Joana Raynes

Girls varsity field hockey is one of the top ranked teams in the nation.

For 14 years, the girl’s athletics program has enjoyed continued success. 

Between 2010 and 2024, Kinkaid sent 101 female athletes to play collegiate sports and accumulated 19 SPC championship wins, according to data provided by Ms. Cassidy Williams, one of the school’s assistant athletic directors. 

Coach Williams, who has been at Kinkaid for five years, said she believes a couple of key factors have contributed to the program’s continued success.

“Our programs focus on fostering a meaningful, high-quality student-athlete experience,” coach Williams said. “We support our athletes in skill development, strength training, conditioning and mental skills.”

Ms. Cheryl Mitchell, who has been a cross country and track coach and an Upper School educator at Kinkaid for 27 years, said she feels the administration’s support.

 “They show up to games and meets, and sometimes even Mr. Holm will stop by practices and give a few encouraging words,” Ms. Mitchell said. Mr. David Holm is the school’s athletic director.

Coach Mitchell also emphasized how the administration wants coaches to never stop learning. 

“The administration encourages continual growth and pays for national level one and two classes, which are not cheap, but they never say no,” coach Mitchell said.

Other coaches agree with her remarks.

Mrs. Stacey Marshall, director of the girls’ basketball and tennis programs, has been at the school for 25 years. 

“Administration actively supports girls’ athletics by fostering an environment that equips coaches and teams with essential resources,” coach Marshall said.

Coach Marshall said she believes that circumstances would be a lot different without the administration’s support because it enables the school to attract qualified coaches, design competitive schedules, and advocate for opportunities that promote the growth and success of the athletes. 

“Such commitment not only elevates our training experience but also cultivates a culture of inclusiveness and teamwork throughout our programs,” coach Marshall said.

Former Kinkaid athletes echoed how the school’s athletics programs have prepared them for the successes they have acquired since leaving the school.

Ms. Hope Haynes graduated from Kinkaid in 2021. In her time at the school, she helped lead the field hockey team to an SPC championship in 202 and in her first year of college at North Carolina she was a part of the 2023 national championship North Carolina field hockey team. 

“Kinkaid athletics taught me the importance of leadership, teamwork and mentality to have success on and off the field,” Haynes said. “It taught me the results of commitment, discipline, and hard work is what it takes to win and I’m forever grateful for having those values instilled in me.” 

Ms. Jasmine Smith graduated from Kinkaid in 2018, went to Rice for three years, and then transferred to Southern Methodist University for two years, where she earned a double master’s degree in business.

While in college, Smith became a three-time Conference USA regular-season champion, one of the 2021 Women’s National Invitation Tournament champions, and second-team All-AAC in 2023.

“As I reflect on my time at Kinkaid, the quality of mentorship was pivotal in both my athletic and personal journey,” Ms. Smith said. “The coaches challenged all of us to approach our priorities with a level of intention necessary to exceed at the collegiate level. Their advocacy and guidance instilled a self-confidence that manifested my success early in my college career.”