Mindi Susskind

Mindi is our Director of Parent Relations, but she could also be called the Director of Getting Everything Done!  She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in Marketing. Following college, she was a Sales Associate for Horizons Unlimited for 10 years. She is now the cheering mother of three children - 2 Whitman graduates and 1 Pyle student. Mindi resides in Bethesda, MD with her husband, Evan. In her free time, she enjoys running and spending time with her family.

McKenna Shea

Koa Athletic Director McKenna Shea graduated from The Catholic University of America in 2010 with a degree in English Language and Literature. While at Catholic she was captain of the crew team for two seasons and McKenna worked as a personal trainer. She attended Salem Washington Academy in upstate New York where she was a three sport athlete in field hockey, basketball, and softball. Coach McKenna was named Section II First Team All-Star for field hockey and Basketball. In softball, McKenna held the school record for homeruns in each of the four seasons she played on the varsity squad.

During baseball season, you'll find this native NY'er rooting for her Yankees and in her free time she loves the water -- frozen or not -- as she kayaks, waterskis, and hits the slopes for downhill skiing.

As Athletic Director, McKenna collaborates with the Koa team to develop programs designed for our youth athletes. Using her past experience as a coach in field hockey, hoops and swimming and as an instructor/lead guide for kayaking, McKenna also coordinates coaching and works with athletes in many Koa programs. Coach McKenna brings her enthusiasm and passion for sports to everyone at Koa!

Kelly Bowse

Growing up in Vermont, Koa Assistant Athletic Director Kelly Bowse gave up competitive freestyle skiing in the 6th grade to save her knees for her multisport career.  At Mount St. Joseph's Academy, Kelly played basketball, softball, and football! Her hoops team won the State D-3 Championship in 2002 and her AAU team was the VT AAU Champs in 2003 and competed in Junior Nationals. Earning MVP of the game 20 times during her hoops career, Kelly averaged 16.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Kelly’s other honors included: Vermont Coaches Dream Dozen Team, Marble Valley All-League and Burlington Free Press/Vermont HS Coaches All-State teams (2 years). As shortstop and cleanup hitter for the MSJ softball team, Kelly earned Marble Valley All-League honors three times. She was also a four-year football player for the Division 1 MSJ football team. After leading the JV team in touchdowns and receptions her freshman year, Kelly made Varsity and won the Dedication and Twelfth Player awards. She was also the 1st and only female in the state to catch a pass in a D-1 varsity football game.

Kelly went on to attended Harvard University where she was captain of her JV hoops team and earned her degree in Visual and Environmental Studies. After graduation, Kelly coached youth basketball and joined the Boston Militia women’s semi-pro football team, starting at wide receiver. The Militia won the 2010 Independent Women’s Football League Championship (ask to see her ring!) A passionate New England sports fan and talented artist, Coach Kelly lives in Rockville and enjoys working with the Koa management team and the area’s amazing young athletes!

Jess McNurlen

Jessica McNurlen graduated from Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA) in 2008 and earned her Masters Degree at UMD in 2010.  While at Mercyhurst she played D-II softball and was named to the Second Team All Conference in GLIAC and the Daktronics First Team All Region.  Superstar Jess led her team senior year in homeruns, RBI’s hits, doubles, triples and batting average (.328)!! Whether working with the kids or mentoring new coaches, Coach Jess’ experience, positive energy and passion for sports always comes through!

Katina Lee

A Harvard University graduate, Coach Katina played Division I softball and was a 3rd base starter all four years! She was named to the 1st Team All-Ivy League, continues to hold both defensive and offensive school records, and is on Friends of Harvard Softball Board of  Directors. At Langley High School in McLean, VA she helped the softball team win their first Virginia High School League Softball Championship in 1992. Coach Katina was also named to the Washington Post All-Met softball team and the Virginia All-Star Team. and is an alumni of the 18-U Vienna Shamrocks, the premier girls fastpitch softball team in Northern Virginia.

