Coaches
Emma Stagg is a 2016 Saint Mary’s High School; Rutherford, graduate where she was a four-year varsity starter and three-time team captain at second base and catcher. After graduation she went on to major in Physical Education and Health with a concertation in Educational Settings and a minor in Sports Coaching from Montclair State University. During her tenure at MSU she played four years of College Club Softball; where she was the treasure and president of the organization, and was selected to participate in an innovative study abroad program in Graz, Austria where she won for best prototype. She also holds a certificate in Innovation Design and Digitally Mediated Making. Currently, Emma is Substitute Teacher and is in the process of completely her Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and Sport Studies with a focus on Sport Administration from William Patterson University
Since 2016 Emma has been coaching softball at various ages from 8u through 14u, and has been with the Avalanche Organization since 2020. She holds a valid American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification; a Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic certification, a concussion awareness certification, as well as many other certifications for the health, safety, and well-being of children.
Alexandra James is a graduate of Montclair State University where she played club softball for 4 years. She is now working as a physical therapy aide with hopes of becoming an athletic trainer in the future. She is a third year softball coach and plans to continue coaching for years to come.
Cathy Petonak is a 2013 graduate from Mount Olive High School, where she was a four year letter winner. She was a pitcher, short stop, and outfielder. She went on to be the captain for two
years at County College of Morris, and a NJCAA All region selection. From there, she continued her career at The College of New Jersey. She is currently an elementary school teacher in Edison, NJ and a pitching and hitting instructor at Precision Pitching Academy in Wharton, NJ. She has been coaching with Avalanche since 2014, coaching all age groups.
Steve Petonak is a 2011 graduate of Boonton High School where he was an all conference baseball infielder as well as receiving all county honors. He currently coaches baseball at Morris County School of Technology. Recently, he was the assistant varsity coach at Phillipsburg High School and previously varsity coach at Oak Knoll. He has also previously coached at Boonton HS. He has coached within the Avalanche organization since 2016 at ages 10U-18U. He is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University with a BS in Health and Physical Education. His goal in coaching softball is to prepare athletes to reach their full potential and their goals.
Jim Drury has over 22 years of softball coaching experience. He has been the President of North Jersey Avalanche since 2007. He brought a group of girl’s to the Babe Ruth World Series in 2006. Has coached high school softball for 6 years. He thrives on teaching the fundamentals of softball in a competitive environment. Jim has also coached CYO basketball for 25 years and been President of the Upper Morris County CYO since 2004 and also coached high school girl’s basketball for 7 years.
Former coach for seven Seasons, Assistant Coach at County College of Morris as the hitting and Catching Coach. 2x Region Champ in ’16 & ’19 and Super Regional CHAMPS ’19 to go to the JuCo Div II World Series. Prior to CCM, Asst Coach at Pope John HS, ’12-’14 winning for the first time the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tri-County Championship in his 2nd year. Coach Iorio played Men’s Fastpitch for 27 years as a Catcher. Went to Texas and California to play in the ASA Men’s Nationals.
Happily married for 28 years with two Children 24 and 21.
Lexi Corra
18u
acorra1331@gmail.com