th place finish at The Youth Summit; Caitlin was a 2026 Summit Champion, returning to the mat once more as an athlete. Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
michael kniesel
michael kniesel
michael kniesel
10+ years of competitive cheerleading experience with both All Star and USA Cheer;
5+ years competitive cheerleading coaching experience with All Star coaching to include multiple Youth Summit finalist teams and top ten finishes and multiple Summit qualifying and finalist teams, including a 2026 Summit reserve champion. Michael was a 2025
10+ years of competitive cheerleading experience with both All Star and USA Cheer;
5+ years competitive cheerleading coaching experience with All Star coaching to include multiple Youth Summit finalist teams and top ten finishes and multiple Summit qualifying and finalist teams, including a 2026 Summit reserve champion. Michael was a 2025 Summit Champion and 2026 reserve champion as an athlete with UA.
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Samantha Houdek
michael kniesel
michael kniesel
10+ years competitive cheerleading experience
2+ years of All Star coaching experience with multiple Youth Summit finalists and Summit qualifying teams; in 2026, Sam was also a Summit Champion and reserve champion as an athlete with UA!
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
CASSIE CLEARY
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Taylor Gissendaner - director
11+ years competitive cheerleading and tumbling experience;
7+ years coaching experience, including an IHSA State Championship with Lake Zurich High School;
10+ years as a camp instructor with Super Cheer and Dance Association;
former Vice President of Crystal Lake Raider Cheerleading; former IHSA Cheer official; high school and collegiate competitive cheerleader.
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Taylor Gissendaner - director
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
10+ years All Star coaching experience, including: D2 Summit Winner, multiple Summit Finalist teams, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple Top Three NCA placements, 2021 NCA Silver Champion, 2021 UCA Silver Champion, 2021 Summit Finalist, 2022 Ulta Sponsorship team, 2022 Regional Summit
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
10+ years All Star coaching experience, including: D2 Summit Winner, multiple Summit Finalist teams, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple Top Three NCA placements, 2021 NCA Silver Champion, 2021 UCA Silver Champion, 2021 Summit Finalist, 2022 Ulta Sponsorship team, 2022 Regional Summit Champion, 2022 5th Place Summit Finalist, 2022 Top Ten Summit Finalist, multiple national championships including JamFest, CheerSport, and WSF. 2023 Third Place Youth Summit and 2023 Summit Reserve Champion; 2024 Summit Champion, 2024 Bronze Medalist; 2024 6th Place Youth Summit; 2025 NCA Championship team, 2025 Youth Summit Finalist team, 2025 Summit Championship team and Top Three Finish; 2026 Youth Summit Finalist teams, 2026 multiple Summit Finalists teams, multiple 2026 Summit Champion teams, and a 2026 Summit reserve champion team. Taylor's teams have also won the coveted Jeremy Sanders High Point Award.
Credentialed with USASF, SafeSport, and USA Cheer.
"My goal is to help athletes find their passion for this sport like I was able to 14 years ago. I aspire to give athletes the same experiences that I had as an athlete, allowing them to grow in confidence, mindset, and also physically. The original Ultimate Athletics first sparked my love for cheerleading. I am excited to see other athletes flourish as a part of the Royal Family just like I did."
Jess Conner - Owner
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Jess Conner - Owner
35+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader and
NFL Cheerleader;
30+ years coaching experience in recreational, IHSA, and WIAAWI sects;
17+ years All Star coaching experience: including: multiple Summit and Worlds Finalists, multiple Summit Top Ten Finalists, multiple Summit Top Five and Top Three Finalists, m
35+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader and
NFL Cheerleader;
30+ years coaching experience in recreational, IHSA, and WIAAWI sects;
17+ years All Star coaching experience: including: multiple Summit and Worlds Finalists, multiple Summit Top Ten Finalists, multiple Summit Top Five and Top Three Finalists, multiple national and grand championship titles including WSF, CheerSport, JamFest, CSG Super Nationals, and GLCC.
Former accredited Varsity and IHSA judge; Credentialed with USASF, AACCA, AAU, SafeSport, and USA Cheer. First Aid & CPR Certified; M.S.S. in Sports Coaching.
"I have dedicated the majority of my life to Cheerleading and the truest rewards are not in the form of accolades nor trophies. They are rooted in the results of the experience - in the fundamental basis for youth sports and the emphasis on character, contribution, community, and healthy competition. The coaches and I recognize the importance of our role in your athletes' lives and the need to provide an environment that coaches the mind, body, and spirit of our athletes."
make excellence your habit.
