Coaches

Bio:
In 2004, Deb became the owner of West Side Gymnastics with the goal of using gymnasts to support in the development of strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness for all sports.

She is certified in both AAU and USAG Gymnastics and has coached many State as well as National Champions. Deb and her coaches currently have a strong gymnastics team from Level 4 and up including the newest Gymnastics Xcel Optional Program.

Deb graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Physical Education and a Minor in Health. She was also a gymnast at the UW-Platteville and continues to encourage area athletes to compete at the collegiate level.

In 1982, Deb became the YWCA Youth Director for over 20 years and was a gymnastics instructor as well. Along with hiring, supervises and training as needed in all sports. She has developed many great athletes throughout the years and continues to prepare young athletes for success not only in sports but more importantly in life.

Deb has been married to Don Donar since 1980 and have three children all of which enjoy sports. Don wrestled for UW-Platteville. Both of their sons Jake & Jarod wrestled for UW-Madison. Jenny, their daughter, was a gymnast for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Bio:

Jenny Donar loves the sport of gymnastics and has been helping at the gym since even before her mom became the owner in 2004. She has choreographed many floor and beam routines throughout the years, helping many athletes win individual AAU gymnastics state titles. Creating unique uneven bar routines, teaching innovative vaulting techniques, and helping athletes develop new skills are just a few of her favorite aspects of being at the gym.

Jenny trained with West Side Gymnastics and became the first gymnast in WIAA high school gymnastics state history to win the uneven bars 4 times. Besides becoming the only gymnast to win an individual event 4 years in a row she won a total of 7 individual state titles. She even missed her high school graduation to compete at the NHSGA Senior Nationals in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida in 2006.

She competed NCAA Division I college gymnastics with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes (2006-2010). Jenny competed all 4 years with the GymHawks and earned a gymnastics scholarship. Highlights of her college career include earning a 9.9 on vault in Alaska and leading off the Iowa gymnastics team on floor exercise and vault during the majority of her career.

One of her most memorable moments was competing with the team in Carver Hawkeye Arena during her Senior Night. Friends, family and young gymnasts from West Side filled the crowed and cheered for Jenny and the Hawkeyes, having made the trip together on a bus from Dubuque to Iowa City.

After graduating from the University of Iowa and earning her Bachelors of Science Degree in Integrative Physiology, she went to the University of Wisconsin to earn a graduate degree as a Doctor of Pharmacy.

She continues to stay up-to-date with the rules of gymnastics (AAU, USAG, and NCAA) and does judging which includes the semiannual West Side Tumbling Meet. Traveling with the gymnastics team on the weekends and coaching during meets has been very rewarding; she is excited to see the gymnasts become great athletes and successful individuals.

Bio:

Trisha Brosius has been coaching the Level 4-8 teams at West Side since 2004. She has been active in gymnastics or cheerleading as either an athlete or coach since the age of 4.

She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education. She was a cheerleader for the Hawkeyes for 4 years.

She currently teaches Pre-K at Resurrection in Dubuque and coaches cheerleading at Wahlert.

She has 5 children; her 2 daughters are currently members of the West Side Team and her 3 sons have used their training from West Side in a variety of other sports.

Bio:

Sarah has been coaching at West Side Gymnastics since 2006. Her coaching experience includes teaching classes from preschool through the competitive team. She is great with teaching new drills and critiquing routines preparing our athletes for competition. Sarah is always reading up on the newest rules and techniques to get the best out of each individual athlete.

Sarah first became involved with the sport of gymnastics in 1975 at Dubuque Dance Studio and Gymnastics Club. She began her competitive gymnastics career at the age of 9, competing in numerous state and regional competitions through high school. Sarah was also a member of the tumbling team and while in high school Sarah helped coach gymnastics/tumbling classes in Dubuque.

Following high school Sarah attended the University of Iowa, graduating with a BA in Psychology. During her college years, Sarah worked for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, helping to coach their rec gymnastics program. Upon graduation, Sarah returned to Dubuque and enrolled in graduate school at Loras College. Sarah spent time coaching in Dubuque while completing her MA in Psychology.

Sarah currently lives in Dubuque with her husband and two girls. Both daughters started gymnastics at West Side and continue to be competitive in sports. Her oldest daughter, Riley has great success in gymnastics and still helps with the tumbling meets. Her youngest daughter works out at West Side and competes all over in dance competitions as well.

Bio:

Angela started working with West Side Gymnastics in 2008. She is great working with athletes on the balance beam. She teaches all the fundamental locomotive patterns to build core skills on the balance beam. Angela always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She does well connecting with the little gymnasts and brings back the spirit of gymnastics.

She grew up in Dubuque participating in gymnastics and dance for over fourteen years. She coached gymnastics for two years in high school before going to school to become a cosmetology professional. She is a Capri College Cosmetology graduate and continues to enjoy styling hair. She has been working with The Presentation Sisters from the Dubuque Congregation since 2000 specializing in styling hair.

Angela currently lives in Dubuque with her husband and daughter. Her daughter also took classes at West Side Gymnastics when she was younger. Angela truly enjoys being in the gym and working with kids. She keeps gymnastics fun while teaching life skills in the process.

Bio:

Joseph Budde first started at West Side Gymnastics as a student, then he volunteered and now has been an instructor for the past eight years. He is very hard working and is wonderful with the athletes as well as our staff. Whether it is setting up equipment, spotting gymnastics elements, moving mats or even shoveling snow he is always eager to help and does a great job with each task at hand.

There are many times when a gymnast will slip off the uneven bars and he will be right there to catch them. One of the young students stated that he was like "Spiderman" by being able to catch and assist anyone in need. his quick reflexes and strength has been a great asset at the gym. Our students' eyes light up when he demonstrates such skills as a standing back tuck that clears five feet in height.

He picks up skills quickly and has grown to be a great leader both inside as well as outside the gym. Joseph is an inspiration to our students as well as a great motivator. He is always willing to go the extra mile working with out students. Joseph wrestled for Dubuque Senior and is an avid water-skier and is continuously coming up with new moves that can be preformed during ski shows throughout the community.