"In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do." - GV
coaching staff
Brie Chiupek
Brie Chiupek
Brie Chiupek
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader - Sam Houston State; 2018 Collegiate National Champion;
5+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 Worlds Finalist, 2021 8th Place Worlds, multiple Summit qualifying teams, 2022 6th Place Summit Finalist, multiple national and grand championship titles
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader - Sam Houston State; 2018 Collegiate National Champion;
5+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 Worlds Finalist, 2021 8th Place Worlds, multiple Summit qualifying teams, 2022 6th Place Summit Finalist, multiple national and grand championship titles including WSF, GLCC, and CSG Super Nationals; 2023 Summit Champion; 2024 4th Place Worlds, 2025 5th Place Worlds. Coach Brie's team, Dynasty, represented UA at CheerSport's 2025 Friday Night Live fundraising event for St. Jude's and NCA's coveted Battle in the Arena!
*Veteran Worlds athlete with the former Ultimate Athletics
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Jen Dosch
Brie Chiupek
Brie Chiupek
20+ years competitive cheerleading and coaching experience;
6+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 Regional Summit 2nd Place Finalist, 2022 Summit qualifying team, multiple national and grand championship titles including CSG Super Nationals and GLCC; 2023 Top Ten Summit Finalist and 2024 4th Place finish at The Summit. Coa
20+ years competitive cheerleading and coaching experience;
6+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 Regional Summit 2nd Place Finalist, 2022 Summit qualifying team, multiple national and grand championship titles including CSG Super Nationals and GLCC; 2023 Top Ten Summit Finalist and 2024 4th Place finish at The Summit. Coach Jen's quarter season team at UA has placed Top Three and Top Five at The Summit in 2024-2025!
Head Coach Vernon Hills High School - multiple Top Ten IHSA State Finalist.
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
Brie Chiupek
Cody Latimer
11+ years gymnastics and tumbling experience;
6+ years Woodward Tumbling Staff;
8+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2022-2024 Summit qualifying teams, 2022 UCA Silver Champion, multiple national and grand championship titles including CSG Super Nationals, JamFest, and GLCC; 2023 Third Place Youth Summit; 2024 6th Place Youth S
11+ years gymnastics and tumbling experience;
6+ years Woodward Tumbling Staff;
8+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2022-2024 Summit qualifying teams, 2022 UCA Silver Champion, multiple national and grand championship titles including CSG Super Nationals, JamFest, and GLCC; 2023 Third Place Youth Summit; 2024 6th Place Youth Summit.; 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist; 2025 NCA and Summit Champion!
*Veteran Worlds athlete with the former Ultimate Athletics
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Cody Latimer
Brie Chiupek
Cody Latimer
Former collegiate athlete - Football and Track;
11+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2016 Summit 2nd Place Finalist, 2021 UCA Silver Champion, 2021 NCA Silver Champion, 2021 Summit Finalist, 2022 5th Place Summit Finalist, 2022 6th Place Summit Finalist, 2022 Ulta Sponsorship team, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple n
Former collegiate athlete - Football and Track;
11+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2016 Summit 2nd Place Finalist, 2021 UCA Silver Champion, 2021 NCA Silver Champion, 2021 Summit Finalist, 2022 5th Place Summit Finalist, 2022 6th Place Summit Finalist, 2022 Ulta Sponsorship team, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple national and grand championship titles including WSF, CheerSport, JamFest, CSG Super Nationals, GLCC; 2023 Summit Champion and Reserve Champion; 2024 Summit Champion and Bronze Medalist; 2024 4th Place Worlds; 2025 5th Place Worlds, Top Three at The Summit, and Summit Champion 2025! Coach Cody's team, Dynasty, represented UA at Cheersport's 2025 Friday Night Live fundraising event for St. Jude's and NCA's coveted Battle in the Arena!
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
Ashley Thompson
Karli Merritt
10+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
8+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 4th Place Summit Finalist, 2022 Regional Summit Champion, 2022 5th Place Summit Finalist, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple national and grand championship titles, including WSF, JamFest, CheerSport, CSG Super Nationals and GLCC.
10+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
8+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 4th Place Summit Finalist, 2022 Regional Summit Champion, 2022 5th Place Summit Finalist, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple national and grand championship titles, including WSF, JamFest, CheerSport, CSG Super Nationals and GLCC. 2024 Reserve Champion Cheersport; 2024 Youth Summit Finalist and Top Ten Placement; 2024 US Finals Champion and Champion of the Champion's Challenge! In 2025, Karli's youth team were repeat finalists at The Youth Summit in Tampa!
