Bio

Veronica Bell Amarasekara, better known as “Coach V”, is entering her third season as an assistant coach with the CMS track and field teams in 2023-24, where she works primarily with the jumpers.

As an open long jumper, Coach V competed in multiple Olympic Trials and has been a Trials finalist. She has earned USATF certification as a Level Two Jumps Coach and is Level One certified in all other disciplines.

Coach V began her coaching career as the head track coach of Pomona High School. There, she coached several state, Southern Section, CIF podium athletes, and league champions in the jumps.

While a specialist teacher in the Claremont United School District, Coach V. was hired as the head boys’ track coach at Claremont High School. In 2015, she became the head coach of the girls’ track team as well. Throughout her tenure at Claremont High, Coach V. was responsible for coaching all horizontal jumpers and jumper/sprinters. She also assisted with coaching the high jumpers and hurdlers.

At CHS, Coach V coached a State triple jump champion, a 2 time State Para 100 meter champion, and multiple state meet podium athletes in the jumps and sprints. Additionally, she has coached several Southern Section, CIF, and league champions in the jumps and sprints. In 2018, Coach V. was honored as the California Coaches Association Girls’ Track Coach of the Year.

Coach V is married and has two adult children. She is a Masters’ track athlete and enjoys biking, hiking, and gardening, and has a master’s degree in special education from Cal State Los Angeles and a master’s degree in education administration from Cal State San Bernardino.