Excite! Staff
Julie Hutchens
Julie Hutchens is the owner of Excite! Gymnastic and Cheer. Julie grew up in La Porte, Texas and she worked at their family-owned business a Ben Franklin and her mom taught piano at their house. So, she got the bug to own her own thing early on. Her parents were committed to community involvement and volunteering which they taught her (as her mom would say)” You have to Raise Your Hand!” She cheered in school, was in the band, danced with the Houston Arts Dance Company, was in theater and other assorted sports. Which answers the question “yes” she has always been the same energizer bunny. She attended University of Oklahoma as a dance major, she taught dance and was a preschool coach and then somehow Excite! was born not just as a great preschool gym but also it grew into 2 top competitive programs cheer and gymnastics. She has 3 brothers and 2 kids: Nick and Alison along with Eli her son in law and grandbabies Hutch and Byrl. She and her husband, Kevin, have been married for 35 years and counting! She loves about everything that she is doing at the time. IF asked what her favorite things is; she will say “whatever I am doing at the time”. She always wanted a gym that felt like home to ALL. She loves watching and cheering for the gymnasts and cheerleaders and now Acro as well, watching the parents smile, clap and film too! Having Alison working with her is such a blessing and all the staff at the gym are her family too!! She knows that Excite! would not be what it is without the amazing staff! She loves each of them with all her heart along with all the families and kids that have thankfully passed through Excite! doors since February 2001. She has worked at several gyms during their 9 moves in 11 years and has won numerous awards in Rotary and from the city and in the community. She continues to volunteer for many board positions and is a Past President of the Highland Village Rotary. She is thankful for this ride, though it has not always been easy but always worth it when a kid giggles or smiles or calls her Mama J.
Directors
Alison Howard
Alison Howard is the Cheer Director at Excite! And is from Flower Mound, Tx, and has been a part of Excite! Since it opened as an athlete. Growing up she was a competitive gymnast through Level 8, and qualified for regionals twice and also won stat on Floor and Vault. In 2001, she then decided to make the switch to cheerleading. She cheered at Excite! From 2001-2007 and cheered at FMHS during her high school years. Her senior year, she competed on the World’s team that received 4th place at The Cheerleading Worlds. After graduating high school, she continued on to Stephen F. Austin State University and was a member of their Small Coed Cheerleading Team from 2007-2009. She then decided to transfer to Hawaii Pacific University after receiving a scholarship to be on in their cheerleading program. She cheered on their Small Coed team and won two NCA National Collegiate Titles with them. Her senior year of college, she made Team USA ALL-Girl and received a Gold Medal with them at the ICU World Championships. In 2012, she graduated from HPU with her bachelor’s degree in Journalism. After Graduating, she felt it was time to come home and has been working at the gym ever since. During her time back, she has competed at World’s and has received a Silver Medal, she has gotten 2 NCA Nationals Titles as a coach and has received 2nd at The Summit as a coach. She currently lives in Corinth with her husband Eli, their two sons Hutch and Byrl and their dog Hercules.
Caitlin Crane
Caitlin Crane is the Gymnastics Director and Acro head Coach for Excite! Caitlin began gymnastics at two years old, but was in the gym with her sisters well before that! She fell in love with the sport and became an optional level gymnast. Caitlin also cheered competitively through high school and won several national titles, and went on to cheer at UNT, where she was the captain of the Coed team and studied Marketing. Caitlin has coached at Excite! Since 2012, and has coached all ages and programs. With experience coaching preschool classes, camps, a cheer team, recreational classes, and gymnastics team, she has a true love and understanding for all that we do at Excite! Caitlin is from The Woodlands, Tx and moved to the Dallas area in 2012 when transferring to UNT, and found her new home through working at Excite! Caitlin has a baby boy named Easton, who has become her main hobby. She also has 3 fur babies—Marley, Luna, and Bear. She is involved in several recreational leagues, and loves to play games with friends
Patty Miller
Patty Miller is Office and Billing Director. Patty has been a part of Excite! Gym and Cheer since 2002, as a parent of a cheerleader, team mom, Co-President and President of Booster Club. Before working at Excite! Patty attended Pittsburgh State University and has had various jobs to include EKG Technician, Mortgage Processor, Church Childcare Provider, Godiva Chocolatier, Crossmark, Gurus 2 Go and many volunteer positions with church and children's schools. Patty has been involved with Highland Village Rotary and Women of Flower Mound. Due to her involvement she was 2019's Highland Village Rotarian of the Year and in 2008, she was Godiva's Employee of the Year.
