Our Staff

Stacie Doemland - Head Coach/Owner

Stacie dreamed of having my own gym since she was a kid and opened Sunflower Gymnastics in 2004.

She has a Bachelors in Physical Education and Health from Emporia State University. Stacie taught Elementary Physical Education in Augusta and Edwardsville, and Health at Emporia Middle School before opening Sunflower in 2004.
Stacie was the Kansas State Chair for USA Gymnastics – Trampoline and Tumbling from 2007-2011.

Stacie competed in Trampoline and Tumbling from 1995-2012 traveling to many competitions across the United States. Stacie was most recently awarded Double Mini National Champion in 2012 among many other National top 3 placements.

When she is not at the gym Stacie enjoys spending time with her husband David and two sons, Bennett and River; camping; hiking; sewing; cooking; working out and reading.

"I love teaching gymnastics because I enjoy seeing the progress that the students achieve with their hard work."

–Stacie Doemland

David Doemland - Coach/Owner

David started coaching gymnastics in 2004 when Sunflower Gymnastics opened.

David graduated from the Art Institute of Houston in 1990 and was a photojournalist from 1990 to 2007 having worked in Lawrence, Liberal, Galveston, Texas and Emporia.
Before coaching David had years of experience with children. David was a "Big" with Big Brother/Big Sisters in Galveston, an Odyssey of the Mind coach in Emporia, and an uncle many many times.

Since 2011, David has served as the Kansas State Chair for USA Gymnastics – Trampoline and Tumbling and was also elected into the position of Co-Chair for USAG Region 4 – Trampoline and Tumbling in 2020, helping to organize and coordinate activities in the 13 state region.
In my spare time I love to spend time with family, playing with our dog Scout, disc golf, home improvements and camping.

"I love coaching because of the people, not only the young lives that we directly affect but also the parents and getting to watch how proud they are of their son or daughter as they grow in the sport and in self confidence." –David Doemland

Karalyn Karjala - Coach

Karalyn Karjala is from Emporia and graduated from Emporia High School in 2020.

Karalyn is majoring in Health and Human Performance at Emporia State University. Karalyn is also attending the Pre-Professional program of Pre-Physical Therapy, in hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist.

Karalyn competes on the Sunflower Gymnastics team where she has since she was 11 yrs old. She has competed for many years at the National level in trampoline, tumbling and double mini trampoline.

When Karalyn has free time she likes to play with her dog, Ollie, practice her archery and hang out with friends.

"I have a passion to help students enjoy gymnastics as much as I do." –Karalyn Karjala

Zach Putnam - Coach

Zach is from Lebo and attended and coached for Sunflower Gymnastics when he was attending Lebo High School. Later he moved to Texas and graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, TX. Zach then started coaching gymnastics in Southlake, TX, Hurst, TX and later again at Sunflower Gymnastics.

Zach competed in Men’s Gymnastics at Bell High School where he placed in State in floor and vault.

Zach is the Technical Director for the Emporia Granada Theatre and a local music producer and mixing/mastering engineer. He won the Granada’s Got Talent contest performing as “Socky.”

In his free time Zach enjoys slacklining, working out, listening to music and cooking.

“I enjoying coaching because I attended Sunflower as a student and gained a lot of confidence from gymnastics and I enjoy being able to give back to the students.”

–Zach Putnam

Macy Smith - Coach

Macy Smith is from Olpe and graduated from Olpe in 2021. She is now attending Emporia State University majoring in computer science and plays basketball for ESU.

Macy started doing gymnastics at Sunflower when she was 4-years-old. She started on the competitive team at 6 years of age. Macy finished her career in competitive gymnastics as a Level 10.

For fun Macy likes playing sports or hanging out with my friends. She has a dog and two cats.

Macy Smith and I am from Olpe, Kansas. I graduated from Olpe in 2021 and now attend Emporia State University where I major in computer science and play basketball. I started doing gymnastics when I was young and started competing not long after. I have always loved gymnastics and loved the lifelong friendships I’ve made through it even more.

"I have always loved gymnastics and loved the lifelong friendships I've made through it even more. My favorite thing about coaching is making relationships with kids." –Macy Smith

Matt Paul - Coach

Matthew (Matt) Paul will joined Sunflower on May 1, 2022 and will be coaching all levels of class and as well as our Sunflower Gymnastics Competitive Team.

Matt is an Emporia native and moved back to Emporia from Wichita with his wife, Keri, and his two newly adopted boys, Benjamin and Henry and their son, Noah, born December 2021. Keri is a Sales Manager at KISS 103.1 and My Country 95.3.

Matt was one of Sunflower Gymnastics' first coaches at our first gym in Osage City and our previous Emporia location, in 2005-06 before he graduated from Emporia High School in 2006. While in High School Matt was a very accomplished diver on the EHS diving team. In 2006 Matt enlisted in the Kansas National Guard and in 2007 Matt deployed to southern Iraq with the 35th Military Police and again in 2010, to Africa with the 2-137th Infantry.

5-year-old Matt began taking gymnastics in Emporia, starting in men's traditional gymnastics, then moving to Trampoline & Tumbling, eventually becoming a level 10 athlete. Matt and his syncronized trampoline partner, Connor DeJesus (Sunflower team member and coach), won the National Championships in 2017.

Matt opened his first gym, Next Level Athletics, in McPherson in 2013, and then expanded to Hillsboro and Winfield in 2015.

During his free time Matt likes to paint Warhammer models and go fishing.

"I feel like gymnastics is a good way to teach kids how to find confidence in themselves to overcome anything."

–Matthew Paul

Chloe Jackson - Coach

Chloe is from Emporia and is attending Emporia State University. Chloe is majoring in Social Sciences Secondary Education.

Chloe was in involved in cheer for 5 years and dance for 14 years. Chloe competed in volleyball, basketball and track and field.

Chloe is the President at Tri Sigma, she is an ESU Ambassador and is involved in A Capella Choir.

In her free time she enjoys playing music, traveling, and volunteering at a local youth group.

“I have such a passion for working with kids and being involved here at Sunflower is such a great opportunity for me. I love to be active and have fun while doing it and that is exactly what we get to do here!” –Chloe Jackson

Logan Jordan - Coach

Logan started attending the Adult Gymnastics class at Sunflower since moving to Emporia in 2019. She grew up in Panama City Beach, FL where she graduated Gulf Coast State College in 2017 and then moved to New York to work in TV and Film.

After moving to Emporia to be closer to family, Logan has continued working freelance in Film as well as coaching at Sunflower.

Logan likes to spend her free time traveling with my husband, Chris, playing with my 4 cats and tennis.

"I have always had a passion for helping kids have fun while learning new skills. Gymnastics has been such a fun addition to my life and I hope to help kiids enjoy it just as much as I have." – Logan Jordan

Gymnastics Instruction