Athletics Bulletin
Spring 2026
Coaching Students To Excel In Sports – And As Humans
Elevating student-athletes at Miss Porter’s School is about cultivating girls’ skills, discipline, teamwork, passion and confidence — qualities that help them thrive in their sport and in life.
Foundational to these efforts are high-caliber coaches whom Student Head of Athletics Katie Cashel describes as “pillars of our success. … They teach us about the power of a team, how to compete, try new things, communicate and keep going after we fall.”
Three Porter’s coaches reflect on their style and goals — on the court, fairway and trails.
Melissa Schomers
Coach, Junior Varsity Basketball
Q: How would you describe your coaching style?
A: Creating space to practice voice and agency. I want athletes to trust they are mentally, emotionally and physically capable of more than they think. I like empowering them to make decisions. They call plays, set the warmup routine and provide half-time feedback. They can override my decisions if they think there is a better way.
Q: What do you see as the primary goal for your athletes?
A: I want them to feel strong and confident in their bodies, to appreciate the unique physical qualities they bring to a court and in their skill sets. I want to create spaces for everyone to feel like a positive contributor.
Q: How do you keep athletes motivated after tough losses or during challenging seasons?
A: I work with kids on their specific court “jobs” and look for improvement. We create targeted focus areas so that a loss doesn’t matter as much as celebrating the fact that we had fewer turnovers. Wins take care of themselves when we take care of the training — always, always, always process over product.
Ryan Bliss
Coach, Varsity Golf
Q: What made you decide to coach students in golf?
A: My summers in high school were filled with rounds of golf. Then, at a previous school job, I got to be an assistant coach under a former college golfer and fell back in love with the game. I became fascinated by the biomechanics of the swing and course management. I am happy that I can continue exposing students to golf at Porter’s.
Q: How do you build a strong team where every athlete feels included and valued?
A: I cultivate a supportive and friendly team where winning is not the top priority. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a scratch golfer, you are going to lift each other up after bad shots and celebrate the good. We focus on getting better as individuals while supporting our teammates. Everyone looks forward to the end-of- year senior night mini golf and ice cream celebration.
Q: What do you see as the primary goal for your athletes?
A: Creating a passion for golf. I want our students to get into the game early, in a fairly free environment, so when they are asked at some point in their life if they want to go golfing, there isn’t any hesitation in them saying yes.
Hur-Shiu Webb
Coach, Varsity Cross Country
Q: How would you describe your coaching style?
A: I believe anyone who can run can enjoy the sport. I strive to help students discover their inner strength and push through discomfort to “settle in” for the distance. I love guiding new runners through their first miles and witnessing their progress.
Q: Could you share about a student on the team who has stood out to you?
A: Sofia Olivares, a 2020 graduate. She was incredibly consistent and persistent. Over her time on the team, she significantly improved her speed. I think she ran at every single meet from ninth to 12th grades. What heartens me most is that she still runs today and even ran an ultramarathon.
Q: What do you see as the primary goal for your athletes?
A: Running has taught me that joy and fulfillment are accessible even when things don’t go according to plan. Above all, I want to pass this gift on to my athletes. I want them to discover and celebrate the incredible capabilities of their own bodies and minds and to carry that resilience and joy into every facet of their lives.
Follow us on social