Wicam Smith
Wicam Smith is the Tumbling Director and an All-star cheer coach at Excite!, as well as Head Acro Coach! Originally from New York, Wicam was raised in Westchester County, just north of NYC. After graduating high school, he went on to attend the University at Buffalo where he earned a bachelor's degree in Communication. While at UB he was a cheerleader and competed with UB Cheer for the duration of his education. He went on to study and cheer at Hawaii Pacific University where he earned a degree in Human Resource Management. He was a member of the Large Coed Cheer team with which he won NCA Collegiate Nationals in 2011 and 2012. After college he took his passion for the sport and accepted a position at Excite! Wicam has worked with kids and been an educative administrator since 2007. He coached All-star Cheer part-time in both Western New York and Honolulu, Hawaii. He competed at the All-star level from 2013 - 2016 and earned a Silver Medal at the USASF Worlds in 2014. He currently lives in Lewisville, Tx and has family in New York, Connecticut and Atlanta, GA. In his free time, he really enjoys traveling, cooking, outdoor dining and swimming!
Senior Managers
Blake Alonzo
Blake Alonzo-Covington is the Pro Shop Manager and Cheer/Tumble class coach at Excite! Gym& Cheer. Blake Started cheer in 2009 at a former local cheer gym called Cougar Cheer where he won NCA his very first year! He then went on to win NCA Nationals 6 more times including 2 times as a coach at Excite! Blake also won a world championship title in 2012, and placed 4th at Worlds in 2016. After high school, Blake went on to be a part of the National Cheerleaders Association, where he was a head instructor for 8 years. Blake who is originally from The Colony, Texas, continued to cheer at the University of North Texas, where he was the captain of the coed cheer team in 2014. Since then, Blake has been at Excite! Since 2013 and has made history with the gym coaching the first team to ever represent Excite! in finals at The Summit, as well as the first full paid bid to The Summit! Blake Currently lives in Watauga, Texas with his husband Dillon, and their 3 dogs Hunter, Ryder, and Parker.
Destiny Studer
Destiny Studer is the Marketing Manager and All-Star Coach at Excite! Destiny has been with Excite! Since 2004, where she cheered for 10 years. She started coaching as a Jr Staffer and became full time after graduating High School. Destiny grew up in Bartonville, Tx and graduated from Guyer High School in 2014, where she also cheered for all 4 years. She has multiple National Championship titles as an athlete and coach. She has taken several teams to The Summit and has a 2nd place title from The Regional Summit. Destiny currently lives in Lewisville, Tx with her dog Stella. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and working out.
Kourtney Parker
Kourtney Parker is a Gymnastics Team Coach, and Pro Shop Senior Manager here at Excite! She is also a certified teacher in early childhood through 6th grade! Before Excite, Kourtney attended The University of Texas at Arlington where she earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education! Also, while at UTA, Kourtney was a cheerleader at the college and earned the title of National Champion! Kourtney was a gymnast from the ages 2-12 before she made the transition to cheerleading here at Excite! From the ages of 13-18. She began coaching in 2017 and has been doing it and loving it ever since! Originally from Oklahoma, Kourtney is now living in Lewisville where she owns her own small business, “Kookies with a K!”
Assistant Managers
Jordan MacAllister
Jordan MacAllister is a Cheer and Tumble Coach as well as assistant preschool manager! She has cheered for 7 years at Excite! Jordan is currently in school at North Central Texas College studying to receive her degree to become an elementary school teacher. This year will be her 4th year of coaching teams and 5th year coaching recreational classes at Excite! As a coach Jordan has assisted in leading her teams to a Regional Summit Championship, and Grand Champion! Jordan is the youngest of her 4 siblings and is a dog mom to her dog Lucy! In her free time, she enjoys kayaking and having fun with Lucy!