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
Karli Merritt
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
6+ years NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
4+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2022 Regional Summit Champion, 2022 Top Ten Summit Finalist, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple national and grand championship titles, including WSF, CSG Super Nationals, and GLCC; 2024 Summit Fin
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
6+ years NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
4+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2022 Regional Summit Champion, 2022 Top Ten Summit Finalist, multiple Summit qualifying teams, multiple national and grand championship titles, including WSF, CSG Super Nationals, and GLCC; 2024 Summit Finalist teams, 2024 Bronze Medalist; 2025 NCA and Summit Champion! Coach Tyler's quarter season team at UA as earned multiple Top Five finishes at The Summit as well!
5+ years as former high school coach for Hersey High School and currently coaches at Schaumburg High School - both IHSA State qualifying teams and State Finalists programs.
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
Ashley Thompson
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
5+ NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
3+ All Star coaching experience including: 2023-2024 National Prep Champion, 2023 Top Three Division Leader for the Varsity League, multiple division champion and grand champion titles, Youth Summit qualifier, The Summit qualifier; 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist;
10+ years competitive cheer experience;
5+ NCA Camp Instructor and Choreographer
3+ All Star coaching experience including: 2023-2024 National Prep Champion, 2023 Top Three Division Leader for the Varsity League, multiple division champion and grand champion titles, Youth Summit qualifier, The Summit qualifier; 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist; 2025 NCA and Summit Champion!
2+ years as former high school asst. coach for South Elgin Cheer - IHSA state qualifying teams; currently assists Mundelein High School Cheerleading.
Evan also serves as an in-house choreographer for UA and surrounding recreational and school programs.
*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;
4+ years as former Head Cheer Coach - Hersey High School; IHSA State Qualifying team.
4+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 Summit qualifying team; 2022
20+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader - Lewis University;
Former Cheer Coach for South Elgin High School; IHSA Top Ten State Finalist;
4+ years as former Head Cheer Coach - Hersey High School; IHSA State Qualifying team.
4+ years All Star coaching experience, including: 2021 Summit qualifying team; 2022 Summit qualifying team; 2022 Prep National Champion, multiple national championship titles including CSG Super Nationals and GLCC; 2024 Summit Finalist; 2025 Summit 4th Place Finish!
In 2022, as Director of the half season program, Ashley grew and managed over 60 additional athletes and successfully led several of the teams to an undefeated season! Her 2022 , 2023, and 2024 half season teams were Prep National Champions!
Ashley's daughter, Makayla, is in her 6th year as an all star cheerleader and is currently on Team Princesses!
Credentialed with USASF, SafeSport, and IHSA.
Greg Wilhelm
CAITLIN CONNER
Jorden Zarate
12+ years coaching gymnastics for Glenbrook North High School; current Head Coach for GBN Varsity Cheerleading.
10+ years of All Star cheerleading experience as both a former competitive cheerleader and coach.
In 2024 and 2025, Coach Greg's quarter season teams were both Summit qualifiers as well as Summit Finalists!
Greg's education and car
12+ years coaching gymnastics for Glenbrook North High School; current Head Coach for GBN Varsity Cheerleading.
10+ years of All Star cheerleading experience as both a former competitive cheerleader and coach.
In 2024 and 2025, Coach Greg's quarter season teams were both Summit qualifiers as well as Summit Finalists!
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
CAITLIN CONNER
Jorden Zarate
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.
Josie Allen
CAITLIN CONNER
CAITLIN CONNER
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience, including coaching recreational, high school, collegiate, and all star competitive cheerleading teams to multiple state titles and national championship titles;
All Star coaching experience includes multiple Summit qualifying and Summit Finalists teams and Grand Championship titles;
In her fir
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience, including coaching recreational, high school, collegiate, and all star competitive cheerleading teams to multiple state titles and national championship titles;
All Star coaching experience includes multiple Summit qualifying and Summit Finalists teams and Grand Championship titles;
In her first year joining the UA coaching staff, Josie's quarter season team qualified for the 2024 Summit Championship and were US Finals Champions.
Josie's daughter, Kennedy, joins us for her third season with UA and is currently on Aces and Royalty!
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
CAITLIN CONNER
CAITLIN CONNER
CAITLIN CONNER
15+ years of All Star competitive cheerleading experience with multiple Top Ten Summit and Worlds placements; in her inaugural year of coaching in 2024, Caitlin's team won several national titles, including CheerSport and US Finals, earned multiple Grand Champion titles, and were zero deductions all season long!
coaching staff
Nicoletta Tomaino
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Nicoletta Tomaino
10+ years of All Star competitive cheerleading experience: Two-time Summit Champion, Reserve Champion, 4th and 5th Place Finishes at Worlds, Gold medalist with Team USA, multiple national and grand championship titles.
