Patagonia High School has announced the appointment of three new head coaches for the 2024-25 school year.
Andres Cuevas will take over as head volleyball coach, David Clovesko-Wharton takes the helm as soccer coach, and Michele Shadrick will be the new girls basketball coach. The appointments were approved at the June meeting of the Patagonia Union High School District governing board. The board also approved Anelie Olivarria as assistant volleyball coach.
Cuevas, who just completed his first year as a science teacher at the high school, served as an assistant soccer coach last year but has a background as a volleyball player. “He built an amazing rapport with the students,” athletic director Nate Porter said. “He’s incredibly passionate about volleyball. He’s going to take his love of volleyball and his talents as an educator and be a real asset to the program.”
Clovesko-Wharton, who retired this year from his teaching position at Patagonia Elementary School, will continue as tennis coach while taking on the additional role of soccer coach. He previously coached the Middle School soccer team.
“He has a great relationship with the kids,” Porter said. “I think it will be a successful match.”
Shadrick, a pre-K teacher, returns for a second stint as girls basketball coach, following a 16-year hiatus.
“She wanted to get back in the game,” Porter said. “She comes from a big basketball family. I don’t think she ever missed a game the whole time she was away from coaching. I think she’ll do a phenomenal job.”
The district is continuing to interview candidates for soccer and girls basketball assistant coaches.
Porter is enthused not only by the new coaching hires but also by a busy off-season athletic program at the high school.
Summer Soccer Under the Lights continues twice a week through the end of June. Summer Boys and Girls Basketball programs are being held at the high school through the third week of July, and Summer Baseball will begin on July 8.
“This is the best summer program we’ve been able to put together,” Porter said. “I’m super excited about that.”