Additional Fab Staff!
Coming Soon!
Alyssa Palnau
Alyssa Palnau is a Cheer coach at Excite! Gym & Cheer. Alyssa started All-Star Cheerleading as an athlete in 2010 at a local gym for 2 years where she got cheerleader of the year two years in a row. In 2012 she moved to Cheer Athletics Plano and competed there for 10 years. In the 2018-19 season she won NCA and the Summit. In the 2020-21 season she won The Cheerleading Worlds and in her final season of 2021-22 she won THE MAJORS on Cheer Athletics Panthers. After this, she went on to compete in STUNT for Texas Women’s University for their inaugural year. She is now in school working towards her BSN, RN, CRNA, and DNP at Texas Women’s University when she is not coaching at Excite! Gym and Cheer. A motto she loves telling her athletes is “Don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.”
Dane Mahieu
Dane Mahieu is a Tumbling Coach here at Excite! He was originally born in Orange County, California before moving to Texas. Dane was Homeschooled throughout his high school years, and then attended Navarro College in Corsicana, Tx where he earned an NCA Title. As an athlete, he has earned 2 All-Star NCA Titles, and as a coach has earned 2 NCA Titles. In his free time, Dane enjoys Jeep Wheeling, PC Gaming, and camping. Dane was an athlete here at Excite! in 2012 and began coaching at that time too! He also has 2 children, one two year old and a 4 year old!
Danni Gray
Danni Gray is a Cheer and Tumble Coach here at Excite! She also works with our Marketing department. Danni was originally born in San Antonio, Tx and now lives in Ft. Worth. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she earned her degree in Business Management. Danni was a 4X NCA Champion, 2018 World Champion, and Globed 4 time at Worlds! She was also part of the Utah Jazz Stunt team. Danni has been coaching for 14 years working in All-Star Cheer, Recreational classes, and before Excite was a part of the NCA College Staff for 3 years. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts and working on arts & crafts projects! She also has a 12 year old Yorkie named Lilly!
Beth Ann Wagley
Beth Ann Wagley works in the Front Office. Before working at Excite! Beth Ann attended Stephen F. Austin State University and taught in LISD for 30 years. She lives in Lewisville with her husband Jeff. They love spending time with their two daughters, son-in-law, and granddaughter, Haven. In her free time, Beth Ann enjoys reading, decorating for the holidays, and doing projects around the house.
Coming Soon!
Darla Cox
Darla Cox works in the front office here at Excite! Darla was originally born in Dumas, Tx and now lives in Flower Mound, Tx. She has 2 sisters, Lisa and Sharla, and 2 kids one of which cheered at Excite! Before working at Excite, she attended Texas Tech University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In her free time, Darla enjoys listening to music and dancing!
Dustin Doshier
Dustin Doshier is a Tumble, recreational, and Team Gymnastics Coach at Excite! He started coaching in high school, and after high school attended Hawaii Pacific University. As a summer job he became part of the UCA staff. He coached through college, and when he moved back from Hawaii, came back to Excite! Originally from Denison, Tx Dustin now lives in The Colony. Dustin’s favorite quote is “Whether you think you can, or you think you can, you're right!
Coming Soon!
Evan Arroyo
Evan Arroyo is a tumbling coach here at Excite! Evan was born in Lewisville, Texas and went to Lewisville high school where he got into cheer his sophomore year. Evan has been with Excite ever since. He has been cheering for 4 years and is currently a freshman cheering for The University of North Texas. Evan is very knowledgeable about tumbling and passionate about sharing his knowledge to anyone he can. In his free time, Evan enjoys working on his car, skateboarding, and partner stunting/ tumbling.
