Mark Nelson
Head Coach Men’s Team

Mark was the all around Iowa State champion from 1977 – 1978. He was a collegiate gymnast at Odessa Junior College from 1979-1980 and he competed for the University of Iowa from 1981-1982. While in college Mark was a member of the Great American High Dive Team in 1984.

Mark started coaching in 1978 and has been at Sun Country since 1992. While coaching Mark has helped many athletes become State, Regional and National qualifiers. Several of Mark’s Sun Country athletes have become members of the Future Stars National Team as well as qualify to the USA Championships.

Mark is married and has 2 daughters who were also great gymnastics and tramp & tumble competitors. Along with directing the men’s gymnastics program, Mark also coaches pre-gym (children ages 3-5) and our homeschool program.

Deyan Yordanov
Head Coach Tramp & Tumble Team
Assistant Coach Men’s Team

Deyan started gymnastics in 1983 in Bulgaria. From 1984 – 1993 while a member of the Bulgarian Junior National Team he won a total of 47 bronze, silver and gold medals. In 1994 Deyan was recognized as a Master of Sports by the Bulgarian Federation of Gymnastics (BFG).

From 1994-2000 Deyan was an accomplished competitor for the Bulgarian National Team. During that time he won 7 gold, 6 silver, and 2 bronze medals. Deyan competed in the world championships in 1995, 1996 and 1999. In 1996 Deyan was on the Bulgarian Olympic team helping them to receive 6th place in the team competition in Atlanta, Georgia! Receiving 44th place in the all around at the Olympics Deyan was recognized as a World Class Gymnast by FIG. In 2000 Deyan competed in the Sydney Olympic Games as the Bulgarian team placed 12th in the competition. Deyan was the first gymnast in the world to ever compete a “Delchev” over the high bar!

Deyan started his coaching carrier in 1996 for a sports club Locomotive-Ruse. From 2001-2002 while heading the men’s program at a gymnastics training center in Massachusetts he helped produce many state and regional champions. From 2003-2005 Deyan was the men’s head coach at Chelle Stack’s Browns in Winter Park, FL. Sun Country was lucky enough to have Deyan join the Sun Country team in 2005.

Deyan is married with 1 daughter. Along with coaching and directing the Tramp & Tumble team, Deyan also teaches Gym Bus classes, boy’s rainbow classes, and boy’s developmental and team classes.

Nikki Spinelli
Coach Women’s Team

Nikki grew up in South Florida. During her 14 year gymnastics career, Nikki competed through Level 10. Nikki has been coaching at Sun Country since 2004. Nikki coaches the Sun Country Women’s team levels 3 – 10.

Christine Eckert
Coach Women’s Team

Christine is a Gainesville native and grew up doing gymnastics at Sun Country. While competing for 12 years she successfully competed through level 10. Christine has been coaching the girls compulsory gymnastics team at Sun Country since 2004. Christine recently graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Russian.

Heather Waisanen
Coach Women’s Team

Heather was a competitive gymnast for 10 years in Jacksonville, FL. Since 2004 Heather has been coaching at Sun Country, teaching GymStars, rainbow gymnastics, as well as developmental and team classes. Heather is a senior at UF majoring in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences.

Leila Dylla
Coach Women’s Team

Leila was a gymnast at Sun Country for 14 years. Since retiring as a Level 9 gymnast Leila has been coaching in the women’s developmental and team program. She currently attends Santa Fe Community College and plans on transferring to UF in Fall 2008.