Happy first day to our teachers and staff! They are busy preparing for a great year ahead and can't wait to welcome students back next week.
Our Varsity and Jr High volleyball teams played in their first pre-season tournament last weekend. Varsity went 5-3 on Friday, and played very well against two strong opponents on Saturday. Junior High got off to a slow start of Friday, but rebounded well on Saturday by going 3-2 and placing 3rd place in their division! It was a great weekend to start the season & we can't wait to see you cheering on our Eagles this fall!
The best night of the year is right around the corner- Barn Party is November 7th and we want you there! More details to come!
We’re proud to share that Veritas coaches are now CPR certified!
The health and safety of our student-athletes remain a top priority at Veritas. By ensuring our coaches are trained in CPR and emergency response, we're better equipped to protect and care for our teams—on and off the field/court.
Thank you to our dedicated coaching staff for going the extra mile to create a safe and supportive environment for our athletes!
Meet Coach Gaspers!
Sport(s) Coaching: Girls Basketball
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): High School baseball. I still play softball and bowl to this day.
Coaching Experience: (in any sport at any level): I've been coaching girls’ basketball since 2020.
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as a coach): My daughters have been going to Veritas since 2014.
Your favorite part about coaching: My favorite part about coaching is getting to know the players. Seeing them grow and succeed and seeing each player push themselves beyond their normal limits over the course of the season.
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? I hope they learn to play for the glory of God. I also hope they learn to embrace challenges, togetherness, team prayer, positivity, confidence, working as a team, resilience, and develop leadership skills.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? My favorite part is seeing the players learn how to play as a team, overcome, and succeed. They learn that you don't have to do it by yourself. When a team plays together, nothing is as strong. Trust in God and each other, then there is nothing that will disappoint us.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? They become part of a team. They learn that you can always look to the team. You can lean on your teammates and become someone your teammates can lean on. This builds camaraderie between all of the players. They learn that challenges are not to be feared, because perseverance builds character, perseverance brings hope and builds faith, truth of faith brings understanding, and love and the love of Christ brings compassion.
Favorite Bible verse: Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
#coaches #profiles #basketball #athletics #soareagles
Meet Coach Blunt!
Sport(s) Coaching: High School Boys Basketball
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): 4 years High School Basketball, 2 Years Varsity Player
Coaching Experience: (in any sport at any level): 15 Years Total: 3 Years Junior High, 12 Years High School
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as a coach): My twins started attending Veritas in 2022. I started coaching in 2024-25.
Your favorite part about coaching: Being able to teach and have the players understand the game of basketball. I love when the lightbulb goes off in their mind when you are instructing. Also developing a relationship with the players. It’s great to know the players on and off the court. Those relationships can last a lifetime!
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? Teamwork and comradery are really big in this sport. Being able to communicate and get involved with a team sport is always crucial for human development so why not choose this great game of basketball? Also, they will learn basketball skills that will challenge and bring joy to the players.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? Being able to have 5-10 individual players go out on the basketball court and play as one unit is why I love coaching. Having a bunch of individuals play as one is like watching and listening to glorious symphony.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? Because we will bring a great family atmosphere with excitement and fun each and every day.
Favorite Bible verse: Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
#coaches #profiles #basketball #athletics #soareagles
Meet Coach Haas!
Sport(s) Coaching: Cross Country and Track and Field
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): My parents were runners, and I don’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t enjoyed running. I have a lifelong love of track, competing in various events starting at age 6 when my dad helped start a youth track club in my hometown. I competed in track, football, and basketball through high school.
Coaching Experience: (in any sport at any level): I have been coaching track at Veritas since 2013 and cross country since 2020. Additionally, I lead the Speed Camp, a specialized speed and conditioning program offered by Veritas. Beyond my work at Veritas, I have also coached for an AAU track club and provide private coaching for horizontal jumps. I am a Level One Certified Track and Field Coach through USATF.
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as a coach): I have been associated with Veritas since 2003, ever since my daughter began first grade there.
Your favorite part about coaching: I am passionate about coaching athletes who have the drive and determination to improve and achieve their goals. I take great joy in planning their workouts and providing them with tips and insights to help them succeed. Most importantly, I cherish building strong relationships with the athletes and their families. It’s incredibly rewarding to run into former athletes in the community, catch up on their lives, and reminisce about their playing days. I especially love seeing those who were initially hesitant about the sport continue to run races and jog for recreation long after their competitive days are over, having developed a lifelong love for running and staying healthy.
