Cheerleading Gymnastics

F5 knows how to do different - or did everyone show up to Worlds in a zebra-striped stretch Hummer? One of the most talked about cheer uniforms at Worlds this year was the Maryland Twisters F5 GK cheerleading uniform.  There was lots of speculation...is it all one piece? Is it a leo? Is it see through?  From the minute the F5 athletes exited their fierce ride - the reviews began.  Spectacular! Stunning! Unlike anything seen before! The best bling ever!  One theme emerged from the chatter about the F5 uni - they made a full top fierce!

But, it wasn't a full top - it actually was a custom GK gymnastics leotard with matching shorts as many speculated!  F5 proved that an extra secure GK cheer uniform works without sacrificing style. The F5 custom, long sleeved leotard is made with Black Nylon/Spandex and Black Mesh with Shadowproof Lining giving the illusion of sheerness.  It is accented with Ocean Mystique and White Sparkle z-stitch design elements.  The matching GK cheer shorts are made with the same Black Nylon/Spandex, Ocean Mystique, and White Sparkle fabrics.  F5 raised the bar with their artistic use of Swarovski Brilliance crystals scattered all over the uniform and lighting up the F5 Logo on the front. The stunning result was a bold new look for the F5 athletes and all that bling coordinated quite nicely with their Silver Medal win for Large Senior All Girl at the Worlds Competition.  Congratulations F5!

Tara Cain, Owner, Maryland Twisters, said, “F5 is different because we can take the obvious and twist it into something innovative, not just in our skills, but also in our cheer uniforms. GK took F5’s different vision of a full top uniform and created a masterpiece. Not only is F5 different, but GK stepped up and delivered a beautifully unique uniform design. Thank you GK for creating a stunning out-of-the-box look for F5.” 

Love the F5 look and want the same secure & stylish option for your athletes?  Find your local GK Cheer Territory Area Manager here and they will walk you through the design process from idea to final product.  The possibilities are truly infinite! 

Shop the GK 2012 Cheer Catalog here!

Different is Better. Be Different.

Leap of Faith Gymnastics/Cheer in Clarion, Pennsylvania is home to the Leopards All Star Cheerleaders.  The Leopards needed a fresh, new look so they came to GK to get it!  One of their All Star Cheerleaders, Laken, said, "When I wear my GK Uniform, it makes me want to do my best! I really like the shiny green and gold sparkle material.  My favorite part is the leopard design!"

The Leopards' custom cheer uniform design is brought to life with Kelly Sparkle and Leapin Leopard fabrics with Gold Mystique.  The Leopard logo is spelled out down the right sleeve in Leapin Leopard and the same wild fabric is used to outline the starburst on her right shoulder, left cuff, and skirt.  The style lines and neckline are then highlighted using clear crystals.  It all adds up to one sensational cheer uniform!

Patty Lewis, Owner of Leap of Faith Gymnastics said, "As a gym owner and a parent, I feel that GK uniforms fit great and are true to size.  They are beautifully designed and we are proud to have our cheerleaders and gymnasts wear GK!  We receive compliments at every competition!"

GK cheer uniforms are created for optimum fit and performance.  You'll be able to feel the difference with our exclusive four-way super-stretch fabrics and proprietary fit formula.  Make a statement at your next competition with GK's infinite customization possibilities from fabrics and colors to jewels, sequinz, embroidery and imprinting.  To create a one-of-a-kind cheer uniform for your one-of-a-kind all star or for a whole team of all stars - visit the GK Cheer Design Studio here!  Need help with the design process?  Find contact information for your local GK Cheer Territory Account Manager here!

Go with the original, the innovator, the brand that started the revolution. Go with GK.

Alysse Kaltenbach has been involved in cheerleading since she was just 15, and before that she was a very competitive gymnast. Today, Alysse is still cheering on Prime Tyme's open international coed level five team, Phoenix.

Alysse is currently enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University and studies medical technology and fashion design and merchandising.  She says that she has had the time of her life since she started cheerleading and is really enjoying turning it into a career!

Alysse loves being a GK Cheer Territory Account Manager because she likes to help others.  She likes making her teams feel great and look their best. "GK Cheerleading Uniforms are a boost of confidence, and I love seeing it all over an athlete's face!"

Elite Sportswear, L.P., the world’s largest manufacturer of gymnastics leotards and a leading provider of cheerleading uniforms, has announced the restructuring of the company’s Senior Management for Operations.

Donato Casciano has been hired as Executive Vice President of Operations.  Donato comes to Elite with 35 years of apparel manufacturing experience.  Most recently, he was the Director of Operations for Boathouse Sports, Inc., a niche manufacturer of rowing apparel.  Formerly the Director of Global Production for Under Armour, Donato’s leadership was integral to the company’s early stages of rapid growth.

