Coaching Staff
Kelly Nordell
- 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
Bobby Kelley
- Waukee School District Director of Aquatics
- Lead administrator for the Waukee Waves Swim Team
- SwimAmerica Program Director
- Assistant coach helping with all Waves practice groups
- ASCA Level 4 certified coach
Competitive Swimming Experience
- Aquatics Director, Linn-Mar School District - 2013-2023
- Started LMST with the open of Linn-Mar School District's Aquatic Center
- Led the learn-to-swim program for Linn-Mar which taught lessons to over 3,000 students each year
- Assistant Coach and Program Director, Linn-Mar Swim Team - 2014-2023
- During tenure, LMST had swimmers competing at the 2016 and the 2021 Olympic Trials
- Numerous swimmers ranked in USA Swimming's end of the year Age Group Top Ten list
- Numerous swimmers qualified and competed at Sectionals, Futures and Junior National meets
- Assistant and Head Coach, Coe College - 1999-2007 & 2018-2023
- Multiple times named Conference Coach of the Year
- Coached team to mulitple conference championships
- Head Coach & Executive Director, Cedar Rapids Aquatics Assocaition - 1997-2013
- During tenure, CRAA had swimmers competing the 2008 and the 2012 Olympic Trials
- Coached two athletes who were ranked second in events for USA Swimming's end of the year Age Group Top Ten list
- Head Coach, Topeka Swim Association - 1991-1997
- During tenure, TSA had a swimmer who competed in the 1996 Olympic Trials
- Coached two swimmers who ended the season ranked number one in the age group in events for USA Swimming's end of the year Age Group Top Ten list
- Coached numerour Junior National and YMCA Natational qualifiers
- Coached swimmers were YMCA National Champions
- Assistant Coach, Lawrence Aquahawks - 1989-1991
Achievements as an athlete:
- NCAA Division I Individual Qualifier for University of Kansas
- University of Kansas School Record Holder - 400 IM
- Individual Event Conference Champion - 1989 - 400 IM
- Olympic Trials participant - 1988
- YMCA National Champion in the 1650 Free - 1985
- United States Sports Festival Silver Medalist - 1985
- Numerous Age Group Top Ten Rankings thoughout age group swimming background
- Highest ranking - 2nd 400 IM - 1981 13-14 Age Group
Education
- Master’s in Business Administration, 1991 University of Kansas
- Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, 1989, University of Kansas
Iowa Swimming LSC Leadership Experience
- Governance Committee 2024-current
- General Chair, 2020-2024
- Secretary, 2018-2020
- Technical Planning Chair - 2013-2018
Missouri Valley LSC Leadership Experience
- Age Group Chair - 1995-1997
Dana Liva
Waukee Waves Lead Dive Coach
Dana Liva
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
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
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!
