Meet the Team
The people who make The Zone feel like home.
Every team member here is chosen for their experience and for their heart. Our coaches are trained, qualified, and love working with kids.
Meet the Owners
Dan Howell
Owner
Dan bought The Zone in 2019. A successful Evansville entrepreneur for 30 years, his love of the sport grew from years as a proud gym dad, watching his own daughter rise from a Pre-K gymnast to a college gymnast at the University of Kentucky. His goal is simple: a safe, family-first gym where every kid can chase their dreams.
Jill Howell
Owner
Jill is an Evansville native and a registered nurse with 20 years of experience. She holds degrees in both business and nursing from the University of Southern Indiana. Safety and care are close to her heart, in the gym and out.
Meet the Coaches
Sammi Richards
Director of Operations
Sammi grew up in the gym and has coached around the world, including China. She believes gymnastics builds confidence, discipline, and a strong mind. She even co-created a mindset book for young athletes.
Kayley Alioto
Girls Team Director
TBD
Kaitlyn Ewald
Head Coach, Girls Team
A five-year collegiate gymnast at Illinois and Arkansas and a 12-year USA Gymnastics competitor with state titles and national meets under her belt. Kaitlyn leads our Girls Competitive Team.
Andy Brown
Dryland Diving Coach
More than 15 years coaching divers, from elementary school all the way to NCAA Division 1, with conference titles, state qualifiers, and a Coach of the Year award.
Amy Bartow
Front Desk
A Zone parent since 2020, Amy joined our staff as Front Office Manager in May 2026. With a degree in Organizational Leadership & HR, she keeps our operations running smoothly by welcoming families, organizing the Pro Shop, and caring for our resident tetras and beta while creating a positive culture for our gym families.
Lindsey Orem
Competitive Team Coach
Lindsey grew up in Kentucky and graduated from USI’s nursing program in 2010. She is married and has two children. She currently works as a teacher’s assistant at an elementary school. She has always been passionate about the sport of gymnastics. She competed herself up to level 7, and she continues to enjoy the sport by watching her daughter compete and by coaching.
Lauren Bradley
Competitive Team Coach
Lauren has ten years of coaching experience in competitive gymnastics, tumbling, and cheerleading. Lauren grew up in a gym and participated in gymnastics from the time she began to walk. She is now a competitive team coach with SafeSport, CPR, and first aid certifications. Lauren is a former University of Southern Indiana cheerleader, Game Day, and Nationals Team Member, all while studying health administration. She brings experience, confidence, and encouragement to the athletes she coaches.
Molly Meyer
Pre-Team Coach
A University of Evansville student studying exercise science. Molly was a gymnast for six years and competed up to Level 8. She loves helping kids learn.
Lane Pollock
Dryland Diving Coach
Lane is a recent finance graduate from the University of Southern Indiana where he represented USI as a collegiate diver. He enjoys sharing his diving experience as he helps aspiring divers build confidence in their technique.
Hallie DeBallie
Pre-Team Coach
Hallie is a University of Southern Indiana student studying Biology on a pre-dental track. Hallie was a competitive gymnast up to Level 8 and she loves teaching kids in a fun and positive environment. Her favorite event to coach is bars because it was her favorite event to practice during her years of gymnastics.
Levi Mckinney
Recreational and Tumbling Coach
Levi is 22 years old and entering his fifth year at the University of Evansville, where he competes as a member of the university’s diving team. He is pursuing a major in Business Management and Marketing. Levi’s athletic background began in gymnastics, where he progressed to Level 10 before transitioning to diving. His years of experience have given him a strong foundation in technique, discipline, and body awareness. As a gymnastics and tumbling coach, Levi is passionate about helping athletes develop their skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential in a fun, supportive, and encouraging environment.
Olivia Herr
Recreational Coach
Olivia is in her senior year at Tecumseh High School where she is a student-athlete on the golf team. Olivia built her gymnastics foundation at The Zone where she was a former competitive gymnast. Olivia is sharing her love for gymnastics with the kids she coaches as she helps them gain skills and confidence on all four events.
Kassidy Howell
Recreational Coach
Kassidy competed through every level of USA Gymnastics, won the Uneven Bars title at Eastern Nationals, and competed four years for the University of Kentucky Women’s Gymnastics Team. She now leads our Pre-Team while studying to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Evansville.
Sophia Lannan
Recreational Coach
Sophia is in her junior year at Reitz Memorial High School. Sophia represents Memorial High School on the diving team where she has collected two titles of Diving City Champion. Sophia is also a former competitive gymnast of nine years and she competed up to USAG Level 9 here at the Zone. Sophia loves coaching because she gets to share her favorite sport with young gymnasts and help kids achieve new skills.
Dylan Whitely
Recreational Coach
Dylan is a junior at Memorial High School where she cheers and plays lacrosse. Dylan is a former competitive gymnast who trained and competed here at The Zone through the
Vanessa Andrews
Pre-K Coach
Vanessa built her athletic foundation as a competitive Level 6 gymnast right here at The Zone. Now a junior at Mater Dei High School, she has taken her tumbling skills, strength, and competitive spirit to the sidelines as a varsity cheerleader!
Eleanor Bartow
Pre-K Coach
A Level 8 competitor at The Zone Athletics, Eleanor has been on the mat since age three. She pairs her athletic experience with a huge heart for coaching, loving nothing more than introducing our tiniest athletes to the joy of gymnastics and inspiring the next generation of gymnasts.
And the Rest of Our Zone Family
Coaches, instructors, and the friendly faces at the front desk. Bios coming soon.
Caitlyn Williams
Nicole Catt
Jossalyn Beard
Alivia Wilke
Rhilee Case
Anna Herr
Addison Hite
Ava Mara
Mallory Smith
Come Meet Us in Person
The best way to meet our team is to come try a free class. We cannot wait to welcome your family.