Columbia's Premiere Elite National Champion Cheerleading & Dance Program!
Meet Our Coaches
Joe & Kelly Eagle- Owners & Head Coach
Coach Kelly has been involved in tumbling, dance, and cheerleading her entire life. She started out as a gymnast at age 3. She was a member of a traveling tumbling team that performed throughout Central Illinois. She cheered her freshman year of high school and then switched to dance in order to compete. Kelly choreographed routines and competed in lyrical, pom, and jazz divisions (IDTA). Placing top 5 in the state, earning UDA All-American honors and the Most Valuable Senior Award.
She then came to Missouri to attend Mizzou and soon discovered All-Star cheerleading. She began coaching at Spirit of Missouri Elite aiding them in winning over 20 National Championships, including a 1st place finish at U.S. Finals. Kelly choreographs cheerleading, dance, and competition routines across the state. She has done champion choreography for Van-Far High School, Fayette High School, Tolton Catholic High School, Sturgeon High School, Harrisburg High School, Pacific High School, New Bloomfield High School, Rock Bridge High School and Central Methodist University to name a few. She has traveled across the country teaching cheerleading camps from beginner to elite as well as judging. She has attended numerous All-star and High School Coaching conferences in order to stay on top of the newest skills and trends within the cheerleading industry. She has done voice critique, score tabulation and judged for the Missouri Cheerleading Coaches Association’s High-School Regionals. Kelly has competed across the country on a National Champion level 7 (College) All-Star squad with Spirit of Missouri Elite, during this time she was also honored with the most outstanding coach award. In 2010 she was an assistant coach to the Central Methodist University Dance Team. 2009-2011 she was an assistant coach, choreographer, and tumbling coach for the Rock Bridge Bruin High School Cheerleaders. She has 18+ years of All-Star, class, camp and tumbling coaching experience. Kelly has a private tumbling client base that has followed her since 2008 and has also ran private tumbling for several high school programs as well. 2011-2014; She was the Cheer Program Director at a local gymnastics gym, leading her squads to a 2nd place finish at U.S. Finals in 2011 and 2013 as well as organizing and running a successful program during three full cheer seasons where the program tripled under Kelly's direction. She is ACCAA Certified, First Aid Certified, an NFHS Interscholastic Coach, PCA (positive coaching alliance ) certified and is credentialed through level 6 in tosses, building, and tumbling by the United States All Star Federation (USASF) Cycle 2.
In 2014, together with her husband Joe, they pursued their dreams by opening Eagle Elite, LLC. Eagle started season one with over 40 competitive team athletes. Kelly was soon after honored as Inside Columbia Magazine’s Best of Columbia 2015- Best Youth Sports Coach as well as Best Entrepreneur 2015. Eagle Elite is a family-oriented gym that offers safety, quality progression, and a positive atmosphere, as well as experienced, credentialed instruction and a standard for confidence building through coaching they are proud of. Kelly has a passion for cheer and tumbling and works to provide a safe and positive environment for our youth. With all the negativity in today's society she takes pride in setting an intentional culture in our gym of positivity, team work, and perseverance; where hard work is always rewarded and goals are achieved together as a family.
She strives to encourage and lift kids up, building confidence and helping our athletes to learn real life lessons through competitive cheerleading, dance and tumbling in a safe space.
Kelly is excited to be able to utilize sports such as cheerleading and dance to teach and instill values in our children. Teamwork, dedication, respect, patience and hard work are just a few of the things cheer, dance, and gymnastics have taught her. She is thrilled to be able to pass on these life lessons, as well as her passion for these sports to future generations!
