Meet Our Staff at Pinnacle Gymnastics

About Us

Pinnacle Gymnastics Staff

Pinnacle Gymnastics employs an energetic, knowledgeable staff that share a love for gymnastics and a desire to share our passion with the youth in the Kansas City metro! In addition to our directors below, Pinnacle has many part time instructors and staff that help Pinnacle accomplish its mission.

The mission of Pinnacle Gymnastics is to encourage youth to reach their physical and mental potential through gymnastics. We employ an energetic, skilled coaching staff, that provides the best level of instruction for every child regardless of ability. Self motivation, perseverance, dedication: the lessons learned at Pinnacle carry far beyond the walls of the gym. Check out the Pinnacle Gymnastics facility.

FOUNDER

Morgan Kuchynka

Morgan is the owner and head coach at Pinnacle Gymnastics. After retiring from 9 years of competitive gymnastics and reaching her peak at level 10, Morgan began coaching in 2000 and immediately knew it was her true passion. After graduation from the University of Kansas in 2005 with a business degree, Morgan opened Pinnacle Gymnastics Shawnee in its original location. After three years, Pinnacle had outgrown its first location and moved into a larger space in Perimeter Park in Shawnee, KS. Morgan strives to make Pinnacle a place for children of all ages and abilities to learn and love the sport of gymnastics.

Morgan is a USA Gymnastics Professional Member and the Chairman of the USA Gymnastics Kansas State Administrative Committee.

Together with Hannah Thomas, Morgan has helped multiple athletes earn spots on collegiate gymnastics teams.

Morgan is married to Dan (2006) and Mom to Grant (2008), Adam (2010), and Reese (2012).

Hannah is the program director at Pinnacle Gymnastics. Hannah grew up in Pittsburg, Kansas where she was a gymnast for five years. At the end of her gymnastics career she decided to try coaching and instantly became hooked. After a year of coaching Hannah became the gymnastics director at the Pittsburg YMCA. Hannah continued as the director and team coach through high school and college. In July of 2009 Hannah moved to Kansas City to join the Pinnacle team. Hannah coaches all levels of gymnastics. For Hannah the best part of coaching is watching gymnastics increase a child’s confidence.

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Courtney is the Recreational Director at Pinnacle Gymnastics. She joined Pinnacle in November of 2018 and has had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of each of their programs, preschool, ELT, ninja, recreational classes, and team. She currently coaches DP team levels 4-6, Recreational classes, and Xcel Diamond.

Courtney first started coaching in Georgia at the age of 15 and hasn't looked back since! She has 25 years of experience in competitive dance, competitive cheer and in all levels of gymnastics both as an athlete and as a coach.

Courtney's personal philosophy matched Pinnacle's from day one, to encourage our youth to reach their physical and mental potential through sport.

She loves and is passionate about football, her husband Tyler, dog-son Blue-Bear, her family and, of course, gymnastics. More than any of these, she is beyond grateful to be in a place where she can be a positive influence in her kiddo's lives. Courtney works every day to show each and every one of her athletes how great they are and how impactful they can be!

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Rachel joined the coaching staff in February 2011 and is now the Assistant Team Director at Pinnacle Gymnastics. Before she began coaching, she was a competitive gymnast at Pinnacle Gymnastics through level eight. Rachel graduated from the University of Kansas in May 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Business. Her favorite part about coaching is seeing the growth each child makes throughout their gymnastics career and helping them gain confidence and life skills.

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Allie began her career at Pinnacle on Pinnacle's opening day in 2005. She competed as a Pinnacle athlete for many years through level 10 and continued her gymnastics career in college. After ending her college career early, Allie realized she could not leave the sport behind and decided to make the rewarding commitment to coach and help the next generation of gymnasts learn in a like-minded and positive environment.

Allie is the Assistant Team Director and Equipment Manager at Pinnacle Gymnastics. She joined the Pinnacle coaching team in 2022. Allie coaches level 7-10 as well as Xcel Diamond.

