Meet Our Dragon Crew

About Legacy Elite

Since day one, we at Legacy Elite Gymnastics have been dedicated to training beginner level gymnastics skills to world class athletes! Whether our athlete's goal is to learn a cartwheel or back flip, to competing in college, or international competitions, Legacy Elite has a class and program for every level.

We are the home of Olympians, World Champions, and Full Ride NCAA Scholarships!

We are the ONLY gymnastics center in Illinois with USA National Team Members, Olympic, and World medalists!

AWARDED 2022 Region 5 CLUB OF THE YEAR & 2024 BEST CLUB IN ILLINOIS!
(Region 5 consists of: Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio!)

OUR FOUNDERS

Jiani and Yuejiu have been coaching gymnastics for over 35 years. They have coached the National Team in the USA, China, and Canada. They first met when they were both National team members at the Chinese National training center. They started dating after the 1984 Olympics and got married in 1986. Legacy Elite is a world renowned training center ran by a family who have love and passion for kids and the sport of gymnastics. With elite level of knowledge, passion for the sport & helping gymnasts reach their max potential, Legacy Elite has been one of the top clubs in the country!

Coach Jiani

US National Team Member coach
Team USA International Elite Committee
IL State TOPs Coordinator
2013 Region 5 JO Coach of the Year
2012 Elite Coach of the Year
2010-11 USA Team -World's Assistant Coach
2007 Region 5 Junior Olympic Coach of the Year
1984 OLYMPIC GAMES – China Bronze Medal Team
1981 Worlds 2nd place Team competition, the Chinese women’s first World Championships medal
Five-time Chinese National Champion
Chinese national team 1977-1985

Team Head Coach & Owner

Coach Yuejiu

US National Team Member Coach
2014 Inducted into INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS HALL OF FAME
2013 Region 5 Junior Olympic Coach of the Year
2012 Region 5 Elite Coach of the Year
2008 Chinese Women’s & Men’s Coordinator for the GOLD medal winning OLYMPIC team
2007 World’s Gold Medal Chinese team Coach
1984 OLYMPIC GAMES – Silver Medal Men’s team
1981 World Championships - China’s first male World Champion placing 1st on floor
Chinese national team member for over 10 years

Team Head Coach

Team Staff

Coach Anna

2012 Olympic Team - gold medal
2012 U.S. Championship uneven bars bronze medalist
2011 World Championships Team - gold medal
2010 NCAA Team Champion (UCLA)
8-time All-American
Scored two perfect 10s on bars
3-time Pac-10 champion ('10 & '09 bars, '07 beam)
Won 6 career Regional titles (4 on bars, 1 on vault and 1 on beam)
3-year All-Pac-10 honoree in the all-around
Performed on the Post Olympic "Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions"
IL TOPS Program State Director
2016 Region 5 Hall of Fame Induction
2019 USAG Athlete Rep (Athlete Council)
FIG Brevet (Olympic Level) Judge

Team Head Coach & Manager

Coach Jordyn

Legacy Elite Xcel & Team Coach
Ball State University Gymnast
4x Academic All Mac Honoree
2016 NCAA Regional Qualifier
Favorite Event: Beam
Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bulls
Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: "The amazing coaches that I get to learn from and coaching at competitions are a lot of fun"

Xcel & Team Coach

Coach Shannyn

Competitive Gymnast
14 Years Coaching
Collegiate Diver
2x All American & Scholar Athlete
Favorite Event: Beam

"I started coaching when I was 15yrs old and have continued growing in my passion for coaching and skill throughout the years. I spent 3 years coaching competitive team at WCC under Laurent and Cecile Landi, where I helped many athletes bring home state titles and grew in my coaching abilities. I love coaching and watching athletes gain confidence and overcome their fears, to become capable and strong young ladies in and out of the gym!"

Team Coach

Coach Jenn

Competitive Team Coach for 20+ years
Favorite Food: Potato
Favorite Event: Beam
Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bears
Favorite Athlete: Muhammad Ali

Team Coach

Coach Cathy

Coached competitive gymnastics for 4 years
Operational Specialist in US Coast Guard
"I love coaching gymnastics because I get to help athletes uncover new limits to their bravery and potential that they themselves might not have not been aware they were capable of."
Favorite event: Beam
Favorite sports team: US Womens gymnastics teams- past, present, & future
Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: "I love Legacy Elite's atmosphere of young women supportig each other to better themselves, while working towards a common goal. A rising tide lifts all boats"

Xcel Coach

Coach Genna

Team, Mighty Dragons, & Preteam Coach

11 years of coaching competitive team
17 years as a gymnast
Favorite Event: Floor
Fun Fact: Began her gymnastics coaching career at Legacy Elite!
All Star cheerleader for 19 years & attended 2015 Worlds.

Rec Staff

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Coach Tony

Favorite Event: Beam
Favorite Sports Team: Detroit Lions
Favorite Athlete: Barry Sanders
Best thing about Legacy Elite: "Legacy Elite is a fun and interactive environment for all kids. I love seeing the kids smiling and making new friends!"
Played College Soccer

Rec Staff Manager & Rec Coach

Coach Ariel

Was a competitive gymnast
Has coached/taught a number of children's sports such as: gymnastics, swimming, and dance (competitive)
Directed and organized church youth program and missions trips
Favorite event: Floor
Favorite sports team: MSU Gymnastics Team
Favorite Athlete: Gabby Douglas
Favorite thing about Legacy Elite: Watching kids grow and improve as gymnasts!

Rec Director, Preteam & Rec Coach

Coach Sasha

Soviet Union National Team
Competitive team coach for 40+ years
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Event: High Bar
Favorite Sports Team: Brazil Soccer Team
Favorite Athlete: Diego Maradona (soccer)

PreTeam Coach & Rec Coach

Coach Alyce

Competitive Xcel gymnast at Legacy Elite
Favorite Event: Floor
Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bulls
Favorite Athlete: Simone Biles
Best thing about Legacy Elite: "The loving coaches"

Rec & PreXcel Coach