As the 2026 spring season is in full swing, the head coaches of many Blue Streak sports teams were interviewed on their insights regarding the current team’s goals and mindset. Their responses are provided below.
Baseball:
Head Coach: Matt Kirchoff
Assistant Coaches: Andy Paine, Matt Rayha, Pete Andrelczyk, Max Broderic, Mike Lupia and Chris Sneeringer
2024-25 Season Record: 15-7 Overall
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Tyler Shirk, Dio Acosta, Jack Kenneff, Nolan Peters, Alex Derderian and Sebastian Llessi.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
We have plenty of pitching, but we need to score more runs offensively to take pressure off of our pitching staff.
Boys Tennis:
Head Coach: Shane Holbein
Assistant Coach: Pierre Palandjian
2024-25 Season Record: 18-4 Overall, 6-1 Section
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Kurt Chiong, Ryan Palandjian and Julian Clark are leading the way in singles. Our doubles teams are undefeated, led by Tristan Chiong, Nate Hager (team captain), Carter Burkholder (team captain) and JJ Marte.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
From our introductory meeting, we set a clear goal: to win a district championship. The boys haven’t won one since 2015, but this team has the talent, depth and determination to end that drought.
We’ve placed a strong emphasis on building doubles chemistry, which is one of the strengths of this team. On the singles side, our players are focused on playing aggressively, taking control early and competing with confidence.
Boys Lacrosse:
Head Coach: Daniel Lyons
Assistant Coaches: Jeremy Adams, Mark McCracken and Mike Rodriguez
2024-25 Season Record: 19-5 Overall, LL League Section 1 Champions, LL League Tournament Champions, District 3 Champions and State Quarterfinalist
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
The class of 2026 have all proven to be great teammates and leaders for their final high school season: Joseph Alego, Graham Forman, Brady Garland, Ben Kittleman, Anderson Kopp, Garrett Kurtz, Brady McCracken, Brock Meglic, Connor Minnich, Iain O’Brien, Carson Topper, Ellis Vorhis Witmer, Luke Wagner and Cameron Werder.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
While there are outcome goals like “Win Section 1, Win LL Tournament, etc.”, there are also process goals such as “no academic eligibility issues,” and “live the team’s core values above all else.” They know we can achieve great things if everyone is committed and aligned on one set of standards.
Girls Lacrosse:
Head Coach: Coleen Parmer
Assistant Coaches: Emily McBride, Michelle Cavallaro and Mia Hall
2024-25 Season Record: 19-6 Overall, LL League Section 1 Champions, LL League Tournament Champions, District 3 Champions and State Semifinalist
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Captains Toby Bergstrom, Lexie Kauffman, Addie Laurence and Liv Parmer, as well as seniors Regan Taylor, Jae Neidermyer and Emma Slachta.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
Focus on the process to reach our goal. Own the standard. Compete everyday to improve individually so we can continue to progress as a team. Our goals are to win the league, district and compete for the state championship.
Softball:
Head Coach: Terry Bender
Assistant Coaches: Tim Markley, Mark Fruchtl, Jackie Griffith and Carrie Bryant
2024-25 Season Record: 9-11 Overall
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Softball is a team game so everyone plays a key part, but I will mention my seniors: Paige Hughes, Katie Moore and May Castillo. Their leadership is critical in helping the success of the team. We are a younger team this year, especially in pitching.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
Goals are centered around the feel for the team rather than wins/losses. The team is looking to have an enjoyable, competitive season which will be memorable as teammates. Hold everyone accountable, work hard and give 100% towards Manheim Township softball.
Track and Field:
Head Coach: Robin Shugarts
Assistant Coaches: Chris Houck, Courtney German, Bliss Strauss, Larry Lewis and Jason Lyons
2024-25 Season Record: 2-4-1 Boys Overall, 5-2 Girls Overall
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Team captains Isaac Churchville, Georgia Ealy, Piper Fogleman, Jaiden Gumiran, Ellen Hosler, Caroline Nachtigall, Effie Papadimitriou, Luke Reinking, Jake Ruch and Jack School.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
Support one another, stay healthy, steadily improve through the season and get as many athletes as possible to the post-season.
Team schedules for the 2025-26 season can be found on arbiterlive.com.
