Coaching changes are nothing new at Ireton. Coach Amy Mantooth is the fourth Cardinal’s lacrosse coach since May 1999 and there have been over 20 Ireton head football coaches (and over 10 head boys basketball coaches) in the past three decades.

However, the abrupt coaching change that transpired in April 2002 may rank second to none in Ireton history. Veteran softball coach Dave Langley (one of the winningest softball coaches in Northern Virginia history) resigned for personal/family reasons after leading Ireton to an 11-5 record during the first half of the current season.

Twenty-three year old Jen Denhup (one of Langley's assistants) was promoted to head coach. The former Ireton player (class of '97)hasn't missed a beat in succeeding one of the Cardinals all-time winningest coaches.

Though the Lady Cardinals dropped a 1-0 game to perennial powerhouse O'Connell in Denhup's debut on April 23, it was an exceptional debut and performance nonetheless.

Several days later, Ireton defeated Seton 9-0. On April 29, the Cardinals thrashed St. John’s 15-0 to improve to 13-6.

The starters include freshman second baseman Gina Cogliano; junior third baseman Nicole Aitkin; junior pitcher Jess Luckett; sophomore catcher Beth Dalmut; junior center fielder Amanda Boddie; junior first baseman/pitcher Kristen Wardell; junior left fielder Kris Tillett; sophomore right fielder Amy Connors; and sophomore shortstop Kayla Kelleher.

Key subs include juniors Emily Jamison, Resa Mueller, and Brenna Swider, sophomore Meredith Griffanti and freshman Courtney Cleaves.

"Gina (Cogliano), Nicole (Aitkin) and Amanda (Boddie) - just to name a few - are having excellent seasons defensively," said Denhup.

Luckett has thrown better than 90 percent of the innings and currently weighs in with a 11-6 record, a perfect game vs. Carroll, eight shutouts, a 0.70 ERA and nearly 130 strikeouts.