MICH FAULKNER

Owner, Women's Competitive Team Head Coach, Boy's Program Director and Team Head Coach

Mich is in his 20th year of coaching both competitive, and recreational gymnastics ranging from ages 1 to Adults. Competitively, he coaches Levels 1 through Level 10/Elite.

From 2008-2021, Mich was the Gymnastics Director, and Women's Team Head Coach at Faulkner's Gymnastics in Hillsborough, NC. It was there he began his first competitive team, and continued to evolve to the elite coach he is today.  Mich continues to train gymnasts through Level 10/Elite.

Mich grew up as a competitive gymnast. He was trained in gymnastics by former UNC Gymnast, and current owner of Triumph Gymnastics in Cary, North Carolina Dr. Debra Bell for over 12 years.

Mich is currently mentored by nationally recognized, North Carolina Judge, and National/Elite Coach, Melissa Ruffino. Melissa is the head coach of Legacy Elite Gymnastics in Concord, North Carolina and Co-CEO & Founder of LR Productions.

Mich holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a Minor in Religion from Barton College. Where he also played on a 4 year golf scholarship. He is married to his wife Toni. Together they have 2 sons. 

In addition to Gymnastics, Mich owns and operates a successful celebrity booking agency, 123 Talent, Inc.  Through this agency he has become associated with many celebrities including olympic, and collegiate gymnasts such as Miles Avery, Shannon Miller, Morgan White, Blaine Wilson, Trinity Thomas, Chellsie Memmel, Bridget & Mackenzie Caquatto, Jana Bieger, Riley McCusker, Alaina Johnson, Mary Lou Retton, Maggie Nichols, McKenna Kelley, MyKayla Skinner, Carly Patterson, and Bridget Sloan to name a few.

 

Mich's certifications include:

National Gymnastics Association (NGA)

  • Current Member of the NC NGA Advisory Board

  • 2022 NGA Honorable Mention Coach Of The Year Award Winner

  • Member of the National Gymnastics Association (Women's & Men's Professional Member)

  • Meet Director of the National Gymnastics Association Sanctioned Women's & Men's Sanctioned Events (NGA) 

USA Gymnastics:

  • Member of the United States Gymnastics Association (Women's & Men's Professional Member)

  • Meet Director of Women's & Men's USA Gymnastics Sanctioned Events (USA Gymnastics)

  • Women's Artistic Gymnastics: Junior Olympic Team Coach (USA Gymnastics)

  • Safety & Risk Management Certified (USA Gymnastics)

  • USA Gymnastics University: Instructor Certified (USA Gymnastics)

  • School of Recreational Gymnastics: Advanced Teacher (USA Gymnastics)

  • School of Business: Executive (USA Gymnastics)

  • First Aid Basics (USA Gymnastics)

  • Development Coaches Course: Sport Science (USA Gymnastics)

  • Stewards of Children (USA Gymnastics)

  • Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse (USA Gymnastics)

  • Safe Sport (USA Gymnastics)

  • Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction (USA Gymnastics)

  • Gymnastics Fitness (USA Gymnastics)

American Heart Association Certifications

  • AED Certified

  • CPR Certified

American Sports & Fitness Certifications

  • Personal Trainer

  • Nutritionist

  • Kettle Bell

TRX Certifications

  • TRX

 
DR. TIFFANY HINESLEY PATTERSON
Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach 

Tiffany started her career in gymnastics when she was 6 years old.  By the age of 12, she competed level 7, training level 8 skills, before moving on to play competitive soccer.  However, she continued to stay connected to gymnastics through coaching. Tiffany coached in her hometown at Acrosport Gymnastics for 4 years in Durham, North Carolina  Later on, she also coached gymnastics along side Coach Mich at Faulkner’s gymnastics in Hillsborough for 6 years before moving on to focus time on completing her doctoral degree.

