St. Louis Elite Staff

Cheer Director, Head Coach

Kendra Rufkahr

Kendra has been involved in Cheerleading and Gymnastics for 20 years and has been coaching for the last 6 years. Kendra began gymnastics at age 4 and ended her career as a level 9 gymnast. Kendra was named Missouri State Champion 3 years in a row for levels 5, 6, and 7, she was also featured in the American Cheerleader magazine. Soon after ending her competitive career, she started coaching gymnastics and cheerleading. She cheered in high school and also cheered through college at Lindenwood University where she majored in Athletic Training. While at Lindenwood Kendra was a part of the four time NAIA Championship squad. Kendra also placed in the top 5 of the College Nationals Competition every year she competed, ending her career with a 3rd place finish. Kendra started as a head coach at All Star Gymnastics. While there she led her teams to multiple National and Grand National championships. After leaving All Star Kendra started St. Louis Elite Cheerleading with Gene Kohler and her husband Adam Rufkahr. Kendra has helped bring her athletes to 20 National titles and 10 Grand National titles over the past 2 years.

Hip Hop Head Coach

Deanna Zebelman

Deanna is a graduate of Lindenwood University with a BA in Elementary Education, and will finish her MBA in May of 2009. Deanna has been a 3rd grade teacher in the Fort Zumwalt School District for the last 3 years. She brings a lot of experience to St. Louis Elite with 15 years of training in studio dance as well as teaching jazz, hip hop, pom, and tap classes for 3 years. Deanna was a part of the FHC Spartans Dance Team in high school and was also a part of the Nationally ranked Lindenwood University Lions Dance Team when she was in college. While in college Deanna also danced for the St. Louis Steamers Soccer Team for 2 seasons.

Head Coach, Tumbling Coach

Adam Rufkahr

Adam has been involved in Cheerleading for 8 years and has been coaching competitively for the past 5. Adam cheered his senior year in high school at St. Charles West placing First at the Regional competition and Second at State. Adam was also part of the Four time NAIA Championship squad at Lindenwood University where he majored in Management Information Systems. He also placed in the top 5 at the College Nationals Competition every year he competed. Adam has coached multiple National and Grand National championship squads. Adam coaches all the senior level teams at St. Louis Elite as well as coaching tumbling. He has led his teams to 25 National and 10 Grand National Championships in the last 2 seasons.

Coach

Christine Sutcliffe

Christine brings many years of performance and competition experience to St. Louis Elite Cheerleading. She began cheerleading in junior high and continued to cheer throughout high school, eventually serving as Captain of her high school team while also cheering for an All Star program in Washington MO. After graduation, she was selected to perform on the all-girl team at Lindenwood University. She has competed at Regionals on co-ed and all-girl teams, taking first and second place. Christine was part of the all-girl National’s team for 2008. Christine is currently pursuing a double major in Accounting and Spanish at Lindenwood University. In addition to her extensive performance experience, Christine also brings coaching experience to St. Louis Elite. She has coached cheer, gymnastics and cheerleading technique. Christine was part of the original coaching staff for St. Louis Elite Cheerleading’s inaugural season. Christine has helped coach the squads to 10 National titles and 5 Grand National titles.

Coach, Tumbling Coach

Kyle Gadke

Kyle has an extensive background in high school, all-star, and college cheerleading. As a competitor and coach, he has been involved with cheerleading for six years and has won numerous national and grand national championship titles. Kyle is currently a student at Lindenwood University, majoring in business with an emphasis on Sports Management and a minor in Psychology, and he is a member of the Lindenwood University cheerleading squad. As a member of the Lindenwood cheer squad he helped to bring home a second place finish in 2007 at the NCA Collegiate National Championships the highest place finish in school history. Kyle choreographs for all ages and levels of cheerleading -- all across the country. Kyle has also competed on the ICE Athletics International Coed Level 5 Open Team and was a Worlds Bid recipient. He is currently the Head Competition Coach at Oakville Senior High School in Saint Louis, Missouri.