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? I hope that athletes realize they are capable of much more than they initially believe. I want them to learn from both their successes and their setbacks, understanding how to rise and keep moving forward when faced with challenges. There are countless lessons to be learned. While natural talent may not be evenly distributed, hard work and dedication allow everyone to improve. God places no limits on our ability to get better. We strive to improve by 1% with every practice and every competition. This incremental improvement compounds over time, producing exponential results. This mindset can be applied to nearly every aspect of life.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? I love coaching track and field because it brings together such a wide variety of talents. There’s a place for everyone—whether you’re fast and built for sprints, have the endurance for long distances, the strength for throws, or the explosiveness for jumps. Track and field is unique in that it allows individuals with different abilities to compete, grow, and contribute to the success of the team. Unlike sports like basketball or baseball, which require a specific set of skills, track and field celebrates a full spectrum of athleticism. It’s a sport where many different kinds of athletes can thrive, and together become one unified team. It’s a beautiful thing!
I love coaching cross country, because it is a sport that is as much about personal growth as and character as it is about athletic achievement. I love the camaraderie built as runners train side by side through long runs and grueling workouts. You learn to push through pain, fatigue, and doubt. Cross country builds both physical and mental resilience.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? You should give track and field a shot—because it really does have something for everyone. You don’t have to be a superstar athlete or even have any experience. If you’re fast, great—we’ve got sprints. If you’re strong, try throwing. If you’ve got endurance, distance running might be your thing. And if you like to jump, we’ve got events for that too. Even if you’re not sure what your strength is yet, track is a great place to figure it out. What’s awesome is that everyone gets a chance to improve, compete, and be part of the team. You can be new and still matter here. That’s why I love this sport—and why I think you might too.
You should try cross country because there is no bench in cross country. Every athlete has the opportunity to contribute; there is no sideline to stand on. Everyone is in it together and has the same opportunity to compete and get better.
Favorite Bible verse: Romans 10:14-15: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
#coaches #profiles #track #athletics #soareagles
Meet Coach Maddox!
Sport(s) Coaching: Cross Country
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): Track, Basketball, Volleyball all at the Varsity level.
Coaching Experience (in any sport at any level): I’ve always coached my kids in their various sports.
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as coach): I’ve been with Veritas since 2022.
Your favorite part about coaching: Spending time with the kids and watching them grow from the beginning of the season to the end, achieving things they didn’t think were possible!
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? Running takes mental toughness and grit that will serve them their whole lives.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? I love watching the progress everyone makes throughout the year.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? We have so much fun! You will feel like a rockstar when you cross that finish line with the amount of cheers you’ll receive!
Favorite Bible verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
#coaches #profiles #crosscountry #athletics #soareagles
Meet Coach Clements!
Sport(s) Coaching: Head Coach Varsity Volleyball / Assistant Coach Golf
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): In high school I played basketball and club volleyball (and golf recreationally).
Coaching Experience (in any sport at any level): Junior high boys basketball assistant coach (3 years), junior high volleyball (3 years), high school volleyball (4 years), golf (2 years).
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as a coach): We've been a Veritas family since 2012.
Your favorite part about coaching: I love the relational connections and close-knit community that a team sport provides. Being united around one purpose and that is to compete and get better at a sport we all love, provides a great personal reward. To help each other when down, celebrate when up, and to experience it as one group is such a rewarding experience.
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? How to do hard things even when you don't want to, how to bring positivity and encouragement when things are difficult, how to learn from your mistakes, and how to put things into an eternal perspective.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? The general vibe around volleyball is simply the best! Super positive, uplifting, fun, exciting, high-energy, dynamic, and the sport is rapidly rising in popularity.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? Because everyone loves to play the game 'don't let the balloon touch the floor'. That's basically what volleyball is. Well, with a few other things thrown in there. But I would think that 95% of people who try the sport as it's meant to be played would fall in love with it.
Favorite Bible verse: Joshua 24:15, "...choose this day whom you will serve." J/K. Volleyball joke. Really, it's Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
#coaches #profile #volleyball #athletics #soareagles
The Lawrence Journal-World All-Area Track and Field honors were revealed today and Juliana Yaluk-Shults is an honoree! Elias Salmeron-Dominguez received Honorable Mention! Congratulations! #track #awards #soareagles
Meet Coach Ballmer!
Sport(s) Coaching: Junior High and High School Cheer
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): I cheered throughout junior high and high school, and continued cheering at the collegiate level. In addition to cheer, I have 14 years of dance experience.
Coaching Experience (in any sport at any level): This is my second year coaching at Veritas. Last year, I served as the junior high cheer coach.
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as a coach):
I’m a proud Veritas alumni, having graduated in 2012. I returned as a Veritas parent in 2021.
