Staff and Coaches
If you have questions about anything related to athletics at Saint Mary's School, please feel free to contact the appropriate people as listed below.
Accordion
SMS Athletic Department
Robert Weltz, Director of Athletics
rweltz@sms.edu | 919-424-4058
Kay Weninger, Assistant Director of Athletics
kweninger@sms.edu | 919-424-4056
Kristin Bockelman, Athletic Trainer
kbockelman@sms.edu
Fall Sports
CROSS COUNTRY
Kayla Scott, Head Coach
KScott@sms.edu
Jennifer Hummel, Assistant Coach
VOLLEYBALL
Kay Weninger, Head Coach
Kweninger@sms.edu
Virginia Fitch, Assistant JV & Varsity Coach
Rachel Kinsey, Head JV Coach
GOLF
Robert Guzzo, Head Varsity Coach
rguzzo@rgagolf.net
TENNIS
Virginia "Gina" Minton '82C, Head Varsity Coach
Vem106@aol.com
Louisa "Lou" Garvey '82HS '84C, Assistant Varsity Coach
Lisa Gwyn, Head JV Coach
FIELD HOCKEY
William Lehrmann, Head Varsity Coach
Merridith Cho, Varsity Associate Head Coach
Mia Jafari, Head JV Coach
Winter Sports
Swimming
Robert Geiger, Head Varsity Coach
robertcgeiger@gmail.com | 919-424-4000
Margaret Geiger, Assistant Varsity Coach
Virginia Fitch, Assistant Varsity Coach
Basketball
Rob Weltz, Head Varsity Coach
Rweltz@sms.edu
Melissa Ramel, Assistant Head Varsity Coach
Kay Weninger, Head JV Coach
Kweninger@sms.edu
Spring Sports
Lacrosse
Meredith Primm, Head Varsity Coach
mprimm@sms.edu | 919-424-4000
Merridith Cho, Associate Head Coach
Mia Jafari, Head JV Coac
Ruth Morrongiello, Assistant JV Coach
Softball
Stephanie Webb, Head Varsity Coach
Swebb@sms.edu I 919-424-4000
Tad Wahlstrom, Assistant Varsity Coach
Soccer
Penn Lunger, Head Varsity Coach
plunger@sms.edu | 919-424-4000
Kara Mulligan, Assistant Varsity Coach
Loftin Johnson, Head JV Coach
Track & Field
Kayla Scott, Head Coach
Kscott@sms.edu | 919-424-4000
Jennifer Hummel, Assistant Varsity Coach
Virginia Fitch, Assistant Varsity Coach
Coaches Bios
William Lehrmann I Head Varsity Field Hockey
William Lehrmann is the varsity assistant coach of the Saint Mary’s varsity field hockey program. He is from Caracas, Venezuela, and came to the United States in 2015 after meeting his wife while playing field hockey. Mr. Lehrmann began his career with coaching in Venezuela as head coach of the Caracas Sports Club. Extending his coaching experience and love for the game to the United States, Mr. Lehrmann works with the TarDevils Field Hockey Club out of Durham, N.C.
He has also achieved recognition and accolades as a player and coach outside of the Saint Mary’s gates, including 11 years on the Venezuelan National team, serving the last two years as Captain; 2015 SEC conference champion; and a third-place finish with the Miami Surf Club in the 2017 Adult National Field Hockey Tournament.
“Saint Mary's gave me my first opportunity and I appreciate it,” says Coach Lehrmann. “After coaching here for two seasons, I know it's a great school with great people and I am enjoying it a lot.”
