This spring, Damascus High School welcomes back familiar faces and introduces new coaches across its Spring athletic programs. In Montgomery County Public Schools, coaches are carefully selected and required to complete certifications, safety training and the New Coaches’ Seminar. MCPS Athletics follows the R.A.I.S.E. core values: respect and sportsmanship, academic excellence, integrity and character, spirited and safe competition and equity and access. The Buzz has compiled the 2026 Spring Sports Coaches and everything you need to know about each team.
Chris Cummings: Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Joining Damascus for his first season is Coach Chris Cummings. He’s been coaching boys youth, 7/8, JV, varsity and college lacrosse for the past 20 years. Even though he’s new to Damascus, Cummings has big plans for the team. He’s looking for a team that works hard, compete hard and try hard. His boys have been in the weight rooms all winter and played in the Winter Box Lacrosse League. Cummings’ idea of a good team means being coachable and family tight. Players are expected to listen to coach feedback and implement the instruction on the field. To Cummings, a tight-knit, family team means doing everything together and for the betterment of the whole team. His boys should have meaning behind everything they do, always being able to answer the “why?” Cummings is looking forward to his first season at Damascus; “It’s going to be an amazing season being able to coach the student athletes of Damascus and teaching them about the sport that I love so much. Hopefully, this will lead to growth in the sport of lacrosse within the Damascus community.” (Cummings) Having players put in hard work in all areas of lacrosse is important to Cummings this season: every drill, practice, games, lifting, film study, wall ball and conditioning. When asked about a typical practice with Cummings, he explained, “Players will be playing and learning the fastest game on two feet in a competitive, fun, high energy practice.”
Julia Aldred: Boys JV Lacrosse
The boys JV lacrosse team is entering the 2026 season with a fresh start under new head coach Julia Aldred. As a new addition to the program, Aldred brings a new perspective and energy to the field, giving players a new opportunity to build and grow. The JV boys will start their season against Quince Orchard High School on March 20.
Abigail Sheklow: Girls Varsity Lacrosse
The girls varsity lacrosse team will be joined by new coach, Abigail Sheklow, this season. The girls are looking forward to the season and going to make it far. Make sure to come out and support the girls.
Caitlin Malone: Girls JV Lacrosse
Not only for three years and counting, but fellow DHS girls’ lacrosse alumna, Caitlin Malone, stands as the girls junior varsity head coach. With great excitement for the season ahead, the coaching staff have collaborated and corroborated ideas for practices, drills and game days that will develop confidence within themselves, the team and competence on the field. Students are expected to prioritize their academic needs and specialize in communication with their coaches. Lacrosse practices include a lot of repetition, drilling, a heavy emphasis on stick work, positional group work and remaining situationally aware, with all drills and practices mimicking gameplay to the greatest degree possible. When asked, Malone said her favorite part of coaching Damascus was her students, “These girls play with such passion and drive. They play for each other, give it their all and leave it all out on the field.” Furthermore, “I feel so fortunate and wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else.” With all the support seen during games and behind the scenes for and within the team, the most exciting games will be against Sherwood, QO and Churchill. Make sure to come out and show your support.
Liz Gall: Varsity Softball
Travelling from across the United States on a scholarship to play softball at UMD, this will be Elizabeth Gall’s seventh year coaching the Damascus varsity softball team. Gall’s coaching history started during COVID with Junior Varsity and in 2024 she moved up to become the Varsity head coach. She has high expectations for this coming season. With a strong foundation and talent pool in both JV and Varsity, they both have a running start, a great pace going for new levels of experience as the team moves into more competitive grounds in the 3A division. In addition to the rich talent pool, Gall has been reading books, listening to podcasts and attending Coaches’ Clinics to help herself grow as a coach, while finding good competitors to play scrimmages against during the pre-season. Practices for softball are a bit of everything, whole team, specific position, defense or offense. The energy levels stay high as well as, “the community support and general enthusiasm and excitement from those connected with the program,” said Liz Gall when asked about her favorite part of coaching at Damascus. Gall’s coaching style is heavily reliant on positive affirmations and self-reflection, using all aspects of what it is to be an athlete to become an even better teammate. With all the support for and within the varsity softball program, certainly look forward to games against Sherwood and Clarksburg to see wonderfully exciting sportsmanship and rivalry on the field. As always, come out and support our Varsity Softball team on March 21 against Bethesda Chevy-Chase.
