Summerville Infuses New Members Into Veteran Coaching Staff
Tyler Clark is one of six head coaches joining the Green Wave staff next school year.
By Roger Lee
Contributing Writer
Summerville – While there has been some turnover for the Summerville High School coaching staff, the Green Wave still has a talented group of head coaches entering the new school year.
“Summerville enters the 2026-27 school year with an outstanding coaching staff committed to building on the Green Wave tradition of excellence,” said Cory Magwood, who is entering his third year as the school’s athletic director. “This year's lineup includes six new head coaches who bring exceptional leadership and passion for developing student-athletes.”
Tyler Clark is the new head coach for the Girls Basketball program.
“Coach Clark holds an impressive coaching background that spans the high school and collegiate levels,” Magwood said. “Most recently, he served as an assistant coach at Cane Bay High School and the College of Charleston after previously serving as Director of Basketball Operations and Assistant Coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he helped lead the program to two Southern Conference Championships and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.” Clark also developed players at Wheeling University. His commitment to player development, accountability, teamwork, and building relationships makes him an outstanding leader according to Magwood.
Jaclyn “Jackie” Boismenue now heads the Girls Swimming program. She has a wealth of coaching experience in both swimming and track and field. She joined the Green Wave swim program last season as an assistant coach and made an immediate impact through her knowledge of the sport and commitment to student-athletes.
“Coach Boismenue's passion for developing young athletes and dedication to excellence make her an outstanding choice to lead the program,” Magwood said. “As both an educator and coach, she is committed to helping students succeed in the classroom, in the pool, and beyond.”
Larissa Szafranski now heads the Boys Volleyball program.
“Coach Szafranski was already an integral part of the program, serving as our lead assistant coach for the past two seasons,” Magwood said. “Her leadership, work ethic, game-strategy, and commitment to our student-athletes have made a tremendous impact on the program.”
Prior to coming to Summerville, she coached with the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association. As a former standout student-athlete at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, she helped lead her team to a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Summerville graduate and former Green Wave athlete Payne Rutherford has taken over as the head for the school’s golf programs.
“He returned home with a passion for serving the community that helped shape him,” Magwood said. “Last season, he returned as an assistant coach for the Green Wave golf program, quickly earning the respect of our student-athletes and coaching staff through his passion, knowledge of the game, and commitment to excellence. As a teacher he is dedicated to developing young people of character while building a competitive golf program that reflects the pride and tradition of Green Wave athletics.”
Rutherford earned his degree in Education from the University of South Carolina before beginning his teaching and coaching career at Airport High School in Columbia, where he served as an assistant golf coach.
Another proud Green Wave alumna, Caroline Gilstrap, is now the head of the school’s Girls Wrestling program.
“She served on the coaching staff during the program's inaugural season,” Magwood said. “As a student-athlete at Summerville, Gilstrap was one of South Carolina's most accomplished wrestlers. Her experience, leadership and passion for developing young athletes make her an outstanding choice to lead our girls wrestling program.”
Gilstrap won the 2022 South Carolina Girls Individual State Championship and the 2023 SCHSL Class 5A Individual State Championship. She also represented South Carolina on the Girls Fargo National Team and was recognized with the 2023 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award.”
She continued her wrestling career at nationally-ranked McKendree University.
Tara Pellegrino is the new head coach for the Summerville Cheerleading program.
“Coach Pellegrino brings a wealth of experience, with 14 years as a cheerleader and eight years of coaching across the all-star, high school, recreation, youth, and sideline levels,” Magwood said. “Her experience, energy, and commitment to excellence make her the ideal leader to continue the proud tradition of Green Wave Cheer.”
Prior to joining Summerville, she coached at Central Bucks High School West and PA Cheer Club, where both programs earned national-level success. For the past two years, she served as the Green Wave assistant coach.
The school’s other coaches are a largely veteran and successful bunch.
Heather Tucker returns for her 24th year after leading the Softball team to its fourth straight 5A Softball State final. Her team won three of them.
Darryl Tucker returns returns for his 19th year and has led the Wrestling team multiple Lower State championships. Scott Little enters his 19th year heading up the school’s Athletic Training program. Jesse Gladis, the coach for the Boys Tennis team for 15 years, is also the Boys Swimming coach. Head Track and Field coach and assistant football coach Kevin Bellush has been at the school 13 years. Kelly Hazel has coached the school’s Cross Country teams the past 10 years. Ian Rafferty is back for his seventh season heading the football program after leading the Green Wave to the 5A, Division 1 State Championship game last season.
Others returning include Thane Maness (Baseball), Amanda Holcomb (Girls Soccer), Liz Yohe (Girls Volleyball), Steve DiPaolo (Boys Soccer), Richard Schulz (Girls Tennis), Michael Jenkins, (Boys Basketball), Carneal Hall (Strength and Conditioning) and Karen Hill (Athletic Secretary).
