AGA History

In 1996 some dedicated parents saw the need for a recreational gymnastics program, not only to help their children, but many other interested gymnasts out there. SueAnn Yonkovich and Heidi Rush began AGA with about 60 members in the basement of the old CHS (which is now Park & Recreation). They quickly worked with the CHS gymnastics team and coaches to try to build their program as well. Various coaches came through the program and the members grew.

In 1999 SueAnn wished to find someone new to take the program to the next level. Through other connections, Jen Deutsch met with SueAnn and they quickly saw that they had the same interests for this AGA program. Jen Deutsch graduated in 2000 from college and moved to Aberdeen. She had already been coaching high school gymnastics in Minnesota for 4 years. She had interest in trying to work with the younger gymnasts. She took the job in 2001 and every year the program continued to grow.

The AGA relocated to Henry Neil gym when they tore the school part down. This was short lived and they soon returned to the basement of old CHS. In 2004 the new CHS facility was built along with a bran new gymnastics facility! This could not have happened without dedicated AGA parents and the CHS Athletic Director, Gene Brownell.

Today the AGA is made up of a Board of parents to help with financial decisions, a great coaching staff and on average 250 members a year!

This AGA program has turned into a great feeder program for the CHS gymnastics competitive team (6th-12th grade) which is now also lead by Coach Jen Deutsch and Michelle Adams. Someday our hopes are to mold into a Club program where our younger gymnasts (age 7 on up) could start competing with other Clubs in SD.

For now all involved could not ask for a better facility and a more wonderful, dedicated community to keep the AGA running.