Credentials and Certifications:
USASF Safety Certified and credentialed through Level 6 - Cycle 2 (tumbling and building)
Yearly Criminal Background Checked - Green Light
Safe Sport Certified-USASF
AACCA Certified - (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators)
Positive Coaching Alliance Certified (PCA)
Certified NFHS Interscholastic Coach
NAIA Certified Collegiate Judge
CPR and First Aid Certified
Special Needs Certified- USASF/Special Olympics
Best of Columbia- Best Youth Sports Coach 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Best of Columbia -Best Entrepreneur 2015 & 2016
Award Winning Choreographer - (High School State, All-Star National, NCA and NAIA Collegiate Champion routines)
20+ years of coaching experience in Columbia (High School, College and All-Star)
University of Missouri-Columbia Bachelor of Arts-Interdisciplinary Studies (Marketing and Communications) Minor in English
ASEP Certified –Cardiac Wise, Concussion Wise and Heat Wise
25+ years’ experience competing cheer (high school and all-star), dance (UDA All American) and gymnastics
Opened Eagle Elite in 2014
Available for Private Lessons
Jeseca Downes- Coach & Gym Director
Coach Jeseca is a local from Columbia Missouri. She graduated from Rock Bridge High school in 2013, and then the University of Missouri in 2017 with a bachelors degree in Health Science and Minors in both Wellness and Psychology. She began dancing when she was 3 years old, taking classes at Columbia Performing Arts Center, but then fell in love with the world of competitive cheerleading when she was 10. While in high school Jeseca was captain of the Varsity cheer team, and won the team’s first and only State Championship. She began coaching tumbling, gymnastics and dance classes in 2010 at The Little Gym of Columbia, where she quickly became a head instructor and assistant manager, she then joined the coaching staff at Eagle Elite Cheerleading when they opened in 2014. Along with coaching cheerleading Jeseca is also a certified hot yoga instructor with her 200hr certification and has been teaching hot yoga at Sumits Hot Yoga for 5+ years. Jeseca is also Eagle Elite's Gym Director, and when she is not on the floor coaching you can usually find her up at the front desk. With 14+ years of coaching experience Coach Jeseca loves being able to work with so many amazing athletes and help them to grow to be better cheerleaders, athletes, and people.
Credentials & Certifications:
USASF Safety certified and credentialed through level 4 (tumbling and building) – Cycle 1
Yearly Criminal Background Checked - Green Light
Safe Sport Certified-USASF
Positive Coaches Alliance (PCA) Certified Coach
AACCA Certified (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators)
NAIA Certified Collegiate Judge
CPR and First Aid Certified
Yoga Alliance Certified Hot Yoga Instructor
Best of Columbia- Best Yoga Instructor
University of Missouri-Columbia
-Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science
-Minors in Wellness and Psychology
ASEP Certified –Cardiac Wise, Concussion Wise and Heat Wise
Completed 10+ years coaching All-Star Cheerleading
14+ years’ experience coaching tumbling
Eagle Staff since 2014
Available for Private Lessons:
Dr. Brandie Morgan Jack- Coach & Tumbling Specialist
Training under Johnny Moyal at Elite Gymnastics (Baton Rouge, La.), Brandie Morgan-Jack began her competitive gymnastics career at age 4 and continued until she graduated high school. Her highest gymnastics level competed was level 8. Concurrently, she was also a member of the competitive dance team at the Melissa Zeno’s Acclaimed School of Dance (Baton Rouge, La.) for 7 years. Brandie was also involved in the elementary, middle school and high school cheer and dance squads at Southern University Laboratory School (Baton Rouge, La.). During her senior year in high school she was Co-captain of the varsity cheer squad.
Following high school, Brandie attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) (Natchitoches, La.) where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology. During that time, she was a member of the NSU Co-ed Cheer Squad for 4 years and served as Captain her final year. While at cheer camp her senior year she was invited to try out for employment with the National Cheerleading Association, and was soon after hired. Brandie worked as NCA Staff as a Cheer Instructor for 4 years, and was promoted to Head Instructor her final year.
In 2008 Brandie moved to Columbia to attend the University of Missouri where she obtained her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences. During that time, she competed one season as a member of the Spirit of Missouri level 6 open all-star cheer squad (Columbia, Mo.). Upon graduation in 2013, she assisted Kelly Eagle coaching the All-Star level 1-3 teams at Authority Gymnastics and Cheer (Columbia, Mo.). She began coaching at Eagle Elite Cheerleading in 2014 when they opened and has been a member of the coaching staff for all 9 seasons, coaching levels 1-4.
