Northshore Staff Members
Linda Young
Linda Young opened Northshore Gymnastics 14 years ago and currently serves as the owner, manager and level 4 girl’s gymnastics coach. Linda has over 25 years experience as a gymnastics coach, coaching both recreationally and competitively. She competed herself, beginning at the age of 4, and continuing throughout her first year at the University of Washington. In addition to her work in the gym, Linda holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology (Cal State Fullerton), a Masters degree in Psychology (University of Washington) and a teaching certificate from Seattle Pacific University. She taught both preschool, and in the public education system for twelve years before turning full-time to gymnastics. Linda is very involved in gymnastics in the state of Washington, serving on the board since 1990, attending and helping run clinics, attending local and national congresses, and being a USA Gymnastics Member. Linda continues to have a passion for the sport and enjoys watching kids develop physically and mentally while having fun and staying active. She considers it a privilege to witness the sense of accomplishment children have when learning skills, the joy kids have when entering the gym, and the pride parents have when their children succeed. In her free time, Linda likes to spend time with her children, MacKenzie and Kirby watch sports (Go Hawks, Huskies and Mariners!), read, and exercise.
Christy Ely
Christy is in her 5th year of coaching at Northshore. Christy has an extensive background working with children, having taught elementary school for 6 years and coaching high school gymnastics for 2 years. In addition, Christy has a background in dance and cheerleading (she cheered at the University of Washington). In her free time Christy likes to garden, follow UW football, bake, read and spend time with her family, including her 3 daughters Allyson, Camryn, and Katelyn, who all are involved in gymnastics. She decided to coach gymnastics because she loves being active with children and helping them to build a strong foundation for further development in the sport! This year Christy will be teaching preschool and girl's gymnastics classes.
Sandra Wolff
Sandra Wolff is another coach who came to Northshore because of her daughter, Jaci's involvement in the sport. After competing for many years at Northshore, Jaci only recently moved to cheerleading, but Sandra remains! Sandra has been involved with children for over 20 years, as a mother of 3, a preschool teacher and a coach. She stays active by playing softball and training in taekwondo. Sandra loves coaching because she enjoys helping kids work through their challenges and eventually succeed. She loves to see a child’s happy face after hearing praise for a job well done! This year Sandra will be coaching preschool, girls beginning and tramp/tumbling classes.
Kylie McElrath
Kylie McElrath brings a wonderfully diverse set of skills to Northshore. She has been involved with gymnastics since the age of 4 and competed with Northshore's trampoline team. Kylie, who recently graduated from the running start program at Shoreline Community College, enjoys working with kids in the gymnastics setting because she wants to help children achieve their goals and realizes that a good coach is essential to a child’s development. Over the last year Kylie has attended clinics to strengthen her coaching abilities, learn spotting techniques and gain motivational tools. Kylie will be one of the coaches running our Drama Camp this summer, allowing her to share her other great passion with children. In additional Kylie will be teaching summer preschool, girls gymnastics and tramp/tumbling classes.
Kathryn McElrath
Kathryn, who joins her mother, brother and sisters, is in her third year as a coach at Northshore. She has grown up in the gym, having participated in competitive gymnastics for 2 years as well as competitive trampoline for 8 years. Kathryn enjoys sharing her love of the sport with kids becuase they are always happy. She is currently attending Lake Washington Institute of Technology. This year Kathryn will be coaching boys gymnastics, girls level 1, preschool 2 and 3 and the competitive trampoline team.
Sarah McElrath
Sarah McElrath, the matriarch of the McElrath family, has been working at Northshore for the last 5 years. The mother of 5 children – Charles, Kylie, Kaitlyn, Kathryn and Kellee, Sarah has been coaching and administrating the tramp/tumbling team for the last 3 years, as well as coaching preschool classes and working the front desk. In addition to being USAG certified, Sarah has attended state clinics for both trampoline and gymnastics. Sarah will continue to work the desk and coach preschool, gymnastics and tramp/tumbling classes.
Michael Ritchie
A 2010 graduate of Bothell High School and sophomore at the University of Washingtong (majoring in biology), Michael Ritchie has over seven years of gymnastics experience. He has been part of the competitive and noncompetive sides of gymnastics, having taken both recreational classes as well as competing with the trampoline team at Northshore. Michael enjoys working at Northshore because he likes to see the fun that the kids have while they are in the gym. This year Michael will be coaching boys recreational and tramp/tumbling classes.
