Getting to Know Spring Sports Coaches

Mark Koons, one of Dallastown’s own social studies and history teachers, is the head coach of the Dallastown's Boys Tennis team. After playing tennis at Red Lion and in college at Shippensburg University, Koons became a coach in the spring of 1990. Now Koons coaches alongside Jay Rexroth, an assistant coach and a teacher at Dallastown as well.  “Our goal is to get better each day,” Coa...

Now entering his 34 year coaching volleyball and starting his second season with Dallastown, Kauffman is the head coach of the Boy’s volleyball team. Kauffman played volleyball for Central and continued in college on Penn State’s Club team. Coaching alongside him this year are assistant coaches Drew Blecher, Ben Terrosso, Julio Vargas, and Mike Darr. Together, the coaches try to push the mentality...

In his 27 year coaching, York Suburban teacher and Dallastown graduate Neil Gutekunst is leading his seventh year as head coach of Dallastown’s Track and Field team. He coaches alongside 11 assistant coaches: Doug Moyer, Tracy Myers, Cody Messersmith, Mike Gillis, Brady Altland, Zack Calaman, Mike Schuler, Tom Melhorn, Michelle Brabham, Julie Granger, and Rebecca Gross. Gutekunst was a member of the track and fiel...

In his fourteenth year of coaching at the high school level, Gregory Kinneman is in his sixth year of coaching Dallastown’s Baseball team. He was an avid baseball player in high school. His coaching staff includes Jaron Shimmel, Blake Gladfelter, Steve Wise, Neil Beach, Kraig Conley (the JV Coach), Chris Trout, and Bryant Holtzapple. “We are trying to build better men: husbands, fathers, community...

Working as a coach on the team for three years, Dallastown gym teacher Shannon Werner is in the process of her first season as head coach for the Unified Track and Field team. Werner manages the team with Mrs. Lowery, Mr. Myers, and Mrs. Wolfe, all who work as assistant coaches.  “Unified Track is all about inclusion and everyone cheering on everyone else,” said Werner. “[Our goal for the 2021 s...

Terry Choate has been coaching softball for 27 years at both the collegiate and high school level. But, this is only his second season at Dallastown as head coach.  He played baseball in high school, but chose to continue his wrestling career in college at Ricks/BYU College in Idaho. Choate coaches alongside Jen Messner, John Parker, Scott Hicks, and Tracey Higgins.  As a coaching staff, Cho...

Active in lacrosse coaching positions for the past 25 years, Joe Alex currently holds the position of Dallastown’s girl’s lacrosse head coach. Alex coaches alongside assistant coaches Christin Beetz, Lindsey Ellis, Megan Anderson and Mary Eckert.  When he was younger, Alex was a member of his high school’s boys lacrosse team and played at the collegiate level at Junior College. With the...