Cal West Team Coaches
Lisa Aguirre (Owner)
Neal Gallant
Maria Traggio
Jennifer Battaglia
Jadee McLean
Monica Cox
Lisa Aguirre Owner and Optional Coach
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 Lisa Aguirre
Lisa was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Thanks to Cathy Rigby and Olga Korbett she has been involved with
gymnastics for 29 years. After competing on a wooden balance beam
and winning 1st place at Y.M.C.A. Regionals, she aspired to
teach and coach gymnastics. With a degree in Physical Education
Lisa started coaching full time and studied pre-physical therapy.
Coaching at high-level gyms in the Bay Area, she inspired many gymnasts
to reach their goals to be Beam and or Floor champions each year.
Her greatest coaching reward has been to be part of the lives of
gymnasts who have gone from compulsory gymnasts to incredible athletes
competing with college scholarships. Lisa lives in Saratoga with
her husband John, and sweet Sammy who is already 4 ½. Being a
parent has helped her to be a stronger adult and a more compassionate
coach. “Each day the girls help me, to laugh more, to be
disciplined, listen better, and work harder. I love my job, and I
LOVE GYMNASTICS.”
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 Neal Gallant
Neal grew up in the Chicago land area where he competed in the
USGF as well as the Illinois High School gymnastics programs. As
a Class 1 gymnast, he made many trips to state, regional and Junior
Olympic National competitions. Neal earned a full athletic
scholarship to Arizona State University where he received his bachelors
degree in Exercise Physiology. For several years, he was the Head
Coach at Almaden Valley Gymnastics where he coached numerous athletes
to the USAG Regional, Western, and National competitions. Now a
member of the Cal West coaching staff, Neal is currently assisting with
the optional programs.
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 Maria Traggio
Maria is originally from Connecticut and currently resides in Milpitas,
California. She has been coaching gymnastics for the past 10 years. She
has coached Developmental through Elite level athletes and has trained
athletes to several State and Regional titles. "I have the unique
opportunity to physically and mentally prepare athletes in the sport
that I love. The greatest attributes about the sport of Gymnastics is
the motivation and dedication that is necessary to be any level gymnast
are qualities that are necessary to be successful in life."
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 Jade McLean
Jade is originally from the Seattle area, where she competed for
Northwest Aerials and Northshore Gymnastics up through Level 8. She
began coaching at Northshore while still competing and was responsible
for the level 4 team, while also coaching preschool, recreation and
assisting with the team (TOPs through level 10). Jade has been with Cal
West since March, working in all programs, including tots, recreation,
developmental and the compulsory team program. She offers energy and
excitement to all levels of Cal West's program.
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 Jennifer Battaglia
Jennifer is originally from Morgan Hill and competed Class 1 when she
was a gymnast. She began coaching in Morgan Hill and continued at Santa
Clara Gymnastics and Almaden Valley Gymnastics coaching tots,
recreation, developmental and competitive teams. She graduated from San
Jose State University and has worked in the areas of law, high tech and
venture capital. Her expertise and enthusiasm for gymnastics adds
tremendous value to Cal West's program, particularly the compulsory
teams and developmental groups.
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 Monica Cox
Summer
2003 marks the 10th year Monica has been teaching
competitive gymnastics. She has been teaching levels 5 through 9
since graduating from college, where she earned a B.A. in Public
Relations and a minor in Physical Education. In addition to
competitive gymnastics, Monica also taught developmental, recreation
and kindergym. She was the Recreational Gymnastics Director as
well as the Head Compulsory Coach at Diablo Gymnastics for a number of
years. Once a gymnast herself, Monica knows what it takes to be
successful in gymnastics. She competed for 8 years in the Bay
Area, up to Class I. She was also a level 5 through 8 judge for 5
years. Currently, Monica lives in Walnut Creek with her husband
Matt and 2 children: 4 year old Cameron, and 1 ½ year old Jake.
She loves being a mom and really enjoys the time she gets to spend in
the gym. Monica joined Cal West in May of 2003.
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