Meet our Staff

This is Coach Zach Cipra’s thrid 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 third 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 Zack McCue's first year on staff with the NIU Team. Prior to this, he was an athlete on the team for 4 years, 2 of which he was team captain and president of the team. 

Zack has had a 12 year athletic career which started at Gym World Ohio back in 2013. Once he committed to NIU, he helped the huskies significantly grow the team. He contribed to bringing the Huskies to 3 back to back GymACT National Championships. During his senior year, Zack was nominated for the GymACT N2 award for his leadership skills. 

Zack is currently a gymnastics coach at Energym Gymnastics in Sycamore, Illinois. He coaches boys and girls all levels including college. 

Zack graduated from NIU in 2025 with his undergraduate degree in Operations Management and Information Systems and a minor in Data Analytics.