Luke Shepherd, known as Coach Shep, is a coach focusing on the player first mentality.  He is a hitting instructor and the manager of The WAVE Athletics.  He has spent the last 20+ years coaching athletics (softball, baseball, basketball, track, and golf).  Shepherd spent 15 years as a strength and conditioning coach, and he earned his Exercise Science degree at UNO. He has a passion for biomechanics (how they body moves through activities).  

In 2014 Coach Shep was transferred to Lincoln for his job as a club manager for Prairie Life Fitness.  He worked for Prairie Life Fitness for 16+ years as a trainer, fitness director and club manager before taking over as general manager at The WAVE Athletics in July of 2020.  Prairie Life Fitness taught him a lot about what it is like to work for and be taught by a "people first" mentality which parallels his coaching style, and what The WAVE Athletics is all about. 

Coach Shep spends most of his time coaching, and with his two daughters and wife (Melissa).  In his down time he spends it watching coaching videos on hitting and mental training.  

He works with both baseball and softball players.  

I am a former pitcher for the Nebraska Wesleyan softball team and I am currently an assistant coach on their team as a pitching coach.

I lettered four years with the Prairie Wolves and appeared in 75 games and I am 6th all-time in school history in appearances.

I currently am in my fourth year as head coach for Prodigy Easton.

Coach Parker has been coaching baseball since graduating from high school in 2002. Baseball has been apart of his life.  He loves the game and enjoys coaching it. He recently stepped down from running a high school program to help with his son and daughter's teams and making sure he is able to watch them play baseball and softball as they grow. Coach Parker is still heavily involved with the local high school programs in helping baseball players get recruited to college. Over the years he has had a lot of success winning games, however his greatest successes have come from being able to to help any player(s) that have had the desire to play in college the opportunity to do so. 

Career Varsity/Legion Head Coaching record 263-184

Coaching Experience
Varsity Assistant Coach/Recruiting Director Waverly High School
2023-Present 

Varsity/Legion Head Coach Lincoln Northeast High School
2020-2023
2 time Legion State Qualifier 

Waverly High School/Legion Head Coach  
2016-2019
2016 Legion State Championship
2 Time Spring State Qualifier
2 Lower Level State Championships

Lincoln Northeast High School Lower Level Head Coach
2005-2018
3 Lower Level State Championships

Babe Ruth Youth Head Coach and Capital Umpire
2002-2004
 

Once upon a time, there was a 5-year-old girl who lived in Texas. One day, she was given a softball, and her life changed forever. That little girl fell in love with the game and craved to be in between the foul lines. By the age of 10, her attention was pulled to the mound. She was so interested in this position that she started her own pitching career. Passing through many years of blood sweat and tears, she was able to create memories and wonderful learning opportunities. She ended up playing at many different levels. From pitching for The Woodlands High School to playing for The University of Nebraska as a D1 athlete. 
Once her own playing career almost ended, she couldn’t stay away from the game. Continuing her love and passion, she decided to be a coach. This ended up opening many doors for her. She was able to move out to Singapore and help grow the game of softball on that side of the world. Once that journey was over, she was offered a position to help coach the Millard North High school softball team. She was able to coach two seasons for the Mustangs until she had another calling to be a full-time Elementary teacher. She had to put a halt to being a full-time coach, but she still longs to be a part of the softball world. If you haven’t figured out who that little girl was, it was me. Hi! I’m Caitlin Bartsch, I have been welcomed into The Wave family to help with pitching lessons and live hitting sessions. I am happy to be a part of The Wave family and would love for you to join us!

Sarah Rainey, PT, DPT, Cert DN

Sarah Rainey is the owner and founder of Invigorating Motion Physical Therapy and co-owner of Wave Fitness, based in Nebraska. A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduate from Belmont University, Sarah brings her expertise and passion to helping individuals of all activity levels achieve optimal movement and performance.

As a former collegiate basketball player at Hastings College, Sarah understands the demands placed on athletes and active individuals. She specializes in full-body movement analysis to identify and address the root causes of pain and injury, aiming to restore function and prevent future issues. Sarah collaborates with fitness professionals to enhance performance and reduce injury risks for her clients, ranging from everyday movers to high-level athletes.  Dr Rainey also has her certification in dry needling to provide faster healing, pain reduction and improve movement. 

When she’s not working with clients, Sarah enjoys life in Ashland with her two children, Kaiden and Anabella. She is dedicated to her community, promoting health, wellness, and active lifestyles for all.

Dr. Sarah Rainey, DPT, Cert. DN,
SFMA L2, FMS L2, YBT. FCS

NASM Certified Wellness and Nutrition Coach

Recently graduated Husker, Peyton Glatter, is an Omaha native that attended Millard South High School and played summer ball for Nebraska Gold. She was a part of the 2015 ASA/USA 16U Gold National Championship Team, and amassed two state titles (2014, 2016) during her time at Millard South. Glatter was awarded to the Lincoln Journal Star Super-State team as a sophomore, junior, and senior including being named Omaha-Herald All-Nebraska team her junior and senior year, and was an NFCA first-team all-region honoree as a senior. 

