COACHES

Head Coach

Leah Niepraschk

My name is Leah Niepraschk and I grew up in Modesto, Ca (Central Valley) where I did club gymnastics for 13 years. I then went on to do gymnastics at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT for 5 years. I loved every minute of it and would do it all again despite injuries and the time commitment that came with it. I married Kurt Niepraschk in 1999. I graduated from BYU in 2000. While Kurt finished school for the next 2 years, I coached levels 7-9 at All-American Gymnastics in Orem, UT. He graduated in 2002 and then we headed to Virginia (VCU) for my husband to attend dental school. While in VA, I coached level 5 and 7 at Richmond Olympiad. In dental school we had our first 3 children, Annie (18), Alyse (16) and Madelyn (14). After dental school, we moved to Nashville, TN where my husband did his Orthodontic Residency at Vanderbilt. We loved the south; genuinely nice people. We finally finished school and bought an orthodontic practice here in Littleton, CO. We had two more kids, Kendell (10) and Jacob (8). We have lived in CO for 11 years now and love it. We love being a part of the community we live in and I'm so excited to a part of the Rebel community, outside of having kids attend Columbine. I love spending time with my family, playing tennis, taking vacations and watching my kids sporting events. I also like to bake and read. I'm excited for round 2 of gymnastics season this year. Last year was crazy, but also so much fun. My coaching philosophy is to build these young ladies up...give them the confidence and self esteem they need to be successful in high school and in life. I want them to work hard, but to also enjoy what they are doing. High school sports should be enjoyable not stressful. I hope to be able to contribute to their overall sense of well being and happiness while they're on the team and hopefully help them with some gymnastics along the way.

Assistant Coach

Amanda Heberling

My name is Amanda Heberling, I am a Colorado native and grew up in Littleton. I started gymnastics when I was 2 years old and did it competitively for 13 years through Jet Gymnastics. I loved every minute of it, and if it weren't for injuries, I would have continued it through my college career. I did high school gymnastics for one year, alongside competing for club gymnastics. Columbine did not have a high school gymnastics team yet, so we had to compete through Chatfield. I graduated from Columbine in 2006, and went on to get my bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. During my years at college, I worked as a server at Texas Roadhouse, which is where I met my Husband, Justin. I also did a little personal training on the side. I am very passionate about physical and mental health, and love to help others achieve their personal goals. After College, I changed my career path and got a job with a construction company as a Project Manager and have been doing it ever since. It is not what I pictured myself doing, but I could not love it more. My husband and I have been married for 7 years and have 2 kids. We have a Boy, Carter who is 5 years old, and a Girl, Hazel who is 3 years old. I am very excited to have them grow up in the community, and eventually attend Columbine and be a part of the Rebel Pride. This will be my second year as an assistant coach with the Columbine Gymnastics team. Last year was quick, but so fun! I am excited for another season. High School sports are meant to be fun and not stressful. I love instilling any and all gymnastics wisdom on the girls that I can. My goal as a coach is to help each and every gymnast on the team be successful, not only in gymnastics, but in their high school career as well. And most importantly, I want to make sure everyone has a fun!!