Brandie is married to Coach OJ, and together they have two boys. Coach Brandie loves being in the cheer gym and working with all of the athletes. Her years of experience and knowledge make her an excellent coach and a great part of our Eagle family.
Credentials & Certifications:
USASF Safety Certified and credentialed through Level 6 tumbling, Level 5 building-Cycle 1
Yearly Criminal Background Checked - Green Light
Safe Sport Certified-USASF
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Certified
CPR and First Aid Certified
Northwestern State University of Louisiana -Bachelor of science (Biology)
University of Missouri- Columbia -PhD in Biological Sciences
ASEP Certified –Cardiac Wise, Concussion Wise and Heat Wise
NCA Staff-3 years
NCA Staff- Head Instructor-1 year
Completed 11+ years coaching All-Star Cheerleading
25+ years’ experience competing cheer (high school, all-star and collegiate as well as gymnastics (level 8))
Eagle Staff since 2014
Available for Private Lessons:
Otonye Jack- Stunt Coach
Otonye Jack (Coach OJ) was born and raised in Kansas City Missouri.
He attended high school at Center Sr. High School. While in Highschool he was apart of the debate team, student council, marching band, football team, wrestling team, and cheerleading and all Star cheerleading teams.
OJ attended College at Central Methodist University in Fayette Missouri where he played football and was on the cheer team for the 1st 2 year of college, he then switched to only cheer his last 2 years at CMU. During his 2 final years OJ was also the captain of the cheer team. While at CMU OJ received his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Minored in Business.
OJ's cheer experience includes a year of high school cheer in Kansas City, a year of All-Star cheer at the Elite All Star Panthers, and 4 years at Central Methodist University. OJ began coaching competitive cheerleading in 2009 at the University of Missouri Kansas City before moving to Columbia, and has coached with Kelly Eagle for over 9 years.
OJ is married to the amazing coach Brandie and father to two beautiful boys, J.J. and Tyson. He is an IT professional for Veterans United Home Loans and his hobbies include smoking meats, watching football, telling dad jokes and enjoying life.
"I'm in the business of creating awesome human beings. I simply use cheerleading as my tool to do so. I love every one of our athletes and want to see them successful; not only I'm cheerleading but also in life."
Credentials and Certifications:
USASF Safety Certified and credentialed through Level 5 - Cycle 1 (tumbling and building)
Yearly Criminal Background Checked - Green Light
Safe Sport Certified-USASF
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Certified
CPR and First Aid Certified
Central Methodist University -Bachelor’s of Science (Computer Science with a Minor in Business)
ASEP Certified –Cardiac Wise, Concussion Wise and Heat Wise
CMU Co-ed Cheer 2006 - 2010
CMU Co-ed Cheer Captain 2008-2010 UMKC Asst. Cheer Coach 2012-2013
9+ years coaching All-Star Cheerleading 15+ years’ experience competing cheer
Eagle Staff since 2014
Private Lessons upon special request:
Jenna Downes- Lead Coach
Coach Jenna is a local from Columbia Missouri. She graduated from Rock Bridge High school in 2020. Before finding her love of competitive cheerleading Jenna was on the competitive dance team at Columbia Performing Arts Center (CPAC) for several years. She began cheering at Eagle Elite in 2015 and has won multiple national championship titles with her teams and has been a part of Eagle Elite ever since. Coach Jenna competed with Eagle Elite for her final year of eligibility on "Soar" in her super senior year, and competed on Eagle Elite's first competitive dance team "Fly Girls" winning 3 first place titles. Coach Jenna is currently competing on Eagle Elite's Open/College Cheer team, "Golden Eagles". She completed her training as a junior coach in 2018 and now coaches multiple classes and teams at Eagle. She has a true gift for working with kids and her love and passion for coaching cheerleading makes her a great part of our coaching staff.
