MEET OUR COACHES

The following profiles showcase the depth of talent, experience, and expertise of our coaches in their respective sport and how they inspire our student athletes.

Caitlin Copelan Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach

Caitlin tells her students: “Do the little things at a high level, control the controllable and everything else will fall into place . . . and hate losing more than you enjoy winning!” She describes herself as “balanced and approachable” while holding athletes accountable. On the team, she values ethics, discipline, leadership (on and off the field), and character.

Tiger Pride is working hard when nobody is watching, doing what’s right (on and off the field) even when it’s not the easiest path, holding yourself and teammates to a higher standard.”

Bio: Copelan attended University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where she played four years of varsity lacrosse. She played one year of varsity lacrosse at Fairfield University as a graduate student.

Copelan is a Wilton High School Hall of Fame Inductee, 2009 NCAA National Championship Participant (UNC Lacrosse), NCAA D1 Statistical Leader (Caused Turnovers / Fairfield Univ Lacrosse Grad Student), Head Coach UA CONNY Championship Teams, 2022 Head Coach Team CT National Champions (American Select Lacrosse). Copelan is also the owner and director of Sound Lacrosse Camps.

OLLIE HOLLAND VARSITY BOYS & GIRLS SQUASH COACH

I believe in producing champion people, so not only is that success on the squash court, but also off of the court. Creating self-belief is key. We are a fair, hard-working team with a longterm vision to grow the squash program at GCDS. Right now we are laying the foundations and I am extremely proud of how we are doing so far.”

His favorite quote is, “Discipline begins when motivation ends.”

Tiger Pride is teamwork, enjoyment, relationships, spirit, and heart. Tiger Pride is leaving no one behind and going the extra mile for those around you. Hard-working students in the classroom and committed athletes on the court!”

Bio: Holland attended the University of Nottingham and was #1 on the varsity squash team and a sports scholar. The team placed 2nd in the BUCS Squash Championships, a British tournament. Holland was World Junior #1 and European Junior Champion. Holland also works at MSquash Accelerator in Port Chester, NY.

IRINA ACSINTE MUTESCU GIRLS & BOYS ROWING HEAD COACH

Irina values and encourages persistence, reliability, heartiness, and most of all integrity. “I believe coaching goes well beyond teaching our student-athletes the sport related skills. We spend time with our athletes during their formative years and it is important to me to nourish skills and qualities that will benefit them outside the boathouse.”

Her favorite quote is, “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground,” by President Theodore Roosevelt. I tell my rowers ‘Keep your eyes on the goal and your head in the boat.’ With every workout completed, with every struggle, they put a receipt in their pocket that is going to help them own and achieve their next goal.” She describes her coaching as “stern but nurturing.”

Tiger Pride is coaching with integrity and thoughtfulness and leading by example. It gives me peace of mind to know that at the end of the day every member of our rowing team feels valued and respected.”

Bio: Mutescu competed for the Romanian national team in five World Championships, winning three gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze. She rowed Division I at Northeastern University, where she received a full athletic scholarship and stroked the Varsity 8+.

Mutescu also works in the GCDS Technology Department.

Middle School Niblock Challenge

On Jan. 26–27, Girls and Boys Middle School Basketball teams played local middle schools to help raise funds to support ALS research. Athletes played hard, dancers pumped up the crowd with their energy, students organized a bake sale and raffles, and this two-day event brought in nearly $11,000 for ALS Therapy Development Institute.

Boys Hockey Plays For Golden Lights Foundation

On Feb. 7, Boys Hockey beat Fieldston School at the Greenwich Skating Club and raised $6,000 for the Golden Lights Foundation, dedicated to pediatric cancer research and treatments.

Girls Hockey ALS Face Off

On Feb. 22, the girls varsity hockey team raised $14,000 for ALS Therapy Development Institute at a friendraiser event where mixed teams of students, partner, faculty and coaches faced off against each other. A special shout out to our Athletic Director Tim Helstein who volunteered to partake in the ice bucket challenge on a very chilly night.

Upper School Teacher Writes Sports Psychology Book

In Everything I Got, GCDS Psychology

Teacher and mental skills coach Julia Allain shares lessons from growing up in a world of sports to help players find success both on and off the playing field. Using her personal playing and coaching experience, academic research, and sports history, Allain provides thirty powerful lessons that challenge us all to re-examine the concept of an athletic identity, harness the power of emotions, and redefine the goal-setting process.

According to Allain, a 2019 national survey revealed that the average kid in the United States quits the sport they are playing by the age of eleven because it isn’t fun anymore. Plagued by the pressure, emotional stress, and the constant fear of failure, athletic experiences have started to take more from many athletes than they give.

In this book, athletes find the true value of the game and elite sports performance.

“As I have worked as a coach and sports psychology consultant, I have seen a shift that has started to take a lot of the value away from sports. This both worries and saddens me. Whether it be a focus on status, money, or trophies, the games we play have evolved from an experience to a means to an end, robbing us all of not just the experience of competing, but also the ability to perform at our best due to the increased pressure. Therefore, I hope this book offers both perspective and strategies to keep the love and fun of the game alive and help us all become the best versions of ourselves both on and off the field,” said Allain.

“An excellent roadmap for how you can grow your mental game and get the most out of the sport you love. I would recommend this book to players, coaches, parents, and anyone that wants to take steps toward their full potential.”