Brandy & Darlene Wood
Owners
We are Brandy and Darlene Wood … and we are passionate about children and gymnastics!
Brandy received his bachelors degree from Penn State University in 1996. Since then, he has been a successful coach. Brandy is a member of the 2008-2012 USA Gymnastics Junior National Coaching Staff, the 2009-2012 Junior Olympic Compulsory Writing Committee, the Former President of the New Mexico Men’s Gymnastics Judges Association, and the State Chairman for New Mexico. He has been the coach of eight Junior National Team Members. Twelve of Brandy’s athletes have received scholarships to top universities around the United States. Brandy was also a successful gymnast. He was the 1992 Junior National Champion and competed for Penn State University on a full athletic scholarship.
Darlene Wood received her bachelors degree from the University of New Mexico in Early Childhood Education. She has taught elementary school in New Mexico and Texas. Darlene has been sharing her love for children in schools and gyms for many years.
It has always been our desire to give back to the community through our talents and passions. Our love for children is what has led us to open this gymnastics school.
Deena Arnot
Pre-School Program Director & Recreational Instructor
My name is Deena Arnot. I am a native New Mexican, born in Albuquerque and raised in Alamogordo. I started gymnastics at the age of three and continued through high school, competing at Level 8. I attended the University of New Mexico where I earned my Bachelors and Masters Degree in Elementary Education. I taught in the Rio Rancho school district for five years before staying home to raise a family. I am married to Matt Arnot, who was a Junior National Gymnastics Team member, University of New Mexico All-Around Gymnast, and former owner of Duke City Gymnastics. We have three boys – Mark, Ty, and Christopher.
I was a recreational and pre-school instructor for 15 years, Level 4-8 coach for 7 years, and th pre-school director for Duke City Gymnastics from 1998 to 2002. As my boys became interested in gymnastics, I returned to coaching. I am currently the pre-school program director and an instructor at Eagle Ridge Gymnastics.
Heather Ayles
Recreational Instructor
I have the best job in the world! My passion for gymnastics started when I was in the third grade. I hadn’t really followed gymnastics but I just wanted to do it because all of my friends were doing it. When I started gymnastics, I fell in love with it! I moved through levels very quickly and competed for quite a while. I stopped competing so I could earn money for college – I want to be a doctor. But, I wanted to remain involved in gymnastics and thought that I could teach what I knew and loved. I challenge the students in my class to do things they never thought they could do. With a little passion and a little faith, you can do anything. How many people out there look forward to going to work? I know I do!
Joy Brichford
Coach, Girls Level 3
My name is Joy Brichford. I come to Eagle Ridge Gymnastics with a very athletic and competitive mind set. As a child and young adult, I was a competitive gymnast, soccer player, and volleyball player. Now, my daughter is a competitive gymnast. Watching her has made me realize my love for the sport. I want to coach kids to be all they can be and to love gymnastics as much as I do. I have been coaching competitive gymnastics since 2010 and I am safety certified.
Sara Gardiner
Preschool Instructor & Girls' Team Coach
Sara has 25 years of coaching experience working with pre-team through Level 10 competitive gymnasts, as well as pre-school classes. She has coached National and Regional competitors, levels 8-10 and was a clinician at Region VI Rising Stars Training Camps. Sara is safety certified with USA Gymnastics. Sara has over 20 years of experience as a floor exercise and balance beam choreographer. She has choreographed for Level 7-10, high school programs, and collegiate level athletes.
Sara began gymnastics at the age of five in Western, New York. She was a competitive gymnast through the collegiate level. Sara is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor and has a B.S. degree in Sociology with a concentration in Health Sciences.
Chris Glenn
Recreational Instructor
My name is Chris Glenn. I have a passion for all physical endeavors including wrestling, mixed martial arts, gymnastics, rock climbing, and backpacking. I love being active and hanging out with friends. I am on the wrestling team at Rio Rancho High School.
Donna Gonzales
Office Secretary
My name is Donna Gonzales. I started at Eagle Ridge in January of 2012. I come with 25 years of business experience from The City of Albuquerque. This is the perfect part-time job for me now. I get to do the type of work I enjoy in a great working atmosphere with great people. I am very excited to be part of this special team.
