2018-19 Spring Sting Locker

MY DASH - IN THE ATHLETE'S WORDS:

MY DASH - IN THE ATHLETE’S WORDS:

Haley Reeck, Lacrosse

Pete Stidman, Track & Field

EDINA HS ATHLETICS

Published by:

Edina Athletic Booster Club

Spring 2019

track & field

no hurdle too high

boys golf

thriving

20

30

tennis

new beginnings Big Numbers 24

Edina Girls

GOLF

baseball

turning two w/ Enck Twins 18

Tradition One that includes

US Open Champion Hillary Lunke & 12 State Titles

32

softball

Camaraderie & Success

26

synchro swim

60 years 38

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Go Hornets!

Wishing all Hornet Athletes a successful and safe season. And remember, when it’s time to sell or buy, you need to call

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Table of Contents Sting Locker, spring 2019

38

MY DASH - In the Athlete’s Words The athletes’ stories written by the athletes themselves.

60 Years of Synchro Swim at Edina.

FEATURES

GIRLS LACROSSE

18

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Haley Reeck

26

SOFTBALL

Fostering Camaraderie & Success

Pete Stidman

The 2018 state tournament appearance gains attention for Edina softball.

18

16

30

BASEBALL

Turning Two

BOYS GOLF

Thriving In Edina

Middle infielders Andrew & Matthew Enck will be heading to the University of St. Thomas together next season.

5 years ago there were 22 boys on the team. Today, there are close to 90.

The coach who gave me confidence.

SECTIONS

8

From the Boosters

A letter from the Edina Athletic Booster Club’s Dan Arom.

10

From the Hornet Hub: Troy Stein 2019 Spring Questions.

20

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

No Hurdle Too High

Matt Gabrielson is not new to Edina sports, but he is the new head boys coach – and he’s got some great athletes and special talent just waiting to explode.

24

GIRLS GOLF

Tradition, Unlike Any Other

Great tradition that includes 12 state titles and a US Open Champion in alumnus Hillary Lunke.

The Boys Tennis team has gained statewide prestige.

Cover photo by Dan Arom On the cover: Kendall Olsen, Hillary Lunke, Dasha Parker

Sting Locker

Coaches Corner: Andy Lee

Boys Lacrosse new coach.

BOYS LACROSSE

43-57

2019 Spring Season Sports Team Photos

58

BOYS TENNIS

Season Endings & New Beginnings

6 |

32

12

EABC Booster Members List

36

62 GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Learning To Fly

Nearly 100 student-athletes each year.

EHS State Titles List 181 titles won.

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From the Boosters Very happy to have Zephyrus writers/students contributing to Sting Locker magazine.

I

n this issue and going forward, we are excited to expand our partnership with Zephyrus, Edina High School’s newspaper. Our hope has always been to give readers perspectives from athletes directly, peers, coaches, administrators and

alumni. By adding the Zephyrus team, we get the unique perspective of classmates and how they see their peers. In addition, the Sting Locker gives aspiring writers on the Zephyrus staff another medium to write and be read by a larger audience

M AGA Z I N E A magazine covering Edina High School athletics programs and alumni. Published seasonally by Edina Athletic Booster Club.

CONTACT

than Zephyrus’ circulation.

stinglocker@edinaboosters.club

We hope you enjoy their work. Thank you to the writers who contributed to this

PUBLISHER

Edina Athletic Booster Club (EABC)

issue and Sarah Burgess (Zephyrus Advisor).

MANAGING EDITOR

Chris Davis

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Dan Arom Betsy Cavanagh Ashley Swanda

DESIGN/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Scott Geiger/Geiger Design PRODUCTION/PRINTING

Jessen Press

ADVERTISING SALES

Dan Arom arom.dan@gmail.com

Ellen Mi

Sadie Johnson

Reagan Stanchfield

Betsy Cavanagh Betsycav25@gmail.com EABC BOARD

President: Jon Stechmann Past President: Jon Marker Vice President: Dan Arom Treasurer: Oliver Lerner Secretary: Marit Sprenger EDINA HIGH SCHOOL

Sincerely,

Dan Arom EABC Vice President

8 |

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Troy Stein Assistant Principal, Activities Director © Copyright 2019 Edina Athletic Booster Club Edina High School Edina, Minnesota

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Hornet Hub

From the

with Troy Stein,

f Activities EHS director o Assistant pricipal

2019 Spring Questions 1. Edina HS has won 7 State Championships this year. This ties a school record for most state titles in one school year. What do you feel has led to this success?

As with all achievements in our athletic program, there is no one factor alone that is responsible for our success. The pride, passion and dedication of our student-athletes is certainly a driving factor for success on an annual basis. The dedicated coaches and volunteer coaches at EHS help shape, guide and Edina HS has won push our students 7 State Championships to be at their best. so far this year.

Beyond our students Ties a school record. and coaches, we have a community that is extremely supportive of our student-athletes. This includes not only our Edina Athletics Boosters, community members, and businesses, but our parents who provided opportunities for their student-athletes to learn and grow. Our students feel and thrive on that support, and they want to do their community proud.

Go Hornets!

7

2. St. Michael-Albertville and Buffalo join the Lake Conference in the fall of 2019.

Tell us the process that lead to their addition to the Lake?

St. Michael-Albertville (STMA) and Buffalo both applied to the Lake Conference and Northwest Suburban Conference for membership to start in the fall of 2019. Both conferences denied their initial application.

The perspective from Edina is that we love the flexibility of scheduling and location of the current 5 Lake Conference schools.

There has been great competition across all sports between these schools that are so closely located to each other, our student-athletes have grown up playing against these other communities since they started playing in youth sports. In addition, with 5 schools this allows us the opportunity to schedule non-conference schools based on program needs. Each program has

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the flexibility to schedule a more competitive schedule and has control over who and when we are willing to travel.

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) process then leads to placement of both teams into a conference. The MSHSL decided that STMA and Buffalo were a good fit for the Lake Conference. The placement by the MSHSL of Buffalo and STMA into the Lake Conference begins in the fall of 2019. Planning and preparations have been ongoing since placement in November.

Edina looks forward to our new competition and welcomes both schools with open arms into the Lake.

3. Does EHS have any new head coaches

coming on staff for the 2019-20 school year?

Yes, we are proud to bring on Jaime Gaard Chapman to the position of Head Girls’ Basketball Coach and Kelsey George as Head Fall Dance Coach.

Jaime Gaard Chapman was a two-sport

captain for Edina in tennis and basketball.

As the school’s Triple-A (academics, arts & athletics) and Athena Award winner, Jaime played on teams that made three state tournament appearances in basketball and won five state championships in tennis.

After graduation, Jaime continued her academic and tennis careers at Gustavus.

The team reached the Elite 8 of the Division III National Tournament all four years, earning a #5 ranking in the country. Jaime earned All-American tennis honors and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Communication Studies. She furthered her education by completing a master’s degree in Positive Coaching from University of Missouri-Columbia. Jaime brings vast experience as a youth and high school coach, formerly holding head coaching positions for the Breck and Benilde-St. Margaret’s boys and girls tennis programs.

As a 12-year assistant coach of the Edina Girls Varsity Basketball team, Jaime respects the time, effort, and preparation it takes for a head coach to run a successful program.

She looks forward to creating a positive experience for everyone involved in Edina girls basketball.