Allie first started coaching in North Carolina in 2015 and has continued to grow in her knowledge and love for the sport. Her main coaching goals are to not only help each individual athlete reach their full athletic potential but more importantly to be a positive influence in each of her athlete's eyes.

She loves and is passionate about her family including boyfriend Jamal, daughter Charli and her dogs Bonnie/Tarzan. Allie is beyond thankful to be back in Kansas and coaching/learning with the ones who helped her fall in love with the sport in the first place!

Allie

Amber is the Director of our Gymnastics Extended Learning Program (ELT). She has been with Pinnacle since 2013 both as a customer and staff member. She and her family have lived in the Western Shawnee/ DeSoto Community for over 13 years and love the area.

Volunteering plays a big role in her life, from working with an Outreach program for the Homeless, hospital volunteering, church, and other community events. Her favorite part of working with the younger kiddos is watching them grow and learn. The ELT program is an extension of learning through movement in the gym and the classroom.

She loves starting her day with giggles, stories, singing, dancing and so much sunshine each kiddo brings to the class. Her class motto is “Its a Good Day to Have a Good Day” and they do everyday.

Amber

Laura joined Pinnacle Gymnastics as the Office Manager 2021. Before becoming a part of the Pinnacle Family, Laura was in the corporate world wearing many hats getting a range of experience. After becoming a full-time remote worker after the pandemic, Laura decided there was a need for a full life change. Her favorite part of the gym is the positive and inviting atmosphere. Laura enjoys seeing the children coming in so happy and excited to be there, and getting to spend the day interacting with the kids and their families. With her own children nearing adult-age (or very close to it!), it is a great way for Laura to continue to be involved with the youth of the community.

Laura

Michelle is the Recreational Dance Director at Pinnacle Dance & Gymnastics Kansas City. She grew up in the Belleville area of southern Illinois and began dancing at age two. During high school, she apprenticed for Coalescence Dance Company, a local modern dance troupe.

Michelle graduated from McKendree University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Speech Communication where she was captain of the dance team. After college, she decided to try teaching and loved it.

In 2016, Michelle moved to Kansas City and joined the then Byrd's Dance and Gymnastics staff. At Pinnacle Kansas City, she teaches all levels of dance and all styles - her favorites being ballet and tap. She is excited continue sharing her love of dance with others. When not teaching, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband, Mat, and dog, Dozer.

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Ashlyn is the Gym Team Manager at Pinnacle Dance and Gymnastics. She grew up in a military family, training at gyms across the country through level 8. Ashlyn continued her love of gymnastics through coaching and choreography while attending college. She graduated from Missouri Western University with a Bachelor’s of Science (health and exercise science) and then received her Personal Training Certification. Ashlyn’s favorite part about coaching is helping develop happy and healthy athletes with a love for the sport of gymnastics.

Ashlyn

Kennedy Trimble is the Director of Pinnacle KC Dance Company and Crew. Originally from Burlington, KS, Kennedy has been coaching dance since 2013s and has over 25 years of dance experience. After dancing K-12, Kennedy attended Kansas State University where she was part of the K-State Dance Department. She went on to choreograph for various groups and teams across Kansas including Emporia State Stingers, Kansas Wesleyan University Dance Team, as well as many high schools and dance studios.

Kennedy moved to Kansas City in 2020 and has been the director of the Dance Company and Crew ever since. She enjoys all styles of dance and strives to continue her knowledge and reach in the industry through continued training. Kennedy combines fun and hard work to push young dancers towards achieving their goals and grow through their love of dance.

Kennedy

Leeanne is the gymnastics director at Pinnacle KCK. She began coaching over 20 years ago when her daughter took an interest in the sport. Prior to that, she worked as a Registered Nurse.

As part of a military family, she had the opportunity to coach in a variety of locations including Alaska. Leeanne enjoys interacting with gymnastics families, helping gymnasts reach their personal goals, and coaching
with her daughter Ashlyn.

When away from the gym, Leeanne looks forward to spending time with her husband Rob.

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Meet Our Staff

FOUNDER

Morgan Kuchynka

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