Nathan Graham
Recreational & Compulsory Instructor
My name is Nathan Graham and I am 15 years old. I’m a military brat – my dad is in the Air Force. I’ve been in gymnastics since I was four, except for a three year intermission when my family moved to Japan. Four years ago I became re-involved in the sport after my family moved from Japan to Alaska. I coached Level 4-6 men’s gymnastics while in Alaska. I volunteer coached Level 6 at Eagle Ridge during the competitive season. This is my second year here at Eagle Ridge on the team and it’s great!
Ryan Hughes
Recreational & Compulsory Instructor
My name is Ryan Hughes. I have five years of gymnastics experience. I began gymnastics at a young age and it helped me mature and grow as a person. My coaches instilled in me dedication and love for the sport. Now, as an instructor at Eagle Ridge, I enjoy instilling that same dedication and love of the sport to the kids I coach.
Lindsey Jones
Recreational & Compulsory Instructor
Lindsey is a certified womens compulsory coach for girls Level 4. In addition, she teaches Advanced Kindergym, Superstars and Levels 1-4 for the recreational program. Lindsey has a degree in psychology from the University of New Mexico.
Hannah Mader
Recreational Instructor
My name is Hannah Mader. I am 16 years old and currently a junior at Cleveland High School. My curriculum includes AP Psychology and Spanish. I am on the school honor roll and my GPA is 4.0. I hope to go to the University of New Mexico and study to become a neo-natal nurse. I have a gymnast for eight years – five years of recreational and three years of competitive. I love working out and coaching children. My goals in coaching includes teaching the kids flawless gymnastics, watching them smile, and encouraging them in the sport.
Deanna Maldonado
Receptionist
My name is Deanna. I am a receptionist at Eagle Ridge. I am currently a student at Central New Mexico Community College where I’m studying early childhood education. I have been with Eagle Ridge since it opened. It’s a great job with a fun atmosphere!
Ashley Martinez
Recreational Instructor
My name is Ashley Martinez. I’m currently attending Central New Mexico Community College and majoring in Physical Therapy. I was a cheerleader at Valley High School and graduated in 2011. I’m a funny and outgoing person. I love to spend time with my family – especially with my little sister, Maddie. I enjoy meeting new people and working with kids because they are so much fun!
Ceara Odell
Receptionist
My name is Ceara Odell. I am studying pre-law at the University of New Mexico. I am a front desk receptionist at Eagle Ridge.
Danielle Postel
Coach, Girls Levels 4 - 5, Compulsory
Danielle has been coaching gymnastics for since 2003 and has eight years of cheerleading and tumbling experience. She has coached two New Mexico State Champions since 2009. Danielle has her degree in Business Management. Danielle is also USAG Safety Certified.
Scott Postel
Coach, Girls Level 4, Compulsory & Optionals
Scott started gymnastics at the age of three. He competed for 13 years where he was a four time USA Junior National Qualifier. In 2002, Scott was the New Mexico Class 1 All-Around Champion. Scott has been a competitive coach since 2002. He has coached athletes that qualified to the Regional Championships. In addition, Scott was a Junior Olympic Judge for three years and he is USAG Safety Certified.
Kayla Taylor
Recreational Instructor
My name is Kayla Taylor. I attend Rio Rancho High School. I was a gymnast for 11 years. I love working with kids and teaching them everything I have learned from my past experiences. I have been coaching at Eagle Ridge Gymnastics since 2010.
Nathan Torres
Coach, Compulsory & Optionals
My name is Nathan Torres. I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have been a member of the gymnastics community since the age of five. During my junior career, I was a five time national qualifier, a five time regional team member, and a Junior Olympic National Ring Finalist. During my colligate career, I attended the University of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. I was a member of the 2002 Big Ten Championship Team. I have been coaching since 2002 and look forward to the future at Eagle Ridge Gymnastics.
Danny Wieber
Coach, Compulsory
I have been coaching at Eagle Ridge since 2008. I really enjoy what I do. Working with these talented kids is something I do best. I look forward to watching each kid develop into a mentally and physically stronger, more talented, and crazier-than-ever gymnast each season. My Level 4s and 5s were 2011 New Mexico State Champions. I’m excited each year to meet new kids and work with new teams.
