Gold Star Martial Arts
Legacy Instructor Team
The American Taekwondo Association's Masters Council has developed a unique and intensive, cutting-edge instructor training program to insure all ATA instructors are skilled and professional teachers. Before becoming certified, ATA black belts spend two to three years as instructor trainees, during which time they are required to teach at least 300 hours under the supervision of a senior instructor. They are also required to earn certification in CPR and youth protection and attend instructor camps.
Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Songahm Taekwondo and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.
Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained many of their own personal goals in Songahm Taekwondo, and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.
Mr. Jack Cochnar
5th Degree Black Belt
Nationally Certified Instructor
Protech Certified Instructor
National Tournament Judge
Owner of Gold Star Martial Arts
Chief Instructor, Gold Star Martial Arts - Crete
ATA Legacy Facilitator, Gold Star Martial Arts
Crete Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Certifications:
ATA Leadership
ATA Legacy
ATA Tai Chi Level 1
ATA Tai Chi Level 2
ATA Tigers
ATA’s Bully Prevention Program
ATA’s Train the Trainer
Combat Weapons Sparring
Double Combat Weapons Sparring
Double Bahng Mahng Ee Weapons
Double Ssahng Jeol Bong Weapons
Gum Do Weapon Level 1
Gum Do Weapon Level 2
Jee Pong Ee Weapon
Long-Range Jahng Bong Weapon
Mid-Range Jahng Bong Weapon
Oh Sung Do Weapon Level 1
Oh Sung Do Weapon Level 2
Safety N.E.T. (No Easy Target) Kids
Sam Dan Bong Weapon
Sexual Harassment & Rape Prevention
Single Bahng Mahng Ee Weapon
Single Ssahng Jeol Bong Weapon
Warrior X-Fit Kickboxing
Achievements & Awards:
National Award for Leadership Members
Regional Award for Demonstration Team Recognition
Certificate of Appreciation - 2011 Worlds Championships
12x Nebraska State Champion
2x World Top Ten Finalist
2x Nebraska Cornhusker State Games Gold Medalist
Region 105 - Regional Appreciation Award - 2018
Ms. Alyssa Cochnar
5th Degree Black Belt
Nationally Certified Instructor
Protech Certified Instructor
National Tournament Judge
Legacy Team Member
Team Velocity Demonstration Team Instructor/Choreographer
Chief Instructor, Gold Star Martial Arts - Seward
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, Doane University
Certifications:
ATA Leadership
ATA Legacy
ATA Tai Chi
Combat Weapons Sparring
Double Bahng Mahng Ee Weapons
Double Ssahng Jeol Bong Weapons
Gum Do Weapon Level 1
Gum Do Weapon Level 2
Long-range Jahng Bong Weapon
Mid-range Jahng Bong Weapon
Single Bahng Mahng Ee Weapon
Single Ssahng Jeol Bong Weapon
Ssahng Nat Weapons
Vinaysa Yoga
Achievements & Awards:
2013 3X World Champion
2014 World Champion
52x World Top Ten Finalist
-4 Gold Medals
-1 Silver Medal
-10 Bronze Medals
36x Great Plains District Champion
88x Nebraska State Champion
2011 ATA Demo Team Finalist (Team Captain)
Crete ATA Athlete of the Year
Crete ATA Student Workhorse Award
Crete ATA Instructor Excellence Award
Crete ATA Highest Attendance Award
Region 105 Black Belt of the Year - 2014
2016 Gold Star Award of Excellence
2013 Demo Reel link:
2014 DoaneLine Interview link:
Hobbies: running, archery, & hunting
Fun Fact: I have run a 5 mile race in Hawaii.
Mr. Michael Cochnar
5th Degree Black Belt
Nationally Certified Instructor
Media Consultant, Gold Star Martial Arts
Former Team Velocity Demonstration Team Choreographer
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater, Doane University
Achievements & Awards:
10x Nebraska State Champion
Dr. Mark Meysenburg, Ph.D
4th Degree Black Belt
Nationally Certified Instructor
National Tournament Judge
Legacy Team Member
Certifications:
ATA Legacy
Combat Weapons Sparring
Double Combat Weapons Sparring
Gum Do Weapon Level 1
Oh Sung Do Weapon
Single Bahng Mahng Ee Weapon
Ssahng Nat Weapons
Achievements & Awards:
1x World Top Ten Finalist
7x Nebraska State Champion
2x Crete ATA Student Workhorse Award
3x Crete ATA Instructor Excellence Award
2016 Gold Star Award of Excellence
Hobby: watching bad movies
Fun Fact: I have flown faster than the speed of sound.
Ms. Valerie Cochnar
4th Degree Black Belt
Nationally Certified Instructor
National Tournament Judge
Graphic Designer Consultant, Gold Star Martial Arts
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art, Doane University
Certifications:
Long-range Jahng Bong Weapon
Single Bahng Mahng Ee Weapon
Achievements & Awards:
6x World Top Ten Finalist
13x Nebraska State Champion
2011 ATA Demo Team Finalist
Crete ATA Instructor Excellence Award
Mrs. Suzy Cochnar
3rd Degree Black Belt
Nationally Certified Instructor
Program Director, Gold Star Martial Arts
Certifications:
ATA Tai Chi
ATA Tigers
ATA's Bully Prevention Program
Oh Sung Do Weapon
Safety N.E.T. (No Easy Target) Kids
School Safety/Healthy Children
Sexual Harassment & Rape Prevention
Single Bahng Mahng Ee Weapon
Single Ssahng Jeol Bong Weapon
Hobby: doing some sort of crafts
Fun Fact: I taught art in Lincoln for 19 years.
Mr. N. Cochnar
3rd Degree Black Belt
Trainee Instructor
Legacy Team Member
Team Velocity Member
Certification:
Gum Do Weapon Level 1
Achievements & Awards:
17x Nebraska State Champion
2011 ATA Demo Team Finalist
Hobbies: hunting, fishing, & playing video games
Fun Fact: I play basketball at Doane University.
Mr. Avram Wunderlich
2nd Degree Black Belt
Trainee Instructor
National Tournament Judge
Legacy Team Member
Team Velocity Member
Achievements & Awards:
3x Nebraska State Champion
2x Great Plains District Champion
Hobby: taekwondo
Fun Fact: I can solve a Rubik's cube in under 45 seconds.
Mr. Chris Waldron
1st Degree Black Belt
Trainee Instructor
Legacy Team Member
Team Velocity Member
Achievements & Awards:
2x Nebraska State Champion
Hobbies: running, reading, painting, & going on motorcycle rides
Fun Fact: I placed 3rd in a male beauty pageant in college.
