Our Coaches - the heart of our program
Brianna Haugen
Brianna was born and raised here in Aberdeen. She began her gymnastics career as a participant in AGA and moved on to compete for Aberdeen Central High School. After attending college and graduating from law school, she settled in Yankton, South Dakota. She began her coaching career at River City Gymnastics and Cheer, a club gymnastics team in Yankton, where she assisted the head coach with the competitive level girls and became a USAG certified coach. Brianna has always had a love for the sport and is excited to share her passion with all the members of AGA. Brianna states, "I am excited to be back in Aberdeen and return to AGA as a coach."
Sherise Rivera
Coach Sherise doesn’t remember when she did not want to be a gymnast. Because her small, rural town did not have gymnastics, her mom tried to distract her with dance. When a gymnastics club opened in Pierre, SD, although it was a drive, it was close enough that Sherise could complete her dream of being a gymnast. Sherise competed in club gymnastics for five years. Her coaching capabilities were noticed early by her club coach, and she helped instruct younger gymnasts in the club’s summer camps. Sherise went to on to help coach at a gymnastics gym in Grand Forks, ND and loved it. Having the opportunity to coach again has been a wonderful gift to Sherise, and she looks forward to sharing her passion and enthusiasm for the sport with your gymnast.
Brooke Malsom
I was born and raised in Aberdeen. I started my gymnastics career with AGA at th age of 2 and went on to compete for Aberdeen Central High School. I still currently hold the school record on the floor. After graduation, I attended Valley City State University where I went on to compete in track and field. I was also a competition coach for Valley City Twisters Gymnastics team for 3 years before retiring back to Aberdeen. I have always loved the sport of gymnastics and couldn't stay away. I am excited to share my gymnastics knowledge with the upcoming youth in our community.
Mary Franssen
Kaylee Naasz
Kaylee first started gymnastics when she was in the 5th grade. She is a Central High School student and is on the Central Varsity gymnastics team. In 2021-2022 she was awarded with the Rookie of the Year award. She has a passion for gymnastics and has also found she loves to coach as well.
Maggie Fites
Coach Maggie is a high school gymnast who got involved in the sport as a way to give her parents a break from her endless amounts of energy. After the Rio 2016 Olympics, she fell in love with gymnastics. Since then she has placed 2 consecutive times in state championships. She states, "In gymnastics I have grown as an athlete and person and have had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of coaches from all over the world." She has been coaching for the past 3 years and is excited to continue to be involved in AGA as a gymnast and as a junior coach.
Lindsey Stucke
The love of gymnastics for Lindsey started in the sixth grade and grew from there when she made the Huron High School JV gymnastics team in the seventh grade. She first started coaching gymnastics in high school for Parks and Rec. during the Summer months. A highlight during her high school tenure was when she and five others broke the high school team record which will be a memory she never forgets!
After graduating high school, she attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND. While in college, she became USAG certified and started coaching at a local club in 2000. There she coached all levels 1-10 including boys. The highlight of her first-year coaching club was meeting three-time Olympian, Blaine, Wilson!
From 2001 to 2006 she helped coach JV for Aberdeen Central along with AGA when it originally started. Later on, she helped at NGPC and was the head Aberdeen Middle School coach while her two daughters participated in the sport. Lindsey is passionate about gymnastics and is eager to share her knowledge and love of the sport!
Jo Jarrott
Jo is from Aberdeen. She is a varsity gymnast on the Central High School gymnastics team. She will be a sophmore this year. Fun fact, Jo has been in gymnastics since she was 3 years old!
Taryn Nieman
Taryn Nieman began gymnastics when she was younger and competed competitively for 3 years. "Gymnastics has always been fun for me and I love watching younger kids get to expirence getting better and doing something they love. I also coach T-Ball and softball as well during the summers." She attend Central High School and will graduate in 2024.
John Batteen
John got into gymnastics as an adult by way of strength training on the rings. After attending open gyms and asking questions for a while he started working at Northfield Gymnastics Club in Minnesota as an assistant coach. He's been training on the job ever since, with almost four years coaching experience at previous facilities. He lives on his family farm near Cresbard and will talk to you all day about plants, especially fruit trees or cacti. "I'm glad to be back coaching and sharing my love of the sport after a few years off, and grateful for the opportunity to continue my education as a coach and an athlete. I look forward to seeing AGA grow."