Rachel Benden: JV Softball
Rachel Brenden is the coach for JV softball at Damascus High. She has been coaching for three years, she also helps out at Hood College, where she played collegiate softball. When she was in high school and college she worked in youth softball camps. So far, she has only coached at Damascus. She played for Mrs. Burns for four years when she was a student at Damascus. Some of the values that she focuses on are player and personal development. She likes for her team to work hard and have good teamwork. For this season, she wants her team to develop positively and to create a love for being competitive. To motivate the players she focuses on small things, such as keeping players positive during their at bats since having a walk or a bunt is just as important as a double. To handle conflicts within the team, she reinforces the positive behavior of being a motivating teammate, she wants players to know that they should want their teammates to be successful.
Becky McGaffin: Allied Softball
Damascus is in good hands with Rebecca McGaffin, who has been the allied softball coach since 2020, joined by William Krop in 2024. Additionally, with two County and three Division Championships in their pocket, McGaffin expresses that the allied softball team does well and expects great things to come, namely, making the playoffs this year. A typical practice for allied softball includes drills for fielding and hitting; games are also simulated to ensure the comfort of all participating players as not much prep is done outside of the season. McGaffin’s background isn’t short of any experience either, in high school she played field hockey, softball and was on the Poms squad, she continued softball through college. Within her time at MCPS, she’s also coached JV softball at Springbrook HS, JV field hockey and varsity softball at Watkins Mill HS, even more impressively coached her son’s baseball team and ran a summer sports camp for about a decade. When asked about her favorite part of coaching Damascus, McGaffin answered, “I love the school spirit at Damascus and the inclusivity of our community.” Following that, the most exciting games are against Sherwood HS, so let’s make this year bigger than before and keep the stands full.
Pat Skellchock: Varsity Baseball
Varsity baseball head coach Pat Skellchock is gearing up for another season rooted in discipline and team pride. Now in his second year at Damascus and 22nd overall coaching in the county, Skellchock brings years of experience to the program. Preparation has been a key focus for his boys. Players have committed themselves throughout the winter by attending workouts, utilizing indoor cages and bullpen areas and staying consistent with running and lifting. That dedication, Skellchock says, sets the tone for what the team hopes to accomplish once the season begins. Expectations for this year will depend on the players’ commitment to personal improvement and their ability to compete in every situation. “Our guys work diligently on skills and are very committed to the team,” Skellchock explained. Practices work core fundamentals, target specific areas of improvement and prepare for upcoming games through scouting reports. Skellchock’s approach to coaching is detailed, focused and built around constant growth. For Skellchock, what makes Damascus special goes beyond the field. He values the lack of drama and the strong support system from parents and community members. With that foundation in place, the team looks to continue building on the pride and tradition that define Damascus baseball this spring.
Connor Wills: JV Baseball
Coming back for his fifth coaching season at Damascus High School is Coach Connor Wills. In high school, Wills played baseball then went on to play at the college level. Currently, plans are being developed for the JV baseball teams tryouts, scrimmages and practices that will take place in early March. His players are expected to compete and improve as players every single practice game; and work toward becoming successful varsity players. Although Wills wants hard working athletes, he encourages them to prioritize their academics. A practice with Wills starts with a warm up jog, long stretch and throwing to get their bodies ready to play. After warming up, Wills leads them through rotations to work on drills in the batting cage or on the practice field. Once the Varsity players finish their practice, JV moves onto the diamond to work on defensive skills and skills needed for their next game. Most practices end with a competition of some sort. Wills shares his favorite part about coaching at Damascus, “I’ve been really lucky to coach some great student-athletes at Damascus, so meeting and working with new players each year is my favorite part.”