Jake Reyes
Jake is originally from Hamlin Texas. He cheered at Excite! for the 2022-2023 season and won All-Star Worlds with Coex! Jake cheered in college at Tarleton State University from 2015 to 2019 and won NCA College Nationals in 2018. He coached at Henderson State University from 2020 to 2021. He cheered at CA Plano from 2019 to 2022 and coached classes at CA Frisco. Jake was on NCA Staff from 2017 to 2023. His hobbies include working out and he loves to hanging out with family and friends on the weekend and play outdoor sports and BBQ.
Janet Cochran
Janet Cochran is a Judge/Coach. Before working at Excite! Janet attended the University of Texas at Arlington for a B.A. in Health/Physical Education, and North Texas State University for a M.Ed. in Physical Education. She coached high school gymnastics teams in Irving ISD from 1982-2012 and began judging level 1-5 in 2013 and has been judging level 7/8 since 2016. Due to her hard work, she has won the 2009 Texas TAHPERD Health Educator of the Year and the 2009 THSGCA Women’s Gymnastics Coach of the Year. Originally from Cherry Point, NC, Janet now lives in Arlington, Tx. Her family consists of her mother Faye Bannan, brother Pat Bannan, cat Felix, and horse Sandy. Janet’s favorite quote is “Before you abuse, criticize, and accuse, walk a mile in my shoes.” - Joe South 1969
Johnathen Baggett
Johnathen started off his competitive career playing football until being introduced to tumbling in high school. This led to his participation in multiple All Star teams. Johnathen ended up receiving a scholarship from The University of Central Arkansas with their Large Co-Ed team where he cheered for 3 years (1 large co-ed, 2 small co-ed). During this time, he was hired by NCA to travel around the country coaching athletes of all ages ranging from middle school to elite college level. He finished out his BS degree of Exercise Sciences before moving down to Dallas to attain his Doctorate of Chiropractic at Parker University. Johnathen also had the opportunity to cheer at the University of Louisville on their Large Co-Ed team. After a year of traveling back and forth between Louisville and Dallas, Johnathen decided to stay closer to home and cheer with Navarro College as he pursued his doctorate. Currently, Johnathen is focused on his education while also striving to apply his knowledge & experience of the body to aid his clients in reaching their personal goals.
Coming Soon!
Kevin Bates
Kevin is happy to be back coaching for Excite once again! He began coaching in 1989 and has coached men's and women's competitive artistic gymnastics, competition tumbling and trampoline, and every manner of recreational gymnastics and tumbling. Kevin previously coached at Excite from 2004-2007. "Stepping back in the gym at Excite has felt like coming home and I am so happy to be working with a top-notch staff and talented athletes once again."
Kailee Lingle
Kailee Lingle is a Preschool Coach for Excite! Gym & Cheer. She was born in Longview, Texas and went to Hallsville High School where she cheered for four years. In her senior year of highschool, she and her team were Grand National Champions in Galveston, Texas. Kailee is currently a sophomore at the University of North Texas where she is planning to major in biology with hopes to become a plastic surgeon. She lives in Denton, Texas with her cat, Skye. She has a brother that lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where he serves in the United States Navy. She also is an aunt to a baby boy, Hudson Matthew. Kailee loves to eat Mexican food, spend quality time with her friends and family, and travel. She would love to visit Bora Bora one day.
Lori Stephens
Lori Stephens works in the Front Office and as a Checker in the gym. Before working at Excite! Lori attended Washington University in St. Louis and worked at Walt Disney World, Gymboree, and from home. She’s been involved in Cub Scout Leadership, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and was a Team Mom at Excite! for many years. Originally from Tulsa, OK, Lori now enjoys reading, going to movies with friends, and traveling with her husband.
Megan Graff
Megan Graff is working in the front office, born in Boise, Idaho but raised in Southern Utah just outside of Zion’s National Park. She has been married to her husband Curtis for 13 years and they have 4 children, 3 girls, and 1 boy. Brooklyn, Peyton, Quinn, and Tyler. All 3 girls cheer here at Excite! And baby brother is playing baseball. They have lived in Flower Mound for 4 ½ years and absolutely love it!
