Email 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!

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.

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!”