Meet Our Instructors

Gina Simeone brings more than 35 years of experience in gymnastics, cheerleading, athlete development, and coaching. Her background includes competitive gymnastics, cheerleading, collegiate athletics, coaching, judging, choreography, gymnastics instruction, and all-star program management, giving her a well-rounded perspective on athlete training and development.

Gina cheered at Cromwell High School and Rider University and later coached at Coastal Carolina University, gaining valuable experience at the collegiate level. She is also the former owner of an All-Star cheerleading gym in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she trained athletes, developed competitive programs, and helped young cheerleaders advance their skills in both tumbling and stunting.

She is entering her fourth year as a CYFC youth cheerleading coach and currently serves as a Head Judge for Connecticut Youth and High School Cheerleading competitions. In addition to coaching and judging, Gina works with athletes and teams across Connecticut, providing choreography, skill development, and mentorship. She also teaches Acro classes at Company N Tempo Dance Studio in Cromwell, Connecticut, where she focuses on flexibility, strength, balance, and tumbling fundamentals.

Gina is USA Cheer Safety Certified and holds CPR and First Aid certifications. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes proper technique, athlete safety, confidence building, and recovery, creating a positive environment where athletes can thrive. She is passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential and preparing them for success at the all-star, high school, collegiate, and beyond.

Cassie Coughlin is a former Cromwell High School cheerleader and an experienced coach, choreographer, and mentor dedicated to developing athletes and building successful cheerleading programs throughout Connecticut. With a passion for the sport and a commitment to athlete growth, she has spent years helping cheerleaders strengthen their skills, build confidence, and achieve success both on and off the mat.

Cassie is currently entering her third year as a CYFC Youth Cheer Coach, where she has played an integral role in developing young athletes and fostering a positive, team-oriented environment. Prior to coaching youth cheer, she served as the Head Cheerleading Coach at Cromwell High School for 10 years, leading athletes through competitive seasons while emphasizing strong fundamentals, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

In addition to coaching, Cassie has extensive experience choreographing routines and preparing athletes for competition. Her ability to connect with athletes and create engaging, challenging programs has earned her the respect of athletes, parents, and fellow coaches alike.

Cassie is USA Cheer Safety Certified and holds current CPR and First Aid certifications. She is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment where athletes can develop their skills, gain confidence, and reach their full potential. Her coaching philosophy focuses on proper technique, athlete safety, teamwork, and preparing athletes for success at the youth, high school, and all-star levels.

Gina Galuska is the Operations Manager and an instructor at Top Tier Athletics & Cheer. She also serves as the Cheer Director and coach for the Cromwell CYFC Cheer Program, and works as a fitness instructor and acro instructor.

Gina has spent her life dedicated to athletics and coaching. Beginning as a rhythmic gymnast, she later transitioned into coaching and became a fitness instructor. Today she is passionate about helping young athletes build confidence, skills, and a love for the sport.

Derron Forest is the CEO and founder of Planet Stunt LLC and Head Cheer Coach at Central Connecticut State University. A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Physiology and Neurobiology, Derron cheered at UConn for six years and has over 36 years of experience as a tumbling coach, instructor, choreographer, judge, and program director.

A highly respected leader in the cheer industry, Derron spent 16 years with UCA, including 14 years as a Head Camp Instructor, Mentor, and Trainer. He holds numerous certifications, including AACCA, USASF, ICU, and IASF credentials, and is qualified to coach athletes from youth and recreational levels through collegiate and elite all-star programs.

Throughout his career, Derron has served as Head Coach at Central Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and the University of Hartford, while also spending 14 years as Associate Head Cheer Coach at the University of Connecticut. He has coached multiple national championship teams, choreographed nationally ranked programs, and presented educational seminars throughout the United States and internationally.

Derron has earned more than 25 national titles as both a coach and competitor and has represented cheerleading on the world stage. His coaching experience extends globally, working with athletes and programs across Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean. He continues to lead camps, clinics, and educational programs while helping athletes reach success at the all-star, high school, collegiate, and international levels.

Sierra Vasquez is the Head Cheer Coach at Cromwell High School. With over 12 years of competitive cheerleading experience and 7 years of high school coaching experience, including 5 competitive seasons, she has built a strong track record of success both on and off the mat. Throughout her coaching career, her teams have earned four Shoreline Conference Championships, two top-two finishes at the CIAC State Championships, and two additional top-five state finishes. She has also been recognized as a two-time Shoreline Conference Coach of the Year.

In addition to her high school coaching experience, she has spent two years coaching youth cheer, with both teams earning first-place finishes.

She holds CIAC Coaching and USA Cheer certifications and is certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED. Her passion lies in stunting and developing strong technical fundamentals that allow athletes to safely progress from basic skills to advanced and elite-level abilities. She is dedicated to helping athletes build confidence, reach their full potential, and grow both on and off the mat while fostering a positive, supportive, and successful team environment.

Nicole Funk is the Head Cheer Coach at Mercy High School, with a lifelong passion for cheerleading and athlete development spanning the all-star, high school, collegiate, and coaching levels. She spent ten years competing in all-star cheerleading and cheered all four years in high school, building a strong foundation in stunting, tumbling, performance, and teamwork.

Nicole continued her cheerleading career at the collegiate level, first at Shelton State Community College, where she was a member of two UCA College National Championship teams. She then went on to cheer on the coed team at the University of Mississippi, competing at one of the nation’s premier collegiate cheerleading programs and further developing her skills at the highest levels of the sport.

Following graduation, Nicole transitioned directly into education and coaching, combining her passion for teaching with her love of cheerleading. She is currently entering her fifth year as the Head Cheerleading Coach at Mercy High School, where she is dedicated to developing well-rounded athletes through skill progression, leadership development, and team culture. In addition to coaching, Nicole is a sixth-grade teacher in New London, Connecticut, where she brings the same commitment to mentorship, discipline, and student success into the classroom.

Nicole holds CIAC Coaching and USA Cheer certifications and is certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes athlete safety, proper technique, and confidence building, creating a positive environment where athletes can thrive. She is passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential and preparing them for success at the high school, collegiate, and beyond.