“It is a great honor to be selected as the new leader of the Edina Girls Basketball high school program. As a graduate of

Edina, I have always felt an exceptional loyalty to this program and a proud commitment to giving back to the community that contributed to my positive experience as a student-athlete. Edina athletics maintain a storied level of excellence that is unrivaled, and I am excited to maximize the competitive experience and total development of the players in our program. Thank you to Troy Stein, members of the hiring committee, and the current players for valuing and supporting my vision for the future of Hornet girls basketball. I am eager to get to work!”

I am pleased to add Jaime to our head coaching staff at Edina. Jaime has been an excellent role model for our athletes as an assistant coach. She has demonstrated a commitment to a student-centered focus of excellence. Jaime has knowledge, passion and cares deeply about the development of all our student-athletes.

Kelsey George works with a team of

financial advisors downtown Minneapolis, but her greatest passion has always been dance. Kelsey danced for 12 years at Metro Dance Center before joining the Irondale high school Varsity dance team in 9th grade. She then went on to join the University of St. Thomas dance club, where she was a co-president for two years. Kelsey taught Just For Kix classes in Champlin for two years and coached the Irondale high school dance team for three years before joining the Hornettes coaching staff in 2018.

She is excited to bring her experience to the Hornettes program and looking forward to a fun and successful season.

“I am thrilled and honored to take on the role of Head Coach for the Edina Hornettes.

Working with the JV team last year was an incredible experience, and I am looking forward to a new challenge as Head Coach.

It is an honor to lead such talented, passionate, and hardworking girls and I am eager to get started and continue growing the success of this program.”

Kelsey has extensive dance knowledge, history and passion for coaching. Kelsey has been an excellent role models for our student-athletes the past couple of years.

I am looking forward to the Fall!

■

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spring 2019

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Coaches Corner

By: Ashley Swanda

Legacy & Boys LAX: the Next Edina Dynasty

E

dina Boys Lacrosse welcome a new coach this year.

Minnesota native, Eastview High School and St. Thomas University graduate, Andy Lee, joined the Boys Lacrosse program as head coach this spring and couldn’t be more excited. We sat down with Coach Lee to learn more about him and the Boys Lacrosse program.

AS: Welcome to Edina! Please introduce

yourself to everyone. Tell us where you came from, your lacrosse history, and why you chose to coach Edina Boys Lacrosse.

AL: I grew up a baseball player but was

introduced to lacrosse following a few seasons of hockey. I become obsessed with the sport and dove right in. I graduated from Eastview High School and continued playing at the University of St. Thomas. The past 10 years I’ve been a coach at various program but for the past five I’ve been the Head Coach at Bloomington Kennedy High School. I chose Edina based on three words: Community, Tradition and Excellence. When I talk to the boys about what a legacy should mean to them those three words stand out the most, and I’m excited to be part of a school that reflects that.

AS: This program grows every year –

how many boys currently play high school Lacrosse?

AL: 60. It’s an exciting time to be part of EHS lacrosse.

AS: What got you interested in becoming a coach?

AL: It was required in my youth organi-

zation to assist teaching the game. It was fun to run around with friends and teach kids what you knew so it has been instilled to give back. I’ve been fortunate to create lifelong memories with the sport and want to continue teaching kids the game along with helping them grow as individuals in society.

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AS: Can you highlight 2 or 3 athletes you

see having potential to make an impact this year? Either on or off the field.

AL: We are a team with outstanding ath-

letes at each position. As a team, each of them will contribute to Edina Boys Lacrosse having a successful season this year and for seasons to come.

As our individual’s succeed, the team will as well.

AS: What are your goals for this upcoming season?

AL: To finish in first place in the Lake

Conference while reaching Section 6 Championship game in addition to multiple all-conference and all-section players.

“I grew up a baseball player but was introduced to lacrosse following a few seasons of hockey”

AS: Do you have any non-traditional training regimes you’d like to share?

AL: My approach has always been that

the objectives of the first-year players should be the same for those who are senior captains. A team with the same scope of what needs to be accomplished is stronger than a few individuals with talent. I really stress building a culture of accountability and ownership—on and off the field.

AS: If you could give one piece of advice to a young athlete in middle school, who is thinking about LAX as they get older, what would it be?

AL: Ask yourself what do you want? To be successful at lacrosse, any other sport or academic pursuit, write down HOW you will get there. It’s important to write down small and big goals while knowing that success will come from moments of failure. Failure is essential to reaching new heights and setting new expectations as you grow and ask yourself WHAT do you want and HOW will you get there.

AS: Anything else you’d like people to know about you?

AS: What hurdles or obstacles do you

have to overcome to achieve your goals this season?

AL: Being a new coach with a new vision

and outlook for the program requires consistent messaging along with understanding your team. Success can’t be developed overnight; it must be delivered in a repeatable consumable matter. As a coaching staff we strive to understand who each player is, what their interest are, what they do outside of lacrosse, and what do they believe can make this program better? We talk through our vision, their thoughts, and concerns to make sure we can understand what they are hearing and have them carry that message on to their teammates and through the Edina Lacrosse Association. After all, if you don’t have anyone listening, then what is the point in talking?

AL: I’m eager to be a part of this

community and get to work establishing boys lacrosse with a tradition of winning, active community involvement and excellence in academics and performance!

■

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Haley

During tryouts, as a 7th grader,

I was chosen to do a one v one

against the senior captain.

Photo by Linhoff Photography

MY DASH - In the Athlete’s Words

By Haley Reeck M U LT I -S P O R T AT H L E T E

LACROSSE & SOCCER

F

or me, sports have always been more than just a game. I can’t imagine my life without lacrosse and soccer. They are a part of me, and more of a love-hate relationship. I live for the team sleepovers, long bus rides, cheers, and most of all the friendships I make on and off the field. I moved to Minnesota in seventh grade from Pennsylvania. Change for me had always been super difficult in my life. At a young age, I had to grow up a lot faster because of the move. I had matured a lot quicker and realized how scary it is to go to a new place. But you need to be confident with who you are as a person and try to adjust to your surroundings. I soon met friends through club soccer but I was also given the opportunity to try out as a seventh grader for varsity lacrosse. I knew being younger and much smaller would be to my disadvantage but one thing I have learned through the years is that no matter what age you are it does not define you as a player or a person. During tryouts, I was chosen to do a one v one against the senior captain. I was beyond nervous but I knew my capabilities and knew I had to step up to prove myself. After making varsity as a seventh grader, I was pushed so hard from my coaches and teammates.

My captains that year always made sure I felt welcome and knew I had a role on the team. All of my teammates and coaches I have met through sports have left a huge impact on me and I can’t thank them enough for getting me to where I am today. Following tryouts, my coaches had a sit-down talk with me and told me they want me to know that my age doesn’t matter and I have a lot to teach these older girls. Therefore, I needed to be more confident and stand out as a leader. So I pushed each and every day and tried to be the best player I could be. Once freshman year hit, I made varsity soccer. Soccer for me had always been the most stress-free sport so during tryouts I did my best and went home knowing I gave it my all. Every year I am always faced with the question, if I could choose soccer or lacrosse, which

would I choose? I could never choose one. They both have brought me so much in life. I play year-round lacrosse and soccer. And not for one second do I regret it. Yes, it’s exhausting but I can’t imagine having it any other way. Always remember that you don’t have to choose one sport if you compete at a high level for both. Your coach should be flexible and allow you to do as you choose.

Throughout my experiences, my coaches have always pushed me to be a multisport athlete and continue to succeed in both sports. Looking into college, I have thought the same way. I don’t ever want to have to pick one sport. The recruiting process can be very tough and long but make sure to pick a school that fits you. I

The amount of excitement and smiles amongst my team was overjoying. would never pick a school just for sports.