At UNL she was a four year starter and a member of the 2022 Big Ten Championship team coached by Head Coach Rhonda Revelle, Hitting Coach Diane Miller, and Pitching/Outfield Coach Lori Sipple. At Nebraska she was a Six-Time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll Member, Nebraska Bronze Academic Medallion winner, and a 3 year Tom Osborne Citizenship Team member. Glatter earned her degree in Communication Studies December of 2022 and is currently the Marketing Director at Empire Netting and Fence. 

A native Nebraskan, born and raised in Lincoln. I have 30+ years of softball experience as a player, coach, umpire and parent. These experiences are invaluable and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with anyone who wants to learn and grow, not just athletically, but in all aspects of life. Ive been blessed with 2 daughters and when I’m not on the diamond, I enjoy kayaking, running and serving others. My walk with Jesus is the most important thing in my life because without him I wouldn’t be who I am today. My priority in life is to use the gifts and talents He gave me to glorify His name.

Playing career: Lincoln Northeast HS (Varsity) 1998-2002 University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2002-2006 (BIG XII Champions 2004)

Coaching Career: Concordia University (NAIA) 2006-2008 (GPAC Champions 2008) Georgia College & State University (DII) 2008-2010 Kearney High School (Head JV Coach) 2012-2014

Noah Griese, a Kinesiology major from Omaha, Nebraska, is a key contributor to the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks baseball team. As a junior in 2023, he appeared in 29 games, posting a .271 batting average with a team-high .399 slugging percentage and a .902 OPS. His performance included 10 doubles, four home runs, 22 RBIs, and 15 runs scored. The previous year, as a redshirt sophomore, he started 44 games, primarily as the designated hitter, finishing third on the team with five home runs, nine doubles, and 26 RBIs, along with an impressive 32 walks, which placed him sixth in the Summit League. Highlights of his season included a 3-for-5 game with a double and two RBIs against San Jose State and a strong Summit League tournament performance with a home run and three RBIs against North Dakota State. 

Before UNO, Noah played his redshirt freshman season at Wichita State. He previously attended Millard South High School, where he led his team to consecutive state runner-up finishes, earned All-State honors, and posted a .408 batting average with 12 doubles and three home runs as a junior. Noah’s focus and leadership continue to be key assets to the Mavericks.

Graduated from Waverly High School (2024). I have played softball since first or second grade. Currently attending Midland University studying Education and playing softball.  I give lesson at The WAVE duirng my time away from school and playing, and also am an assistant coach for NE WAVE 14u. 

What do you enjoy most about athletics?
⁃ I enjoy meeting new people and getting new friends from athletics. Most of my best friends I met through athletics.

What has athletics taught you about life?
⁃ Athletics have taught me how to prioritize time, to be mature, and how to grow stronger from failure.

If you could go back and talk to yourself when you are starting a sport what would you tell the younger version of yourself?
⁃ If I were to go back and talk to my younger self I would tell them to stay motivated and keep a positive attitude even when things are hard or when I am going through a slump.

Who is your hero?
⁃ I have a lot of hero’s in my life. My mom is definitely the strongest woman in my life. My dad is one of my best friends. The bonds that I have with my parents are so important to me.

What are your biggest fears?
⁃ My biggest fear is being alone. 

What is your favorite family vacation?
⁃ My favorite family vacation was when we went to Nashville and Kentucky.

What motivates you to work hard?
⁃ My goals motivate me to work hard.

What is your favorite subject in school?
⁃ My favorite subject in school is Spanish.

What is your favorite food?
⁃ My favorite food either chipotle or pickles

What sports do you play?
⁃ I play softball and run and jump in track

What do you love about working at The WAVE?
⁃ I love working at the wave because I love seeing people work hard to achieve their goals.

My name is Malia Thoms. I graduated from WHS (2023). I have 2 siblings, 2 younger brothers. I love working with kids and I love helping them with the game of softball or baseball.  I currently attend UNL and play softball, I also am an assitant coach for NE WAVE 17u. 

What do you enjoy most about athletics?
– The 1 thing I enjoy about athletics is getting to see each athlete develop in their own way.

What has athletics taught you about life?
– Athletics has taught me to never give up. If it gets hard, push through it and if you don’t, there is always someone else working out there trying to get better.

If you could go back and talk to yourself when you are starting a sport what would you tell the younger version of yourself?
– I would tell my younger self that it’s okay to fail.

Who is your hero?
– My hero is my great grandpa Wagner because he was a fighter and taught me to fight when it gets hard. He was a battler with cancer too and fought through that.

What is your biggest fear?
– My biggest fear is snakes.

What is your favorite family vacation?
– My favorite family vacation is Mexico.

What/Who motivates you to work hard?
– My dad motivates me because he pushes me to work hard in everything I do.

What is your favorite subject in school?
– My favorite subject in school is Math.

What is your favorite food?
– My favorite food is wings

What sport(s) do you play?
– The sport I play is softball.

What do you love about working at the wave?
– The one thing I love about working at The Wave is getting see each athlete develop their better self in softball or baseball.