Credentials & Certifications:
Registered Coach with United States All Star Federation
USASF Safety Certified & Credentialed through Level 2 Tumbling and Building- Cycle 1
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
Safe Sport Certified- USASF
Baseline Coach Course Certified-USASF
Positive Coaches Alliance (PCA) Certified
CPR and First Aid Certified
Eagle Elite Athlete of the Year Award Recipient - 2021
Completed 2 years of required hands on Jr. Coach Training with Eagle Core Staff
6+ Years Coaching All Star Cheerleading
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
12 years' experience competing cheer and dance
Eagle Staff since 2019
Available for Private Lessons:
Kali Baker- Lead Coach & Dance Coach
Kali Baker is from Columbia Missouri and graduated from Rock Bridge High school in 2019. She began cheering at Eagle Elite in 2015 during season 2 and has been with Eagle ever since. She has won multiple national championship titles, has 7 years of all star cheer experience, 2 years of school cheer experience, and 2 years of all star dance experience. Kali is also a member of the national championship collegiate dance team "Envy" at Central Methodist University where she is currently studying marine biology. Kali completed her junior coach training in 2020 and now currently coaches several of our cheer and dance teams along with classes. She has a love for cheer and dance and for coaching and we love having her as a part of our coaching team!
Credentials & Certifications:
Registered Coach with United States All Star Federation
USASF Safety Certified & Credentialed through level 2 tumbling & building- Cycle 1
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
Safe Sport Certified- USASF
Eagle Elite Athlete of the Year Award Recipient - 2021
Completed 1 year of required hands on Jr. Coach Training with Eagle Core Staff
Completed 4 Year Coaching All Star Cheerleading
7 years' experience competing all star cheer
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
Eagle Staff since 2021
Available for Private Lessons:
Alexis Tulak- Lead Coach
Coach Alexis got her start in the all-star competitive cheer world at Eagle Elite in 2015. She graduated from Sturgeon High school in 2020 where she also cheered all 4 years for football, basketball and their competitive team. She recently graduated from Columbia College with a degree in business administration. During her years competing with Eagle Elite she has won multiple national championships titles, received multiple bids and competed with her team Soar, at the D2 Summit in 2022. Coach Alexis is currently still cheering at Eagle on the Open/ College team "Golden Eagles" and was also cheering at Columbia College until she graduated. Alexis completed her junior coach training in 2020 and now coaches teams and classes. Coach Alexis loves being able to share the love of cheerleading with all the kids at Eagle Elite, and is a great member of our coaching team.
Credentials & Certifications:
Registered Coach with United States All Star Federation
USASF Safety Certified & Credentialing through level 2 tumbling & building- Cycle 1
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
Safe Sport Certified- USASF
Eagle Elite Athlete of the Year Award Recipient - 2021
Completed 1 year of required hands on Jr. Coach Training with Eagle Core Staff
Completed 4 Year Coaching All Star Cheerleading
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
8 years' experience competing cheer
Eagle Staff since 2021
Available for Private Lessons:
Brooklynn Bellah- Coach
Coach Brooklynn is from Kansas City Missouri. Cheerleading has been apart of her life since she was in the 4th grade. She started doing tumbling classes at Spirit Zone, then continued to be on the competitive teams, where she won several national championships and was a finalist at "D2 Summit", and top 5 at NCA. Brooklynn graduated in 2022 from Lee's Summit High school, where she was also on the Varsity cheer team, and received the "All-American" award. Outside of cheerleading, Brooklynn is currently a sophomore at the University of Missouri where she is majoring in Human Development and Family Science, to eventually go on to be a Child Life Specialist. She has a passion for working with children, and building strong long lasting friendships with kids. Soon after being away at college, Brooklynn realized that she missed being involved with Cheerleading, and being in the cheer gym. At Eagle Elite, she coaches Hatchlings and Talon, along with some tumbling classes. She is also on the Open Cheer team, "golden Eagles". Coach Brooklynn loves working at Eagle Elite, and is so grateful she found such a welcoming gym to work at, with such amazing staff and athletes.