The school should always fit my academics and needs to feel like a second home. I have visited many colleges but I can’t say all of them have had “that feeling”. When you go to certain places you will get a feeling that you know you belong there.

My freshman year I toured with Maggie Bill at the University of North Carolina.

She is a superstar athlete who plays both soccer and lacrosse at the school. After stepping foot on that campus I knew it would be a dream school for me. I just had a feeling. I have looked up to Maggie as an inspiration over the years. She has shown me that even though many say it is impossible to play two division one sports that you can rise above all and continue to do what you love. At the end of the day, it’s all about what makes you happy. Obviously, a lot comes with being a student athlete, such as academics. But what I’ve realized is, shocker, school isn’t everything. Of course, you should try but it’s not a huge deal if you didn’t get that

A. School and academics can drain you mentally and you need to make sure you stay on top of yourself with how you are feeling in the inside as much as you do on the outside. I have dealt with all sorts of confidence issues and getting down in sports, who hasn’t? Everyone needs to realize it’s completely normal to have on and off days. We’re all human. That means we all get injuries as well. Recovery time for the body is so important. My freshman year of soccer, I sprained my MCL the practice before the first game. I was devastated but after loads of PT and lots of help from Tschida, we got me back to playing within a month. I worked so hard to get back and in shape to be ready to play. That year was the first time we had made it to state in a while. I will never forget that moment. We were in double overtime against Minnetonka and it was the golden goal. I was watching everyone flying around the goal and I saw the ball pop out right in front of me. All that was going through my head was Haley do not shoot this over. Luckily I didn’t. I scored the winning goal that led the team to state. That was one of the best nights of my life. The amount of excitement and smiles amongst my team was overjoying. Our team worked incredibly hard to earn a spot to state and we proved it. We all supported each other immensely on and off the field. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work everyone had contributed. Sports have blessed me with some of the best memories and people that I will remember for a lifetime. I live for moments like these. I live for the way my teammates have become my second family, the singing on the bus rides, all the competitions, the friends, the memories, the pain, and most of all the happiness it brings me, and so many other athletes.

All of these things make up who we are as people and I can’t say I would change my experiences for the world. Leave everything you have out on the field and always a little bit more... ■

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MY DASH - In the Athlete’s Words

By Pete Stidman

Pete Stidman

The Coach Who Gave Me Confidence

F

or the vast majority of my life, I have considered myself unathletic.

I was mediocre (at best) at football, atrocious at baseball, and one of the worst players to ever grace the Southwest Recreational League basketball program. Additionally, much to the shame of my younger self, my mile times were consistently subpar. In general, despite my love of sports, I was simply never able to perform well in them.

After years of performing poorly in myriad sports and quitting those that I was especially terrible at, I began to run track in 7th grade. I quickly became drawn towards sprints, more so because of my hatred of longer distances than a passion or prowess for going fast. Because of my general lack of athletic ability, minimal self-confidence and pathetic work ethic at the time, I performed averagely in track. By the end of 8th grade, I had accepted my athletic ineptness but began to enjoy track thanks to some great friends who sprinted with me.

However, once I began to run high school track, my attitude towards sports changed. Instead of quite literally running away from any workout, I began to actively try my best to improve. As much as I would love to say that my sudden change in work ethic came from within, in reality, Edina track and field’s attentive and passionate coaching staff inspired my alteration.

Specifically, due to my status as a sprinter, Coach David Boone, in all of his intimidating, bearded and shouting glory, was the one who pushed me to actually work hard.

To my surprise, by 10th grade, I already appeared to be reaping the benefits of my newly acquired work ethic. In the second meet of my sophomore season, seemingly out of nowhere, I shattered my personal record and lettered in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.54 seconds. Naturally, Coach Boone was skeptical of this decent time, as it came from me–a scrawny, historically slow and lazy sprinter. So, he

meet. However, in this moment of disappointment, Coach Boone told me that everyone has a bad race and that I should shake this off so that it does not weigh me down during practice. These kind words solidified Boone’s two-pronged message to me: I can be good at a sport, and I must work hard so that I can always be proud of the end result.

Because of Coach Boone’s inspiring words and care for me, I began to take track extremely seriously, doing a season of summer club track and giving my all throughout 11th grade.

Just as Boone predicted, my hard work did pay off, and I became a true varsity sprinter for the entire season. In one final act of grace and confidence in me, Boone chose me to be one of the Edina track and field captains for the 2018-2019 season. I now hold that position, have the fastest times out of any current sprinter at Edina in the 100 meter and 200 meter, and am looking to qualify for the state meet with three other runners in the 4 by 400 meters relay. Without Coach Boone, I would have never developed my strong work ethic, which has helped me through more than just track, or the confidence to take on new challenges. Thankfully, Boone was there for me and countless other young athletes. ■

Coach David Boone, in all of his intimidating, bearded and shouting glory, was the one who pushed me to actually work hard.

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made sure to pay attention to my race at the next meet. Despite both of our skepticisms, I ran 11.60 seconds at this meet, securing me a place on varsity for the 100 meter dash. Subsequently, Coach Boone began to help improve my running form, work me harder in lifts and runs and, most importantly, teach me that I had potential.

Unfortunately, my varsity debut revealed the reality of my unprecedented athleticism. My first race as a varsity sprinter for Edina was at the Lake Conference Championship in 10th grade. Thanks to Boone’s scrutiny and much needed words of encouragement, I felt ready to prove myself. But, exactly 12.24 seconds after the starting gun of the 100 meter dash went off, I realized that I was not as fast as I had thought. During the excitement of becoming more than just mediocre, I had neglected to acknowledge that I ran both of my breakout races at junior varsity meets, which are hand timed and thus inaccurate due to human reaction times.

In a race as short as the 100 meter, the 0.25 second delay between stimulus and action adds up, making hand timed sprints seem unusually fast. Upon realizing this reality, I became extremely discouraged, embarrassed and mad at myself for underperforming at such an important

Photo Illustration: Scott Geiger Original photo: Lance Elliot Photography

I was mediocre (at best) at football,

atrocious at baseball, and one of

the Southwest Recreational League

basketball program.

pete stidman

the worst players to ever grace

Andrew & Matthew Enck They will be rooming and playing baseball together across the river at The University of St. Thomas.

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By Nick Kennedy

6+4+3=2 A

Photo by Bryan Singer Minnesota Score Magazine

He taught us, and this entire group of ndrew and Matthew Enck, who seniors, more about life and baseball than are also captains (along with Cam we will ever know.” and Drew Schmitt) for this spring’s One of the highlights of Andrew and Varsity Boys Baseball team, have been Matthew’s baseball careers was winning involved with baseball since they were the Jr. Legion (16-year-old) State Title. two years old.

They both say it was a “true team” and Back in those days, their dad worked everyone put the team first vs. themselves. for the Twins “Flagship” radio station Another highlight was winning the Lake 830 WCCO and would travel and cover the Conference in 2017 for EHS. Minnesota Twins. To this day, Andrew and At the end of the year banquet followMatthew HAVE NEVER been on different ing the 2018 Varsity season, they were sports teams. That’s 18 years of playing announced as captains for the 2019 season. sports together — Soccer, Basketball or “It’s a great honor to be named and voted Baseball. Something not many families captains by your peers and coaches” said can say!

Matthew. The accountability coach Nevers Steve and Linda Enck have always been and our dad taught us definitely comes involved in the dynamic duo’s baseball into play.” careers.

