Coaching Staff

Kelly Nordell

Head Coach Waukee Waves Swim Team

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Head Coach Waukee Waves Swim Team

  • Lead Coach for the Senior and Gold practices groups
  • Responsibilities includes the supervision of all Waukee Waves Swim Team practice groups and coaches
  • ASCA Level 4 certified coach
  • CSCAA Women's Mentor



Additional Coaching Experience

  • Assistant Head Coach, Iowa State University - 2008-2024
  • Head Coach,Des Monies Swim Federation - 2001-2008
  • Assistant and Associate Head Coach, University of Nebraska - 1988-2001


Coaching Accomplishments

  • One National Age Group Record in a sprint relay
  • Two Olympians (Australia and Bosnia)
  • Four NCAA Academic-All Americans
  • Six swimmers ranked in the Top 100 in the World 24 NCAA All-Americans
  • Thirty US Open Qualifiers
  • Thirty-four Conference Champions (Big Eight and Big 12 Conferences)
  • Fifty-two Team Records for USA Club
  • Seventy-five CSCAA Academic Honorable Mention or Academic All-Americans Numerous All Big
  • Twelve 1st Team Selection (top 4 finish)
  • Numerous All Big 12 2nd Team Selection (places 5-8)
  • Numerous school records (Iowa State University and University of Nebraska)


Achievements as an athlete:

  • USA Swimming Senior National and World Championship Finalists
  • Captain of the University of Arizona Women’s Team 1984-1985
  • University of Arizona Golden Eagle Academic Award Recipient for Academic Excellence
  • Three-time NCAA qualifier and participant NCAA Honorable Mention All-America PAC-10 Finalist
  • Senior National participant
  • Participant in the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Trials
  • National High School Honorable Mention All-American (Southern California)


Education

  • Master’s in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sports Psychology, 1991 University of Nebraska
  • Bachelor of Science, Psychology, 1986, University of Arizona
  • Published Author:
  • Journal of Swimming Research, November, 1993
  • The Sports Psychologist, 1999


Dana Liva

Waukee Waves Lead Dive Coach

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Additional Coaching Experience:

  • Assistant Coach, Iowa State Twisters 2017-2020
  • Waukee High School Coaches (2020 - split 2024)
  • Lead Waukee Waves Dive Team


Coaching Accomplishments

  • 5th Year Coaching Waukee High Schools
  • Multiple State Qualifiers
  • 2020 IGHSAU State Swimming and Diving - 11/13/2020 Athlete Finishes: 26th, 23rd, 19th
  • 2021 IGHSAU State Swimming and Diving - 11/12/2021 Athlete Finishes: 23rd, 25th
  • 2023 IGHSAU State Swimming and Diving - 11/10/2023 Athlete Finishes: 17th, 8th


Achievements as an Athlete

Iowa State (2017 -2020)

  • Olympic Trials Competitor 2021
  • Iowa State Record Holder
  • Iowa State Swimming and Diving Team Captain 2019-2020 
  •  Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award recipient 2019-20
  • Big 12 Athlete of the Week January 2018
  • Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll Fall 2017-2020
  • 3-time NCAA Diving Zone Qualifier
  • Part of Top 10 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming and Diving Fall 2018
  •  Scholarship Athlete 
  • Dean’s List: Fall 2017/’18/’19  Spring 2018/’19/’20
  • Psi Chi Honor Society member


University of Madison Wisconsin (2105 - 2016)

- Scholarship Athlete

 - Big Ten Conference Point Scorer 

- NCAA Diving Zone Qualifier


High School (2011- 2014)

  • IL State Champion 2014
  • 4 time IL state qualifier
  • IL State Meet finishes 12th, 6th, 4th, 1st
  • 4-time Sectional Champion
  • 4 time MSL Conference Champion
  • Multi Pool record holder


Education

 Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Iowa State

University IA

Masters Art in Teaching Simpson University IA

Masters in Special Education from Buena Vista University IA

Coaching Degree


Lucia Rizzo

Waukee Waves Assistant Lead Swim Coach

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Coaching Experience

  • SwimAmerica Instructor 
  • Waukee Waves Swim Coach


Achievements as an Athlete

  • Iowa State University School Record Holder (200 IM, 400 IM, 400 Freestyle Relay)
  • 3-time Big 12 Swimmer of the Week 
  • 4-time All Big 12 First Team Member
  • 4-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team Member
  • Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2022)
  • Iowa State Team Captain (2021-2022)
  • Numerous-time Minnesota Swimming State Champion 
  • USA Swimming National Meet Participant


Education

  • Bachelor of Marketing and Business Analytics, Iowa State University (2022)
  • Master of Information Systems, Iowa State University (2023)


Ashley Hartkorn

Waukee Wave-ettes Head Synchronized Swimming Coach

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With over 30 years of experience in synchronized swimming, Ashley brings a deep passion for the sport both as an athlete and coach. She swam four years at Valley High School, serving as team president and competed regionally for two years. Ashley spent two years coaching at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, helping develop young athletes skills and love for the sport. She is excited to share her expertise and enthusiasm with the Waukee Wave-ettes!


Shelley Twigg

Pre-Competitive Swim

Program Coordinator

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Coaching Experience

  • Head WHS/NWHS Girls Swim Coach  2010 to present 
  • Twigg Swimming Academy LLC  2015 - present
  • Head WHS boys swim coach  2024 to present
  • Head 8th grade swim coach   2010 to present 
  • Assistant boys swim coach  2020-2022
  • Waukee YMCA Rays, Waukee, IA   2011-2016

Program Director/Head Coach

  • Johnston Blaze Swim Club, Johnston, IA 2005-2011

Program Director/Head Coach

  • Waukee Community School District    2001-present

Educator/Classified Staff Member        


Coaching Accomplishments

  • National High School Coaches Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year  2022
  • Iowa High School Girls Swimming State Championship  2021, 2022, 2023
  • Des Moines Register All-Iowa High School Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year  2021, 2022
  • Iowa High School Girls Swimming and Diving Team Power Point Champions  2020-2023
  • National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) Coach of the Year  2021
  • IHSSCA Coach of the Year 2021
  • IHSSCA 20 year coaches recognition award  2021
  • Iowa High School Regional Coach of the Year 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023
  • Iowa High School District Coach of the Year 2024
  • Coached 15  NISCA All-Americans 2015,2016,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024
  • IGHSAU Undefeated Dual Seasons 2020, 2021,2022
  • YMCA Large Class State Championship 2012-2015


Education

  • American Swim Coaches Association Member and Level 3 Certified Coach
  • National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Member
  • Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association Member
  • Northwestern College, Orange City, IA 
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree: May 2001
  • Elementary Education Major and K-12 Physical Education Major, K-12 Health Minor, Coaching Authorization
  • 4 year letter winner, team captain, and  All-Conference Soccer Player