Tiffany is currently a Physical Therapist working in home health. TIffany received her doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from Elon University in 2015.  She started her career working in an outpatient clinic in Burlington (treating patients of many ages and a wide range of orthopedic injuries).  She received her undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2010 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science.  While at UNC, Tiffany was a member of the Co-Ed cheerleading team.  Prior to UNC, Tiffany spent two years at UNC-Charlotte (pre-kinesiology) and was a member of the competitive small co-ed cheerleading team.  She received an All-American award and the team placed third at NCA nationals in 2007. Tiffany is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA).

Tiffany resides in Burlington with her husband and two children.
 
AHJAANE LEE (NAE)
Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach & Boy's Program 
 
Ahjaane is from Greensboro, North Carolina. Everyone calls Ahjaane Coach Nae. Ahjaane is a former Competitive Gymnast and Cheerleader. Ahjaane trained at Tumblees which is now Ultimate Kids Gymnastics in Greensboro, North Carolina as well as Flip Force Gymnastics in Kernersville, North Carolina. Ahjaane currently works in in the hair industry. Ahjaane is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)
 
 
 
SKYE-ANNE TSCHOEPE
Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach 
 
Skye-Anne Tschoepe grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina, competiting at Faulkner's Gymnastics in Hillsborough, NC for 10 years up to Level 8-Diamond. Skye-Anne was trained by Faulkner's Elite Team Head Coach & Owner Mich Faulkner during her time as a competitive gymnast. Skye-Anne attended Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsbrough. Skye is an  Environmental Science Graduate from Appalachain State University. Skye-Anne currently attends Duke University where is working towards her PhD degree in Environment. In her free time, Skye-Anne rock climbs, hikes, and drinks lots of coffee. Sky-Anne is a member of the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)
 
 
 
CHAVAR TYRANCE 
Competitive Gymnastics Team Strength & Conditioning Director 
 
Coach Chavar is a Cary, North Carolina native and has been an active member of the community for years. Chavar attended Cardinal Gibbons High School, where he was a two-time, all-state offensive lineman. He was ranked in the 2002 NC Football Top 35 by Rivals. Chavar, a 2002 Cardinal Gibbons High graduate, earned a football scholarship to play at North Carolina A&T State University. While at NC A&T, he majored in Health and Exercise Science. Chavar is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He has also been a part of the afl2, IFL, and AIFA.  Coach Chavar and Faulkner’s Elite Owner Mich Faulkner have been close friends for many years. Throughout his life, Chavar has had the opportunity to work with great organizations, such as the YMCA, AAU basketball/football programs, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Wake Teen Medical Services “Be Fit, Get Moving” Initiative Program, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, AYF, NYFO, CDFL, Pop Warner, and many more. Over the last 15 years, Chavar has helped over 75 athletes, from various sports, reach the next level of collegiate athletics through strength training, skill development, academic achievement, and mentoring. Chavar is married to his wife Stephanie and they have 2 children together. Chavar currently the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Grace Christian School in Raleigh, and also serves as the Varsity Football Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Chavar Is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA) 
 
 
 
KAITLYN  SNYDER
Recreation and Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach 
 
Kaitlyn is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and just recently moved to North Carolina. Kaitlyn has done cheer and acro for 14 years and started when she was four years old. Kaitlyn cheered 8 years for her school and 6 years on a competitive team. Kaitlyn is in her second year at Alamance Community College (ACC) where she is working towards her associates degree in Teacher Preparation and will then move onto a University to complete her bachelors degree to become a Elementary art teacher. Kaitlyn is a member of the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)
 

DELANEY MCDANIEL
Recreation and Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach

Delaney is a long time cheerleader who started the sport at 10 years old. Dalaney cheered for 4 years at Southern Alamance High School where she began to be coached by Coach Mich. Delaney went on to be a member of the Appalchian State Cheer Team where she continued to be trained by Coach Mich. At APP Delaney received her undergrad degree in Exercise Science and then went on to finish her Masters in Prosthetics and Orthotics at the International Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics in Tampa, Florida. Delaney is certified by the Natonal Gymnastics Association (NGA)

 

MEGAN COUNCILMAN 
Recreation and Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach, Summer Camp Director, Boy's Program