The 2019 Edina Varsity Baseball team It all started with T-ball at Weber Park currently has a winning record of 9-5 and with the Edina Baseball Association. Their is looking to go deep into the postseason, dad coached them until 8th grade and as they usually do. “Coach Freeman and instilled the “right way to play the game” his staff will have us ready to go once not only in Andrew and Matthew, but with playoffs start,” said Andrew. many of the seniors on the current Varsity After they both graduate this June, you team today. guessed it, they will be rooming and When asked who was the most influenplaying baseball together across the river tial baseball person or coach in their lives, at The University of St. Thomas. UST was with zero hesitation, they both answered an easy choice, their father Steve attended Tom Nevers. Tom graduated from EHS in UST and the “Tommies” have been in their 1990, was an All-American and the 21st blood for many years. overall pick in the 1990 Major League When asked if they ever fight or get Baseball Draft. Tom (along with Mason Nevers-also a Senior) coached Andrew and fed-up with each other, Andrew said, “we do, but we talk it out, move on and try to Matthew from 8th grade on. This is when put it behind us.” the middle-infield was solidified with They both agree growing up and Matthew playing shortstop and Andrew attending Edina High School has taught playing second base, as they do today. them to value good friends, accountability They are two of the most talented and and hard work. If they could offer advice respected middle-infielders in the Lake for youth baseball players, they say “work Conference. hard, show up early, stay late and play the “Coach Nevers taught us what we know game the right way.” about baseball; to be prepared vs. being As Baseball also teaches life lessons, no surprised, and most importantly, the life lessons which come from playing baseball” truer words have been spoken. Always remember, 6+4+3 = 2. ■ said Matthew.

Andrew continued, “Coach Nevers would hold us accountable when we didn’t know what the word even meant.” spring 2019

| 19

By Ashley Swanda Photo by Lance Elliot Photography

No hurdle

for new Edina Boys Track & Field coach

E

dina Track & Field coach, Matt Gabrielson has his work cut out for him. He’s not new to Edina sports, but he is the new head boys coach – and he’s got some great athletes and special talent just waiting to explode. Gabrielson has already demonstrated success as the head coach of the girls very talented and highly accomplished Cross-Country team. And now he’s ready and excited for this new adventure. “in the short term,” said Gabrielson. “I am excited to get to know the student-athletes and their families. But beyond that, I am looking forward to growing the number of kids out for TF and creating deeper connections to all the sports teams at Edina. I’m excited to share my love and enthusiasm for the sport with the kids,

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and to help them improve both as a student-athlete and as a human being.

I want to encourage these kids to set goals and then watch them achieve them.” No small task, but something such an already accomplished coach can do.

Gabrielson is an successful track star in his own right, so he enjoys passing the love of the sport down to the younger generation. He knows Track and Field can help kids meet goals and expectations while helping them balance the challenges of life in a positive way. He comes back day after day for those relationships and the chance to encourage and guide teenagers in a positive and hopeful way.

Gabrielson starts the season with some powerhouse veteran athletes who

will help him lead a large team. Seniors Max Manley and Theo Keller are some of the top in the state in their events. When asked about other athletes we should watch, Gabrielson mentioned a few, “Peter Stidman has improved tremendously as a sprinter and Will Davis and Charlie Croxdale are workhorses with our throws group.” But then he pauses and thinks for a minute “Honestly,” continued Gabrielson, “There are so many others that have the potential to have a huge impact in both individual and relays at the state level. I’d be mentioning names all day.” That’s a great problem to have.

And although the numbers are high, they are not a problem. Gabrielson and his captains are very intentional about making such a large team feel small and

Gabrielson and his captains are very intentional about making such a large team feel small and bonded.

too high

I want to create a team where everyone sets big goals, works extremely hard, supports each other, believes in themselves and others, and perseveres when things become difficult in and out of competition.

- Coach Gabrielson

Photos by Lance Elliot Photography

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bonded. “It all starts with how people are treated.” Said Gabrielson. “Regardless of ability, everyone knows they have a place to belong and that expectations and commitment are the same for everyone.”

He works hard to create an environment where people can be themselves, work hard, set goals, have fun, have some freedom and feel successful. He knows that if he can achieve that, athletes will continue to come back year after year.

When they do – they become stronger athletes and Edina Track & Field becomes a stronger program. It also helps to have a young, fun new sprints coach, Jordan Charles, encouraging the boys to huddle at the end of practices and meets to belt out cheers. “He’s 24,” said Gabrielson. “He can get away with that stuff!” Obviously, it’s working.

Gabrielson isn’t holding back in his first year as head coach. He has big goals, but he feels they are very attainable. “First and foremost, I want to create a team where everyone sets big goals, works extremely hard, supports each other, believes in themselves and others, and perseveres when things become difficult in and out of competition. I truly believe that focusing on the process heavily will influence the results tremendously.” Said Gabrielson.

“And in the end, I believe that if we do this, setting goals as a team to be a top 3 team in the state each year will be realistic and attainable.”

Weather will be the biggest obstacle for the Track & Field team, as it is for any

spring sport in Minnesota. In their very short season, they will have snow keep them off the track for the early part of the season forcing them to be creative while training inside and cancelling meets and practices. And heat towards the end of the season means constantly monitoring the athlete’s health and water in-take so they can perform their best at the meets.

“The weather keeps us on our toes, that’s for sure.” Said Gabrielson. “But a lot of success in T rack and Field starts between the ears. It takes a special student-athlete to become a track and field athlete.

I think the most important attributes are grit, an open mind, being able to see the big picture, focus, drive, determination, and a sense of humor with the way spring weather is. Also, realizing that this is a team sport is important. The individual efforts put forth every day, help raise the team expectations and results to higher levels.”

It will be an exciting year for the Hornets – one that will see students achieve and surpass personal and team goals.

Coach Gabrielson leaves us with one parting thought, “If you’re considering Track & Field, as the famous slogan goes, ‘just do it’. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun, and it’s all worth it in the end especially because of the experience you get out of it being on a team that supports you through thick and thin.” ■

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Boys’ Tennis reaches

season endings and

new beginnings

By Ellen Mi

W

ith eight state team titles and coaches that have over 50 years of combined experience, the Edina Boys Tennis team has gained statewide prestige. Along with their state titles in team, individual, and doubles events, the team has won 15 Lake Conference Championships, a product of both the cohesive chemistry within the team and the distinguished coaching.

Gary Aasen, the head coach of the varsity team, is native to Minnesota and has coached the Edina Boys Tennis team for 25 years. “Like the players that I’m coaching at Edina now, I played [in high school] and I played in [United States Tennis Association] tournaments.

I played college tennis, coached a little bit in college, and obviously I’ve coached high school for a lot of years,” Aasen said.

Similarly, senior teammember Joey Joas began playing tennis at the Interlachen Country Club when he was four years old, and started playing competitively at 11. “I [have] had the most fun with [tennis]. At first, it was just something that I did in the summer, but then I decided that it was a passion of mine,” Joas said. With this school year being his third and final year on the team, Joas’ extensive tennis experience has earned him the title of team captain.

Although the high school season only runs for a couple of months during the spring, it’s common for Edina Boys Tennis players to continue their rigorous practices throughout the off-season. “During the off-season, pretty much our whole team practices together, so I’m with all my high school teammates and friends. During the winter, we all play together indoors at Life Time [Fitness], which helps us push each other and get to know each other,” Joas said.