Robert Eagleson: Boys Tennis
Robert Eagleson is the coach for boys tennis at Damascus High, he has been coaching tennis for only two years, but has coached others sports for 13 years. Before coaching at Damascus, he coached at Richard Montgomery. Some values that he would like to focus on for his team are sportsmanship, teamwork and personal growth. He thinks that winning is a great thing, but he wants athletes to learn how to handle success and setbacks with great respect and integrity. One goal that he has for the season is to have his team enjoy the sport. To motivate his team, he sets goals and creates a supportive environment.
David Owens: Girls Tennis
David Owens is the coach for the girls tennis team at Damascus High. He has been coaching for multiple sports for 38 years, and he used to be an athletic director. He has coached at five other schools, six including Damascus. He likes to focus on athletes first rather than winning second, this is because focusing on athletes will end up winning naturally. To motivate athletes, he focuses on them individually, since no two athletes are alike.
Ronald Fletcher: Track and Field
Track and field is coached by Ronald Fletcher, who’s been coaching at Damascus for six years. Fletcher’s coaching history includes six years of football, one year of bocce, three years as HC for indoor track and four years of outdoor track also serving as HC in the third year. Prior, he also taught martial arts for 10 years. Indoor track is the preseason for outdoor track, getting athletes prepared for the outdoor season. Fletcher’s team practices five days a week and then competes at invitationals on Saturdays. His athletes are expected to get honor rolls and work towards reaching their personal goals and records throughout the season. Fletcher expects them to win the division and possibly have some regional or state championships. Indoor track practices start at 2:45 and end at 4:15. They start with laps, stretching and warm up exercises. Then Fletcher leads the team through different routines. Not only does he work with the team as a whole, but also individually works with the sprinters, mid distance runners, long distance runners, jumpers and throwers. Everyday, Fletcher pushes his athletes; however, the day before and after meets players get an easier practice. Fletcher’s favorite things about coaching at Damascus High School is the community support and the school pride that the Swarm brings.
Becky Ronquillo: Boys Volleyball
The boys volleyball team is lucky to call Becky Ronquillo their coach. Mrs. Ronquillo has been a long time member of the Damascus High School coaching staff. In 2008, she started on the Girls volleyball team then transitioned to the Boys Volleyball team in 2013. This season, Ronquillo expects students to learn the rules, foster a love for the game and to continue to play throughout their lives. As a coach, she is given the job to work with students of every playing level. A typical practice with Mrs.Ronquillo includes a warm up, skills practice and finishing with some game play. When asked about her favorite part of coaching at Damascus High School, Ronquillo responded, “Watching my athletes grow: not just in skills, but also in their confidence, their leadership and taking accountability. I also enjoy seeing the moment when it “clicks” for a player- making the connection of what we are learning and putting it into a game situation.” Make sure to check out the boys’ play.
Taryn Dennison-McCabe: Coed Volleyball
With 10 years of experience, coach Taryn Dennison brings extensive talent and skills to the coed volleyball team. Taryn Dennison has been coaching coed volleyball with great success. Starting in Illinois, Dennison coached Girls’ JV volleyball, winning them a tournament. Also, in light of experience, Dennison recalls her hybrid coaching year as her best season as they made it to the semifinal. Practice is a new challenge day-by-day; the 3 – 5 p.m. window never goes to waste. Between skill teaching and positioned practices, Dennison has been preparing for the coming season through an MVP system, with a heavy focus on supporting roles. Students who cheered the most, or variously supported other teammates, are heavily recognized. This is Dennison’s last season coaching coed volleyball here at Damascus. Make sure to support the team, as they enter their final season.