One of Katina’s most memorable softball moments was hitting an out-of-the-park homerun in her very first collegiate at bat. This past spring, she helped coach her girls softball team to an undefeated season.  Katina also practices health care law in Washington, DC.

Meredith Auerbach

Meredith attended Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda wheres she played basketball, softball and was on the crew team where she was captain senior year. During high school, Meredith played travel softball for the Damascus Hurricanes for 3 years and was a captain for two.  She went on to play softball at St. Joseph's University (Philadelphia) her freshman year before transfering to George Washington University where she graduated in '08. Her senior year at GW, Meredith joined the Thompson Boat Center Club Crew team where she continues to row.

In addition to coaching for Koa, Meredith is the Head Softball Coach at Pyle Middle School and the Asst. Varsity Coach at Whitman High School. You can also find her substituting in Montgomery County classrooms!

Laura Parker

Laura grew up in Northern California in a little town called Healdsburg. In high school LP played soccer, basketball, and softball and was captain of ALL THREE teams!! She earned the Scholar-Athlete of the Year title for the Sonoma County League in 2005. Laura played softball for Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she graduated in 2009 with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology and a minor in Latin American Studies. She earned All-League honors her junior and senior years and was captain her senior season.

Coach Laura enjoys watching and playing lots of different sports and is a loyal San Francisco Giants fan!!

Dena Bunnel

Dena Bunnel attended Kansas State University and graduated May '10 with degrees in Agricultural Communications and Political Science, plus an International Studies secondary major!! While doing all that studying, Dena also found time to play catcher for the K-State Women's Fastpitch Softball club team. The Wildcats rocked while Dena was there, making the National ClubSoftball Assoc. Tournament 3 times, including placing 4th at the NCSA World Series in 2009 and 7th in 2010! Coach Dena's teammates selected her for the Team Leadership Award and voted her Most Motivational Player. When she's not coaching Mudcats and motivating our Koa athletes, Dena works for the Foreign Agriclutural Service.

Monica McCoin

Monica grew up in a small town in Texas and played on her first softball team when she was 5.  Every spring, (that’s February in Texas!) she would play catch with her Dad until it was too dark to see. Monica played short stop, pitcher, and first base in her youth softball league, and was named the best short stop in the district. In High School she played Varsity Softball, Basketball, and threw the discus and shot put in Track. Monica was a Varsity Softball right field starter and received a District Honorable Mention.  She also played first and 3rd base throughout high school.  After HS Monica attended Baylor University and played on the intramural softball team at first and 3rd as well.  She graduated in 2010 with a BA in History.

Coach Monica loves watching football and goes to every Baylor Bears game that she can. She is also an avid dog lover, has a black lab named Zelda, and works with dogs on a daily basis.

Stephanie Cherkezian

Stephanie graduated from James Madison University in 2001 with a B.A. in Political Science and from The George Washington University in 2009 with a M.P.S. in Legislative Affairs. She’s putting those degrees to good use as the Senate Services Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). After playing field hockey, lacrosse and swimming throughout high school in New Jersey, Stephanie played club field hockey at JMU. A lover of all sports, you can find her cheering for her beloved Yankees and Giants, completing triathlons and playing on her work softball team and intramural, co-ed football team with friends. While Stephanie misses the Jersey shore during the summertime, she loves living in D.C. and being part of the Koa team.

Germaica Bradley

Germaica Bradley is from Virginia Beach, VA where she attended Tallwood High School, playing Varsity Softball all four years.  Germaica went on to attend South Carolina State University on a softball scholarship, graduating in 2003 and earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  While attending SCSU, Germaica received the Hustle Award in 2000 and the Most Improved Player Award in 2001.  Currently, Germaica still enjoys playing competitive softball and in recent years has received All-Tournament awards for participating in the U.S. Military Worlds Tournament -- 2010 and 2011! Coach Germaica is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and skills of the game with young girls who have an eager desire to learn.  She is excited and looking forward to this new opportunity!!

