Meet our Coaches

This is Coach Zach Cipra’s second season as head coach of the NIU Men’s Gymnastics program. Before that, he was assistant coach for two years and an athlete on the team for three years. In addition, he was one of the first members to join the program in 2018 and helped the program get started.

Coach Zach has a 14 year athletic career which includes club, high school, collegiate, and elite competitions. During his time as an athlete at NIU, he helped the team at three GymACT National Championships and represented the program at US Classic and USAG Nationals with other collegiate and NCAA athletes. He also was presented the N2 award in 2021 for his leadership and teamwork skills.

Coach Zach is currently a gymnastics coach at Energym Gymnastics in Sycamore, Illinois. He coaches all levels but is also the head coach of the Junior boys’ program. He has previous coaching experience as a High School Boy’s coach as well.

Coach Zach graduated from NIU in 2018 with his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and then in 2022 with his Master’s in Business Administration. 

This is Christian Lunsford’s second year as an assistant coach. During both years Christian has helped lead the Huskies to two GymACT National Championship appearances and NIU's first individual medalist in 2024. 

He has made an impact through his level of commitment in all levels, including a 16 year competitive career through the club, high school, and collegiate levels. While on the NIU Team in 2022, Christian helped lead them back to the GymACT National Championship. 

Currently he has held the Head Boys Coach position for 3 years and Girls Assistant Coach for 5 years at Palatine High School. Under his leadership he has brought athletes and teams to the State Championship every year and was awarded the MSL Head Coach of the Year in 2024. Christian is also the Secretary of the Illinois High School Boys Gymnastics Coaches Association, advocating for the continuation and support of Illinois High School Boys Gymnastics. He is also a state certified judge.

In 2022 he graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in History and Secondary Social Studies Education as well as an endorsement in ESL. He is currently a social studies teacher at Dundee-Crown High School.

This is Micah's fifth year with the NIU program, 2 of them as a volunteer assistant coach. Previously, Micah competed from 2020 to 2023. As a competitor Micah was a starter and key all-arounder in all competitions. During his five years with NIU he has contributed with the Huskies qualifying to the GymACT National Championships.

Originally from Alabama, Micah competed for NIU to continue his 13 year long athletic career. While assisting the collegiate team, he is currently a girl's club coach at Energym Gymnastics. He has been coaching since he was 15 and strives to instill his love, passion, and determination to all of his athletes.