About
More than flips.
Hi there! I’m Scott Belanger, owner of Jayhawk Gymnastics and a lifelong gymnast with over 35 years in the gymnastics industry. I’m a former collegiate gymnast at Southern Illinois University (Go Dawgs), and founder of Extreme Kids in Marion, IL, Saluki Gymnastics in Carbondale, IL, and The Zone in Mt. Vernon, IL.
I now bring my experience, imagination and passion to Lawrence. My focus is a super friendly, fun and safe gymnastics facility for kids in the greater Lawrence area. We’ve recently completed our 3rd expansion and I’m super proud of what we can offer this community.
Who needs gymnastics? Not the kids who are naturally talented: they pick everything up fast. It’s the kids who are a little uncoordinated who need it most. Gymnastics teaches movement and body control, and builds the strength, flexibility and coordination to tackle any sport or activity.
- FREE Open Gyms for enrolled students
- 6-1 Student-to-teacher ratio
- Competitive Xcel team in the KC Gymnastics League
Coaches
Meet the team.
Scott Belanger
Owner
Over 35 years in the gymnastics industry, a former collegiate gymnast at Southern Illinois University, and founder of three gyms in Illinois. Plays drums in a KC band called Every Breath.
Shantel Krabill
Girls Team Director
Competed up to Level 9 and danced for 14 years. In Lawrence since 2017.
Nathan Del Real
Ninja Director
Studying at KU to become a PE teacher and coach, and a Sergeant in the Kansas Army National Guard.
Braeden Soderstrom
Camp & Birthday Party Director
Coaching at Jayhawk for over 2 years: Boys Gymnastics and Ninja.
Haley Belanger
Girls Team & Gymnastics
Competed for the LHS Gymnastics Team and our own Girls Team; studying psychology at KU.
SheaLee Freeland-Schmer
Girls Team & Gymnastics
12 years of gymnastics in Washington, three years as high school team captain; a KU student.
Livi Johnson
Gymnastics & Tumble & Cheer
Competed in trampoline and tumbling for 7 years; majoring in Exercise Science and cheering at KU.
Tyler Campbell
Ninja Instructor
A Doctor of Chiropractic in his hometown of Lawrence, and an obstacle-course racer.
Katie Schoaf
Gymnastics Instructor
10 years of competitive gymnastics in Arizona and a diving captain; studying Exercise Science at KU.
Meara Kingery
Gymnastics Instructor
A competitive gymnast in Lawrence for 10 years; studying Human Biology at KU.
Cleo Hazlett-Trigg
Gymnastics Instructor
Coaching at Jayhawk since 2025, and on our Platinum team.
Hayden McMeans
Gymnastics Instructor
Becca Liljestrom
Gymnastics Instructor
A Jayhawk gymnast for 8 years, now starting her own coaching journey.
Families say
Don’t take our word.
Our sons really love attending Ninja class on Tuesdays. It’s always an exciting surprise when they get a postcard in the mail from their coach with notes about their achievements. I have seen so much growth in their physical abilities, as well as their confidence. Open gyms are a total bonus!! We highly recommend Jawhawk Gymnastics!
5 stars · Google
Jayhawk Gymnastics is an amazing place with fantastic staff. The facility is super clean with a great variety of equipment!! Such an encouraging and positive atmosphere!! Coach Batman is an absolutely awesome staff member!!
Claire Z. · Google
Had my daughter’s 3rd birthday party here and the staff and facility were great. All of the kids and parents that attended had a blast and was a perfect setting for kids to get to play and have fun!
David Lewis
Ready when you are.
Find a class, pick a time and sign up online in a few minutes.