Coaches & Staff

The Arlington Tigers and Aerials are hiring a Competitive Teams Manager! See job posting here.

MANAGERS

Alex Asante-Dean — Arlington Gymnastics Program Manager

Alex was a Level 9 competitive gymnast in the state of Georgia and competed Level 10 in club gymnastics during his early college years. He brings 13 years of coaching experience across public and private gymnastics settings, in recreational and competitive gymnastics for both men and women. Prior to his 2022 start with Arlington County, Alex was the Head Coach of the Gymnastics Unlimited competitive team, where his love for the sport began. Alex holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and a Master’s degree in Sports Administration. In his free time, Alex enjoys action movies, music, and spending time with family. 

COACHES

Joey Barefield  

Joey developed an interest in gymnastics at the age of six while living in Wheaton. Being heavily involved in martial arts, he saw gymnastics as a way to enhance his martial arts skills. Needless to say, the passion for gymnastics quickly outweighed that of martial arts after being enrolled in a summer gymnastics session. Joey competed up to level 6 while living in Maryland. At the age of 10 his military parents got reassigned to Washington State and that’s when a long pause in gymnastics began. From then on he spent his life involved in a variety of sports from soccer, baseball and basketball and skateboarding. Later in life, the passion for gymnastics returned, so he enrolled in local adult gymnastics classes and trains three to four days a week. Joey joined the Arlington Tigers coaching staff in July 2016. He loves working with young gymnast and seeing their excitement and enthusiasm as they strive to reach their personal goals during their training sessions and during competitions. He is quick to give praise, and to cheer on a gymnast’s success as they learn and perform their skills.

Diego Deville 
I started gymnastics at age 6 in Argentina (I was born in Spain) and competed nationally for 10 years as part of the Elite team. In 1996, I began competing in Aerobic Gymnastics, representing Argentina in numerous world championships (winning 6 world titles). This gave me the opportunity to work in different countries, leading workshops (Japon, Italy, Brazil, Costa Rica, Etc). I coached the women's team at Club River Plate in Argentina for 13 years before moving to the U.S. in 2007 with my wife Lorena ( she's coach too). I then spent 14 years coaching boys’ gymnastics at Apollo Gymnastics, working with Levels 3 through Level 8. Since July 2024, I’ve been part of the Arlington Tigers staff, currently coaching Levels 5 through 8 Jr. I have two sons, Galo (15) and Noah (12), and I enjoy watching soccer and grilling outdoors with friends. 

Mario Gorosito  

Mario is originally from Argentina and started gymnastics when he was 6 years old. He joined Argentina’s national gymnastics team at the age of 13 and remained a part of it until he retired from the sport at age 29. He represented his country in many South American competitions, South American games, Pan-American games, world cups, and world championships. He became a coach in 2007 while studying and training. He is a PE teacher and holds a master’s degree in sports physiology. Mario moved to the United States in 2012. He coached at Excalibur Gymnastics for about 5 years as a level 4 and 5 coach and as a head coach. After that he worked for GMS Gymnastics and coached levels 5, 6, 7, and Future Stars, and assisted the head coach with the optional levels. He lives in Dumfries, Virginia, with his wife Leticia and daughter Anna. He likes drawing, painting, outdoor activities, and the beauty of nature, enjoys coffee and wine, and, of course, loves gymnastics!

Jean-Marc (JM) Michel  

JM started gymnastics when he was 5yrs old and has been involved in coaching for 27yrs.  He was a two-time U.S. Junior National Team member and competed for Penn State University, 93-97. He was an NCAA All-American on high bar and placed 3rd as a team at the NCAA championships. JM has coached both men’s and women’s gymnastics, levels 3 to level 10. A graduate of Penn State with a degree in Criminal Justice, he works as a Security Operations Manager in Fairfax, Va. JM loves to be with his family and doing anything outdoors, hiking and fishing especially. JM has a son, a gymnast at the Naval Academy, another son plays soccer for the Univ. of Maryland and a daughter, a level 9 gymnast and high-school sophomore. JM and his wife, Lori, also a gymnast and coach, met in 1998 while both coaching gymnastics in Maryland. JM wants every gymnast to feel positive achievements after every practice and competition, no matter how small!

Leonardo Navia 

Coach Leo was born in Colombia and received a Bachelor's  Degree in Physical education from the Universidad Pedagogica Nacional de Colombia. In the United States he has coached gymnastics for 18+ years. Coach Leo is also a Fairfax County Public Schools Physical Education teacher at Graham Road Elementary. As a gymnastics coach, he has taught recreational and tumbling classes for kids in various levels. With competitive teams, he coaches pre-team and club levels as well as levels 3 and 4 division 1 and 2. Leo enjoys outdoors activities with his family, visiting cultural places, and watching a good movie or documentary.

Martin Sendek 

Marty has worked as an instructor and coach with Arlington's gymnastics program since 1990, most recently as a coach for the Tigers Club Program. He is a former collegiate gymnast at the University of Pittsburgh. His daughter Madeleine is a ”graduate” of the Arlington Aerials program who continued her gymnastics career at Hamline University (Minnesota). Marty is also a licensed attorney and military officer, currently serving on active duty as an Army JAG Officer.