Morayna Johnson
Coach Mo is a cheerleading and Tumble coach here at Excite! She began All-Star cheerleading at Excite! in the 6th grade. Went to Missouri Valley College for one year and moved back home to attend Texas A&M Commerce. She is currently working on a degree in Kinesiology. Coach Mo has been working at Excite! for two years now and wants to coach for a living. She is about to have her first son January 2024 & plans to teach him her ways with the cheerleading world.
Noelle Pratt
Coach Noelle is one of our Gymnastics and Acro coaches, and works with our Marketing department as well! She was born in Two Rivers Wisconsin, but has lived in Texas since she was nine months old. She has been working at Excite since 2016, was a gymnast for 11 years and a cheerleader for 8! (Some of which was at Excite!). She attended and cheered at Blinn College and the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she received her degree in Business Management and Administration. In her free time she enjoys relaxing, spending time with friends, and traveling!
Coming Soon!
Scott Inman
Scott was born Hawaii and grew up military which moved him all around the country. He now resides in Dallas. Scott started cheering 12 years ago and cheered in high school as well as college. He has been a part of various competitive programs and won NCA All Star Nationals in 2019, 2020 & 2021. He also won the Cheerleading Worlds in 2021!
Stacie Ternes
Stacie Ternes is a preschool gymnastic coach at Excite! Gym & Cheer. She was raised in Wichita, KS and grew up doing recreational gymnastics in a gym that was owned by her mother. She started assisting classes in her early teens and began teaching on her own at 16. After graduating from Kansas State University with a marketing degree in 1998, she worked for Boeing for a few years before her husband's job moved them to Texas in 2002. Having a one-year-old daughter, she decided to stay at home with her and began teaching gymnastics again part time at the Little Gym in Lewisville. When the Little Gym closed their doors in 2004, Julie was gracious enough to take in their students at Excite! and Stacie joined the team as well. She loves the little ones and has enjoyed coaching them throughout the years! Stacie has two daughters, Brooklyn and Addison, with her husband Craig. She loves to travel, especially to the beach, and spend time with her family and friends!
Sydney Williams
Sydney Williams is a coach here at Excite! She began competing in All-Star cheerleading at Excite! in 2013 and went on to Sam Houston State University where she was a Cheerleader on the All Girl Team. She was on the team from 2015-2019 and in 2018, she became a Collegiate National Champion. In 2019, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. Since then, she has been working at Excite! full time. She lives in Lewisville Tx with her dog Piper.
Tammy Hentzen
​Tammy Hentzen works in the office part time. She is from Louisiana but has lived in Flower Mound for 20 years. She has been a part of Excite since the beginning. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family.
Tausha Walker
Tausha McNack is in the Front Office and oversees the Girl Scout badge training for troops. Before working at Excite! Tausha attended Rockhurst University, worked in the accounting department at a mutual funds company and at a computer company. Tausha also opened a daycare that successfully ran for 8 years. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Tausha now lives in Denton, TX with her husband Keith where they have raised three children, Breanna, Brandon and Brooke. Tausha has been with Excite for 9 years and her daughter, Brooke, cheered for Excite for 8 years. Tausha’s favorite quote is “There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking.
Tia Jackson
Tia Jackson is from Fort Worth, Texas and has been involved in cheerleading for the last 17 years. She spent several years as an all star cheerleader before cheering at Fossil Ridge High School where she made Varsity as a freshmen. She went on to cheer at Stephen F. Austin State University where she became a collegiate All American and competed for 4 years. She has experience working for the National Cheerleaders Association and Precision Choreography Camps. In her free time she loves reading, drawing, and playing with her nieces.