Unlike some other high school sports, competitive tennis players have to craft off-season practice schedules months in advance. “For a football player, their main season is the high school season. The tennis players have a whole other season.

So after the high school season, they will play in USTA tournaments and may travel, as a big part of it is in the summer,” Aasen said.

This year, a unique quality of the team is the amount of younger players on varsity. “[Good tennis players] compete and practice all the time, non-stop. We have eighth graders, ninth graders, and tenth graders in varsity that compete in starting positions because they’re so talented. They’ve been playing since they were younger and practice for six or seven hours a week,” Joas said.

The unusual number of younger players on the varsity team has changed the team dynamic, including how Aasen coaches the team. “You just have to be a little more understanding that they don’t have as much experience in school sports. The good thing is that they play a lot of tennis; the downside is that they’re learning those new things like playing a big match for their school,” Aasen said.

However, the merit-based rather than age-based system of tennis tryouts has heightened the team’s performance. With only ten kids who compete in each match, the lineup must be carefully chosen according to each tournament, a demand that differs from some other team sports.

“We have 18 kids right now in varsity,

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State Team Titles

Conference Championships

but only 10 play, so it’s super competitive because there’s a fixed amount of people you play with,” Joas said.

For Aasen, some spots in the doubles and singles lineups are “locked in,” but change according to who the team’s opponents are. “Sometimes if another team is really strong in singles [or doubles], then we try to match up with them and put better guys in our [lineup]. This team is unusual because we’ve got a lot of guys that are super close to each other in terms of level,” Aasen said.

During the high school season, each practice is even more substantial than the last with targeted group drills on techniques like serving, volleying, groundstroke, and backhand/forehand.

A typical varsity practice begins with a 20 to 30 minute section of conditioning or technical stroke work, and then the team will start drills where doubles and singles players may practice the specific areas they need to work on. Players will play games against each other, and at the end of practice, the team will do some rendition of a contest where they try to outscore their opponent. “They’re great practicers, so they love to play. It doesn’t matter what the format is, they do love playing a lot.

If they could after practice, they would go practice again,” Aasen said.

However, because tennis is a physically and mentally demanding sport, players often face mental blocks or even severe injuries. “I had a really bad shoulder injury from playing in so many tournaments. I couldn’t even lift my hand above my head so I had to go to [physical therapy] for a while,” Joas said.

Despite such setbacks, seeing the positives of taking breaks from tennis make players even more determined. “Even though it was hard to step away for a few weeks at a time and even a month here and there, it makes you hungrier to play and win which shows later on,” Joas said.

Although tennis is a demanding and competitive sport, the chemistry within the team has created a space for Edina Boys Tennis players to make lasting memories with each other. “My best memory is probably making the team because I worked so hard during the off-season. The [coaches] see the effort and positivity and that’s how you have good chemistry with everyone on the team,” Joas said.

As for the future, Joas plans on playing intramural club tennis in college and Aasen plans to continue the strong nature of the team. “[I’ve learned] to enjoy the moment with the kids. There are going to be ups and down and you’re going to have to ride that roller coaster. I think that sports are super important at Edina, so there’s a good tradition and history there. The players know that and really enjoy it,” Aasen said. ■

Photos by Linhoff Photography

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Edina Varsity Softball

By Reagan Stanchfield

Fostering Camaraderie & Success Edina Varsity Softball has gained attention this past year due to their participation in the 2018 state tournament, marking Edina’s first time at the tournament in 30 years.

K

eith Johnson, the varsity head coach of four years, is working to improve the team in order to maintain these achievements. Current players, including sophomore pitcher Genevieve Ovsak and center fielder and captain Alison May, are using Johnson’s coaching techniques to enhance their skills and maintain the team’s forward momentum.

The journey to state was a highlight in Ovsak’s Edina Softball career. “Even though we ended up not doing that well there, it was just so exciting to make it there and to do all the things that we’d heard about and say that it was our experience,” Ovsak said.

In addition to team accomplishments, Edina’s Varsity Softball team gives its players an opportunity for recognition on a individual basis. Ovsak was recently featured 84th in FloSoftball’s top 100 list for the national class of 2021. “Minnesota players generally stay in the midwest bubble. It’s just so hard to get out there, and it’s hard to get seen by those top people,” Ovsak said. May also gained recognition when she was awarded all-conference, a recognition for outstanding athletes in the sport, as a sophomore.

Both Ovsak and May acquired an early start to their softball career after being exposed to the sport by their families. “I’ve been playing softball since I was six [years old] because my sister used to play and I would go to her lessons; it really just made me want to join because of how cool she looked doing it,” Ovsak said.

“My brothers played baseball and my dad really liked baseball,” May said. She then chose to play softball in Edina’s league before joining high school softball in seventh grade.

Ovsak also played on advanced teams when she was young. “I had been playing [on the 14 & under team] since I was 11 [years old] because they needed a pitcher, and then when I was 12 [years old], I moved on to the A team,” Ovsak said.

Behind the glory of success comes endless hours of practice and training. Edina Varsity Softball, just like many other high school sports, has practice for two hours every day during the week. However, players explain that expectations are that they continue training independently during the offseason. Both Ovsak and May quit other sports in order to dedicate more time to softball and additional training.

Ovsak quit basketball in elementary school and later volleyball in middle school after she began to excel in softball and develop injuries from the intensive shoulder movements required in volleyball. Despite the sacrifices she’s made, Ovsak revealed, “I wouldn’t change it for the world because I’ve had so many amazing experiences in softball and it’s taught me so much.”

She has also focused on securing a future in softball and the attention of universities. “I have been in the recruiting process since I was 11, which is when I started going to camps to try to get myself seen by colleges,” Ovsak said. May also prioritizes softball in her life over other sports and social activities.

Despite these sacrifices, both players are pursuing softball after high school. Ovsak is verbally committed to playing for Syracuse University. However, a rule change has impacted the certainty of her future playing for them. “For softball, you can’t talk

Alison May also gained recognition when she was awarded all-conference as a sophomore.

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Allison May

Genevieve Ovask

Ovsak was recently featured 84 th in FloSoftball’s top 100 list for the national class of 2021.

Photo Illustration by Scott Geiger Original photos by Linhoff Photography

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Coach Keith Johnson contends that “team chemistry” is the greatest tool for the softball team’s success and growth.

to a coach about recruiting at all until September first of your junior year,” Ovsak said. Therefore, as a sophomore, she is unable to contact Syracuse University about committing to play for them in the future. “On September first any college can also call me, so it will be interesting to see whom I’ve unintentionally caught the eye of,” Ovsak said. May will be playing at Ithaca University in New York.

May uses her position as a captain to inspire other players to achieve and improve their softball techniques. “I think it helps to have the captains each year do captains’ practices and get people going again and excited for the season.” She and the other captains are also responsible for organizing “team-bonding… and fun little [activities],” and they “motivate [the players] for pre-game.”

Additionally, May has had the privilege to see the growth in other players from the perspective of a captain. “My proudest moment was seeing some of the players that weren’t as great as they thought they could be and then they worked hard the whole season and then did really well and helped the team out,” May said.

During his twelve years of coaching experience, Johnson has observed that the key to improvement in softball is the attitude of players regarding the game.

“You have to be competitive. If you have good softball IQ, along with those skills, you can be a good softball player. You have to be willing to learn and laugh at your mistakes,” Johnson said.

Johnson has also witnessed the growth in the team during his four years as the coach. “My proudest moment would be just seeing how the program has evolved since I have taken over the program. We’ve been more competitive,” Johnson said.