Katie Klutts

Katie first learned to throw from her big sister, playing catch until dark in her backyard in upstate New York.   Throughout high school, she played field hockey, volleyball, and softball and was captain for 2 years.  Katie went on to play defense for William Smith College’s field hockey team, helping the Herons win 3 Liberty League championships and was honored with the Evaleen C. Harrison Award for her commitment to excellence in academics and athletics!!  

Riane Hoffman

Riane Hoffman graduated from University of Delaware in 2010 where she earned a degree in Psychology and Medical Humanities. A proud and peppy Fighting Blue Hen, Coach Riane played catcher on a D-I softball scholarship! Originally from Louisville, KY, Riane won a National Championship as a catcher for Lady Sluggers 18U ASA fastpitch. She played five years of high school softball begining in the 8th grade!, and started 4 years for her Sacred Heart Academy softball team. This Koa All-Star was named to  the East-West All Star team for three years, ranked as one of the top catchers in the state, named to the First Team All-State, and holds the record for pickoffs and throw-outs for her school! And Coach Riane didn't stop there -- she was named a first team all-region, all-district and all-metro selection!! You go girl!!

Jennifer Monaghan

Jennifer grew up in Denver, Colorado where everyone loves the outdoors and loves sports! She started playing t-ball with her little brother as a kid and in high school was the first freshman in her class to make the Varsity softball team (with all those seniors). Jennifer continued playing competitive fast pitch softball as a catcher until she was 18 years old. In addition to her Koa duties, Coach Jennifer now works at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and still finds time to play on their  co-ed softball team once a week!!  She is psyched to be part of the Koa Mudcats!!   

Lindsay Paul

  A DC Metro area native, Coach Lindsay attended high school in Herndon, VA.  In 2006 she graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC, where she played D-III softball.  Lindsay is part of Guilford College softball history as a member of her college's first ever fast-pitch softball team!  The most exciting moment during her softball career with the Quakers was when she pitched her first conference game and lead her team to a win -- Guildford's first conference victory!!  Her team later qualified for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament their first year after being ranked to finish last in their conference.  Since graduating, Coach Lindsay has worked at an educational nonprofit and coached softball in an Alexandria recreational league before coming to Koa.  Besides spending her free time playing softball , Lindsay further pursues her passion for coaching kids as a volunteer teaching children with disabilities how to swim.

Mekail Grant

Coach Mekail hails from Long Beach, CA where she graduated from Millikan HS and played basketball and softball all four years!! The ultimate sports fan, Mekail also refereed basketball, umpired and for 5 years served as Recreational Leader for the City of Lakewood.  Next Mekail traveled to a small town in the south and attended Louisiana Tech University, playing softball for the Bulldogs her freshman year.

Mekail comes to Koa with lots of coaching experience, including her work with the Methodist Children’s Home where she facilitated their softball and hoops clinics and coached their girls teams for both sports.  When she’s not coaching, Mekail works at Washington Hospital Center as a medical technologist.

Jen Cahall

Jen Cahall graduated from Salisbury University in May 2010 with an English degree and an impressive softball career!!  At SU, this Seagull was a part of the nationally-ranked Division III softball team where she was the starting centerfielder all four years. Named a Gold Glove during her senior season, Jen also led her team to Regionals where they were defeated by the former National Champions. During her college career she hit seven homeruns and boasted a career batting average of .350.  Jen’s accomplishments also got her named to the All-CAC Conference!! While at Elkton High School, Jen was recognized as the Best Female Athlete. 

During college, this all star player also added coaching to her resume working as a softball instructor for the past three years at Salisbury.   Coach Jen is excited to bring her passion for softball and coaching to Koa Sports!!

Michelle Mott

A DC Metro area native, Coach Michelle is all about sports!  She played both slowpitch and competitive fastpitch softball for 15+ years and is the captain of her adult softball team in Montgomery County.  She is also the captain of the reigning Champion Adult Kickball Team for three years running, and Michelle doesn’t stop there, she also captains a championship dodge ball team!!  Michele has her Masters from UMUC (’10) in International Business Management and when she’s not coaching for Koa, or captaining one of her many teams, she is the Marketing and Special Events Planner for an adult social sports league.  And oh yeah -- don’t wear any Cowboy swag around Michelle – she’s a loyal Redskins fan!!