Shelly Sykes
Shelly is a veteran among the staff at Northshore, having coached at the gym since its inception fourteen years ago. In addition to working with children at Northshore, Shelly has spent years coaching soccer, teaching Sunday school, and raising foster children in addition to her own child, Taryn who formerly participated in competitive gymnastics. Shelly enjoys playing soccer, traveling the world, walking and doing volunteer work in her free time. She has continued to work at the gym because she enjoys the "work hard, have fun philosophy," and loves to watch kids learn and succeed at different levels. Throughout her years at Northshore Shelly has coached everything from parent tot classes to competitive teams. This year Shelly will be coaching the level 4 girl’s team.
Trina Kelly
Trina Kelly has been involved with gymnastics for the last 10 years because of her children who took classes and competed at Northshore Gymnastics. Trina has worked at the gym for 11 years coaching preschool classes and working at the front desk. She continues to enjoy teaching young children because she loves seeing kids faces when they master a skill for the first time and seeing them progress to the next level. Outside of the gym Trina enjoys spending time with her daughters as well as her son. This year Trina will coach preschool and parent/tot classes.
Dan Young
Dan has been coaching gymnastics for over 26 years - in both the recreational field and competitive levels. He loves coaching gymnastics because he enjoys helpind kids to overcome their fears. He has 2 children, MacKenzie and Kirby, as well as a grandaughter, Marleigh. In his free time Dan enjoys gardening, painting and reading. This year at Northshore Dan will be coaching competitive team, levels 4-8.
Kaitlyn McElrath
Kaitlyn McElrath has been around Northshore for many years. She began taking classes at the age of 4, participated in the trampoline team between the ages of 12 and 15 and now at 17, is coaching. Kaitlyn enjoys working with children and getting to know them and watch them develop throughout their time at the gym. In her free time Kaitlyn enjoys reading and playing soccer and basketball. She is well connected at Northshore – her mom, twin sister and brother all have worked, or are currently working, at Northshore. This year Kaitlyn will be teaching summer camps, preschool classes and girls gymnastics and tramp/tumbling classes.
Annette Puccio
Annette Puccio has been involved with gymnastics for over 18 years. She and her 3 sisters have all taken classes and competed in gymnastics since the time they were very young. Other than gymnastics, Annette has competed in tennis, diving and pole vaulting. Annette has a great passion for the sport, a passion she tries to pass on to her students. She finds it rewarding to pass on her love of gymnastics to young children and see the impact the sport makes on their lives. In addition to working at the gym, Annette is attending Lake Washington Technical College, aiming to earn a degree in Physical Therapy. This year Annette will be coaching girl's gymnastics and level 4 team.
Courtney McBroom
Courtney McBroom has been coaching at Northshore for 7 years, teaching everything from preschool classes to competitive teams. Courtney, who is currently a senior at the University of Washington, was a competitive gymnast for 9 years and has been a member of the Hot Dogs competitive jump rope team for the past 9 years. She enjoys coaching because she loves the challenge gymnastics represents – she loves watching kids conquer their fears and master skills that few people can do. This year Courtney is coaching the level 5 and optional level gymnasts.
Traci Sitzmann
Traci is in her 2nd year at Northshore Gymnastics as a coach. She has been an active member in the gym however, since her daughter began competing 7 years ago. She has served as the booster club president for 4 years and a team representitive for 6 years. Currently Traci is coaching preschool classes, level 1, level 3 team and tramboline tumbling classes. With her husband Aaron, Traci has two children, Jade, 14 and Trisitan, 10. Traci loves coaching gymnastics being she enjoys being a part of childrens accomplishments, as well as praising them with they learn a new skill. In addition, Traci likes to encourage children to be active and incorporate the life skills that gymnastics teaches, like goal setting and a never give up attitide, into their life.
Julie Tollifson
Julie has a great background in gymnastics- having been part of competitive gymnastics for 14 years. She is currently a member of the Woodinville High School gymnastics team. Julie enjoys coaching children in gymnastics because they always put a smile on her face. This year at NGC Julie is coaching girls levels 1 and 2, and trampoline/tumbling classes.
Bradley Craig
Bradley is in his 2nd year as a coach at Northshore. His favorite thing about coaching kids is that they are always happy. Bradley has over 10 years of gymnastics experience, taking classes and competiting since he was young. This year Bradley will be coaching boys gymnastics classes, girls level 1 classes and trampoline/tumbling coaching.
Kerry Hansen
Kerry has been in the gym since she was 6 years old, taking a variety of classes. She participated in competitive trampoline and tumbling for 6 years, working her way up to level 9. Kerry is a senior at the University of Washington and is majoring in psychology and sociology, with a minor in human rights. Kerry is in her 3rd year of coaching at Northshore, and will be coaching girls level 1 as well as the trampoline team.