Coach Johnson contends that “team chemistry” is the greatest tool for the softball team’s success and growth.

“We have to come together as one and work towards our main objective. I learn from them; they learn from me,” Johnson said. ■

Photos by Linhoff Photography

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In early May at Windsong Farms, Edina competed in a match that many consider to be a preview of the state tournament. Edina created two teams of 6 golfers.

And remarkably, the two teams finished 2nd & 4th.

By Chris Davis Photos by Linhoff Photography

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hen coach Phil Ebner first took the job as the EHS boys golf coach five years ago, there were 22 boys on the team.

Today, there are close to 90.

Together the team comes up with the “Edina Golf Standards” for each season. This season the standards are:

11 Varsity golfers 11 Junior Varsity 70 playing on the Middle School & High School

3. No illegal substances

Development teams

The development teams were created by coach Ebner and his assistant coach, Mike McCollow. The two coaches thought it was silly to cut so many players.

Why can’t Edina golf be like Edina hockey where there is a level for everyone, and nobody gets cut. Golf is a sport for all, and they wanted everyone to feel welcome to play.

The development team they created grew rapidly, and after a couple years, it was obvious to the coaches that they had too many golfers to manage alone. In 2017, Coach Ebner spoke with AD Troy Stein and the Edina Golf Association was born. Today Edinagolf.com has programs for kids in grade 4 through 12.

So, while nationally boys high school golf is losing players, Edina’s youth golf and the high school team are growing.

And the results are clearly visible at the top levels.

In early May at Windsong Farms, Edina competed in a match that many consider to be a preview of the state tournament. Edina created two teams of 6 golfers (best 4 of 6 scores count for high school golf), and remarkable, the two teams finished 2nd & 4th. Waconia is the top team and the likely favorite to win state this year.

But, don’t sleep on the Hornets!

Senior captains Matt McGuire & Carl Berghult, along with junior captain, John Tucker, say their goal this season is nothing less than the state title. Along with the 3 captains, Edina expects low scores from Ben Mitchell, Sam Sipprell, Tommy Hiniker, and Jojo Karos.

The varsity golfers are always jockeying for position on the team, trying to be among the 6 golfers sent to a tournament or match. Of the 6 golfers who are chosen to represent Edina, only the lowest 4 scores are counted. Edina’s sum is matched against the field to get the outcome (lowest total wins).

Edina golf talent is deep. According to Ebner, Edina’s JV team would be a top 15 Varsity team.

Despite the short spring season and uncomfortably cold and wet weather, Edina’s boys golf team is thriving. One of the reasons is coach Ebner’s coaching philosophy. He says the team goal is always to be better people than they are golfers.

1. Whenever we are with the team, we are all brothers and act like such 2. Practice with a purpose each day & only leave practice when finished with what you came to accomplish 4. Be timely 5. Be present The captains and the players are responsible for policing themselves and enforcing those standards. As coach Ebner says, “If you make boys accountable and provide them structure, you will be amazed how well they perform and the heights they attain. The captains take on a leadership role that is much more than a title. I love watching how these boys embrace what they create. If you join Edina boys golf, we promise we can help and develop your golf game, but if you live and play by our standards you will also grow as a person.”

Coach Ebner suggests that the best thing we can do as parents to support the golf team is to expose our kids to golf. Bring our kids to Braemar with their friends. Come out and watch a high school match or go to edinagolf.com to check out other programs and opportunities to get involved with golf.

The boys intend to compete at the state tournament this spring and they would love to see your support of the Hornets on the course. The tournament takes place June 11-12 at Bunker Hills Golf Course.

Let’s go, Hornets! ■

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Edina Girls Golf

Tradition One that includes US Open Champion Hillary Lunke

Kendall Olsen

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Hillary Lunke

Dasha Parker

Hillary Lunke, US Open Champion - EHS Alumnus:

T Story & Photos by Dan Arom

radition in Edina athletics runs deep in many sports, and Girls Golf is no exception. The Hornets have won State twelve times and are currently looking for their fifth consecutive team title.

This year is a special year for women’s golf in Minnesota as the 2019 PGA Championship is being hosted at Hazeltine National Golf Club June 18-23. With the return of a major championship to Minnesota, we caught up with Edina’s own Hillary (Homeyer) Lunke. Hillary’s US Open Championship story is widely known, but it began in the halls of EHS and the courses around Edina.

Her career got a late start compared to most high school players today, including captains Kendall Olsen (Senior) and Dasha Parker (Senior). Hillary started competitive golf in 8th grade and joined the Hornets when her family moved to Edina when she was a Sophomore.

Contrast that with Kendall and Dasha who both started as soon as they could swing

1995 High School State Championship Team 1997 High School State Championship Team 1997 High School State Champion Hillary Homeyer 1997 Edina High School Valedictorian 1997 Star Tribune Metro Scholar Athlete of the Year 1998-2002 Four time All-American at Stanford 2003 US Open Champion 2008 Edina High School Athletic Booster Club Hall of Fame Career numbers: 115 LPGA Tour starts; one top-10 finish It has been nearly 16 years since Hillary (Homeyer) Lunke recorded one of the most improbable wins in the history of professional golf, winning the US Open on July 7, 2003 in an 18-hole playoff. She is still the only player to ever win the US Open by going through local and sectional qualifying tournaments. Lunke did not have a top 10 finish in an LPGA Tour event before her win. Or after it.

“I started realizing how high the scores were and couldn’t believe I was in contention already,” she said. “I saw the tee times for Saturday, and I was playing in one of the final groups. This was the first time I really thought about winning. I was not trying to put high expectations on myself. I had never won before. Never had a top 10 before. I decided to just go out and do what I’d been doing and see where the chips would fall.” Lunke shot a 3-under 68 in the third round to take a one-stroke lead going into Sunday’s final round.

In the playoff, Lunke one-putted for par or better on 12 of the 18 holes and won the Open by a single shot with a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

Penny Homeyer, Lunke’s mom, rushed to the green. “What did I just do?” screamed Lunke.

“You just won the U.S. Open!” said Homeyer.

“I really had my golfing life flash before my eyes,” she said. “I think deep down I knew that was it for me. I knew it can’t get any better than this.

Unlike Any Other a club and were already members of the EHS Golf team by 8th grade.

Team golf presents a unique experience for many athletes as it is an individual sport that requires a team mentality.

Hillary, Kendall and Dasha all spoke of the challenges of focusing on individual practice and the grind of their individual responsibility to post a score that impacts the team. Hillary described her first tee thoughts when playing an individual round, “the shot counts the same as the others” throughout the round. Many pro golfers talk about the first tee nerves often, but they also talk about those nerves dissipate as the round progresses.

Pro golfer Karen Stupples described

the difference between team play and individual play best “every single one of those shots you play, you have those same (first tee) feelings in your stomach, and that same feeling like, OK... I’ve got to make this count, I’ve really got to make this happen, because it is not just for you, it is for everyone else, you don’t want to let them down, it is really pressure packed and quite an extreme feeling.”

In addition to the team mentality, golf always takes a mental toll on players.

Kendall described how she lost sight of the joy of playing competitive golf over the last few years, which led to her decision not to pursue collegiate golf. Making that decision allowed her to change her

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The Hornets’ team tradition was also greatly influenced by Ann Dickey, a 2017 EHS Hall of Fame Inductee

mind-set for her senior season. She wants to regain perspective and focus on having fun, enjoying time with teammates, and creating memories. Dasha, who will continue to play gold for St. Kate’s next year, was also excited to finish her high school career strong and is grateful for all the relationships that she has made through golf.