4+ years All Star cheerleading coaching experience: guiding her team, Monarchs, to multiple national and grand championshi
10+ years of All Star competitive cheerleading experience: Two-time Summit Champion, Reserve Champion, 4th and 5th Place Finishes at Worlds, Gold medalist with Team USA, multiple national and grand championship titles.
4+ years All Star cheerleading coaching experience: guiding her team, Monarchs, to multiple national and grand championship titles, 2024 and 2025 CheerSport Champion, 2024 and 2025 US Finals Champion and Challenge League Champion, 2024 Regional Summit Qualifying team.
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Michael Kniesel
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Nicoletta Tomaino
10+ years of competitive cheerleading experience: earned multiple state, national and grand championship titles; multiple Summit Championship qualifier and finalist, 2024 Worlds finalist and Top Four Placement, Gold Medalist with Team USA, 2023 Summit Champion, 2023 Summit Reserve Champion, 2024 Summit Champion, 2024 Summit Bronze Medalis
10+ years of competitive cheerleading experience: earned multiple state, national and grand championship titles; multiple Summit Championship qualifier and finalist, 2024 Worlds finalist and Top Four Placement, Gold Medalist with Team USA, 2023 Summit Champion, 2023 Summit Reserve Champion, 2024 Summit Champion, 2024 Summit Bronze Medalist; 2025 NCA and Summit Champion!
5+ years competitive cheerleading coaching experience including multiple state qualifying and finalist teams, national and grand championship titles, 2023-2024 Youth Summit and Summit Championship qualifiers, 2023 Top Three Youth Summit, 2024 Sixth Place Youth Summit; 2025 Youth Summit Finalist.
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Sam Houdek
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Taylor Gissendaner - director
10+ years competitive cheerleading experience: multiple national and grand championship title earner, 2023 Summit Champion, 2023 Reserve Summit Champion, 2024 Summit Champion and 2024 Worlds 4th place; 2025 NCA and Summit Champion! In her first year coaching, Sam guided her youth team to multiple first place finishes, specialty awards, an
10+ years competitive cheerleading experience: multiple national and grand championship title earner, 2023 Summit Champion, 2023 Reserve Summit Champion, 2024 Summit Champion and 2024 Worlds 4th place; 2025 NCA and Summit Champion! In her first year coaching, Sam guided her youth team to multiple first place finishes, specialty awards, and grand champion titles; they were also 2025 Youth Summit Finalist!
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Taylor Gissendaner - director
Taylor Gissendaner - director
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
8+ 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 C
15+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
8+ 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.
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."
Diana Tomaino - Gym Manager
Diana Tomaino - Gym Manager
Diana Tomaino - Gym Manager
20+ years competitive dance, gymnastics, and cheer experience;
Former competitive dancer and gymnast;
20+ years retail and fashion supply chain experience;
real estate broker with @properties;
Diana's daughter, Nicoletta, is a former Team USA cheerleader and ICU champion, 2023 Summit Champion and Reserve Summit Champion, 2024 Summit Champion,
20+ years competitive dance, gymnastics, and cheer experience;
Former competitive dancer and gymnast;
20+ years retail and fashion supply chain experience;
real estate broker with @properties;
Diana's daughter, Nicoletta, is a former Team USA cheerleader and ICU champion, 2023 Summit Champion and Reserve Summit Champion, 2024 Summit Champion, 2024 4th Place Worlds Finalist, a current athlete on Lady Shade and Dynasty, and coaches our youth level 1 prep team, Monarchs!
Credentialed with USASF and SafeSport.
Jess Conner - Owner
Diana Tomaino - Gym Manager
Diana Tomaino - Gym Manager
35+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader and
NFL Cheerleader;
30+ years coaching experience in recreational, IHSA, and WIAAWI sects;
15+ years All Star coaching experience: including: multiple Summit and Worlds Finalists, multiple Summit Top Ten Finalists, multiple Summit Top Five Finalists, 4th Place Summi
35+ years competitive cheerleading experience;
Former Collegiate Cheerleader and
NFL Cheerleader;
30+ years coaching experience in recreational, IHSA, and WIAAWI sects;
15+ years All Star coaching experience: including: multiple Summit and Worlds Finalists, multiple Summit Top Ten Finalists, multiple Summit Top Five Finalists, 4th Place Summit Finalist, 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.
