Tuscarora Announces New Varsity Coaches
TUSCARORA HIGH SCHOOL
801 North King Street
Leesburg, VA 20175
PH: 571-252-1900
FAX: 571-252- 1636
Athletic Department Press Release
John Puterio, Assistant Athletic Director
Mr. Puterio graduated from Mary Washington College in 1993 with a BS in Psychology. He received a Masters of Education Degree from Marymount University in 1993. He was previously a teacher at Farmwell Station and Harper Park Middle Schools teaching American Civics and Physical Science from 1998 till 2010. Mr. Puterio has held several different coaching positions in Loudoun County Public Schools. He was a Varsity Assistant Softball for Potomac Falls High School form 2000-2003, Broad Run Junior Varsity Head Wrestling Coach from 1999-2001, Broad Run Varsity Assistant wrestling coach from the 2001-2004 and was the Head Varsity Wrestling coach from 2004-2010 at Broad Run High School.
Stacy Gallo, Athletic Trainer
Ms. Gallo graduated from Bridgewater College in 2006 with a BS in Athletic Training and is currently working on her masters in Human Movement. She was given the Outstanding Leadership Award at Bridgewater College in 2006. She was a Student Athletic Trainer for the Bridgewater Track Teams, Field Hockey and Women's Softball teams as well as serving as a Student Athletic Trainer for the Football team. In 2006 she was a Student Athletic Trainer for the Hula Bowl in Hawaii. She completed her Internship at North Carolina A&T University. She was the long term substitute at Loudoun County High School from January 2010 till June 2010.
Marsha Hermes, Head Varsity Volleyball
Ms. Hermes served as the varsity head coach at Brentsville High School for the 2009 season. Ms. Hermes graduated in 2008 with a BS in Business Administration and a concentration in marketing from Bridgewater College. She was a four year starter at outside hitter for the Eagles. While playing for the Eagles Ms. Hermes compiled an outstanding college career being named First Team All-Conference twice and Conference Player of the Year once. She holds the single season and career record for kills at Bridgewater. Ms. Hermes is excited to join the Tuscarora family and is looking forward to bringing her knowledge of the game to help develop the Tuscarora Volleyball program into one of the areas best.
Traelic Cotter, Head Baseball Coach
Mr. Cotter in a 2004 graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelor of Elementary Education with a minor in History. He is currently a fifth grade teacher at Hutchinson Farm Elementary School. Mr. Cotter was a standout baseball player at Schenectady Community College and then Point Park University where he was the team captain and played first base, third base, catcher, outfield and pitched. Mr. Cotter was named National Player of the Week (NAIA Division1) twice, three time All-American and three time Academic All-American. He also had five years of semi-professional baseball experience. Mr. Cotter has coached a variety of Varsity Baseball teams throughout Loudoun County. Most recently, he has been the Varsity Assistant Baseball Coach for Potomac Falls High School since 2008, where he led the Panthers to a state quarter final last year, as well as a Regional and District Championships. He has been a lead instructor at Baseball Diamond Elite and Al Liberi Baseball Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa, as well as, the head coach and founder of the TC Twins Organization.
Dave Gryder , Varsity Soccer Coach
Mr. Gryder graduated from Longwood College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education K-12. In May of 2009, Mr. Gryder received his Master of Education in Curriculum and Technology Instruction from George Mason University. He is currently a physical education teacher at Heritage High School. Mr. Gryder has over thirteen years of head coaching experiencing throughout Loudoun County. Most recently he was the head boys' soccer coach at Potomac Falls High School, where he led the team to a State title in 2006, and multiple state tournament games. In 2007, Mr. Gryder was named the Washington Post All-Met Coach of the year. He will also be the Head Coach for the 2010 Summer Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star team.
Ashlee Comber, Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach
Mrs. Comber graduated from Florida State University where she was a three year starter as a defender for the women's soccer team. Before she attended FSU she played her high school soccer in Michigan were she was a member of a State Championship and State Runner up teams. She was a four year Varsity Starter and Captain. After graduation she played Semi-Pro soccer for teams in Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. She has been coaching at Soccer Camps since 1999. She is Head coach of the 93 G Red Impact Travel team and was named Loudoun Youth Soccer Association Travel Coach of the Year award in 2009. She is the Assistant Coach for the Northern Virginia Olympic Development Program. She was an Assistant Varsity coach at Potomac Falls High School in 2010.
Troy Harry, Head Boys Varsity Track & Field Coach & Assistant Cross-Country
Mr. Harry graduated from La Salle University with a BS in Political Science in 1998. He received his Masters Degree in Information Technology from American Intercontinental University in 2000. While attending Quince Orchard High School he was a three-time 3200M state champion, 1600M state champion and two-time state Cross-Country Champion. While attending La Salle, Mr. Harry was a standout Cross Country and Distance Runner, winning numerous Atlantic 10 Championships. He was a two-time 3000M indoor champion, two-time Mile indoor champion and a two-time 3200M relay Champion. He was named to the All-Conference team in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and was inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 2007. He served as a Volunteer Assistant Cross Country coach at Loudoun County High School during the 2009 season.
Katie Boring, Head Girls Track and Field Coach
Mrs. Boring graduated from Lynchburg College in 2001 with a BS in Health Science & Recreation earning Cum Laude honors. While attending Lynchburg she was a member of the track and basketball teams. She was and All-Conference selection in track as well as an All-Academic selection. She has served as Head Track and Field Coach for the Heritage High School since 2002. Mrs. Boring lead the Lady Pride to three district Championships and One Region Championship. She has coached Four State Champion relay teams and One State Champion hurdler and was named Coach of the Year. Mrs. Boring is currently a Health and Physical education teacher at Smart's Mill Middle School in Leesburg.
Megan Smith, Head Varsity Softball Coach
Ms. Smith graduated from James Madison University in 2006 with a BS in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and received her Masters in Secondary Education in 2007. She was a four year starter at JMU after playing for Park View High School. While at JMU she was recognized as a NFCA Academic All-American and holds the record for most career doubles. She has been the Head Varsity Softball Coach at Heritage High School in Leesburg, VA since 2007. She is also an instructor at Diamond Sports Training in Sterling, VA. She was previously the Assistant JV coach at Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater, VA. Ms. Smith is a History teacher at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, VA.
Marina Bass-Thomas, Head Varsity Girls Tennis Coach
Mrs. Bass-Thomas graduated with a BA in Spanish from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1988. She received her masters in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University in 1996. She was the first Head Girls tennis coach for Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Virginia from 1996-2000. She led the Lady Hawks to there first district Championship. She is the Department Chair at Tuscarora for the Foreign Language Department.
Margaret Upp, Head Coach Varsity Gymnastics
Mrs. Upp received her BS in Physical Education with an Endorsement in Health Education from George Mason University. Mrs. Upp has been a teacher in Loudoun County since August 2007 and will be teaching Health and Physical Education at Tuscarora High School starting in August 2010. She was previously a teacher at Freedom High School, Mercer Middle School, Arcola Elementary, Smarts Mill Middle School. She was a Cheerleader at West Virginia University from 1989-1991 and has previously coached at Gemini Gymnastics Gym in Herdon, VA. She has coached several All-Star Cheerleading teams and was the tumbling coach for Herndon High school's Cheerleading Programs from 2000-2002.
