As Blair Academy gears up for another exciting school year, the athletic department is thrilled to introduce three new head varsity coaches who will be leading our student-athletes to success both in the pool, on the field and on the slopes. Blair welcomes Kevin Carney as the head coach of varsity swimming, Valerie Lohr as the head coach of varsity field hockey and Haley Chrobock Palanca ’15 as the head coach of the varsity ski team.
“Blair Academy is set for an exciting and successful athletic season with these three coaches at the helm,” said Paul Clavel ’88, Blair’s Director of Athletics. “Their combined experience, passion and commitment to excellence promise to inspire our student-athletes and contribute to a thriving athletic program. We can’t wait to see what the future holds under their leadership.”
Kevin Carney, head swimming coach
Kevin Carney brings a wealth of experience as a senior coach of the North Jersey Barracudas and head coach of the Aqua Gems in Middletown, New York. He is active in USA Swimming, the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) and the American Red Cross, where he has earned national swim coach certifications. Previously, he taught swim lessons at Lebanon Valley College, where he captained the swim team and broke 13 school records during his time as an undergraduate.
Valerie Lohr, head field hockey coach
Valerie Lohr joins Blair Academy with a rich history of coaching and playing field hockey at a high level. She has coached a number of highly-ranked field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams, most recently at St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio and Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Since 2021, she has also served as region 9 and 10 coach manager of the Nexus Olympic Pathway for U.S Field Hockey in Colorado Springs. In addition to being the head field hockey coach, she will also serve as the assistant varsity girls’ lacrosse coach in the spring.
Haley Chrobock Palanca ’15, head ski coach
Haley Chrobock Palanca ’15 is a 2015 Blair graduate, who led the Bucs as captain of the field hockey and ski teams, winning a host of individual and team state titles. She was the Giant Slalom State Champion in 2012 and was ranked the second-best female skier in 2014 and 2015 by the NJISRA. She matriculated to Wellesley College, where she played field hockey and skied independently in the USCSA’s MacConnell Division. Her husband, Chase Palanca ’15, is currently Associate Dean of Admission, assistant wrestling coach and dorm head in Insley, where both Haley and Chase reside.
“As an alumna, I am forever grateful for my experiences at Blair,” said Haley. “Blair taught me how to be a true student-athlete, among so many other skills that I learned in my time here. I strive to create similar life-changing experiences for the members of the ski team.”