Athletes from the Wagner Waves Swim Team competed at the 2023 AAU Junior Olympics from July 27th - 30th in Des Moines, IA as part of the James River Valley League Team along with other athletes from the league and over 600 national and international athletes. The James River Valley League had a total of 44 athletes on their roster that combined for a total of 510 points and finished the event with a 12th place ranking out of 31.

Brandon Frei competed in the boys 8U age division in the 50-meter breaststroke event and ended with a 17th place in the 50-meter freestyle, completing personal best time improvements.

Briana Fuchs competed in the girls 13-14 age division with a 66th place in the 50-meter freestyle, 32nd place in the 100-meter breaststroke, and 71st place in the 100-meter freestyle, all with personal best time improvements.

McKenzie Fuchs competed in the girls 15-18 age division with a 53rd place in the 100-meter backstroke, 37th place in the 100-meter breaststroke, 80th place in the 100-meter freestyle, all with personal best time improvements. She also swam the 2nd leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay team with a 9th place finish.

Eva Kjeldgaard competed in the girls 13-14 age division with a 68th place in the 50-meter freestyle and a 58th place in the 100-meter backstroke, all with personal best time improvements.

Koy Kjeldgaard competed in the boys 9-10 age division and led the JRVL team in points, finishing with 32 individual points and placing 11th in the 50-meter butterfly and 6th place in the 50-meter freestyle and backstroke to bring home two medals, all with personal best time improvements.

Kya Kjeldgaard competed in the girls 15-18 age division with a 45th place in the 50-meter freestyle, 49th place in the 100-meter backstroke, and 26th place in the 100-meter breaststroke, all with personal best time improvements. She also swam the butterfly leg of the 400-meter medley relay team with a 9th place finish, the 4th leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay team with an 11th place finish, and the backstroke leg of the 200-meter medley relay team with a 10th place finish.

Shea Kjeldgaard competed in the boys 15-18 age division with a 54th place in the 50-meter freestyle, 62nd place in the 100-meter backstroke, 62nd place in the 100-meter breaststroke, all with personal best time improvements. He also swam the freestyle leg of the 400-meter medley relay team with a 14th place finish, the 1st leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay team with a 15th place finish, the 3rd leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay team with an 8th place finish, earning a place on the podium with a medal, and the backstroke leg of the 200-meter medley relay team with an 11th place finish.

Cadee Nelson, who swam for the Dakota Riptides Swim Team in Mitchell this season, was absorbed by the JVRL team and competed in the 15-18 age division with a 40th place in the 50-meter freestyle, 50th place in the 100-meter backstroke, and 69th place in the 100-meter freestyle, all with personal best time improvements. She also swam the backstroke leg of the 400-meter medley relay team with a 9th place finish, the 4th leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay team with a 10th place finish, the 4th leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay team with an 8th place finish, earning a place on the podium with a medal.

Jackson Rolston competed in the boys 15-18 age division with a 33rd place in the 200-meter breaststroke, 93rd place in the 50-meter freestyle, 49th place in the 100-meter breaststroke, and 102nd place in the 100-meter freestyle, all with personal best time improvements. He also swam the breaststroke leg of the 400-meter medley relay team with a 13th place finish, the 4th leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay team with a 15th place finish, the 2nd leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay team with an 8th place finish, earning a place on the podium with a medal, and the breaststroke leg of the 200-meter medley relay team with an 11th place finish.

Emma Turner competed in the girls 11-12 age division with a 51st place in the 50-meter freestyle, 41st place in the 50-meter backstroke, and a 29th place in the 50-meter breaststroke, all with personal best time improvements. She also swam the 1st leg of the 200-meter freestyle relay team with a 7th place finish and the backstroke leg of the 200-meter medley relay team, also with a 7th place finish, both earning a place on the podium with medals.

Coach Mel Juffer was one of three coaches for the 2023 JRVL Team who dedicated many hours volunteering her time to ensure that each athlete was prepared for their events and was an integral part in making sure their experience was a positive one that they will never forget.

Complete team and individual results can be found at www.aausports. org. Des Moines, IA will host the AAU Junior Olympics again in 2026 and 2030. The 2024 AAU Junior Olympics will be held in Greensboro, NC.

Congratulations 2023 AAU Junior Olympians!