History
When X-Cel Gymnastics opened its doors on Executive Drive in Cranberry Township in September 1993, Frank and Kathy Klein realized their dream of creating a state-of-the-art gymnastics-training center in Western Pennsylvania. Frank and Kathy have more than 25 years of experience in gymnastics, including experience on the national and international levels. Both were gymnasts at the University of Pittsburgh where they received Bachelor and Masters Degrees in the field of Business, Physical Education and Exercise Physiology. Frank served as the Assistant Gymnastics Coach at the University of Pittsburgh from 1979-1985. Both Frank and Kathy worked at Carol Leone Dance and Gymnastics from 1985-1993.
X-Cel All-Star Cheerleading was started in 2003. We started with one team of 10 cheerleaders and have tripled in size over the past six years. Our cheerleading staff is certified by the US All-Star Federation (USASF). In the past 6 years we have won the PA State Championships, Cheer Masters Champions, JamFest Excite Champions, Cheer Nations Champions along with winning bids to Nationals. We have our own fully operational Parent Organization.
X-Cel offers a highly trained staff to teach children from ages 18 months to 18 years. In addition to Competitive Cheerleading, our programs include: Recreational Gymnastics and Competitive Gymnastics and Pre-School Gymnastics. All staff member are certified in gymnastics safety and also in First Aid, CPR and professional development for gymnastics by USA Gymnastics.
Our Facility
We have expanded our facility three times since opening in 1993. The most recent expansion took place during 2003 and added 3,000 square feet, making X-Cel’s facility (15,000 square feet), one of the largest gymnastic facilities in Western Pennsylvania.
The facility features include:
· 4 floor exercise areas
· 3 bar areas
· 3 beams areas
· 3 vault areas
· 4 in-ground free foam pits
· In-ground Trampoline
· 33 foot and 25 foot tumble tramps
· Ski Floor and Spring Air Floor
· Men’s equipment
· Preschool equipment
Our Staff
X-Cel currently has 3 cheer coaches.
Abbey Orr started her cheerleading and gymnastics career when she was 8 years old. She was a gymnast for 6 years and a competitive cheerleader for 12 years. She was captain of her high school team for 4 years. Abbey went on to Slippery Rock College where she made the All Girl team and competed in the NCA Nationals in Daytona Florida. She cheered for SRU from 2002-2005. Throughout her years there, the team placed 4th and 5th out of 15 teams. At Slippery Rock, Abbey received a degree in Health and Physical Education and received minors in Adapted Physical Activity and Coaching. For the past eight years, she has worked at Twist and Shout All Stars as their tumble coach as well as a coach for all of their teams. She has also choreographed numerous routines for all-stars and for high schools. Abbey is the Head Coach of all squads.
Alissa Evans has been at X-Cel since 2007. She has 9 years of gymnastic experience and 19 years of competitive cheerleading experience. She was the captain of the cheerleading squad in college. Alissa has a degree from Geneva College in Elementary Education and Coaching. Alissa is employed at North Allegheny School District. She is a coach for our Dazzle and Glitz teams.
Kira Lyndon has been at X-Cel since 2006. Kira currently teaches our tumble tramp and recreational classes and is a coach for our Sparkle, Shimmer,Glamour, and Dazzle teams. She has a background in gymnastics and was a cheerleader for six years. She has a degree in Business Administration. Kira has been married for 13 years. She has 3 children, Kayla, Alyssa, and Trent.