Credentials & Certifications:
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
CPR Certified
First aid Certified
-All American Award
11 years' experience competing cheer
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
Eagle Staff since 2023
Available for Private Lessons:
Eastyn Reid- Coach
Coach Eastyn is from Kansas City Missouri. Cheerleading has been apart. of her life since she was little. She started cheering competitively when she was just 5 years. When she was 11 she started cheering at Spirit Zone where she won several national championships. In 2022 she decided to go to KC Cheer where she won several more national championships, made it to finals at Summit, and won NCA. Eastyn graduated in 2023 from Lee's Summit High school. She was also on the Varsity cheer team since her sophomore year and was cheer captain her senior year. Outside of cheerleading Eastyn is currently a freshman at the University of Missouri where she is majoring in nursing, to eventually go on to be a pediatric or nicu nurse. She has a passion for working with children, and helping young athletes grow. Soon after being away at college, Eastyn realized that she missed being involved with Cheerleading and her roommate Brooklynn told her about Eagle Elite. At Eagle she coaches several classes and assists with several teams. She loves working at Eagle Elite, and is so grateful she got the opportunity to work with kids doing the sport she loves with such an amazing staff and athletes.
Credentials & Certifications:
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
CPR Certified
First aid Certified
8 years' experience competing cheer
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
Eagle Staff since 2024
Ella McClung- Dance Coach
Ella McClung is from Columbia MO. She is a former Golden Girl at the University of Missouri, was a former Bruin Girl, and has years of experience as a competitive dancer at Columbia Performing Arts Center. Ella will be coaching our competitive dance teams and dance classes and we are so happy to have her!
Credentials & Certifications:
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
Eagle Staff since 2024
Available for Dance Private Lessons
Sammy Baker Weise- Dance Coach
Sammy Weise will be joining the Eagle Elite Family as we continue to grow our dance program this upcoming season. As the former owner/director of The Dance Academy Sammy brings years of experience and we are so excited to have her! Sammy, a graduate of Central Methodist University with a double major in Child Development and Psychology, proudly calls Columbia Missouri her hometown. Sammy has over twenty years of dance experience and was honored with the teacher of the year award at Tribute's National Dance Competition in 2017. Sammy's commitment to dance education is evident from her seven years of teaching at the Academy of Fine Arts, and six years as the owner and director at The Dance Academy. She was also the head coach for the Hickman High school Dance team for 5 years, and is currently starting her first year as an assistant coach for the Tolton High school Dance team.
Credentials & Certifications:
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
Available for Dance Private Lessons Soon!
Tyler White- Coed Stunt Coach
Coach Tyler is currently a grad student at the University of Missouri. He recently graduated from Baylor University with a degree in journalism and minors in Religion and Philosophy. After playing volleyball in high school he was recruited to join cheer at Baylor. He was on the Co-ed cheer team for 3 years and during that time he served as team Chaplin and team Captain. Prior to moving to Columbia he worked as a coach at Texas Dynasty in Waco Texas teaching gymnastics, tumbling and stunting. Coach Tyler will be assisting Coach Kelly with our Open/College team "Golden Eagles" and will be offering coed stunting private lessons.
Credentials & Certifications:
Coming Soon
Available for Private Coed Stunt Lessons
Paige Fitton- Coach
Coach Paige is from St. Louis, Missouri. Cheerleading has been a big part of her life for over 14 years. She began taking tumbling classes and cheering for a recreational football team at 4 years old. She began competitive cheerleading when she was 7 years old at Spirit Elite and continued her all star cheer career all the way up until she was 18 years old at Cheer St. Louis where she won several national championship titles and got to compete at The Summit, placing 5th in the nation. In addition, she cheered for her high school, Fort Zumwalt West, for 4 years with 3 of those being on the varsity team and being captain. Paige graduated in 2021 from Fort Zumwalt West Hight School with Summa Cum Laude honors. Paige recently graduated from the University of Missouri, where she majored in Elementary Education. She has been a preschool teacher for 2 years and has a passion for working with children. While she no longer lives in Columbia, her passion and commitment to Eagle Elite continue, and she will be coming back for special classes and clinics. She absolutely love working at Eagle Elite and being able to watch the kids grow as people and as athletes and we are so happy to have her as part of our coaching staff.
