By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

“Getting to Know” is an ongoing series created to spotlight the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Aurora High School gymnastics coach Gina Gastaldo, who is in her 17th season coaching the sport.

Q: Hometown?

A: Chesterland, Ohio.

Q: High school?

A: West Geauga High School. Class of 2006. Participated in gymnastics.

Q: College?

A: Notre Dame College. Class of 2010. Degree in Middle Childhood Education, with a specialization in math and science. Master’s in 2013.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Coaching.

Q: What inspired you to become a coach?

A: The love of the sport. After I had finished competing, I didn’t want to give it up. It was such a huge part of my life for so long. It was a great way to stay involved.

Q: What makes being a coach at Aurora special to you?

A: The girls, of course. They are such a special group of girls, who are so competitive in what they do. It is so special for me to get to coach them.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence?

A: Don Schutz. He was my high-school coach and then coaching colleague for 15 years after that. Everything I’ve learned about coaching is from him. He is a VERY special person.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: Say Yes to the Dress.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: The Help.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Jason Aldene.

Q: Favorite food?

A: Crab legs.

Q: Best vacation?

A: My honeymoon to an all inclusive in Mexico. It was the coolest place ever!

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: Kelly Duffy, Emily Lenk, Julie Theobald, Lauren Nelson.

Q: Favorite motto?

A: Do what’s best for kids.

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: Do what is best for the kids. My goal is to always help them achieve their goals with my experience and background in the sport.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: I don’t go out to eat much anymore with four boys to take of at home.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Mr. Rogge.

Q: Advice you would give to your younger self?

A: Relax and enjoy the ride a little more!

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: My high-school coach Don Schutz. Wendy Floriea and Bridget Emerine (Corrigan) from club.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: 17 years as a high-school coach. I have coached at Aurora, Mayfield, Chagrin Falls, Orange, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Cardinal, Gilmore, West Geauga, Newbury and Chardon.

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Cleveland Browns

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: Dominique Moucieanu.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: Simone Biles.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Coach at the local YMCA.

Q: Family member that always gives you the best advice?

A: Mama.

Q: Halloween costume last year?

A: A pumpkin.

Q: Favorite candy?

A: Reese’s.

Q: First car?

A: Chevy Blazer.

Q: Best friend?

A: Megan Mertz.

Q: Most memorable moment as an athlete?

A: Winning states on beam four years in a row. The last one is the most memorable and vivid in my head.

Q: Most memorable moment as a coach?

A: Taking my teams down to the state meet year after year to support our individual qualifiers.