Hillary added an interesting perspective for Kendall and Dasha, she said that looking back at her career at Edina it “wasn’t the State titles, shots, or missed shots” that she remembered, it was the van rides, times with teammates, and being a part of a team that she remembered most.

She spoke often about how playing golf for Edina was a privilege and she didn’t realize it until later in life.

The Hornets’ team tradition was also greatly influenced by Ann Dickey. Ann invited Hillary to speak to the team, and both Kendall and Dasha spoke about Ann’s influence on them and “playing for Ann.” Ann’s belief was “that learning and playing golf empowers girls to be confident” and gives girls the chance to be exposed to the great game of golf, be part of a team, to gain confidence, and to improve at a game that they can play their whole lives.

Ann was a 2017 EHS Hall of Fame Inductee who passed away from Melanoma in 2018. Her legacy will last at Edina, as she, along with Andrea Kellar and Nick Olsen were instrumental in making Girls Golf a no-cut sport. The team grew from 15 girls to 40, as did the opportunities for more girls to experience golf at the high school level.

Kendall and Dasha know they are lucky to be part of such an incredible tradition.

And with mentorship and guidance from past Edina greats – they know they will succeed. Lunke’s final advice for the seniors, “be present and appreciate the time you have with your team and enjoy the shared experiences. As you move through the different phases of life over the next few years, the high school team experience is hard to replicate.” ■

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Girls Track & Field

By Dan Arom Photos by Lance Elliot Photography

FAVORITE POLE VAULT MEMORY:

“Our pole vault coach brought us to do a “pool workout”. Turns out he wanted us to literally pole vault underwater. After a super long explanation and many failed attempts, it was deemed the biggest disaster of all time and we ended up just doing flips off the diving board.” – Emma LaFrenz

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s one of the largest athletic programs at Edina High School, Girls Track & Field provides athletes the opportunity to be teammates with upwards of a hundred different students each season. Many of the athletes begin in the middle school track program and get the chance to experience a wide array of events, often which they

a e L

o T g n i n r when the track coaches asked the whole team who wanted to try pole vault out, I thought ‘this is my chance’. After the first day of learning what pole vault actually is, I had decided I wasn’t that into it. I didn’t really want to continue but my friend Emma LaFrenz, who was also just trying it out, convinced me to stay till at least the first

meet. Since then, I just kept coming back.” Coach Josh DeBlock furthered their careers by teaching them the nuances of pole vault technique. When asked what is the hardest part of the pole vault, Nia says, ”Getting the technique and form down has got to be the hardest part for both high jump and pole vault. You have to contort

that’s life I guess.”

When asked what their favorite part of being on the team is, they both had similar answers. Emma described it as “it’s so unlike anything else. It’s this

crazy mix of athletes and personalities so there’s always tons of energy and support.” Nia replies, “I have no previous in love how diverse and supportive the team experience in. Minneis. Every day I meet someone new with sota ranks sixth nationally a whole different story and every pracin track and field particitice or meet I feel like I have a family of pation numbers (about 32,000 athletes), a hundred girls cheering me on.” Team and Edina consistently has roughly 200 traditions also create memories for both participants every season in boys of them. Emma’s favorite is “every and girls track & field. time someone breaks a school Two of the 2019 captains for record, we all get cake. It’s a super girls track & field are Nia Diaby Edina way to celebrate.” Nia says, and Emma LaFrenz. Nia and “Every season, we have a collecEmma both got their start in track tive trail mix that just sits in the and field on the middle school locker room and is delicious. Each team. Although both have, and grade is responsible for bringing still do, compete in multiple some kind of trail mix item and events, we wanted to find out we just pour it all into a big cooler how they landed on competing and it’s amazing.” in the pole vault and high jump As they look back during their in particular, and what they’ll Senior year from where they remember after their Hornet started to where they are today, it career is complete. is easy to see the strength of their Both started the pole vault in relationship with each other and 9th grade for ironically different their team. In addition to track & reasons. Emma’s honest answer, Emma LaFrenz & Nia Diaby, two of the captains for girls track & field. field, both played basketball for “In 9th grade, the coaches said Edina throughout high school, your body in so many different places in one day that we had the option to do the which led to countless hours together in so many different ways. It also just feels sprint workout or try pole vault. This is school, on and off the field of play. Next weird to jump backward and swing your embarrassing, but I joined to get out of year Nia will be attending University of body over a pole.” Emma similarly said, doing a workout.” Nia’s response was: Wisconsin-Madison and Emma will be “Whenever I was asked the question ‘What “The technique for both is super specific attending Macalester College. ■ and weird. It’s kind of frustrating because superpower do you want’, I would answer the second you get one thing right, there’s with ‘the ability to fly’. So in 9th grade, something else to be working on. But

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y l F o Five final questions with Emma & Nia

Q. Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.

E. I have eaten a bag of carrots before every single game, practice, or meet of my high school career.

N. The only thing holding me back in life is that I’ve never been able to do a cartwheel.

Q. If you could compete in any other event besides your current ones, which would it be and why?

E. Definitely distance. I seriously can’t imagine being able to run around the track 8 times IN A ROW! N. Definitely the 3200 meter. My main events include high jump, pole vault, and short sprints which all require less stamina and more explosive steps. So, I can only imagine how bad I would be in the two-mile. I’ve always admired the distance girls and the way that they just seem to keep running mile after mile. If I could be in as good of shape as them, I’d like to see how it would feel to run that fast for that long.

Q. Do you have any superstitions?

E. No, superstitions are for losers.

You can tell Nia I said that. She’s very superstitious.

N. I have a specific pair of spandex and socks that I wear each meet day, and I add an extra leg swing to my warmup.

I also have a few pieces of string tied to the laces of my spikes that I believe gives me good luck in my races.

Q. Who has influenced your track & field career the most?

E. Nia Diaby hands down. She is the most supportive and positive person I have ever met. We are together all season (most of the time eating tons of food or trying to figure out how to pole vault). But seriously I can’t speak highly enough about this crazy, loud, gem.

N. Absolutely, completely, utterly, without a doubt Emma LaFrenz. I would not be doing any of my events or having nearly as much fun in track without her.

She always encourages me and pushes me to do my best not only in track but Q. What advice would you give a 12 year old Emma and Nia about partici- also academics, other sports, and life pating on the track & field team? in general. I can always go to Emma when I need help with something and E. Talk to as many people as you can and try all the events. Track is the per- she is always willing to lend a hand.

She is one of my best friends, and I’ll fect setting to put yourself out there miss seeing her every day next year. and I promise you will not regret it.

N. TRY ALL OF THE EVENTS!! I know you’re scared of hurdles but they’re actually super fun, and I know you’re not that strong but the throwers are some of the nicest people.

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60 YEARS of synchronized swimming at Edina

By Dan Arom Photos by Edina Synchro Swim Team

TRADITION BANK - Team Spotlight

I

n synchronized swimming, teams pursue perfection while executing precise movements on, above and beneath the water while performing to music, all this while incorporating a combination of grace, fluidity and synchronization with an entire team.

Team USA Member and Olympian Maria Koroleva described it best, “I don’t think people realize how much time it takes to match every single position. In a team routine, it probably has a couple hundred — maybe even a thousand — movements. And you’re not just synchronizing one or two people; you’re synchronizing eight people. Right down to where your pinky finger is or how straight your knee is.” If that was all the judging was based on, they might not have to work out the six days a week, eight to nine hours a day — between in the water and

on land — that they do. “Synchronization is just one part. We still have to worry about technique, height, power, flexibility.”

