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Meet the Athletics Team

Mr. Steve Lachut

Director of Athletics

"Some of my earliest memories are of watching the Buffalo Bills with family and friends or watching my dad play men’s league softball, so athletics have always been important in my world."

My experience in athletics is wide-ranging, starting, like most young kids, with t-ball, but quickly shifting to ten years playing ice hockey. I picked up wrestling, football, and lacrosse in middle school and played all three through high school. I was fortunate to be able to continue playing lacrosse in college at the division three level at Medaille College.

My personal experiences playing sports on a wide variety of teams led me to pursue a career in education, with the goal of becoming a teacher-coach like so many of my most impactful mentors growing up. After a few years coaching middle school, high school, and club wrestling and lacrosse in Buffalo, New York, I eventually found my way to Saint James School in Hagerstown, Maryland. I started as the Assistant Athletic Director, eventually became the Dean of Students, and then returned to the Athletic Department as the Director of Athletics. In my thirteen years at Saint James, I served as the Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse coach and Varsity Wrestling coach, and I even coached a little field hockey along the way.

I am so excited to be joining the Potomac School community. I’m looking forward to helping our athletes and coaches continue to build upon the success they’ve had in recent years while embracing Potomac’s core values of courage, humility, integrity, respect, and perseverance.

Ms. Nancy Smalley

Associate Athletics Director

"We have all benefited from the people, the core values, and the day to day collegiality found here at Potomac."

After 25 years working in other local independent schools, I joined the Potomac community as a faculty member in 2009. But with three children who graduated from Potomac as “lifers”, I have been a member of Potomac’s broader community since 2000. We have all benefited from the people, the core values, and the day to day collegiality found here at Potomac.

I have a BS in Physical Education from St. Lawrence University and a Masters in Counseling from George Mason University. While at St. Lawrence, I played field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse and was inducted into SLU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. While at Potomac, I have coached varsity field hockey and JV lacrosse, and I continue to play ice hockey in a local women’s league - often late at night!

Mr. Mark St. Germain

Assistant Athletics Director

"I have had the opportunity to work with and benefit from some very gifted and talented administrators, coaches, mentors and teachers. A common theme I gleaned from all of them has been the dedication to the process."

I began my career over thirty years ago as a young teacher and football/lacrosse coach at the St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria where my first scrimmage as an assistant coach was vs the Potomac School. Since then, I have served as teacher, coach, administrator, advisor and grade-dean at Flint Hill, St. Albans, Saint John Paul the Great, and the Maret School. I had the opportunity to work with and benefit from some very gifted and talented administrators, coaches, mentors and teachers. A common theme I gleaned from all of them has been the dedication to the process. It is during the process where both the students and teachers/coaches are engaged in active learning and teaching. Trust is built, obstacles are overcome and confidence is built, especially in athletics.

Coming to Potomac, I believe I have come full circle, back to my roots, Athletics. I am excited to join the Potomac School community and am looking forward to being a part of the process that will enable our student-athletes and teams the opportunity to push and test themselves and their programs even further. I am also eager to work with a dedicated group of coaches who believe in the process and in their athletes' potential.

My wife Christine and I just celebrated our 25th Anniversary and we have two sons. Ben, who attends Connecticut College, and Luke, who has just started as a freshman this year at Boston College.

Ms. Meredith Valmon

Assistant Director of Athletics and Director of Track & Field and Cross Country

I am excited to have joined Potomac as the Director of IS and US Track and Field and Cross Country in August, 2023.

Track has been a huge part of my life! I am an NCAA Champion and two-time Olympian in Track & Field in the 800m event and represented Team USA at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games as well as at several World Championships and other international events during my career, including the 1999 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata Argentina where I won the gold medal.

After an NCAA Championship and All-American career at Harvard University, I competed professionally for 10 years on the international circuit earning top ten world rankings and competing across the globe. A huge honor for me is that I remain one of the top ten fastest 800m runners in US history with a personal record of 1:57.04.

Prior to Potomac, I was a head coach of track and field at the Holton-Arms school as well as a volunteer assistant for the University of Maryland Track and Field team since 2003. In addition to serving as a Director of Potomac's cross country and track and field programs, I am also an assistant athletic director.

Dr. Precious Barnes

Head Athletic Trainer

“Learning how to become your own health advocate is one of the most powerful life skills a young athlete can learn.”

Managing health and wellness through sports and activities is an important aspect of a young person’s life. It takes time to understand your own health needs, and I love being able to assist students in that process. My goal is to not only diagnose and treat injuries but help students understand the importance of prevention and maintenance through diet, strength training, and conditioning. I too was a competitive athlete in volleyball, basketball, and track & field. I have also competed in fitness competitions. I spend most of my time strength training for fun now.

I am currently pursuing my Doctorate of Athletic Training degree from Indiana State University. I completed my Master of Applied Nutrition at Northeastern University, and my Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from George Mason University. I hold the ITAT (ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainer) certification, and the Performance Enhancement Specialist certification.

Mr. Travis Beauchamp

Assistant Director of Athletics and Varsity Head Soccer Coach

Ever since I can remember athletics have played a major role in my life. I’ve transformed this passion into a rewarding career educating young people. Twenty years dedicated to collegiate athletics, including seventeen as a soccer coach and operations assistant at Catholic University, have equipped me with a deep understanding of athlete development. My coaching philosophy centers on fostering a supportive and challenging environment where student-athletes can excel both on and off the field. Beyond wins and losses, I prioritize building character, leadership, and a long term love of sports.

A lifelong athlete, I was fortunate to participate in soccer and baseball at Christchurch School and Washington College, earning induction into both schools' Halls of Fame. I am thrilled that my journey has led me to Potomac and I look forward to contributing to our student’s experience.

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