The Wagner Waves Swim Team took part in the James River Valley League championship swim meet hosted by Platte on July 13th and 14th along with teams from Armour, Avon, Menno, O'Neill, Parkston, Platte, and Tyndall.

Wagner Waves brought home a 3rd place trophy for their cumulative points earned over the two-day event. Coach Melonie Juffer was awarded the 2023 Coach of the Year as voted on by her peers and DJ Schroeder was honored as the 2023 Male Swimmer of the Year as voted on by all league coaches. Individual trophies were earned by several of the athletes from Wagner in their respective age divisions: 6U Girls: 1st - Willow Soukup; 6U Boys: 1st - Maverick Kafka; 10U Boys: 1st - Koy Kjeldgaard, 2nd - Grayson Knebel, 3rd - Cooper Kafka, 4th - Windsor Soukup; 11-12 Girls: 2nd - Emma Turner, 4th - Clarah Soukup; 15-16 Boys: 1st - Shea Kjeldgaard, 2nd - Jackson Rolston; 17-18 Boys: 2nd - DJ Schroeder, 4th - Owen Bekanich.

Wagner Waves will have 9 athletes competing 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 33 other athletes from the league. Congratulations on qualifying for the 2023 AAU Junior Olympics and best of luck to: Brandon Frei, Brianna Fuchs, McKenzie Fuchs, Eva Kjeldgaard, Koy Kjeldgaard, Kya Kjeldgaard, Shea Kjeldgaard, Jackson Rolston, and Emma Turner.

Coach Mel Juffer will be 1 of 3 coaches accompanying the athletes to the event. More information on the 2023 AAU Junior Olympic games can be found at www.aausports. org. Events will be available via livestream through the website for those that want to cheer on our Wagner athletes from home.

Wagner Waves held their annual end-of-year celebration at the Wagner City Pool on Wednesday, July 19th with a potluck dinner and fun in the pool. Wagner Waves had 55 athletes from the ages of 4-18 this year and are looking forward to growing that number next summer. Thank you to Coaches Mel Juffer and Jackson Rolston for your unwavering encouragement, Wagner City Pool lifeguards, parent volunteers, and the community's support all season. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches on a great 2023 swimming season!