Caryn Harris

We're going to learn more about Coach Caryn really soon!

Gabby Reckendorf

Gabby Reckendorf graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 2007 with a degree in Sports Management. There she played softball for the Spartans, starting at first base, a little ways from the third base position she excelled in throughout high school, but a corner nonetheless! Koa is proud to have this Gazette “Player of the Decade” on its roster – plus Gabby was named to the Gazette All-Met Team and the Montgomery Journal First Team during her Watkins Mill years as their stand-out third baseman!!  Coach Gabby also led the Wolverines to the state semi-finals her senior year. 

For the past 3 years Gabby's coached her alma mater, joining her former Wolverines softball coach in pursuit of the illustrious state title she never quite got to add to her athletic resume.  We’re psyched to have another passionate coach join the Koa team!!

Bianca Williams

A bi-coastal athlete, Coach Bianca attended Castlemont HS in East Oakland, CA up through 2007. While at Castlemont, she had one of her proudest sports moments when her basketball team won the coveted O.A.L.(Oakland Athletic League) Championship game. Bianca then moved east and graduated from McDonough HS in 2008. Bianca has played basketball and soccer since the age of 5 and she played up until her Freshman year in College at Bowie State. Along the way, Coach Bianca has also played softball and volleyball to round out her sports resume. During time out from an injury Bianca started coaching basketball and knew she loved the combination of kids and sports. Coach Bianca takes her job as a role model for young girls very seriously. When she's not coaching, Bianca is finishing her degree in Political Science at Bowie State.

Kate Gannon

Kate Gannon is a 2001 graduate of Walt Whitman High School, where she was a Washington Post All-Met and named to the Bethesda Gazette and Montgomery Journal All-County teams for field hockey.  She played four years of varsity field hockey at Harvard, where she captained the team to an Ivy League Championship her senior year.  While at Harvard, Kate was named to the All-Ivy Academic Team in 2004, All-Ivy Second Team in 2004, and All-Ivy Honorable Mention in 2002. Kate has coached high school field hockey at Newton Country Day School in Newton, MA and at Stone Ridge in Bethesda, MD. Kate is also a recent law school graduate.

Christy Arndt

Christy Arndt is a 2006 graduate of Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac where she was a four year varsity starter on the soccer team and led her team to an ISL Championship! She also played Lacrosse for the Tigers.  Christy went on to graduate from Dickinson College in 2010 with a degree in International Business and Management.  While at Dickinson she played on the women’s soccer team and became a student athlete trainer.  Coach Christy's sports have given her the opportunity to travel the world with her teams playing in Europe and South America.  Christy loves to spend her free time outdoors whether it’s playing, coaching or watching the pros… Go Ravens!

Stewi Downer

Stewi is a 2005 graduate of Oakton High School, where she earned all-district, all-region, all-state and Washington Post All-Met Honorable Mention for field hockey. At UNC, Stewi played varsity field hockey where she was named practice player of the week multiple times, placed 6th overall in the UNC Athletes Super Ram competition (where all UNC athletes compete in agility, conditioning, strength, flexibility and speed tests and the top 10 “most athletic” are named “Super Rams”) and played for a National Championship team from 2005-2007 (National Champs ’07).

Morgan Kaufman

Coach Morgan played Division I field hockey at Bucknell University, and graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in English. During her time at Bucknell she was a four-year starter collecting honors as second and third in single season assists, third in career assists, and seventh in all time career points for the Bisons. She was also an NFHCA All-Region Second Team player. Coach Morgan attributse all of her accolades to her coaches and hopes she pass on what they have taught her. In addition to coaching with Koa Sports, Morgan coaches JV Field Hockey for B-CC high school and works for Charles River Laboratories doing biomedical research.

