In preparation for the beginning of the 2017 fall sports season, Kennedy Catholic High School has announced the hiring of two new head coaches to help lead Lancer Athletics.
Mary Margaret Pless has been named the new head coach of the girls golf team. Pless comes to Kennedy Catholic most recently from Holy Names Academy where she led the Cougars to two WIAA 3A State Championships during her six seasons (2006-2012) leading the program. She takes over from Jeannie Dailey who stepped down this spring following the Lancers fourth place 4A finish at state.
A Seattle native, Pless followed up playing collegiate golf and graduating from the University of Washington with 16 years at the West Seattle Golf Course, eight of those as the head golf professional. Today, Pless volunteers at countless local PGA events and enjoys travelling, working in her yard and spending time with her family.
“We are extremely fortunate to be able to bring Mary Margaret Pless on board to lead our girls golf program,” said Sam Reed, athletic director. “She not only brings with her a near-unmatched resume, but also an enthusiasm, positivity and passion for the sport that is unparalleled. Both myself and Kale Dyer (head boys golf coach) are excited to see her work with our current and future Lancers.”
Also joining Lancer Athletics is Ken Alfonso, who has been selected to become the school’s inaugural boys water polo head coach.
Alfonso currently serves as the head water polo and swim coach for the Olympic View Swim Club in Normandy Park, having been there since 2011. He brings with him more than thirteen years of water polo head coaching experience at the youth, high school and USA Olympic Development levels in both California and Washington.
A former high school English teacher and graduate of California Polytechnic State University, Alfonso now works in the financial services industry and lives in the Burien area with his wife and children.
“With boys water polo being a new program this year at Kennedy Catholic, it was important to me to find a leader who not only has a rich coaching resume, but also someone who is well-respected and known throughout the community,” said Reed. “In Ken Alfonso, I feel confident that we have the type of head coach who is prepared to build something for the long haul.”
Both golf and boys water polo are fall sports at Kennedy Catholic High School, with practices beginning August 21. For more information on those teams, practices schedules and how to register, visit www.kennedyhs.org/athletics.
