Coach Karissa Titus – Cheer Director

We would like to welcome Coach Karissa to the Ocala Athletix Family! Karissa is a former cheerleader herself and started coaching as soon as she graduated high school. She brings over 16 years of coaching experience to OAX. During her career, Karissa has earned many national titles in the high school and all star divisions. Some of her accomplishments include: 2018 D2 Summit Champion, State & Americheer National Champion, D2 Summit Finalist & Summit Finalist,  earned a full paid bid to Cheerleading Worlds and was a Finalist at Cheerleading Worlds.
Karissa is USASF certified in levels 1-6 stunting and tumbling. Karissa has a great background in the cheerleading world. She loves her family and loves working with athletes who strive for greatness. She is over the moon to start at Ocala ATHLETIX and can’t wait for the future.

Coach Patrick Gomes

Coach Patrick has been involved in competitive cheer for over 15 years. He’s competed at The Cheerleading Worlds 6 times and has been coaching For 4 seasons. He specializes in all areas of competitive cheer! He’s even cheered for teams internationally! He has such a passion for cheerleading and is very excited to be a part of Ocala Athletix! He is thrilled to get to know all of our athletes and help OAX continue on a great path! 

Coach Ja’Cia Croskey – Tumbling Director

Coach Ja’Cia has over 9 years of gymnastics and tumbling coaching experience.  She started gymnastics at the age of 7 and her passion for the sport flourished. Ja’Cia invested 12 years in competitive gymnastics and has won many state and national titles. She also has had the privilege of being a part of many great programs and has carried her tumbling knowledge with her. Her passion for tumbling has now followed her into her coaching career. Ja’Cia focuses on great technique, proper body shapes and conditioning. She loves to have fun and help athletes progress properly and safely. We are so excited to have her join the OAX family! 

Coach Mandy Stiffler

Mandy has over 35 years of cheerleading and coaching experience that all started at the age of 6! She cheered in middle school, high school and collegiately. From 1994-2000, Mandy was employed by UCA working summer camps and clinics, teaching the proper skills and techniques of cheerleading. After high school Mandy cheered at Morehead State, winning 3 National Championship titles (95,96,97). After she finished her successes at Morehead, she began her Allstar cheerleading coaching career. She has coached almost every age and level, from Tinys all the way up to Seniors Claiming dozens of National Championship titles. In 2012, Mandy became a USASF certified judge and was able to attend and work at many prestigious competitions including Cheersport Atlanta! Not only is she seasoned in All-Star, she has also worked with many high schools throughout the state of Florida and West Virginia. Coach Mandy prides herself on being tough but being able to have fun and bring the best out of every athlete! Coach Mandy currently works at Ward Highlands elementary as an intervention assistant. We are very excited to have her knowledge and experience at OAX!

Coach T’Kiyah (TK) Johnson

T’Kiyah’s passion for cheerleading began when she was only 4 years old. With over 15 years of cheerleading experience, she has competed at many prestigious competitions as an athlete and a coach. At the young age of only 4, she fell in love with the sport of cheerleading, earning an abundance of state and national titles along the way. T’Kiyah has also competed at the Summit 3 times, placing 2nd in 2016. She has assisted many teams throughout her cheerleading career and has always taken pride of her hard work and dedication for the sport. T’Kiyah has an extensive background and knowledge of cheerleading and aspires to teach every athlete that they can accomplish anything with the right mindset and proper guidance.

Coach Derrick Gomes

Derrick Gomes is a Brandon Allstar Senior Black Alumni that placed 2nd at The Cheerleading Worlds in 2010. With over 12 years of elite cheerleading experience, he takes pride in coaching by example. He has great communication skills with athletes of all ages and is a strong believer in holding accountability towards every athlete. Coach Derrick has such a great passion for winning, but most importantly, growth in athletes. Derricks goal is to make the best cheerleaders through hard work. “Winners do it until they get it right” Champions do it until they can’t get it wrong”

Coach Lexi Talon

Coach Alexis’ love for cheerleading began at the age of 3 and has not stopped since! She has over 18 years of cheerleading experience. She competed at the very first Summit and has competed at The Cheerleading Worlds 7 times! She has been a competitive cheer coach for several years and has coached levels 1-6. She cheered for Indiana University of Pennsylvania for four years. Her favorite cheerleading memory was competing at Worlds on the baseball field in 2016. She believes that hard work, determination, and teamwork will always lead to success. She is ecstatic to join OAX and is looking forward to working with all the amazing athletes, coaches, and parents!

Coach Alex Gonzalez

Alex Gonzalez has been an all-star cheerleader since she was 8 years old. She is has been a 5x Cheersport Champion, 2x Jamfest Champion, UCA Champion, AND a Summit Champion. Alex has also been to Summit 6 years in a row and has made finals every year she has attended placing top 5 each year. Alex has been a base, flyer, and really pushes herself in tumbling. When Alex is not in school you can find her at the gym 4-6 nights a week. Cheerleading is her absolute passion and she loves working with all of the athletes at OAX! She hopes to improve younger athletes, and help them become a passionate cheerleader starting at a young age.

Coach Craig Lungren – Tumbling Coach

Craig has been an upper level gymnast and coach for 20 years. In 1999, he took the title of USAG National Champion Gymnast. As the head men’s gymnastics coach, he won the Florida State Championships in 2007 and the Kansas State Championship 2009. He has also coached girls tumbling, beginning to advanced levels, for 5 years. He has extensive knowledge in all aspects of tumbling ranging levels 1-6 including spotting fulls, doubles, arabians, etc. He attended the University of Florida, from 2010 through 2012, on a cheerleading scholarship. Craig has been an educator for the last 10 years and currently works as a teacher for Lake Weir Middle School. We are excited to have Craig and his tumbling expertise as part of our OAX family.

Coach Lou Will

Louie was born and raised in Ocala, Florida. He has been been coaching high school /all star cheer and gymnastics since 2011.
He has been coaching and cheering for many years across the board from high school to Allstar to collegiate! He cheered at Iowa Western Community College and The University of West Georgia. Louie competed at UCA college nationals in 2017 and 2018, placing 2nd.
In 2019 he was awarded the UCA National championship title with his fellow teammates. Louie specializes in upper level tumbling, all-star cheer coaching and coed stunting!