Parkettes National Gymnastics

Meet the Coaches Guiding Your Young Athletes Brittany Berard | Xcel & Girls’ Recreational Coach Brittany Berard brings more than 18 years of gymnastics coaching experience to Parkettes, with a background that spans early childhood development through competitive team levels. She joins Parkettes from Cypress Academy of Gymnastics in Texas, where she helped athletes progress through every stage of their gymnastics journey. Throughout her career, Brittany has worked in multiple gym environments, developing structured progressions, leading high-capacity camps, and helping athletes build the technical foundation needed for long-term success. Her experience includes pre-team development, early team preparation, and organized training systems designed to create clear pathways for growth and advancement. Brittany also brings leadership experience through mentoring younger coaches and contributing to overall program structure. She understands that great coaching is about more than teaching skills-it is about creating confidence, discipline, and consistency that athletes can carry with them both inside and outside the gym. She previously spent time at Parkettes when her son was a team athlete and is excited to return to the area in a coaching role. Brittany is especially passionate about working with Levels 3-7, where she focuses on building strong fundamentals, athlete confidence, and long-term habits for success. Her background in competitive dance, cheerleading, and performance gives her a sharp eye for form, presentation, and body awareness.

Meet the Coaches Guiding Your Young Athletes Lindsay Capobianco-Wenck | Girls Recreational and Acro Coach Coach Lindsay Capobianco-Wenck plays an integral role within the Girls Level 1–3 program and leads the specialized Acro for Dancers curriculum, while also contributing her expertise to Parkettes’ Open Gym sessions. Her work strengthens the technical foundation of young gymnasts and elevates the acrobatic artistry of aspiring dancers. Widely respected for her mastery in both dance and acrobatics, Lindsay focuses on cultivating technically sophisticated performers. She seamlessly blends strength, control, and high-level acrobatic technique with performance quality—guiding dancers to become more dynamic, versatile, and stage-ready athletes. Lindsay’s connection to Parkettes is deep and formative. A dedicated Parkette herself from ages 8 to 14, she trained under Coaches Michelle, Kira, and Jenn—mentors she still holds in the highest regard. The discipline, fundamentals, and artistic foundation she gained at Parkettes propelled her into a successful collegiate and professional dance career. Today, Lindsay’s coaching philosophy centers on developing advanced acrobatic capability and refined technique, empowering every gymnast and dancer she mentors to unlock their full potential. Lindsay Capobianco-Wenck, M.Ed., LPC, brings the unique combination of elite acrobatic training, professional dance experience, and advanced academic credentials to Parkettes—dedicating her expertise to shaping the next generation of accomplished gymnasts and dancers.

Meet the Coaches Guiding Your Young Athletes Cheyenne Burton | Girls Recreational Coach Cheyenne Burton is from Alburtis, Pennsylvania, Cheyenne brings a lifetime of gymnastics experience and a distinctive perspective to her coaching. She views her unique cognitive processing style-including navigating Autism and ADHD-as a strength, leveraging clear, consistent communication to ensure every athlete fully understands instruction and feedback, fostering precision and confidence in the gym. Cheyenne’s deep expertise in gymnastics is rooted in her own journey as a Parkettes athlete. At age five, she progressed through the program and competed at the Xcel team level starting in 2013, earning multiple State and Regional competition appearances. Renowned for her professionalism, diligence, and respect for her colleagues, Cheyenne priorities the emotional and psychological well-being of her gymnasts. Her coaching emphasizes communication and individualized support-when athletes encounter challenges, she actively engages to identify the root cause and guide them toward overcoming mental and physical barriers. While Cheyenne thrives on the daily rewards of teaching, her commitment to professional growth is unwavering. She continuously expands her coaching expertise, drawing on her competitive background and ongoing experiences at Parkettes. Looking ahead, she aspires to advance into a Team Coach role, where she will continue helping young athletes build skills, push boundaries, and grow in a positive, supportive, and high-performance environment.

