Meet our TEAM
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Julian LoCasto (Director of Nutrition, Head Coach) (B.S., CPPS, AAPS, ISSA, PN-1)
- Hometown: Woodland Park, NJ - Director of Nutrition and Head Coach at Challenger Strength. - Challenger Strength's longest tenured coach, working with us since 2018. - Head coach, helping Gerry oversee the continually growing staff at Challenger. - Julian has: a B.S.B in Biology from Caldwell University, ISSA Personal Trainer Cert, PN Level 1 Nutritional Cert, and also has both his CPPS and APPS - Played basketball and lacrosse at the high school and collegiate level. - Fun Fact: Julian spent five years working as a physical therapy aid and STILL boasts a 35 inch vertical jump. Sean Gibney (Strength Coach) (B.A.) (NASM)
- Hometown Rutherford, NJ - Sean has been a strength coach at Challenger Strength since 2019. - Sean has primarily served at our Kenilworth location and has helped build our team and private training culture. - Sean was an all NJIC baseball player at St. Mary's in 2014 before enjoying a 5 year baseball career at NJCU, serving as team captain in 2018 and 2019. - He received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History in 2019 while also becoming a NASM certified strength and conditioning coach. - Fun Fact: Sean was a member of the 2011 St. Mary's Rutherford baseball team that devastated and beat Gerry's Oratory Prep Rams in the NJ State Semi-Finals. Katie Kerr (Strength Coach) (B.S. Kinesiology) (CPPS)
- Hometown: Ringwood, NJ - Katie has been a strength coach at Challenger Strength since 2022 and is the leader in facilitating our growing population of strength and conditioning with female athletes. She also is involved in assisting in our hockey team training for all levels. - Katie has her Bachelor of Science in Fitness Development and Kinesiology from SUNY Cortland. - Katie was a competitive figure skater for eight years and also played ice hockey at SUNY Cortland. - In 2023, Katie completed her certified physical preparation specialist certification (CPPS) as well as completing NYU's Fundamentals of Global Sports Management Certificate. - Fun Fact: Katie has been to Disney World nine times and considers herself an aficionado of Disney Park Trivia! Jon Szynalski (Strength Coach) (B.S. Fitness Management) (CPPS)
- Hometown: Lincoln Park, NJ - Jon has been a strength and conditioning coach at Challenger Strength since December 2022. - Jon has a degree in Physical Activity and Fitness Management with concentration in Strength Training from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. - Jon spent 20 years of playing hockey as a goaltender all the way through college at Slippery Rock University. - Jon also serves as a coach for the Jersey Hitmen Hockey Club, coach at both the Premier & Elite level. - In 2023, Jon completed her certified physical preparation specialist certification (CPPS) - Fun Fact: Jon played hockey on one of the first teams Gerry ever coached when he began his career in 2016. Tiffany Tencza, (Strength Coach) (CPPS)
- Hometown: Wallington, NJ - Tiffany has been a strength and conditioning coach at Challenger Strength since November 2022. - Tiffany graduated from Wallington High School in 2013. -Tiffany is a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate and played three varsity sports in high school: soccer, basketball and track. - In 2023, Tiffany completed her certified physical preparation specialist certification (CPPS). - Fun Fact: Tiffany is a licensed barber and cuts hair part time in addition to working at Challenger. She is also the personal barber of our very own Julian Lo Casto! Daniel Crowell, (Strength Coach) (B.S., Exercise Science)
- Hometown: Butler, NJ - Dan has been a strength and conditioning coach at Challenger Strength since January 2024. - Dan graduated from Butler High School in 2018. -Dan played baseball and competed in track and field while in high school. - In 2024, Dan graduated from William Patterson University with his degree in Exercise Science. - Fun Fact: Dan is completing his Masters at William Patterson and working as a paraprofessional at a local Wayne middle school while he works at Challenger and finishes school! Michael Leon, (Strength Coach) (B.S. Exercise Science) (CFSC)
- Hometown: Bergenfield, NJ - Mike has been a strength and conditioning coach at Challenger Strength since April 2024. - Mike graduated from River Dell high school where he also played baseball. Other Occupation: In addition to his part time coaching role at Challenger, Mike is a Full Time Exercise Specialist and Physiologist at The Valley Hospital. - While attending Rowan University, Mike played Rugby and earned his degree in Exercise Science. - Fun Fact: Mike enjoys spending time with his family and spending the weekend outside hiking and running with his Australian Shepherd, Koda, as his training partner. |
Julian Lo Casto
Sean Gibney
Katie Kerr
Jon Szynalski
Tiffany Tencza
Daniel Crowell
Michael Leon
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