Megan grew up in Elon, NC and graduated from Western Alamance High School. Megan was on the cheer team for Western Middle School followed  by cheerleading for Western Alamance High School, as well as being a competitive cheerleader for 11 years as well as a former acrobatic tumbler. Megan currently is a Sophomore at UNC- Greensboro majoring in Speech and Audio Pathology. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends, shopping, and trying new things. Megan is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)

 


 

CHRISTA MILLS
Recreation And Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach & Summer Camp Assistant Director  

Christa grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa where she started her gymnastics career at Chow’s Gymnastics. Christa did gymnastics for over 7 years and competed 4 of those years. Christa later found an interest in All Star cheerleading which ultimately led her to moving out to North Carolina her senior year of high school to further her cheerleading career. Christa did All Star cheer for 6 years with her final year competing with Cheer Extreme Kernersville Senior Elite (Level 6). Christa currently is a Junior at East Carolina University (ECU) majoring in Nursing. In Christa's free time she enjoys going on hikes and going to the beach. Christa is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)

MEGAN KUNAR 
Recreation And Competitive Gymnastics Team Coach 

Megan grew up in Graham, North Carolina and graduated from River Mill Academy in Graham, North Carolina. Megan did recreation and competitive gymnastics for 7 years. Megan currently is a sophomore at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia where she is majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Athletic Training. In Megan's free time she likes hanging out with friends and family along with playing with her kitten, Wally. Megan is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)
 
 
DEDRA CHERRY 
Recreation Gymnastics Coach 

Dedra is a former NFL Cheerleader. Dedra cheered for the Carolina Panthers as a Topcat in the National Football League for two years.  Dedra is from Burlington, North Carolina and is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. where she received an undergraduate and a Masters degree in Education. Dedra also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a minor in Speech from Winston-Salem State University where she cheered on the varsity cheerleading squad (Cheer Phi). Currently, Dedra works as a Montessori educator. She is married and is the mother of an amazing daughter.In addition to coaching gymnastics and cheerleading, Dedra is also a dance instructor and a group fitness instructor/ trainer. Dedra is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)
 
 
JENNI ZACKEO
Recreation and Competitive Gymnastics Coach
 
Jenni Zackeo is originally from Connecticut and has been cheerleading since she was in elementary school both competitively and on the sidelines. Jenni has continued her cheering career at Elon University where she currently a senior member of the All-Girl Cheerleading Varsity team.  Jenni is also a student at Elon pursuing her undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in neuroscience. After college Jenni plans to take a gap year and then apply to school to be a physicians assistant. Jenni is a member of the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)
 
 
 
HAYLEIGH DENNY 
Recreation Rookie Gymnastics Coach
 
Hayleigh is from Hillsborough, North Carolina where she is currently in 10th grade at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Hayleigh began gymnastics at the age of 2yrs old and currently is a Level 9 - Diamond Competitive Gymnast at Faulkner's Elite. Hayleigh has been trained her entire gymnastics career by Mich Faulkner who is the owner and head competitive gymnastics coach at Faulkner's Elite. Hayleigh has won numerous awards in the sport of gymnastics that include:
 

  • 2023 2nd Overall NGA National Champion 

  • 2023 NGA NC State & Regional Qualifier 

  • 2023 3rd Overall NGA NC State Champion 

  • 2022 NGA National Team Member

  • 2022 2nd Overall NGA National Champion 

  • 2022 2nd Overall NGA NC State Champion

  • 2021 3rd Overall NGA National Champion

  • 2021 2nd Overall Regional Champion

  • USAG 4x State & Regional Qualifier 

Hayleigh is a national certified Rookie Gymnastics Coach through the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)

 

 

 

KAYDEN POTEAT
Recreation Gymnastics Coach 

Kayden Poteat is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Kayden has trained under Coach Mich for 11 years and continues to do so. Kayden has a twin brother who will be enlisting into the military and her older brother currently works in the service industry. Kayden currently is a freshman at Elon University in Burlington, North Carolina where she currently is majoring in history. During college, Kayden plans to continue training in the sport of gymnastics and coach at Faulkner's Elite. Kayden is certified by the National Gymnastics Association (NGA)