Meet the Coaches Guiding Your Young Athletes Ashlyn Hitcho | Recreational Coach Ashlyn joined the Parkettes coaching staff in Fall 2025, bringing a strong background in competitive gymnastics, high-level cheerleading, and multi-sport athletics. She began gymnastics at the age of four at CO-OP Gymnastics in Palmer, Pennsylvania, where she quickly developed into a high-level athlete. Ashlyn was a TOPs National Testing Qualifier and competed successfully at both the State and Regional levels through Level 9 while training for Level 10. In 2021, she transitioned into All-Star Cheer, competing on elite teams with Valley Elite. In addition to gymnastics and cheer, Ashlyn also competed in field hockey and lacrosse, experiences that helped further develop her athleticism, strength, and versatility. Prior to joining Parkettes, Ashlyn coached at Lafayette Gymnastics Academy in Louisiana, where she worked with athletes ranging from preschool through competitive team levels, including Levels 1–3 and Xcel athletes. At Parkettes, Ashlyn is passionate about helping every athlete build confidence while developing strong fundamentals in a positive and encouraging environment. She believes gymnastics should challenge athletes while also helping them grow as individuals both inside and outside the gym. Her goal as a coach is to help each gymnast feel supported, motivated, and proud of their progress while reaching their full potential along the way.

Meet the Coaches Guiding Your Young Athletes Kristin Sylvia | Girls Recreational and Pre-Team Coach Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, Kristin Sylvia commenced her distinguished tenure with the Parkette staff in 2010. Prior to her arrival, she cultivated a robust coaching background in recreational and pre-team gymnastics across Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee from 1992 to 2009. This period also included the dedicated pursuit of a Master’s degree in Social Work, successful practice as a clinical therapist, and the invaluable commitment of raising three children. Ms. Sylvia and her family relocated to the Lehigh Valley in 2009. Her affiliation with Parkettes began shortly thereafter, sparked by her daughter’s entrance into the competitive program. As her daughter ascended through the ranks of elite competition, culminating in her 2017 graduation and subsequent commitment to Auburn University’s collegiate gymnastics team, Kristin continuously refined and expanded her coaching proficiencies. Choosing to remain with Parkettes, she cited her profound respect for the program’s enduring values and her gratification in fostering the sustained development of its athletes. Ms. Sylvia’s coaching philosophy is anchored in a comprehensive commitment to the holistic development of each athlete. She is dedicated to assessing and addressing their needs on both a physical and emotional plane, thereby structuring an environment that is supportive, rigorous, and engaging—one where every child is empowered to achieve confidence and capability.

Meet the Coaches Guiding Your Young Athletes Kevin Hallinan | Director of Boys Team Kevin Hallinan, from Syracuse, New York, joined the Parkettes staff in 2024 and brings 30 years of elite coaching experience across all levels of Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. He is recognized for his expertise in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, particularly Levels 6–10 and Elite, and for developing athletes who consistently achieve competitive excellence. Kevin’s coaching achievements are extensive: he has guided 21 NCAA scholarship winners, 7 National Champions, 4 Future Stars National Team members, multiple Winter Cup and USA Championships qualifiers, and dozens of NCAA Big 10 and ECAC champions. His athletes also include numerous state and regional champions across all levels. Prior to joining Parkettes, Kevin established and grew prominent boys’ gymnastics programs in the Northeast, including at Gymstrada, Butler Gymnastics, Chenango Gymnastics, and Blaze Gymnastics, with Gymstrada’s program becoming the region’s largest competitive boys’ program for several years. He has also served as State Chairman and Elite Director in Virginia, a USAG Junior National staff member, and a regional lecturer and technical advisor for the 2024–2028 Junior Elite Technical Sequences program manual. As an athlete, Kevin won over 15 NY State titles, competed in the All-Around for Temple University (1999–2004), qualified for the Winter Cup, medaled in multiple ECAC events, and contributed to two ECAC Team Conference championships. He earned Temple’s Most Consistent Gymnast award and served as team captain, providing him with firsthand insight into high-level competition. Today, Kevin brings his unparalleled experience as a competitor, coach, and program leader to Parkettes, helping male gymnasts of all levels achieve their highest potential, instilling confidence, excellence, and contributing to the enduring Parkettes legacy.

