Kids Instructors - Oneonta Jiu Jitsu Academy

Kids Class Instructors

Matt Martindale is a Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu and a Physical Education Teacher with New York State. He holds a second Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a Master’s Degree in Education and Coaching. Matt teaches the advanced gi classes at the Academy, as well as Fundamentals classes. Matt has been an experienced and successful competitor and also leads competition training classes at the academy.

Wyatt Green is a Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu and a former New York State Biology Teacher. Wyatt has wrestled at both the scholastic and collegiate levels and teaches the No gi classes at the Academy, as well as Fundamentals Classes and Kids classes.

Christine Gould is a Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu and an experienced and accomplished competitor. She instructs many of our kids classes and also teaches monthly women’s self defense classes in Oneonta and Norwich. Christine has been a personal trainer for over fifteen years and is the owner of Oneonta Bootcamp Xtreme Fitness.

Jocelyn Brey is a Purple Belt in Jiu Jitsu and an experienced competitor. She has been involved with our kids program for years and is the proud mother of two long-time members of the program. She currently instructs several Kids Jiu Jitsu classes.

Christel Little is a Purple Belt in Jiu Jitsu, the mother of five current or former Kids Jiu Jitsu members, and an experienced and accomplished competitor. Christel is also the wrestling coach for the Oneonta Yellowjacket’s girls wrestling team. Christel leads the Monday kids classes at the Academy.

Alexis Davis is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, an experienced competitor, and the owner of Performance Athletics. Alexis holds a Master’s Degree is Sports Medicine and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She instructs within the Viper B program and is the proud parent of a long time kids class member.

John Youngs is a Black belt in Jiu Jitsu and is an experienced competitor who has also competed in MMA. John works with developmentally challenged children and teens, and is the proud father of one of our first Kids program members.

Cierra Arnold is a Purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and has competed in a variety of tournaments over the years. She has contributed to our kids program for years and has had both her son and daughter enrolled in our classes. Cierra is now teaching multiple classes within our Kids program.

Mick Little is a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a New York State Trooper. Mick is the father of five of our most experienced Kids Jiu Jitsu members and has been involved in our kids program since the beginning. Mick regularly instructs our Monday Kids program during the school year and fills in as needed other days as well.

Dominick Abbate is a Blue Belt in Jiu Jitsu and an experienced competitor. He also works as a Registered Nurse with Bassett’s Intensive Care Unit. Dominick assists with the Vipers Class on Thursday afternoons.

Sarah Gonopolskiy is a blue belt and one of our most consistent and dedicated jiu jitsu students. She is the mother of six kids in our kids programs and can be found teaching kids classes numerous days of the week.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on using technique and leverage to control and submit an opponent.