Our qualified cheerleading staff has over 40 years combined cheer experience at the high school, college, and all-star levels! 

Kristin Jones, Cheerleading Director kristin@gemstategymnastics.com

Kristin has been involved in gymnastics and cheerleading for twenty four years, and is in her fourth season at Gem State. She began gymnastics at the age of five, and cheerleading at age eleven. Kristin cheered for ten years, and has been coaching cheerleading for nine year. She began at the junior high school level, then on to the Varsity level at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho. Kristin went on to cheer at the University of Idaho on the co-ed cheerleading squad. She also founded the cheer program, coached, and cheered for the Palouse Thunder, a semi-pro football organization which was then based out of Moscow, Idaho. She has coached Varsity cheerleading at Moscow High School, Junior Varsity and Varsity cheerleading at Lakeland High School, and Varsity cheerleading at Capital High School. Kristin has her Bachelors of Science in Physical Education, Sport Science and Health from the University of Idaho. She is certified in Levels 1, 2 and 3 All-Star Cheerleading through USASF, and is AACCA (American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators) safety certified. While at Gem State, Kristin has choreographed multiple routines that have placed in the top three at Nationals, and has choreographed multiple National Championship winning individual routines. Kristin has her Boise City childcare license, and is certified in Adult/Child/Infant CPR, and First Aid. Kristin has been married to Brett for four years, has a son named Landon, a daughter named Peyton and two dogs.

Sophie Rumph, Head Coach

Sophie has been involved in cheerleading and gymnastics for sixteen years. She began her cheerleading career at Lowell Scott Middle School, and at the same time did competitive all-star cheer with Idaho Cheer University. She cheered at Eagle High School her freshman year and then three years on the Varsity cheer squad for Centennial High School. Sophie cheered for three years at Boise State University, where she was able to attend two Fiesta Bowls and win two National College Cheerleading titles. Sophie is a Marketing major with an interest in Public Relations and hopes to one day own her own business. She has two year of coaching experience at the all-star level, is USASF certified in levels 1 and 2 all-star cheerleading and has also staffed cheerleading camps around the West Coast. Sophie loves to dance and has choreographed competition and individual routines around Idaho and Nevada, including National Championship winning individual routines. She feels very honored and excited to be a part of the Gem State family!

Brenda Tafoya, Head Coach

Brenda has been involved in cheerleading for ten years. She began cheering at Sugar-Salem JR. High, and then moved on to cheering at Sugar- Salem High School in Sugar City, Idaho. Brenda just finished her fourth year on the Boise State University cheerleading squad, where her team won top three finishes in all four years, including two National Championships and also two Fiesta Bowl appearances. Brenda is certified in levels 1 and 2 all-star cheerleading and has staffed cheerleading camps for schools in Idaho and Nevada. She is a skilled choreographer, contributing to team choreography and also choreographing individual/duo routines. Brenda is a double major in Health Sciences and Bilingual education with an emphasis in Spanish, and is also a sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes Radio. Brenda loves children and dancing, and feels proud to represent Gem State!

Kori Metzger, Assistant Coach

Kori has been an athlete at our gym for twelve years. She began in our gymnastics program and moved up to our competitive gymnastics team. At this time, she also joined our all-star cheerleading team. Kori has been a member of our cheer team for eight years. Throughout these eight years, she has had many wonderful experiences, including winning nationals. She also cheered at Hillside Jr. High School. Kori also works in our day camp and has her childcare license along with CPR and first aid certifications. She plans to study physical therapy at Boise State University beginning in the fall of 2011. Kori has seen the progress to our cheerleading program over the years and is excited to assist in the further growth of our program.

Adrian Rudd, Assistant Coach

Adrian is a college student at Boise State University. She is majoring in Nursing and will be a Sophomore this coming fall 2011. Adrian is originally from Rexburg Idaho, and moved to Boise in the summer of 2010. She has been cheering for 9 years, was involved in gymnastics for 9 years and did dance for 4 years. Adrian started cheering when she was in 5th grade with a small program in the community, and continued through eighth grade. Her freshman year of high school she cheered for the school team, Madison Bobcats. From 2007-2010, Adrian cheered on a level 5 all girl All-Star team, Over The Top Twisterz (located in Rigby Idaho). She was a captain during the Twisterz 2009-2010 season. This past 2010-2011 season Adrian cheered on Gem State’s Senior level 3 all girl team. She has really enjoyed the program, all of the amazing kids and of course the coaching staff. This will be her first year coaching, and she is extremely excited. Adrian feels very excited to work with the coaching staff and to continue working as a teacher in our GSGA Day Camp program.

Alexa Brooks, Assistant Coach

Alexa has been a part of GSGA for 12 years. She was a competitive gymnast for Gem State Gymnastics team for ten years, and has also worked in Day Camp for the past three summers. Alexa started cheering her senior year in high school for the Gem State All Star’s Senior team and with an individual routine. She then cheered for Northern Arizona University, where her team placed in the top ten at the 2011 UCA (United Cheerleading Association) Nationals in Walt Disney World. She is now attending Boise State University, where she will be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Alexa loves children and cheerleading, and is very excited to coach the Gem State All-Stars!