Our Staff
Our staff is committed to our mission to prepare children for the world of possibilities, by developing their talents and building their character through the teaching of gymnastics, climbing and nature based programming. We achieve this mission by providing a safe, nurturing environment that provides fun and challenges.
Lainy (Jewart) Carslaw
Team manager/Head Coach
Lainy started working as a part-time coach after graduating from Pitt and she fell in love with coaching. She loves competition, challenges and working with children. Her goal is for every gymnast to reach his/her full potential for as long as he/she loves being in the gym!
Katie (Jewart) Hilko
Head Coach - Girls
Katie started coaching in the gym at age 14. She is the head Coach for the girls level 8-10 team. In addition to coaching, it has always been her dream to carry on her mom's legacy in the community. Her goal is to create a positive atmosphere where everyone leaves with a smile and wants to come back!
Kamelia Dunlevy
Director and Head Coach of
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Kamelia started training in rhythmic gymnastics at age 6! She achieved the Master of Sports, the biggest honor in her home country of Bulgaria. She came to the US in 1997 to tour with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus. She began coaching at Jewart's in 2002.
Kim Kudlach
Preschool Director/Developmental Coach
Miss Kim joined the Jewart's staff 12 years ago when her own daughter Cassidy was a Pittsburgh Northstar. After achieving great success in leading the preschool and developmental programs, Miss Kim was named director in 2020.
With over 20 years of gymnastics coaching experience, Miss Kim loves seeing the excitement of a student gaining a new skill whether it is an 18 month toddler or a newly competitive gymnast.
Kelly Mehok
Recreational Director/Xcel Team Coach
After being a young gymnast herself, Coach Kelly decided to try her hand at coaching about 8 years ago. She joined Jewart's staff in 2020 as our recreational director. Being a great puzzle solver, Kelly is in charge of all the moving parts in the upstairs gym! In addition, she spends her coaching time with our Xcel team to not only master gymnastics skills but to build a positive mindset while doing so.
Chris Pechar
T&T Head Coach/Team Coach
As a young gymnast, Coach Chris actually competed against the Northstars! In 1989, he was PA state champion in Men's gymnastics. He was often ranked in the Top 50 Men's list of competitive gymnasts and went to the Olympic training center several times during his gymnastics career.
Chris began coaching at the age of 14. He joined Jewart's in 2008 and has coached boys, girls, and T&T.
Nicole Bova
Team Coach - Girls
Coach Nicole has been doing gymnastics since she was 3! Her success as a gymnast earned her a full ride scholarship as a D1 gymnast to the University of Pitt where she was a member of EAGL All American 2005-2007, Scholastic All American gymnastics team 2006-2007, and 2x letter winner. As a coach, she wants her gymnasts to realize you don't give up; you find other ways to work towards your goals in order to succeed!
Tiara Weatherspoon
Team Coach - Girls
As a former Pittsburgh Northstar, Coach Tiara went on as a D1 gymnast at University of Pitt. After completion of her teaching degree, she realized how much she missed being in the gym. A return "home" seemed a perfect fit for her coaching career.
Her goal is to maintain an enjoyable and encouraging environment where gymnasts can reach their full potential while maintaining their love of gymnastics.
Heather Apel
Team Coach - Girls
Reaching level 9 as well as competing as a high school gymnast, Coach Heather understands the hard work and positive mindset it takes to compete in gymnastics. Joining her high school coach at their own gym, Coach Heather began her own coaching career at age 15. For over 20 years, her favorite aspect of coaching is helping gymnasts overcome their fears to achieve their goals.
Gina Deluca
Team Coach - Girls
As a former gymnast, cheerleader and dancer, Coach Gigi started coaching at age 14. She strives to be the coach she always needed by showing empathy, kindness and helping to build self-confidence and self-esteem.
Erin Ramirez
Team Coach - Girls
As a former D1 gymnast at both Pitt and NC, Coach Erin understands the hard work and determination gymnasts need to achieve their goals to strive for the collegiate level. Her favorite aspect of coaching is instilling positivity and excitement in the girls. She also loves being able to share her coaching time with her family as two of her daughters compete as Northstars.
Cassidy Kudlach
Team Coach - Girls
As a former Pittsburgh Northstar gymnast achieving level 10, Cassidy returned "home" to begin her coaching career. After working with different levels, she has discovered her passion with working with younger gymnasts starting in the competitive world.
An interesting fact about Cassidy is her mom is none other than our Preschool director, Miss Kim!
Jeff Malone
Team Coach - Boys
At the age of 5, Jeff attended a field trip at Jewart's and told his parents to sign him up! He's been at Jewart's ever since!
Soon, his gymnastic skills and talents led coaches to ask him to become a member of the competitive team. Jeff excelled to level 10 and qualified for the Junior Olympics several times.
After being the boys assistant coach for 5 years, he was named boys head coach in 2016.
Thomas Woodring
Team Coach - Boys
Beginning in the world of marital arts, Coach Tom joined Jewart's Gymnastics as a young athlete to incorporate cartwheels, roundoffs and tucks into his martial arts routines. He achieved great success with 2 state championships and 3 Junior Olympic gold medals. He then began a promising career in competitive diving which unfortunately ended due to a knee injury. However, this injury taught him resiliency and humility which help guide him in his coaching today.
Beginning in coaching as a junior instructor in martial arts, he continued coaching in several disciplines before joining the Jewart's staff when his son joined the program.
Coach Tom not only coaches the boys rec program, boys' developmental programs and boys' team, he is also an executive administrative assistant.
Kyle Lukaesko
Team Coach - Boys
With 5 years of being a NCAA gymnast, Coach Kyle brings a wealth of knowledge to the boys gymnastics program. After completing graduate school, he joined the Jewart's coaching staff in 2023 after completing graduate school.