Bishop Ireton Hires Two New Head Coaches

Coach Cocolis is an accomplished multi-sport athlete with numerous awards and accolades in high school sports, collegiate athletics, and international federations. In high school, she was a decorated cheerleader and was selected as the VHSL 6A Cheerleader of the Year her senior year as well as being selected as a UCA All-American. Coach Cocolis was also a high-level high school gymnast. She led Robinson High School to a state championship and was selected for the first team Washington Post All-Met team. While in college, she participated in Acrobatics and Tumbling for Fairmont State and King University where she was a two-time first team All-American, the Mountain East Freshman of the Year and the Conference Carolina Athlete of the Year. In 2021, she was the only competitor in the NCATA to score a perfect 10.0 in an individual tumbling event.

Coach Cocolis comes to BI from St. Timothy Catholic School where she is a teacher and Robinson Secondary School where she coached cheerleading and gymnastics. 

 “I am incredibly excited that Bishop Ireton has provided me with this exciting opportunity to connect my Catholic faith with my passion for cheerleading,” said Coach Cocolis. “I am looking forward to meeting the girls and to start working with this very highly accomplished cheerleading team. Go Cardinals!”

Coach Gerke, a 2014 graduate of Bishop Ireton, is also a proud Bishop Ireton Hockey team alumnus. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience as a hockey coach and instructor in the Northern Virginia area as well as vast experience as a collegiate hockey player at Virginia Tech. While in college, he was named a 2nd Team ACCHL All-American, Assistant Captain of the 2019 ACCHL All-Star team, and a 2024 inductee into the ACCHL Hall of Fame.

Coach Gerke has transitioned seamlessly into coaching and has shown particular skill for developing young talent and fostering a love for the game. 

As a coach, he led the St. James Ice Hockey U12 Girls AA team to tremendous success, including being #1 in Virginia for three consecutive seasons and achieving recognition as one of the top 100 teams in the USA. 

As an alum of Bishop Ireton, Coach Gerke understands the values and traditions that make our school unique.

“I'd like to express my gratitude to Mr. Bryant, the hiring committee and the entire administration at Bishop Ireton for providing me with a wonderful interview experience and a warm welcome,” said Coach Gerke. “As a graduate of the Class of 2014, it's truly rewarding to be able to contribute to the Cardinal community that has shaped me. A special thank you goes out to Coach Tony DiCarlo for his invaluable contributions to BI Hockey. Playing under his guidance was a pleasure, and the growth of the program owes much to his leadership as head coach. I look forward to continued success and growth for the Bishop Ireton Ice Hockey program.”

“We’re excited to welcome Coach Cocolis and Coach Gerke to the BI coaching family,” said Athletic Director Dwayne Bryant. “I know that their knowledge in their respective sports will lead to continued success for our cheer and ice hockey teams. We look forward to having them in the Athletic Department.”

“After long interview processes we have found two excellent new head coaches to join the Bishop Ireton community,” said Head of School Kathleen McNutt. “They bring a level of professionalism, expertise and passion in their sports and we’re so happy to have them in the Cardinal coaching family. I look forward to watching their successes as they begin their new positions.”

Each head coach has begun preseason preparations and will assume their role at the beginning of their respective seasons.