Credentials & Certifications:
Registered Coach with United States All Star Federation
Yearly Criminal Background Checked- Green Light
CPR Certified
First aid certified
Completed 2 seasons coaching at Eagle Elite
Completes Yearly Continued Education and Coach Training
12 years' experience competing cheer
Eagle Staff since 2022
Available for Private Lessons
Junior Coaches
Rosie Anderson- Junior Coach
Coach Rosie has been at Eagle Elite for 6 seasons. She began attending tumbling classes when she was 8, and joined the competitive program a year later and has been loving it ever since. She is currently on our Elite team "Soar" and is also on one of our All-Star dance teams "Fly Girls". She attends Rock Bridge High School, and before joining Eagle she did multiple years of softball and dance. During her past seasons competing at Eagle Elite she and her teams have had many accomplishments. In season 8 she competed at the D2 summit with her teams "Raptors" and "Clutch", and in season 9 she competed at the All-Star Worlds Championship with teams "Soar" and "Flight" on day one, and helped lead "Flight" to Finals in day 2, making "Flight" the first cheer team in Eagle Elite history to make it to day 2 finals at the All-Star World Championships. Rosie started our junior coaching program in the beginning of season 10, where she assists Eagle coaches with team practices and classes, while learning how to be a great cheer coach. Along with assisting in practices and classes Rosie also goes through training sessions that are required for all Eagle Elite Coaches to learn and stay current on coaching techniques, proper progressions, tumbling drills, safe spotting techniques and positive coaching. She began junior coaching because of her love for the sport and love for all the kids at Eagle. She loves working with kids and loves coaching them just as much. This year she is assisting with team "Hatchlings", "Talon" and "Flight" as well as several classes.
"I love seeing their faces after getting new skills, and the big hugs I get before every practice" Rosie not only hopes to form great athletes, but just as great people, with big, caring, and loving hearts. She can't wait to see what season 10 will bring!
Aubrey Jenkins- Junior Coach
Coach Aubrey is currently a junior coach at Eagle Elite. This is her 7th season at Eagle where she is on two Elite competitive teams, "Raptors" and "Soar", and she is also on our senior competitive dance team "Fly Girls" She started her cheerleading career here in season 5 when she was 9, and fell in love with the sport. Aubrey goes to Rock Bridge High School. She has a background in gymnastics and dance as well as all star cheerleading. Throughout the years that she has been cheering, Aubrey has won multiple national titles with her various teams, she also competed at the D2 Summit in 2022 with her team "Clutch". Aubrey is currently in Eagle Elite's Junior Coaching Program where she assists our coaches with team practices and classes as she gains experience and training on how to be an Eagle Elite Coach. Along with assisting in practices and classes she also goes through training sessions that are required for all Eagle Elite Coaches to stay current on coaching techniques, proper progressions, tumbling drills, safe spotting techniques and positive coaching. Aubrey believes in the importance of teaching children to be good people as well as good athletes. She started her junior coaching journey earlier this year because of her passion for all-star cheerleading and her love for children pursuing this sport. She is so excited to teach new generations of cheerleaders at Eagle. She currently assist with teams "Feathers", "Talon" and "Swoop" along with several classes.
"This sport has shaped me so much as a person, and Eagle has been a huge part of that. The first time I stepped into the doors of this gym, I knew that it would be a very important place to me. The staff not only cares about how good of an athlete you can be, they also want each athlete to be a good person inside and outside of cheer. I'm so thankful to have gotten to experience the gift of cheerleading. I've met some of my best friends at this gym and made memories that will last a lifetime. I cannot wait to help pass on my love of this sport to the next generation of athletes."
Eagle Family
Welcome to Eagle Elite!
Special Tumbling Clinics- Sat. 5/10
Season 12 Info Packets are now available!
Save the date: Season 12 Tryouts- May 17th!
Registration is now open!
New to Eagle Elite?
Check us out with a FREE Trial Class!
Gym Closed 4/14-4/27