Tia Travis
Tia Travis is a gymnastics coach for Excite! Gym & Cheer. She was born in Tallulah, Louisiana and moved to Texas shortly after she was born. She began gymnastics at the age of 10. She trained and competed for about 6 years and won multiple state titles. When Tia was a sophomore in high school she began cheerleading at The Colony. She continued for the next 3 years and was the varsity captain her senior year. Tia currently attends the University of North Texas where she is also a cheerleader. She competed at college nationals in Daytona in 2018, 2019, and 2021, winning 1 first place title. Tia will be graduating in December of 2021 with a degree in Kinesiology. She is also a 5th year NCA staffer. In the spring of 2017 Tia competed with Excite! as a cheerleader on Passion and began working as a coach in October of 2019. She currently lives in Denton, Texas and she has a labradoodle named Leo. Tia loves to travel, eat Cajun food, and have fun with her friends and family.
Tiffany Parker
Tiffany Parker is a Tumble Coach at Excite! She was born in Dallas, Tx and currently resides in Garland, TX. She has an older sister, an older brother who is in the U.S. Navy, and her husband Matt. Before Excite, Tiffany graduated high school in 2009 and went on to cheer at Trinity Valley Community College and graduated in 2011. She then went to cheer at Tarleton State University and graduated in 2014 with her Bachelor's of Science. Tiffany has been a tumbling coach for 4 1/2 years, but before was a part of NCA Staff for 10 years. As an athlete, Tiffany has received a multitude of awards such as: Best Attitude, Most Improved, Best Tumbler, Best Jumps and is a 7X NCA National Champion and a 2X World Champion. In her free time, Tiffany likes to hike with her 3 dogs, and enjoys working out!
Jr. Staff
Coming Soon!
Chloe Rack
Chloe Rack is a class and gymnastics team coach at Excite! She has been coaching for about 3 years. Before Chloe began coaching, she was a gymnast for 10 years. She is also a student athletic trainer at Flower Mound High School. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her friends and listening to music.
Crystal Sturdivant
Crystal Sturdivant is a gymnastics team and class coach at Excite! Crystal has been apart of the Excite!’s Junior Staff since 2022. Crystal was born in Kansas and moved to Flower Mound in 2019. She is currently a sophomore at Marcus High School. Before coaching, Crystal was on the Excite! Gymnastics team. Some of Crystal’s gymnastics accomplishments include, Vault state champion, Athlete of the year, and Most Improved Athlete. In her free time Crystal enjoys, running track in and out of school, and spending time with family and friends.
Coming Soon!
Katie Tuttle
Katie Tuttle is a gymnastics team and class coach at Excite! She has been apart of the Junior Staff team since 2020. Katie was born and raised in Flower Mound, Texas. She is currently a senior at Flower Mound High School. Before coaching, she was on the Excite! Gymnastics team. Some of her biggest gymnastics achievements include USAG State Beam Champion, Athlete of the Year, and two time torch winner. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, traveling, and listening to music!
Kaitlyn White
Kaitlyn has coached at Excite! for over a year. She has successfully done cheer, gymnastics, and dance for the last 11 years. She loves working with kids and getting to see their smiles when they come to class!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Kennedy Hodan
Kennedy Hodan is a preschool coach, and she has been with Excite! for ten years. Before she was a coach, she competed as a competitive gymnast with Excite for nine years, and just recently started coaching! She enjoys hanging out with her friends, tumbling, and traveling! She was born in Littleton Colorado, and moved to Texas when she was 4. Kennedy is currently a freshman at Marcus high school, and loves to coach!
Piper Johnson
Coach Piper has been with Excite! since 2017 and was on the Excite! gymnastics team for 7 years. She now enjoys coaching gymnastics classes. She is a freshman at Marcus High School and is a part of the track team.
Coming Soon!
In Loving Memory
Mark Ragar
Mark Ragar was a gymnastics and tumble coach at Excite!. Before coaching at Excite! Mark attended the University of Arkansas Little Rock and has worked with Pine Bluff School of Gymnastics, Lewisville Gymnastics Center, with National High School Teams Caroline Corkey and Wendy Cannon, and Irving High School. Due to his hard work, he won 2X Region 1 Coach of the year, 3 state championships with Pine Bluff, AR, Mark resided in Flower Mound Texas with his wife Karen. Together they have two sons. Mark's favorite quote was "We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." - T.S. Eliot.