Coaches & Staff

Coaches & Staff
"Success at Every Level"

Coaches & Staff

Willow Tree Gymnastics & Cheer Registration Form
(printable)

GYM CLOSINGS:
Dec 24 - Dec 28
Dec 31 - Jan 4
April 10 - April 12
May 25

Ruth Limani. Willow Tree's owner and head coach studied gymnastics and dance for 13 years and has coached for 19 years. She has a B.A. from Saint Vincent College with a Pennsylvania Secondary Teaching Certification. Ruth taught Social Studies at Ligonier Valley School District for 8 years before opening Willow Tree Gymnastics Academy, Inc. in May 2000. Professional accreditations and memberships include the USAG, PDPI, Skill Evaluation, NAWGJ Level 9 Judge, and KAT Certification. Her philosophy reflects the Willow Tree motto of "Success at Every Level". "Every child at Willow Tree, regardless of age, ability or skill level, is encouraged to develop to their fullest potential. They are children first and athletes second. Each child's accomplishment, joy, fear, and effort is mine! They walk through the doors for different reasons, but walk out with a sense of pride for their achievements in this extremely demanding sport."
Steve Limani attended Penn State where he obtained a BA in Criminal Justice. He has been a PA State Trooper since 1999. Steve was an excellent athlete in his younger years and still participates in competitive sports. His coaching experience includes high school and youth basketball, baseball, golf, and most recently gymnastics. Steve assists with all levels at Willow Tree. He is USAG certified as a professional member and also has his safety certification as well as First Aid and CPR. He has studied gymnastics under Ruth's direction since 2003 and continues his education by studying literature, attending the National Congress, and most importantly: hands-on training. When asked how he believes gymnastics compares to all the other sports, Steve responds, "There is no comparison. In every other sport athletes have opportunities to correct mistakes. In gymnastics when the kids go out and compete they only have a few seconds to show what they've worked on all year. Oh, yeah, and they are supposed to keep a smile on their face, no matter how they do." He concludes by saying, "These kids are tremendous athletes." Rumor is that last comment resulted from a few of the girls doing more pull-ups than he!
Carol Adams has managed offices for all types of industries/businesses such as computer software development and sales to insurance and real estate companies. Not only is Carol a manager, she's also written for newspapers and published news letters. She has owned a craft and antique shop, partnered with her husband in a motorcycle shop, and in with her son and husband, has taken her son's invention from development and manufacture to market. Carol is a member and current president of the Greensburg Business and Professional Association, Secretary of the Westmoreland County Commission for Women and Families, and she's a volunteer for the American Heart Association.
Kathy Zacur (the MOTHER HEN of Willow Tree) has been with Ruth since she opened over 6 years ago. Kathy quit her job (17 years ago) in Pittsburgh to raise her three children: John, a student at St. Vincent College, and Samantha, a Level 7 gymnast at Willow Tree, and the biggest child of all... her husband Zac. Kathy was a PTO officer for 6 years at LES and is presently on the ACT 48 Committee with the Greater Latrobe School District as a Parent Advisor. "I feel that I'm the mother figure at Willow Tree. I love to bake, cook and clean. I love working at Willow Tree, I have a close bond to all the employees and their families and all the children who attend the gym. I feel that EVERY child that comes to Willow Tree is SPECIAL!!
Mandi Brown came to Willow Tree several years ago when her daughter, Meghan, currently a level 7 gymnast began her training at Willow Tree. After being a gymnast of four years herself, Mandi began training as a coach three years ago with Ruth Lamani, and she is still learning more every day. Her education as a coach, like all coaches here at Willow Tree, is ongoing by attending USAG seminars, keeping abreast of current gymnastic literature and training manuals, and "hands on" experience under the guidance of head coach and owner, Ruth Limani. She's a professional member of the USGA, has her National Safety Certification, and is part of the Gymnastics Congress. Mandi assists at various levels but works mainly with Willow Tree's Level 5 Team. In her spare time, Mandi walks her dogs, sews, and rides her dirt bike. When asked about her philosophy working as a coach and trainer of young girls, she said: "I expect my girls to work hard at every practice, have discipline and respect for their teammates and coaches at all times, and build self-confidence through what they've accomplished. Most importantly, they should have a little fun while their doing it!"
