The Waukee Community School District is excited to announce several new coaching additions for the 2021-22 school year. This will be the first year featuring two high schools in the district. Several coaches are transitioning from Waukee High School to Waukee Northwest High School, while others are staying with the Warriors.

“This is an exciting time for our athletic department,” says Waukee High School Activities Director Eric Boyle. “Waukee has a strong tradition of developing exceptional athletes and we are thrilled with the coaching staff who will guide their development.”

“The opening of Waukee Northwest will provide opportunities for more students to be involved in  athletics and activities” says Northwest Activities Director Jim Duea. “Northwest coaches are eager to begin building an athletic program that can compete at a level the Waukee community has grown accustomed to.”

Waukee High School Varsity Coaches

• Gabe Bakker – Football
• Abby Schmitz – Girls Cross Country
• Mark Davis – Boys Golf
• Candice Palea – Volleyball
• John Meeks – Wrestling 
• Kevin Kanaskie – Boys Basketball 
• TBA – Boys Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, Girls Basketball

Northwest High School Varsity Coaches

• Cory Kopatich – Football
• Terry Nielsen – Boys Cross Country
• Jodi Vogt – Volleyball
• Megan Schaefer – Dance
• Micala Jensen – Fall Cheerleading
• Miranda Conner – Competition Cheer
• Chad Vollmecke – Wrestling 
• Justin Ohl – Boys Basketball
• Chris Guess – Girls Basketball
• TBA – Girls Cross Country, Boys Golf

Waukee High School and Waukee Northwest High School will share swimming programs. Shelley Twigg will lead the girls and Dan Briggs will lead the boys. They will also share bowling programs. Jonathan Kerr will coach the boys and Chris Roberts will coach the girls. Spring sports information will be released at a later date. Performing arts leadership will be announced in a release next week.