In a year of milestones for Desert Lights Gymnastics, its owner and head coach has also found herself in the spotlight.
  Lisa Spini, 46, was honored recently as USA Gymnastics Arizona Coach of the Year. It's the first time she has won the award since starting the west Chandler gym in 1994 with husband John, who is Arizona State University's women's gymnastics team coach.
  "It was really exciting because we have quite a few great coaches in Arizona and to be singled out and be voted by others was pretty cool," she said.
  Despite the honor, Spini would rather people judge her team's success on and off the floor. Stressing the team concept rather than individual scores,

Spini said her students want to compete, rather than have competition thrust upon them.
  "We're pretty hard-core, but we're not pulling the girls out of school like some programs," she said. "Many gymnasts give up their childhoods, but I don't want my kids to do that."
  The success this year of two of her top teams - which each won state titles for Level 9 and Level 10, the highest competition levels - gave her the edge in voting, Spini said.
  But some of her students think it's the other way around.
  "She motivates without forcing. I like how she coaches us and gets the most out of us," said Shayla Garcia, 17. Garcia was honored as the state's Level 10 Outstanding Gymnast of the Year.

  Her coaching style stems from personal experience and years of academic teaching, she said.
  Spini, a gymnast at Xavier College Prepatory in the late 1970s, was forced to give up the sport after suffering a torn ligament in her knee. Later, she found solace on the ASU cheerleading squad. After graduating, she taught at Carson Junior High School in Mesa andin the Roosevelt School District in Phoenix.
  But she never gave up her love for gymnastics. Blending physical training with lessons plans, Spini has the entire season mapped out before students take to the floor.
  "I'm a pretty intense coach," She said.