In a series of related moves, Jeff Fields has been hired as the Production Manager of Cutting and Sewing.  Jeff brings 30 years of garment manufacturing experience to Elite, most recently with American Apparel in Los Angeles. There, he implemented quality control, auditing procedures and production lead times for on-time delivery within 22 facilities.

Nan Hurlburt was named to fill the newly-created position of Technical Design Director.  Nan comes to Elite with broad-based manufacturing and business experience from owning DesignWorks, a cheerleading and dancewear company in Massachusetts.

Mark Bowers, the new Quality Control Auditor, will oversee all quality processes including a beefed-up quality control department. Mark previously was Director of Quality Control at Ardmore Blouse in New York.

According to Dan Casciano, President and CEO, these changes will position Elite Sportswear for future growth in its gymnastic and cheerleading business units.  “The demand for our gymnastics products has been remarkable, given that we already are the market leader.” Casciano added, “We’re very excited to have these associates join our Elite family to help serve the gymnastics and cheerleading markets with greater innovation, quality and efficiency.”

GK-Elite Sportswear is the world’s leading supplier of gymnastics apparel and is recognized around the world for superior variety, quality, fit and service. Based in Reading, Pennsylvania, Elite Sportswear, L.P., the company behind the GK and adidas brands, continues its commitment to American-made quality and continuous innovation in designs for gymnastics leotards, cheerleading uniforms, and dance team apparel.

Jessica Nickel is the GK Cheerleading Territory Account Manager for Southern California.  She is a Southern California native and currently resides in Wildomar, CA with her husband and three kids. She coaches at Pacific Coast Magic in Murrieta, CA and has been there for 5 years.  Jessica has been in the cheerleading industry for 16 years and enjoys every minute of it!

As a child, Jessica competed in dance and was a level 8 gymnast.  She was also a member of Murrieta Valley High School song & cheer team for 4 years. After High school, she became a member of the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) staff and attended Palomar College where she was a part of the National Champion Coed Cheer squad who won numerous championships. After college, Jessica joined the Champion Cheer Outlaws open team and West Coast Mavericks open team located in San Diego, CA.
 
Jessica was the advisor and Varsity cheer coach for Murrieta Valley high school for three years before her career as an All-Star Coach started from owning her own cheer program Southern California All Stars and coaching at Temecula Valley Stars, TVS Elite and California All Stars. Throughout her many years in the business, she has choreographed and coached numerous High School and All-Star Cheerleading teams in the Southern California area.

Jessica joined GK Elite 7 months ago and says that she truly enjoys her job. "GK Elite's products are amazing and there is no one in this industry who can beat the quality, innovation and customer service that we can. I was amazed at how a GK Elite item was crafted almost all by hand. Our products are like no other and I am truly blessed to be a part of this amazing company. I cannot wait to see what the future has to hold for GK Elite Cheer."

Contact Jessica at jnickel@cheergk.com if you are a Southern California Cheerleading Team and want more information on GK Cheerleading Uniforms.  Contact information for Account Managers in other parts of the country can be found at http://www.gkelite.com/Pages/Information.aspx?keyword=GKS-SR_USREP&pagegroup=GKSalesRepresentatives.

Olympic speed skater and former high school cheerleader Allison Baver, was recently spotted in GK warm-up gear in New York City while she was at a Rollerblade promotion. Allison was looking fab in GK’s Unique Keyhole Back Tank Top style CH52, custom Fitted Dance Capri style DB505 , and a brand new custom Jacket 8780 in Berry Mystique, Black DryTech, White DryTech & Steel Mystique with Clear Crystals. This style jacket will be available when our new gymnastics catalog launches later this month!

All About Kids Sports Center in Louisville, KY has used GK for their Champion Gymnastics competitive gymnastics apparel for many years, and this year, they decided to check out GK for their Power Cheer All-Stars Cheerleading Uniforms as well. They couldn’t be happier with their custom design sample, saying it was “exactly what they envisioned.” Pauline Haynes from All About Kids went on to say, “The quality and fit is superior to any cheer uniform company we have used in the past.  We are anxious to place our All Star cheer uniforms order from GK.” 

When Power Cheer received their Uniform Sample, their All Star Cheer Director Mecha Sachini couldn’t wait to see it and be the first to try it on! Mecha says she still, “has it!” We agree, Mecha! Best of Luck to Power Cheer! Can’t wait to see your GK’s on the competition floor!

If you like these custom design cheer top, you might also like our GK Double Cross Star Cheer Uniform Top U145L. It’s a full length halter-style cheerleading uniform top with long sleeves, strappy double criss-cross back and star detail on the upper arms.