Merridith Cho I Associate Head Field Hockey & Lacrosse
Meredith (Meade) Cho hails from Long Island, New York, where she was a two-sport athlete in field hockey and lacrosse at Ward Melville High School. Ms. Cho was a member of the 1996 NCAA national championship field hockey team at UNC-Chapel Hill and a member of the Tar Heels women’s lacrosse team from 1997-2000. Upon graduating from UNC, she began her coaching career at East Chapel Hill High School, where she led the girls’ varsity lacrosse team to state championship titles in 2002 and 2003. She has coached at various levels from youth to high school to college. She was the inaugural head women’s lacrosse coach at Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C. Ms. Cho holds a B.S. in psychology and an M.A.T. from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Mia Jafari I Head JV Field Hockey & Head JV Lacrosse
Upon graduating from Michigan State in 2015, Ms. Jafari moved to Chapel Hill, N.C., to be closer to her family. Now residing in Raleigh, she drove by the Saint Mary’s campus for a year and was always impressed with the grounds. When a job opportunity opened for coaching, she jumped at the chance to be part of the Saints athletic department. She started her coaching career in 2010 by working with middle school field hockey players within the North Carolina community as well as internationally. Returning stateside, she has found several ways to get involved with lacrosse and field hockey student-athletes from middle school to high school to college programming.
She has served in numerous positions including as head coach of field hockey and head JV lacrosse coach at the Detroit Country Day School; as head women’s lacrosse coach at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich.; as varsity assistant field hockey coach at Cary Academy; while coaching three all-state field hockey players and numerous lacrosse All-Americans. She has prided herself on coaching Rookie of the Year (WHAC award) and Newcomer of the Year (NWLL award) recipients, leading teams to two state semifinal appearances in 2013 and 2014 with Detroit Country Day field hockey team, and earning an invitation to nationals with Lawrence Technological University in its second year as a program in 2015.
Ms. Jafari holds a master of science degree in sports psychology from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from Davenport University. Additionally, she has certifications as a Level I and Level 2 Coach through US Lacrosse, Double-Goal Coach and Double-Goal Coach II, and a certification with the Positive Coaching Alliance.
Kayla Scott I Head Cross Country & Track & Field
Originally, from central Ohio, Kayla Scott attended Ohio University, where she studied language arts education, 7th-12th grades. At Ohio University, she was a member of the cross country and track and field teams, specializing in the 3,000-meter steeple chase and the 5,000-meter run. She was team captain for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons. Ms. Scott earned a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of South Carolina in 2018, where she was able to utilize her remaining red-shirt eligibility to participate on the Gamecocks’ cross country and track and field teams. Ms. Scott is excited to help inspire Saint Mary’s School student-athletes to become confident and mentally strong in their sport.
Jennifer Hummel I Varsity Assistant Cross Country & Track & Field
Jennifer Hummel is assistant coach with the cross-country team. Ms. Hummel is a graduate of North Carolina State University, graduating in 1997 and 1999 with degrees in biological science and science education. She is Saint Mary’s science department chair and teaches AP Environmental Science and Chemistry. While living in Valdosta, Georgia, and teaching at a Georgia Independent School Association member school, she began coaching boys’ and girls’ cross-country in 2011 and started their track and field program. The Highland Christian Academy boys eventually went on to win first in region and third in the state of Georgia in 2013 and 2014. Ms. Hummel enjoys coaching because it allows her to see another side of her students that is different from what she sees in the classroom setting.
Stephanie Webb | Head Varsity Softball
Originally from Connecticut, Ms. Webb holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she also played club volleyball and softball. She made her way to Raleigh in 2014 and is currently the director of student life at Saint Mary’s. She started her coaching career during summer camps while at UNC-W, which fueled her passion to study sport leadership in graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Webb brings an array of knowledge and experience to our athletic program from coaching at the middle school to high school levels in various sports including volleyball, basketball and softball. Since coaching at Saint Mary’s, she has enjoyed getting to know the girls in a different arena at in addition to giving full support and sole focus to the development and success of these young women.
Tad Wahlstrom I Varsity Assistant Softball
Bio coming soon.
