Foothills Gymnastics & Cheer Center

Foothills Staff

Miss Kim shows gymnasts a signed declaration from the Governor celebrating National Gymnastics Day

Ms. Kim Gym Owner   Biography:        Kim Patterson is the owner of Foothills Gymnastics and Cheer Center. Kim was a former teacher in Pickens County. Kim is a graduate of Clemson University. She is a Professional Member of United States Gymnastics Association for the past 12 years. Kim is a recipient of numerous awards including Who’s Who Among Business Professionals and was named 2004 South Carolina Business Women of the Year. She has served on various boards including Pickens County Prevent Child Abuse, Easley Chamber of Commerce; Pickens County School District SCORE Board where she was instrumental in helping to write the largest grant ever awarded Pickens County School District of over 1 million dollars. Kim has raised thousands of dollars for local charities and was formerly the Executive Director of the Miss Easley Scholarship Pageant. Kim is a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 3 children.

Ms. Krista Operations Manager/Performance Team Director/Instructor Biography:      Krista Sutherland has been at Foothills since October 2000. She is the Operations Manager, the Coach of Gym Kix (a general gymnastics performance team), Aerials (a pre-team preparatory class), preschool and parent and tot classes, and also Advanced Tumbling 6-11 year olds. She has attended three National Gymnastics Congresses and National Gymnastics Championships: in Philadelphia PA, Cleveland OH, and Indianapolis IN. Krista is also an Instructor member of USAG and holds a National Safety Certification with USAG.          She is married to Ben Sutherland and has two children named Kayse (19) and Gray (12). She also has a Siberian husky named Nikki! Krista graduated from DW Daniel High school-Central, SC in 1985 and graduated from Southern Wesleyan University with a BA in Business Management in 1989. She was on the Southern Wesleyan Warriors Cheerleading Squad for 3 years. The last year she cheered, she also choreographed all the team’s spirit dance routines. Krista owns her own freelance photography business, Sutherland Hill Farms Photography, specializing in outdoor photography. She is available to do weddings, families, children, and pets.

Ms. Heather Team Director/Head Team Coach Biography:      Heather is the Team Director of the Foothills Competitive Gymnastics Program. She has 19 years of involvement with gymnastics. She coaches all of our Junior Olympic USA competitive team gymnasts, as well as helping out wherever needed. Heather began gymnastics at the age of eight. She competed for eight years until she was forced to retire as a Level 8 due to repetitive injuries. During her career, she competed at Fantastic Gymnastics (now Ultimate Gymnastics), Gymnastics World of Georgia, and NorthWind Gymnastics. She has coached competitive team, levels 3-8, for nine years now. Heather has worked at the UGA Gymdog Camp for a year as well as John Macready and John Roethlisberger’s Flip Fest Camp for four years now! Heather holds a Professional Membership of USA Gymnastics as well as being USAG Safety Certified. In her two years at Foothills, she has doubled our team program as well as developing 9 State Champions and 33 gymnasts placing in the top 3 at State!          Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology and was also a member of several academic honor societies. Heather and her husband Alan live near Clemson with their two cats, Belle and Tux. She loves gymnastics, going to the beach or lake, working out, summer, and animals.

Ms. Virginia Special Needs Instructor Biography        Ms. Virignia teaches preschool classes, parent and tot, and the boys classes. She loves teaching the children, and at the same time learning from them. It's so exciting getting to know all the different personalities.           Ms. Virginia is married to her best friend, Sean Cassell. She has one dog, two hamsters, and a fish. She enjoys bike rides, the mountains, and being outdoors.           Ms. Vigirinia felt her calling to work with children at the age of thirteen. She has recently found the Special Needs Program at Foothills Gymnastics, where she had the opportunity to go to the Special Olympics in Charleston last February. These children are very special and the time spent getting to know them is priceless.

Ms. Penny Special Needs Director/Instructor Biography:           Penny Crocker has been with Foothills since 1996. She has been involved in gymnastics for 29 years. She   competed nationally and internationally as well as competing at the collegiate level for James Madison University. Penny is the Special Olympic Director, Director of the Gym Buddies Program, and a class instructor. Penny has been involved with the Special Olympics since 1992. She was a Special Olympics gymnastics coach and judge at the South Carolina Special Olympics in Charleston, SC this past February.              Penny is married to Kevin and has one son, Clay, with another one on the way! She has lived in Easley all her life. Penny has a B.S. in Speech Pathology and has her Special Education Teacher Certification as well. In her free time, Penny loves camping, mountain biking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Stefanie    Assistant Team Coach/Instructor   Biography:        Stefanie is our newest assistant team coach. She helps coach Level 4-7. Stefanie competed for 10 years is Ohio and Georgia. Stefanie was a level 8, training 9 when she quit due to injuries. She has coached for 4 years, preschool up to level 4. She attends Clemson Univesity as a Health Science major and is minoring in Athletic Leadership. She is hoping to go to Physical Therapy school after she graduates in May 2009. She founded and is president of Clemson's club gymnastics team which began last year. She hopes to one day have a career that incorporates both gymnastics and physical therapy.

Ms. Julie Assistant Gym Kix Coach/Instructor   Biography

Ms. Rachel Level 3 Team Coach/Instructor Biography      Rachel Doyle has been doing gymnastics for 14 years. She competed at the optional level, as well as for her high school team, in which she led to winning back to back district championships as well as a regional championship, and placing in the top eight at State championship. In addition to doing gymnastics, Rachel cheered competitively for her high school team.    Rachel has been coaching at Foothills Gymnastics Center since Spring 2007, where she has taught the beginning and advanced tumbling classes and currently teaches basic skills and blue team classes. She previously helped coach Special Olympics teams in her area.      She is a junior at Clemson University majoring in Communication Studies with a double minor in French language and Business. Originally from Northern Virginia, Rachel loves being down in South Carolina and is thrilled to be a part of the Foothills Gymnastics Center family.

Mr. Adam  Instructor Biography