Justin Clossen

Head Coach

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Justin has over 11 years of coaching experience at all levels. His coaching experience includes stints with the Metro Aquatics Swim Team (IA), Cedar Rapids Aquatic Association (IA), City of Plano (TX), the Lawrence Aquahawks (KS), and Team Greenville (SC). He has coached all level of swimmers from beginners up through Junior and Senior national qualifiers. Coach Justin also served multiple times on the Missouri Valley Zone Coaching Staff and Zone Training Camp Staff.

Coach Justin is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a Junior National Champion in the 100 Back, Senior National Qualifier, a collegiate swimmer at KU, and also a graduate of the University of Kansas.

Justin and his wife Jessica live in Lawrence and have 2 children Chloe & Joey.

Juliann Vignatelli

Assistant Coach

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Gold/Silver

Juliann Vignatelli began coaching for the Lawrence Aquahawks in Fall 2010. She was born and raised in Wichita, KS. She began swimming competitively at the age of eight with the Wichita Aqua Shocks; she swam year-round with the Aqua Shocks for nine years. She was a four-year letter winner in swimming at Wichita North High School. While at North she was named first team all-city all four years, holds four school records and placed all four years at the State Championships. She graduated from Wichita North High School in 2008. She went on to swim for the University of Kansas from 2008-2010. She competed predominately in the butterfly events. She competed in the Big 12 Championships for the Jayhawks her freshman and sophomore seasons. She is graduating from the University of Kansas in Spring 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in business.

Juliann has experience coaching age group swimmers of all levels, giving private/group swim lessons, life guarding and was an assistant coach of a summer league swim team.

Juliann can be contacted by phone at (316)-871-7839 or email: Vignatelli5@gmail.com

Cameron S Case

Assistant Coach

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Platinum/Silver

Cameron Case is in his first year of coaching with the Lawrence Aquahawks. He was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas and started swimming with the Lawrence Aquahawks summer league at the age of 8. After his first summer with the summer league, he joined the year-round program and continued with the Aquahawks until he graduated from Lawrence Free State High School in 2009. He was a Sectional Championship finalist and a Junior National Qualifier in numerous events.

He then continued on to swim at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri under head coaches Jack Steck and Dave Collins. He was a major asset to the Bears mainly in Breaststroke and IM events but was very versitile to the team. He was a finalist at the Mid-American Conference in multiple events. Cameron came back to Lawrence in May of 2011 and joined the Aquahawks as a coach in 2012. He has experience with younger kids teaching swim lessons and Lifeguarding for the past 2 years.

Cameron can be contacted by phone: (785).550.4762 or by email: camcase23@yahoo.com

HEATHER L CLARK

Assistant Coach

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Bronze/Discovery

Heather Clark is in her first year of coaching with the Lawrence Aquahawks. She was born and raised in Lawrence and started swimming with the Aquahawks when she was 6 years old. Heather swam with the Aquahawks until 2010. She was a Sectional finalist as well as a Junior National and National Qualifier. After graduation high school, Heather went on to swim for the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Heather contributed to the team in backstroke and butterfly events. Heather also works at Stepping Stones here in Lawrence and has many years of experience teaching swim lessons, as well as life guarding.

Heather can be reached by phone: (785) 840-5909 or by email: heather_clark7@yahoo.com

Danica L Thompson

Board Member, President

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Swimmer: Hailei - Senior

During the day you will find me working for Lawrence Anaesthesia as a CPC, CANPC. I am a proud Jayhawk and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Genetics/Biology. My daughter Hailei swims with the Senior group and is in her fifth year as an Aquahawk. Being part of the Aquahawks has really fostered her in multiple areas and she loves all the friendships she has developed. I believe when your child is part of something they love that the parent is invested as well. I have enjoyed many volunteer opportunities within the club and have been a meet director for the last year and a half. We have great kids, coaches, and families and continuing the tradition of the Aquahawks within a positive environment is very important to me. I appreciate the opportunity to be the President of the Board of Directors and look forward to helping in any capacity I can.

Candy Ann Gunderson

Board Member, Secretary

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Swimmer: Payton - Platinum

Candy Gunderson has been involved with the Aquahawks since 2008.  She has a daughter Payton that has been swimming with the Aquahawks since 2008 and is currently in the Platinum group.  Her day job is Office Manager for Garber Enterprises, Inc.  

Deborah Kay Rogers

Board Member. Membership

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Swimmer: Piper Rogers - Senior  (785) 979-2497

We have been with Aquahawks since 2008.  I have two children, Piper who swims with the Senior Group, and Jake who is involved in Football and FSHS Swimming.  My husband, Derek, is the Support Group Commander at Forbes Field in Topeka, and I am a Dental Hygienist at Enhance Dental Care.

Being a non-profit organization Aquahawks relies on the parents’ involvement to run the club.  I'm so thankful for all the great Parents we have at Aquahawks, we welcome your input and involvement.

Tracy Cowman

Board Member, Liaison

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Swimmer:  Dagen Clouse - Gold

We have been with the Aquahawks since Dagen started swimming in May 2011.  I have been familiar with the team for decades.  From age 8 to 18, I swam competitively for the Phillips 66 Splash Club in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  We competed against the Aquahawks on a regular basis.  I have a Doctorate in Audiology and work at the Topeka VA Medical Center.