HE’S NOT JUST A FAMILIAR FACE AT CHEERLEADING WORLDS – HE’S ALSO A MODEL FOR ABERCROMBIE & FITCH AND WAS RECENTLY FEATURED IN THE 2011 GK ELITE CHEER CATALOG.

WHEN RYAN’S NOT DAZZLING THE COUNTRY WITH HIS LOOKS AND SKILLS, THE PRE-MED STUDENT CAN BE FOUND COACHING AT MARYLAND TWISTERS OR VOLUNTEERING AT THE LOCAL SOUP KITCHEN. INSIDE CHEERLEADING CAUGHT UP WITH RYAN TO ASK HIM ABOUT HIS DIFFERENT VENTURES, AND HOW HE KEEPS UP WITH IT ALL.

How Did You Get Into Modeling?

I got into modeling my senior year of high school after my senior pictures photographer submitted my photos to a local modeling agency. After graduating high school, my agency offered me the option to move to New York full time to purse a full-fl edged modeling career, but I was left with the difficult decision to pick modeling or school. In the end, I decided that school was more important.

Where Do You Go To School and What Are You Majoring In?

I’m currently a junior at John Hopkins University, class of 2012, on an academic scholarship (Hodson Trust Scholar). I was one of only 15 in my incoming class to receive this scholarship. I’m a pre-med student, double majoring in Behavioral Biology and Art History. I hope to one day be a plastic surgeon with my own surgical practice.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH CHEERLEADING?

When and How Did You Get Involved With Cheerleading?

After being a gymnast for many years, I started cheerleading when some friends suggested I join their local All Star team to better my chances at a college scholarship. I began cheering in 2005 and instantly fell in love with the sport. In 2006, I cheered at Kentucky Elite in Lexington, KY on their large senior coed team for two years, making two top 10 appearances at Worlds. After moving to Baltimore for school, I began cheering at Maryland Twisters on their international open team Black Ice. My favorite part of any cheerleading routine would be standing tumbling and partner stunting, and my signature tumbling skill is punch front through to whip whip double full. This year I started coaching at Maryland Twisters large youth Level 2 team (Little Winds), and it has been an extremely rewarding and awesome experience.

WHAT MAKES YOU NERVOUS?

What Makes You Nervous?

The stunt section of any routine always makes me nervous. I’m always holding my breath until I’m sure every stunt is staying in the air. One stunt bust can be the difference between first and last place.

WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER INTERESTS BESIDES CHEERLEADING?

What Are Your Other Interests Besides Cheerleading?

I have many interests outside of cheerleading. I always try to involve myself in community service to help better and give back to the community. Whether I’m volunteering at the hospital or working at the local soup kitchen, I make giving back and helping those less fortunate a priority. On campus I’m also involved with a group called A Place To Talk, which provides an outlet for students who are stressed or just need someone to listen empathetically to help them resolve their problems.

At just 15 years old, Kiara Nowlin has already made her mark on the world of competitive tumbling and All-Star cheerleading.    She is a nationally ranked tumbler and double mini trampolinist, a member of USA Gymnastics Junior Elite Team and a nationally ranked all-star cheerleader. Only a high school sophomore, Kiara can already boast 3 Gold Medals in tumbling at the World Age Games Competition in 2010, 2009, and 2008!  She is also a member of the highly regarded California All Stars Cheer Team where she cheers in the Unlimited Co-Ed Large Division.

 
On top of all of this, Kiara Nowlin still finds time to cheer on her High School Varsity Squad and participate in American Mensa and the National Charity League.  And just like most other teenage girls, she enjoys shopping, hanging out with her friends and McFlurrys!

Find out more about Kiara at http://www.kiaranowlin.com/ or Follow her on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kiara-Nowlin/42211243978. 

 "As a program we were very excited to try the GK Cheer line.  We've loved the product and customer service from their Gymnastics line the past 30 years and we were thrilled when we found out GK made their way into the Cheerleading World!  We've never had so many great compliments from other programs about our uniforms, plus our customers are as pleased as they could be.  The fit and designs are great for athletes, no more bulky polyester!!"
 

AJ Ganim

Program Director

Cheer World All Stars

Gymnastics & Cheer World
Broadview Heights, OH

Did you catch the Industry Profile section of the latest Cheer Coach and Advisor Magazine (Back to Basics Issue 2010)?


Luke Johnson, Twisted Choreography and Kelly McKeown, GK Elite Sportswear discuss their business relationship and how collaborating with another company can be a win-win situation.

CC&A: Can you tell us how you teamed up with each other and why?