Virginia Fitch | Varsity Assistant Volleyball & Varsity Assistant Swimming
A Raleigh native, Virginia Fitch was a tri-sport athlete in volleyball, swimming, and track and field at Sanderson High School. During her downtime, Ms. Fitch played volleyball for N.C. Elite Volleyball Club as a middle blocker; and prior to high school swam for New Wave Swim Club. After graduating from Sanderson in 2010, Ms. Fitch continued her career at American University in Washington D.C. While there she aided in the team’s back to back Patriot League Championships and NCAA first round appearances. For her junior and senior seasons, Ms. Fitch transferred and returned to her home state at East Carolina University; and is a proud 2014 Pirate graduate. While in college, she continued to find time to keep her passion for swimming alive by cross-training for volleyball. Ms. Fitch has since coached at N.C. Elite for seven seasons, concentrating in player technique and development ages 10-14; and lead position specific training for 14-18-year-olds. Ms. Fitch is excited to help student-athletes achieve their volleyball and swimming goals at Saint Mary’s.
Kay Weninger | Head Varsity Volleyball & Head JV Basketball
Bio coming soon.
Rachel Kinsey | Head JV Volleyball Coach
Rachel Kinsey is Saint Mary’s head JV volleyball coach. Born and raised in Raleigh, Ms. Kinsey played numerous sports, but volleyball and swimming are her passion. She was a four-year starter and co-captain at Athens Drive High School as a middle blocker and swam for the Raleigh Marlins. She was a three-year starter on the volleyball team at Bridgewater College in Virginia, where she also swam for one season and continued her lifelong passion for horseback riding. She earned her undergraduate degree in health and exercise with a minor in coaching, and plans to attend graduate school for occupational therapy, while continuing to coach volleyball and swimming. She has coached the Valley Juniors Volleyball Club and is coaching club volleyball at N.C. Elite Volleyball Club, where she played from ages 12-18. Ms. Kinsey is excited to teach the game of volleyball to Saint Mary’s girls who share her love of the sport and want to develop their skills and reach their goals.
Virginia "Gina" Minton '82C | Head Varsity Tennis
Gina Minton ‘82C is the head coach of the Saint Mary’s School tennis program. Ms. Minton is a Raleigh native who started her playing career at Wilson High School. She furthered her tennis career on the college level at Saint Mary’s College, playing for North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame Coach Mary Lou Jones. Ms. Minton enjoys coaching at Saint Mary’s School due to her love for the game and the school. Today, Ms. Minton continues to play in several USTA leagues in the Raleigh area.
Louisa "Lou" Garvey '82HS '84C | Varsity Assistant Tennis
Louisa ‘Lou’ Garvey ’82HS ’84C is the varsity assistant coach of the Saint Mary’s tennis program. Ms. Garvey, and her daughter, are Saint Mary's alumnae. Ms. Garvey started playing tennis at Saint Mary’s under Coach Mary Lou Jones. Ms. Garvey is thrilled to be coaching at Saint Mary’s again with Gina Minton. Today, Ms. Garvey continues to play with the USTA Women’s League Tennis (4.5) as well as coaching challenge soccer through CASL.
Lisa Gwyn | Head JV Tennis
Lisa Gwyn is the junior varsity head coach of the Saint Mary’s tennis program. Ms. Gwyn is a Raleigh native who started her playing career at Broughton High School. She is in her second year of coaching junior varsity and developing the Saint Mary’s tennis student-athletes. She enjoys being on the Saint Mary’s campus and a part of the athletic staff, as her daughter is a member of the Class of 2019.
Robert Guzzo | Head Varsity Golf
Bio coming soon.
Meredith Primm | Head Varsity Lacrosse
Meredith Primm is the Saints’ lacrosse head coach. She hopes to build on the foundation of success that the girls established in previous seasons and has high hopes for the program. Prior to arriving at Saint Mary’s School, Ms. Primm coached SOUL Lacrosse in Tampa, Fla. She was responsible for building the goalie program curriculum and served as an assistant coach for all age groups. She also worked as an assistant coach for Academy of the Holy Names.
Ms. Primm is a graduate of The Benjamin School, where she learned to love the game and helped lead her team to district and conference titles. She was a member of The LaxManiax club team and went on to play college lacrosse at Florida State University. While at FSU, she was a one-year captain and voted the team MVP in her senior season.