Becky Seigh was a competitive gymnast for 4 years and has been coaching for almost 11 years with Willow Tree Gymnastics. Becky is trained to coach preschool and compulsory level gymnastics. She has a USAG Professional Membership and USAG National Safety Certifications. Becky's personal philosophy of education is that children are able to work hard and have fun, if a variety of activities and educational environment is provided. She coaches because she loves to work with kids and because "it is a rewarding job when you know that you've helped a child." Favorites: movie-Big Fish, food-mashed potatoes, color-forest green and maroon, sport-snowboarding, gym event-bars, famous person-Will Ferrell
Cris A. Smith was a gymnast for most of her youth life. She has been a team coach for Willow Tree for the past 4 years and loves being a part of the staff. Cris has degrees in Sports Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Health & Physical Education. She holds her National Safety Certification, Act 33/34 Clearances, and is a Certified Basic Life Support Instructor. - Her philosophy of education is that "everyone can learn if someone would just has to take the time to teach them. Gymnastics is proven to be the only sport which incorporates all of the elements of health and fitness including: power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, reaction time, endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition. I believe that the physical and mental dedication in gymnastics is unmatchable!" Favorites: food - sushi, color - green, famous person - Jesus, book - any Patricia Cornwell, movie - Dumb and Dumber, gymnastics even - uneven bars (my personal best), sport - wrestling
Kori was a gymnast for 10 years and has been with Willow Tree since it opened. This is her fifth year as a coach, while she attends college for Fitness and Nutrition. - "My philosophy is to make sure my students get the most our of their time in the gym, accomplish their personal goals, and most importantly they should have fun! I coach for many reasons but the three main reasons are that I enjoy seeing the kid's faces when they do a trick for the first time that they've been working hard on, I love being a young role model to many of my students, and I love sharing my knowledge of a sort that was a major part of my life."
Erin Beattie
Samantha Zacur has been a gymnast for eight years and is in her second year of coaching pre-school, cheerleading, and gymnastics. She's accredited by the USGA with all safety certifications.
Heidi Lesko
Sandy Watson is a new Pre-School coach here at Willow Tree Gymnastics. She's been an instructor for one year and is a member of the PSEA as well as being a 1st Grade School Teacher at Hillview Elementary. After earning her Bachelors of Science from IUP, she continued her education in order to gain a Masters Degree in Literacy. - "My philosophy for teaching preschool gymnastics is to make sure that each child is exposed to the basic skills of gymnastics, while also learning to be part of a class... and most importantly having fun! I love to coach for the same reason that I love to teach, I love to see the excitement in a child when they learn something new and build self-confidence." Favorites: food - pizza, color - orange, movie - Empire Records, book - Harry Potter, famous person - Hines Ward, sport - football
Lisa Butz is going into her fifth year at WillowTree as a coach who has worked as a preschool and recreation class instructor and is now the head cheer coach of the Spirit Explosion All-Star Program. She has been safety certified in cheerleading by the AACCA and has NFHS Bronze Level credentials in Motions, Jumps, and Tumbling. She has also received credentials in Risk Management and Spirit Program Management. Her years of experience as a competitor and judge in Fitness American Pageants have given her an understanding of showmanship and creating winning routines from a judges perspective. Herplans this year include attending a National Conference to expand her USASF credentials and attend seminars to continue to improve the quality of our program. As a person with a background as a competitive athlete herself, Lisa has a love for the competitive enviroment and the creative process of a great routine. She loves and respects the sport of competitive cheerleading and is committed to bringing the best of her knowledge to the program. Her talents also include custom mixing the team music, which she loves to do because she says she loves to capture each team's personality and it allows her to select music to fit their individual strengths. Her goal is to train our All-Stars to not only become great athletes for competition, but great people who can be trusted, reliable, hardworking individuals who learn through our program how to be selfless and supportive to their teammates. "The social skills they develop are just as important as the athletic skills and they learn that their attitudes and actions on the team can be more important than talent." Lisa has recently decided to retire from her fitness pageants. "I have found that seeing our teams' trophies is far more rewarding than any award I have ever received. Knowing that you had a role in their achievement and seeing your visions come to life on the floor is the ultimate reward."