Courtney Gaine

A local Walt Whitman HS graduate (and All-Met Field Hockey player), Courtney Gaine, PhD, RD has a passion for sports and sports nutrition. Coach Courtney played hoops for U Conn as a full scholarship athlete for the powerhouse Huskies team. She graduated with a degree in dietetics and then stayed and earned her doctorate in nutitional science. While doing her graduate work, Coach Courtney also served as a sports nutritionist, counseling athletes and teams. After completing her studies, she was an assistant prof in the Dept. of Exercise and Sports Scienct at E. Carolina. When she isn't consulting in the nutrition/food industry, Coach Courtney is psyched to be working with all the awesome Koa athletes!

Alecia Audley

Alecia Audley grew up in Syracuse, the "Heart of New York." She attended Le Moyne College and graduated in 2006 with a B.A. in History and Teaching Certification. While at Le Moyne, Alecia played D-I lacrosse and during her freshman year, the team made the NCAA tournament. In fact, the Dolphins won their conference all four years she played!  Clearly a stand-out player, Alecia was named to the First Team All Conference, and voted Captain by her teammates her senior year.  In addition to lacrosse, Alecia also played on the Le Moyne D-II Varsity soccer team, and started all four years!!

Since graduating from college, Alecia has enjoyed coaching as well as playing soccer and lacrosse in England, New York, and now for Koa right here in Maryland.     

Erin Pollock

Erin Pollock hails from Cleveland, OH. She attended Dickinson College, where she played field hockey (defense). In her senior year, Coach Erin was voted Captain of her team, made the All-Centennial Conference Field Hockey Team, and received the “Most Dedicated Player” award. But Coach Erin is no dumb jock! She graduated Magna Cum Laude, and was elected to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll and National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Squad all four years.

We love to tease Coach Erin that her home town hasn’t won a championship since 1964!

Nicole Borden

Nicole Borden is a 2006 graduate of Newton South High School, in Newton, Massachusetts, where she played softball for all four years. During her high school career she helped her coaches run hitting and fielding clinics throughout Newton to help elementary and middle school softball players perfect their skills. Nicole also spent her summers coaching softball at Camp Evergreen in New Hampshire.  In college, Nicole played for the softball team at American University, where she was president of her team for two years (2008, 2009).

Roshan Promisel

Roshan is a Senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland.  She has played field hockey for 6 years and lacrosse for the past 4.  This WCHS Bulldog plays Field Hockey and Lacrosse and she was named Offensive MVP for the Varsity Field Hockey team last year. This year she is a "Player to Watch!"  Roshan also plays club field hockey for the Maryland Jackals.  Coach Roshan has also played soccer and run track plus she swims and lifeguards during the summer.  When Roshan is off the field she serves on the Executive Board of the SGA and is an Ambassador for her high school.  In college, Roshan hopes to play club field hockey and study International Business using her fluent French!

Robyn Susskind

Asst. Coach Robyn is a scholar athlete. She grew up playing baseball and flag football, then switched to softball and basketball. A 2010 Walt Whitman graduate, "Red" was a 3-sporter, playing basketball, lacrosse, and her favorite, field hockey. Robyn continues to pursue her passion for working with children at Townson State Univ. where she is majoring in Special Education!

Natalie Geisler

Mariah Healy

Mariah Healy is 2011 graduate of Winston Churchill High School in Potomac. She played softball for the Bulldogs for three years and was Junior Varsity captain as a sophomore. She played third base and outfield and was awarded the "Bulldog" award for having the most team spirit.  When not playing softball she participated in the school's band and Model UN club.  Coach Mariah attends College of the Holy Cross where she will continue to play intramural sports.  Coach Mariah is a huge Redsox fan, and baseball and hockey are her favorite sports to watch.

Alisha Saloman

Alisha Salomon is a Senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia.  She has played field hockey for 4 years and has been on Varsity for 3 years.   She also works with rising 9th graders to help them prepare for their high school tryouts.  Alisha also plays field hockey for Capitol Pegasus in Maryland.  Besides field hockey, Coach Alisha has played soccer for 14 years, swims, and lifeguards over summers.  Alisha hopes to play college field hockey and study something in the medical field.