Ms. Primm is a proud FSU alum and loves to be able to support her beloved Seminoles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and child sciences, which she puts to use each day as a member of the student life team at Saint Mary’s School. She is currently pursuing certifications in coaching weightlifting and strength training, which she believes will better her as a coach. She is excited for the future of Saint Mary’s lacrosse and can’t wait to see how the program continues to grow.
Ruth Morrongiello I Assistant JV Lacrosse
Bio coming soon.
Penn Lunger | Head Varsity Soccer
Penn Graves Lunger begins her first season at Saint Mary's as head coach of the varsity soccer team in 2018.
She is the daughter of a Saint Mary’s alumna and grew up in eastern North Carolina. Ms. Lunger left home her sophomore year in high school to attend St. Andrew's School in Delaware, where she lettered in three varsity sports. She returned to North Carolina to play college soccer and earn a B.A. in English at Davidson College. A four-year starter at Davidson, she was voted co-captain and earned a most valuable player award her senior year. In 2010, Ms. Lunger earned an M.A. in English from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. She taught 14 years of high school English at Blair Academy in New Jersey and St. Andrew's School in Delaware and is currently volunteering for the Triangle Literacy Council.
Her coaching resume includes assistant and head coaching positions at St. Andrew's and Blair. At Blair, Ms. Lunger led the team to the New Jersey State Prep A title game in 2012. She has coached numerous Division I and Division III soccer players. Along with returning assistant coach, Kara Mulligan, she will seek to bring a competitive edge and positive mentality to the Saints soccer program.
Ms. Lunger, her husband Eric, and their two young sons are excited to spend time on the beautiful Saint Mary's campus.
Kara Mulligan | Assistant Varsity Soccer
Kara Mulligan is Saint Mary’s assistant varsity soccer coach. After playing her entire life and as an all-state athlete in high school, she walked on to the Campbell University women's soccer team her freshman year of college. After transferring and graduating from Appalachian State University, she knew she wanted to continue to be involved with the sport of soccer in a new way. While coaching younger kids was inspiring, she was looking for an opportunity to not only coach at a higher level, but to have the opportunity to invest in the girls on a team. As someone who competed against the Saints in high school, Ms. Mulligan knew the caliber of the program, and knew she could not pass up the opportunity at Saint Mary’s. Her experience as a player and coach has helped shape her skill and love of the game which she now hopes to pass on to the soccer players and students at Saint Mary's.
Ms. Mulligan lives in Raleigh and works in institutional advancement at N.C. State University. She is excited to share with the girls not only her love for soccer, but many lifelong skills that come from learning to be on a team, winning, and losing.
He grew up swimming year-round in Raleigh with New Wave Swim Team and competed for Enloe High School where he was a part of three straight NCHSAA 4A state titles.
Mr. Geiger graduated as a valedictorian from N.C. State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is pursuing his master’s in accounting at NCSU and will begin work at Johnson Lambert, LLP as an audit associate.
Mr. Geiger is a lifelong student of swimming technique and enjoys teaching and analyzing stroke mechanics. He is excited to build on last year’s successful season and encourages all Saints fans to come watch our home meets.
Melissa Ramel is varsity basketball assistant coach. She was the head varsity basketball coach at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, California, from 2006-2010. During her tenure, Ms. Ramel’s teams were four-time Western League champs going undefeated for three straight seasons. CCHS won the Division III San Diego CIF title in 2008, and Ms. Ramel was named the San Diego Section Coach of the Year.
As a player, Ms. Ramel was a four-year varsity starter for Reno High and led the school to two 4A Zone Championships in 1998 and 2000. Her senior year, she was named the Nevada State Player of the Year. She played Division-I college basketball at the University of San Diego (USD), where she was a two-time WCC All-Academic selection and named the team’s best defensive player in 2004. While earning her teaching credential, Ms. Ramel served as a graduate assistant coach for her alma mater. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from USD and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in technology from Grand Canyon University.
“The opportunity to teach and coach in an all-girls’ environment is unique and exciting,” says Coach Ramel. “It is special to be a part of helping to shape and empower the female future leaders of the world! I love that the girls are extremely supportive of each other and that the SMS community truly is a family.”