Coaches

Chris Farquharson is entering his 11th season as the Head Varsity Softball Coach.   His teams have comprised a winning record of 177-39 (.819 winning percentage) over the past 11 seasons.  Under Coach Farquharson, Shen softball has won the section 2 “AA '' championships in 2015 and 2021, the “AAA” championships in 2023 and 2025, and were the Suburban Council champions in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2024.  In 2024 the varsity softball team was ranked #8 nationally.   In 2019 and 2024, Coach Farquharson was selected as coach of the year in the Suburban Council by the Suburban Council coaches.  In 2025 Coach Farquharson was named Times Union coach of the year.  Prior to his appointment at the Varsity level, Coach Farquharson coached the Junior Varsity softball team for 14 seasons at Shenendehowa.  His teams had a record of 264 -18 (.936 winning percentage) with four undefeated seasons in 2000, 2007,2008 and 2014 while comprising an overall .334 batting average over those fourteen seasons.  Under Coach Farquharson the Junior Varsity won the Mudville tournament in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Coach Farquharson was a 4 year starting shortstop at East Catholic High School in Connecticut.  In his senior year he was an all-conference infielder as well as an academic all-state player.  In 1995 and 1996 Coach Farquharson played 3rd base and pitched for the Red Foxes at Marist College.

Coach Farquharson graduated from Marist College in 1999 receiving his degree in Psychology/Special Education and Elementary Education.  He also earned his School Administration degree from the University of Albany in 2004.  Coach Farquharson is currently a 4th grade teacher as well as the MST coordinator for Skano Elementary.

In his spare time Coach Farquharson directs the Miss Shen Elite Softball Clinic in Clifton Park. He and his wife, Meg reside in Ballston Lake with their three daughters Mackenzie, Hailey and Quinn and their son Colin.

Coach Decker will enter his 10th season as the Varsity Assistant after serving as a Coach in the Shenendehowa baseball program from 2008-2016 at the Freshman and JV levels.  During the winter season he is the Head Coach of the Girl's JV Basketball team which he began in the 2016 season.  He has also coached Modified Field Hockey and Volleyball in the past. 

Coach Decker attended Sage College of Albany, earning his B.S. (Physical Education) in 2007. He completed his M.S. in Sports Coaching from the United States Sports Academy in 2014 with highest honors. He has been teaching Physical Education at Karigon Elementary School since 2011 and a teacher at Shenendehowa since 2009.

Coach Decker enjoys spending his spare time with his family and being involved with his children's youth sports.

Kelly Degnan is a teacher at Chango Elementary and is excited to be part of the coaching staff. She played softball in high school as a pitcher and first baseman, and went on to play volleyball at Siena.

Kelly enjoys helping players develop their skills and grow in confidence. Outside of school and coaching, she enjoys camping, hiking with her dog and husband, and traveling.

Coach LaRue is entering her third year as Head Coach of the Shen Modified 9 softball team and brings nearly a decade of coaching experience within the Miss Shen Travel Program, including the honor of coaching at the 2025 USA Softball Gold Nationals in Oklahoma City.

She played collegiate softball at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering and was recognized as a 2013–2014 All-America Scholar Athlete. A graduate of South Glens Falls, she was part of the Class A State Championship team (2007), a state finalist (2008), and semifinalist (2010), and enjoyed many years playing with the Adirondack Avalanche travel program.

Throughout her playing career, she competed at multiple positions including 3B, SS, 1B, C, and outfield.

Coach LaRue is passionate about developing athletes both on and off the field, with a focus on fundamentals and a positive, team-first environment. Outside of softball, she is a Mechanical Engineer at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory and enjoys spending time with her husband, Michael, and their two dogs, Bailey and Riley.