The gymnasts who improve the fastest usually focus the least on winning. That sounds backwards but it’s true. Gymnasts who become consumed with scores, placements, or outcomes often create unnecessary pressure, frustration, and fear. The best gymnasts learn to focus on something different: the daily process. In this conversation, Kevin Chapman, Truesport Ambassador and Team USA sports psychologist, explains: • Why outcome-focused thinking can hurt performance • How process-focused athletes build confidence • And how parents and coaches can help athletes stay mentally healthy while still pursuing high-level goals At Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center, long-term success is built through consistent habits, discipline, and mastering the process day after day. This is an important conversation for every gymnast, parent, and coach. Visit youtube.com/@parkettesnationalgymnastics to watch the full interview between Jeff Bell, Executive Director of Parkettes, and Kevin Chapman.

Most athletes don’t suddenly burn out. It usually happens slowlyand quietly. First the excitement disappears, the motivation drops, and thenthe athlete begins emotionally checking before parents or coaches even realize what’s happening. And by the time the burnout becomes obvious, the athlete may already be mentally exhausted. In this conversation, Kevin Chapman @drkevinchapman , Truesport Ambassador and Team USA sports psychologist, explains: • Why so many athletes mentally disconnect from sports • What parents and coaches often miss • And how to better support long-term athlete health, confidence, and motivation At Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center, athlete development is about much more than physical performance. Understanding the mental and emotional side of sports is critical to helping young athletes thrive long term. This is an important conversation for every gymnast, parent, and coach. Visit youtube.com/@parkettesnationalgymnastics to watch the full interview between Jeff Bell, Executive Director of Parkettes, and Kevin Chapman.

A gymnast almost never wakes up one day and suddenly becomes afraid. The fear usually starts long before anyone notices. Most parents and coaches only recognize the problem once the athlete freezes, refuses to go, or suddenly loses confidence on a skill they’ve done hundreds of times before. But according to Kevin Chapman @drkevinchapman Truesport @truesportusa Ambassador and Team USA sports psychologist, mental blocks are often misunderstood, and handled the wrong way. In this conversation, Kevin explains: • Why mental blocks happen • What’s actually happening psychologically • Why pushing harder often backfires • And how athletes can begin rebuilding confidence correctly At Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center, understanding the mental side of performance is critical to long-term athlete development and an important conversation for every gymnast, parent, and coach. Visit youtube.com/@parkettesnationalgymnastics to watch the full interview between Jeff Bell, Executive Director of Parkettes, and Kevin Chapman.

Two Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center gymnasts represented at the 2026 DP National Championships, competing amongst the nation’s top athletes. Kirsten Santana delivered a standout floor routine, earning 3rd in the nation with a 9.7 and bringing home bronze. Allanah Portalatin finished 6th on floor, 8th on beam, and 10th All Around. Allanah’s Region 7 Team also took home a win for their age group. As a Senior, Allanah will head to San Jose State University on a full athletic scholarship in August. What a way to close out the season. Congratulations to both athletes on an incredible performance on the national stage. 💙🤍🏅

Three Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center Level 10 gymnasts proudly represented their team at the 2026 Developmental Nationals in Oklahoma City, competing in one of four highly competitive sessions featuring more than 150 of the nation’s top athletes. Charlie Epstein delivered a stuck vault landing to earn 32nd place on the event and finished 62nd All Around. Patrick Sinclair tied for 99th All Around and shined on floor exercise with a beautiful routine that earned 40th place. Anderson Card tied for 120th All Around and achieved a personal best on High Bar, finishing an impressive 36th. What an incredible accomplishment to qualify and compete on the national stage. We are so proud of the hard work, determination, and perseverance shown by all three athletes. Congratulations, men! 💙🤍🤸

Congratulations to Junior Elite Level 8, Elijah Maeding!  Elijah won the Gold in the All Around, Still Rings, and Parallel Bars at the 2026 USAG DP National Championships!  Elijah also finished second on FX, second on PH, third on vault, and fourth on HB. Elijah’s all around finish qualifies him for the USA junior national team!   Last season, Elijah was the level 6 JE champion and qualified to the Future Stars National team. It’s also worth noting that Elijah was undefeated in the All Around all season long. Congratulations to this amazing young man and his team of coaches. Special thanks to Coach Gheorghe for all his extra work with Elijah and to the Maeding family for all of their support.