Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the Bush School

Behind every practice plan, pregame talk, early morning workout, and late-night bus ride is a coach who believes in their athletes. Coaches do far more than teach skills or draw up plays. They create spaces where girls and women learn confidence, leadership, resilience, and the courage to take up space - on and off the playing fields.

For many female-identifying athletes, a coach is among the first to say, “You belong here.” Coaches challenge outdated narratives about who sports are for and replace them with a powerful truth: sports are for everyone. Whether mentoring young athletes, leading teams, or advocating for equity within athletic programs, coaches are often the catalyst for meaningful and lasting change.

Blazers coaches see potential before athletes see it in themselves. They push their teams to compete with heart while teaching the importance of teamwork, accountability, and respect. They celebrate wins, learn from losses, and model what it looks like to lead with integrity. For countless girls and women, a coach’s belief becomes a turning point - shaping not just their athletic journey, but their sense of self.

On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, it’s especially important to recognize coaches who champion equity and inclusion. Coaches who fight for equal access to facilities, resources, and recognition. Coaches who intentionally build programs where girls feel valued, supported, and empowered to dream big. Coaches who understand that participating in sports can be a vehicle for confidence, community, and lifelong leadership.

Coaches also show up in the quiet moments; the check-in after a tough day, the encouragement after an injury, the reminder that an athlete’s worth is not defined by a stat line or scoreboard. These moments often leave the deepest impact.

Not only today, but everyday, we say ‘Thank You’. Thank you to the coaches who lead with passion and purpose. Thank you for investing your time, energy, and heart into your athletes. Thank you for helping move the needle forward for girls and women in sports.

As we celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, let’s continue to recognize and uplift the coaches who make sports a place where girls and women can thrive - not just as athletes, but as confident, capable leaders for life.

Read below about our coaches this season.

Alexa Adams, Middle School Nordic Skiing - Assistant Coach  

Ali Stewart-Ito, Upper School Girls Volleyball - Assistant Coach / Upper School Girls Basketball - Assistant Coach 

Amelia Wells, Upper School Girls Varsity Soccer - Assistant Coach / Upper School Boys Varsity Soccer 

Anna Belknap, Lower School Cross Country / Lower School Running Club 

Arissan Ugles, Middle School Girls Navy Basketball - Co-Head Coach  

Bea Chang, Upper School Girls Varsity Basketball - Head Coach 

Cara Holloway, Upper School Boys Varsity Tennis - Head Coach / Upper School Girls Varsity Tennis - Head Coach / Middle School Tennis - Assistant Coach 

Caroline Lowe, Upper School Nordic Skiing - Assistant Coach 

Cecily Metzger, Lower School Cross Country

Christine Miller, Upper School Cross Country - Assistant Coach / Upper School Nordic Skiing - Head Coach 

Ela Nickels, Upper School Cross Country - Assistant Coach

Erin Szekely, Upper School Boys Varsity Golf - Head Coach / Upper School Girls Varsity Golf - Head Coach / Middle School Golf - Head Coach  

Gretchen Boehm, Middle School Cross Country - Co-Head Coach / Middle School Track & Field - Head Coach 

Jennifer Marrero, Upper School Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball - Head Coach

Jennifer Minear, Middle School Cross Country - Assistant Coach / Middle School Track & Field - Assistant Coach

Julie Barber, Lower School Cross Country

Kamryn Stablein, Middle School Girls Navy Soccer - Head Coach 

Katie Busby, Upper School Boys Junior Varsity Tennis - Head Coach

Kayla Dawson, Upper School Cross Country - Co-Head Coach / Upper School Track & Field - Assistant Coach   

Kiana Peterson, Lower School Basketball Club - Lead

KJ Ahn, Fifth Grade Girls Basketball - Assistant Coach 

Laura Chesebro, Lower School Cross Country / Lower School Running Club

Lisa McCullough, Middle School Girls Royal Volleyball - Head Coach / Upper School Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball - Assistant Coach / Upper School Varsity Girls Volleyball - Assistant Coach

Lori Clithero, Upper School Boys Varsity Tennis - Assistant Coach / Upper School Girls Junior Varsity Tennis - Head Coach 

Lucy Alexander, Middle School Cross Country - Assistant Coach 

Madyson Burdett, Upper School Girls Varsity Basketball - Assistant Coach 

Malina Baker, Middle School Girls Navy Volleyball - Head Coach / Upper School JVC2 Upper School Varsity Girls Volleyball - Assistant 

Michele Shaffer, Lower School Cross Country 

Michelle Amilicia, Middle School Girls White Volleyball - Assistant Coach

Mimi Jaffe, Upper School Nordic Skiing - Assistant Coach 

Molly Gallager, Upper School Junior Varsity Girls Tennis - Assistant Coach 

Olivia Forslund, Upper School JVC-2 Girls Volleyball - Assistant Coach

Paula Dowtin, Upper School Cross Country - Assistant Coach

Rachel Ladd, Middle School Girls Royal Ultimate - Head Coach 

Riley Madore, Fifth Grade Girls Basketball - Head Coach / Lower School Basketball Club - Lead 

Robyn Hagle, Middle School Boys Navy Soccer - Assistant Coach / Middle School Track & Field - Assistant Coach

Sam McDaniel, Lower School Cross Country / Lower School Running Club 

Sarah Aguiar, Middle School Girls Navy Soccer - Assistant Coach 

Sarah Wheeler, Middle School Girls Royal Volleyball - Assistant Coach / Middle School Tennis - Head Coach / Middle School Girls Royal Ultimate - Assistant Coach 

Sophie Evans, Upper School JVC-1 Girls Volleyball - Assistant Coach

Tami Hutchinson, Lower School Cross Country / Lower School Running Club

Erin Saunderson, Associate Athletic Director

Lisa McCullough, Assistant Athletic Director 

Grace Katt, Head Athletic Trainer

Megan McKinney-Rickey, Fitness Center Supervisor