Luke Johnson, owner of Twisted Cho­reography: Let me tell you a little back­ground on Twisted Choreography first. I’ve been choreographing for 10 years and started Twisted Choreography about six years ago. It began when I noticed that most choreographers were focused on themselves and not on the kids. I believe that the kids should be the superstars and when I hire people I make sure they feel the same way and that they understand it is not about them getting the glory. I have 5 choreographers that travel and I have about 12 skill staff.

One of my clients kept telling me about GK Elite and how the company always made their customers feel so great. She insisted that I meet Kelly and was sure that we would get along well because of our shared philosophy of business. Once we met, it was instantaneous; we imme­diately hit it off. It was exactly what we both wanted and had been looking for. Our goals were similar and all of our focus was in alignment. It seemed to work so easily.

Kelly McKeown, executive vice presi­dent of corporate relations, GK Elite Sportswear: We had a mutual acquain­tance that kept telling me that I had to meet Luke and that they were sure we’d work well together since we were both so creative. Finally, we met for lunch one day and hit it off beautifully. We immediately had a connection; we started brainstorm­ing some concepts and decided we were going to collaborate on some projects. That was about a year ago. The relation­ship has worked ever since. We bounce ideas off of one another and it’s two forces of collaboration working together.

CC&A: What do you think has made the business relationship so successful?

Luke Johnson: I feel we both have the same passion and goals. No one is trying to be selfish. I feel that the level of greed with both companies is zero. And with that defining what the two companies are about, it is easy. They (GK Elite) have been very strong on sponsoring cheer­leading and thinking about the future of the sport. We feel exactly that same way. It’s all about the future for us. Our brand­ing is about what is next in cheerleading, where is this going to go and how we can be pioneers in the industry. From the uni­form design technology down to the cho­reography, that’s what it’s about for us.

Kelly McKeown: I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we are committed and excited about the industry, about mak­ing changes and about being innovative, about being leaders and about being cut­ting edge. We don’t want to follow the competition; we want to pave new trails. We want to stay true to who we are and that includes looking forward to what things could be.

We don’t need each other. Both compa­nies do many things independently but there is definitely a crossover where we have felt that the energy could be taken to another level. We have a friendship, a business and a partnership. We both bring different strengths to the table and are coming together to build the industry. As for marketing, we come from two totally different directions yet we pull together and meet in the center. It works for us.

CC&A: Can you tell us what the future might hold for your collaboration?

Luke Johnson: It’s all about the future for both our companies. They are the future in uniforms and we feel like we’re the future in choreography. It’s like we never have to try to make the collaboration work, it’s al­ways been an easy marriage.

I’d like everyone to remember regard­less whether you’re a coach, a business owner or a cheerleader that it’s all about the inspiration and that we are all inspi­ration in some capacity and should stay focused on the greater good of the sport. Cheerleading is about relationships.

Kelly McKeown: I see this path continuing to head forward. The great thing is that there is a constant flow of ideas and com­munication. I don’t think there is a limit to where our relationship can go. One of us is always saying, “I just had an idea, what do you think of this?” I definitely see in­dependent forces here, but I also see syn­ergy that together we can expand our vi­sion and feed off of each other’s ideas. Our collaboration is more high level; it’s more strategic than just design. We both have a forward thinking approach to business. We have a lot of things in the pipeline.

CC&A: What would you like our read­ers to know about your companies that you don’t think they already know?

Luke Johnson: We’re getting into com­petitions and we’re going to change the way they are done. Twisted is all about creativity and we’re bringing that to com­petitions. We’re starting Twisted Athlet­ics where we would like the choreography to be valued at a competition. I feel that choreography is what makes us cheer­leading. We can’t be just a skilled based activity or we’d be gymnastics. In my opinion, the closest sport to cheerlead­ing is figure skating. In figure skating you have the combination of athleticism, it has technical requirements, it’s creative, you use your uniforms and there’s music to enhance your performance. Those are the same elements that make cheerleading so great. With Twisted Athletics we’re trying to bring that creative aspect into it and have teams rewarded for creativity. We’re coining our competitions as the “creative competitions” and we hope to be the next generation of creativity.

Kelly McKeown: We are very innovative. We don’t worry about what our competi­tors are doing and we are forward leaning. We think about what hasn’t been done and what we can do better.

Twisted Choreography 1341 Metropolitan Av. SE Atlanta, GA 30316
www.twistedchoreography.com
Ph: 888-77-Twist

GK Elite Sportswear  P.O. Box 16400 Reading, PA 19612
http://www.gkelite.com  Ph:  800-345-4087


Published with permission from Cheer Coach and Advisor Magazine:  www.cheercoachmagazine.com