The Lakota West Athletic Department recently announced that it has hired Jan Bennett as its new head girls’ soccer coach for its varsity program.
Jan Bennett was hired this month to be the second Lakota West girls’ soccer coach in school history. Photo provided.
Bennett’s coaching experience includes being the assistant coach at Walnut Hills, head coach of the Cincinnati United GU17 club from 2011 to present, head coach at Finneytown from 2004-2009, head coach and trainer of CWSC United GU19 club, and OSYSA state staff coach.
“I am extremely excited about the experience and passion that Coach Bennett brings to the position,” Lakota athletic director Richard Bryant said. “She came very highly recommended. I am confident that Lakota West Girls soccer will compete at a very high level under her guidance.”
Bennett takes over the position that was held by Tara Schafer-Kalkhoff, Lakota West’s first and only head coach for girls soccer. Schafer-Kalkoff announced her retirement in December.
Schafer-Kalkhoff completed her 17th season this fall as a head coach in the Lakota district after beginning her career at Lakota High School prior to its split following the 1996 season.
Her career highlights include winning the Ohio Division I state championship in 1999 and amassing 203 career wins with a 70.4 winning percentage. Her career win total is the seventh highest among all current and former girls’ soccer coaches in Ohio high school history, according westfirebirds.com.
Schafer-Kalkhoff and her husband and assistant coach, Mark Kalkhoff, retired to spend more time with their son, Connor, who will be four next fall. They both told westfirebirds.com that they expect to continue coaching soccer, just at a somewhat lower level of competition.
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