Your favorite part about coaching: My favorite part of coaching is watching athletes master new skills. Whether it’s sticking a stunt or nailing a new dance routine, it’s so rewarding to see their hard work pay off and their confidence grow.
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? I hope athletes gain confidence in performing in front of a crowd and learn the importance of trust and teamwork, especially when it comes to executing stunts and routines. I also hope they walk away with a stronger sense of school spirit and community.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? My favorite part about cheer is the energy and excitement it brings to game days. Cheerleaders play a vital role in boosting school spirit and getting the crowd involved, which creates a fun and memorable experience for everyone.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? If you’ve never tried cheer before, this is the perfect year to start! It’s my first year as head coach, and I have lots of fun, new ideas that I’m excited to bring to the program. We’re building something special, and this is a great opportunity to be part of shaping the team and having fun while doing it.
Favorite Bible Verse: Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
#coaches #profiles #cheer #athletics #soareagles
Meet Coach Christesen!
Sport(s) Coaching: Junior High Football
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): High school football, basketball, track, and power lifting
Coaching Experience (in any sport at any level): 2022 and 2023 Assistant High School Football Coach at Veritas
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as a coach): We came to Veritas at the semester break in 2021.
Your favorite part about coaching: Helping teach and mentor the kids.
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? I hope that they grow as young men and learn to work through adversity.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? It is a team sport where you have to do your job correctly for the entire team to benefit, but it can also be an individual sport where you can have personal goals.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? We are bringing back football after being gone last year. Being a part of this team will help set the foundation and future of Veritas Football.
Favorite Bible verse: I have too many favorite verses, but one which stands out is Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Meet Coach Greer!
Sport(s) Coaching: Junior High Boys Basketball / Athletic Director
Playing Experience (in any sport at any level): High School Basketball
Coaching Experience (in any sport at any level): 7 Years coaching high school/junior high basketball
Years with Veritas (in any capacity, not just as a coach): My daughter started KQuest and I started coaching for Veritas in 2024.
Your favorite part about coaching: I love the relationships I build with the boys I coach. Getting to get to know them and see them grow is what I love most about coaching.
What do you hope athletes learn from playing your sport? I hope they learn how to play as a team. That they learn that what I do affects my teammate next to me, so I am going to do everything I can to help them out or make them a better player.
What is your favorite part about the sport you are coaching? Basketball is a game that relies purely on your teammates. One person cannot win a game, and each person has their role to play. Some are big, some are small, but they are all equally important if you want to truly be a successful team.
Why should someone who has never played your sport try it this year? I feel that my ultimate purpose is to help the boys become young men for Christ. So, by playing basketball, not only can you learn how to be a great teammate, but by the end of the year, hopefully you have made strides in your walk as a Christian.
Favorite Bible verse: 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
#coaches #profiles #basketball #athletics #soareagles
Time to mark your calendars! Barn Party is Friday, November 7th and we want you there! More information & tickets will be announced soon but until then save the date!
May was marked by many things including our 8th graders celebrating their completion of junior high and Soaring Up to high school!
We’re thrilled to share that several of our amazing staff members have been nominated for Best of Lawrence! This is such a great honor and a reflection of the love, dedication, and Christ-centered excellence they bring to our school community every day.
Let’s rally together and show our support—go vote for them today!
You can vote daily through Saturday!
https://www2.ljworld.com/bestoflawrence#//
Today's the day! Enjoy a delicious Roast Beef sandwich and help support Veritas Athletics at the same time! Stop by for lunch or dinner and make sure to mention Veritas with your order!! Can't wait to see all of you there! #athletics #soareagles #dineout
Congratulations to the class of 2025!
Join us on May 27th for another Dine Out Night for Veritas Athletics!
20% of all the proceeds will go towards Eagles Athletics. So make sure to stop by for lunch or dinner and don't forget to mention you are there for Veritas! (And remember to grab extra Arby's Sauce!!) #athletics #dineout #soareagles
Great day on the track at the KASC State Track Meet in Olathe, held at Olathe East on Saturday!
A few standout moments:
Juliana Yaluk-Schults, won the KASC state championship in the 200-meter dash, shattering her own school record by .2 seconds with a time of 27.26 seconds.
Sawyer Drewry broke his own junior high 3200-meter record by nearly 10 seconds, finishing with an incredible time of 11:42.96.
The high school girls’ team placed fourth overall, a strong showing among all competing schools.
Several other Eagles athletes also set personal records and medaled on what turned out to be a perfect weather day for track. What a great way to end the season! #track #state #athletics #soareagles