They perfect that by combining their pool workouts, which last between five to six hours, with cross-training on land. “We do Pilates, weights, strength conditioning, ballet and sometimes dance and gymnastics,” she said. Since the majority of their workout is in the water, which is low impact, she revealed that they are able to train longer than most. “Every athletic trainer I’ve worked with has said that synchronized swimming trains more than any other sport. But it’s really challenging to work out physically for that long. I think that’s something that people definitely don’t realize — just how much work we have to put in for that one three-and-a-half minute performance.” (continues)

spring 2019

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TRADITION BANK - Team Spotlight

Above and beyond the physical demands associated with synchronized swimming, each season presents a new challenge for Edina’s Synchronized Swimming Coach Carla Steffen, Edina’s coach since 2001. Much like Coach Steffen’s experience at Edina in 1981, she joined Edina’s synchronized swim team after talking about the sport with a friend. Ninety percent of the Synchro team typically has little or no experience in synchronized swimming.

Unlike many other high school sports in today’s society, synchro athletes are not delivered ready-made from youth feeder programs. Most students start around eighth grade and hear about the program by word-of-mouth. Synchro swimmers come with a wide variety of backgrounds ranging from gymnasts, swimmers, to little or no athletic experience. Synchro is also a no cut sport, which allows many to try a sport they are not familiar with. Synchro coaches are required to build their athletes and teams through many long hours of practice in order to overcome the large learning curve. The synchro season lasts twelve weeks and the compete and practice six days per week.

To help with overcoming the learning curve, Coach Steffen introduced a mentor based model that paired upperclassmen with athletes new to the team. This model has many benefits, it creates a family environment on the team, creates a built-in support system, and helps manage the ups and downs as the athletes can be very self-critical due to the nature of the sport.

Synchro swimmers also evolve differently and at a different pace.

Coach Steffen stressed the importance of understanding everyone’s learning style is a key indicator for future success, and that success for the program often is measured how the team comes together as family.

At the high school level St. Louis Park, Stillwater, and Wayzata have dominated synchronized swimming for many years. Edina High School’s synchronized swim team history started in 1976 when it became a high school sport, The sport was only offered to 10-12 graders. 9th grade was added in the late 1970’s and 7th and 8th graders were added in 1981. Edina’s synchronized swimming history extends beyond 1976. The precursor to the high school team was the Edina Aqua Nymphs which was founded by two high school students Beth Foss (11) and Linda Seashore (12) and competed in the AAU level. 2019 marks the 60th anniversary of synchronized swimming in Edina. ■

State Frog Towel Each year at the state meet, the frog towel comes out and the swimmers squeeze the eyes for good luck and to release their tension. The keeper of the frog towel is selected by the previous owner at the banquet of their senior year.

40 |

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Full Team

Badminton

back:

Jolin Huang, Ruthie Lundberg, Petra Smythe, April Coma, Emily More, Norah Kennedy, Anna Olson, Margo Henke (Coach), Evelyn Christanto (Coach), Ella Zawoyski, Abbey Casserly, Dani Hayes, Isa Li, Mindyrose Sinykin, Alyssa Poncius, Divya Danthuluri middle: Layla Hussein, Avery Greene, Maya Somos, Emily Ford, Tenzin Kunga, Zoe Lelas, Shelby Henninger,

Emma Anderson, Alex Cheung, Liz Thomas, Lara Flanagan, Abby Gardner, Alina Nguyen, Miranda Trang,

Maria Linder, Camille Desombre front: Yesenia Martinez Portillo, Karma Tseringtso, Anjali Aralikar, Sadie Uri, Charlotte Everist, Stella Olken-Hunt,

Ayesha Chowdhury, Shaylynn Reger, Lindsay Lundberg, Katie Schiller, Alexia Harrison, Khanh Tu

spring 2019

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Baseball

Varsity Team

back:

Cole DeVries (Coach), Cam Schmidt, Drew Sparrow, Drew Bishop, Thomas Quello, Quinn Schmidt, Jonathan Bunce, Steve Black (Coach) middle: Carter Freeman (Head Coach), Noah Meffert, Jack Murphy, Lucas Flemming, Ryan Gallaher, Jackson Mollet,

Danny Moher, Mike Theis (Assistant Coach) front: Charles Omodt, Robby Best, Jay Chochrek, Drew Schmidt, Matthew Enck, Andrew Enck

JV Team

back:

Channing Handberg (Head Coach), Roger Lind (Assistant Coach), Cooper Mollet, Jack Bale, Joe Kavanaugh, Tanner Hopkins, Nick Hentges, Grant Leese (Assistant Coach) middle: Tia Benson, Cameron Gilliam, Cal Christianson, Oliver Leopold, Griffin Larson, Angle Korsh front: Trevor Willi, Nick Pederson, Jonathan Jones, Sean Vanhove, Thomas Azar

44 |

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Varsity/JV Team

Golf - Boys

back:

Phil Ebner (Coach), Tommy Hiniker, Cole Nasby, Charlie Nasby, Walker Schwappach, Danny Gronseth, Mike McCollow (Coach) front: Sam Sipprell, Matt McGuire, Ben Mitchell, Carl Berghult, John Tucker, Joe Karos

JV Team

back:

Eric Dahlman (Coach), Aidan Bennett, Jack Mrachek, Scott Sipprell, Jack Wilde, Jeremy Danz, Michael Kraft (Coach) front: Jack Wetzel, Grant Rosselit, Andrew Cavender, Nolan Williams, Gunnar Johnson,

Tayden Erickson

spring 2019

| 45

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Varsity/JV Team

Golf - Girls

back:

Annika Augustson, Dani Hayes, Coco Nelson, Paige Greene, Tatum Olson, Julia Kratz, Ellie Chapman row 4: Annika Kilberg, Katie Laske, Riley Knapp, Callie Smith, Morgan Clark, Lucia Golfis, Nicole Chrysler,

Maggie Kirchner, Margaret Havens, Coach Chris Clark row 3: Coach Melanie Dunleavy, Erin Porth, Lauren Weber, Clare Flynn, Anne Cepek, Alex Rofidal, Sarah Swann,

Ali Burns, Coach Kaitlyn Alvarez row 2: Coach Alison Stortz, Katie Vandervelde, Anne Rewey, Katie Knopick, Alexis Goff, Isabelle Kelly,

Lila Gorius, Fiona Shand front: Anna Heirigs, Kelsi Chrysler, Amy Terwilliger, Katie McGuire, Dasha Parker, Kendall Olsen, Janice Kim,

Maddie Rolfes, Marissa Dulas

spring 2019

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Lacrosse - Boys

Varsity Team

back:

George Sandven, Brady Klemmensen, Andrew Logan, Max Nelsen, Sawyer Anderson, Porter Johnson

row 3: Raquel Rossmann (Mgr), Matt Nyheim, Aidan Stanley, Colby Gustafson, Andy Lee (Head Coach), Landon Glenna, Drew Hatch row 2: David Smith, Henry Madison, Max Balow, Charlie Gustafson, Nico Zambrano, Tony Schleck, Stavros Koumontzis front:

Joe Carlson (Mgr), Gracie Nelsen (Mgr), Ross Brazel, Wyatt Richards, Derek Lauson, Louie DuPont, Olivia Sattine (Mgr)

JV Team

B-Squad

back:

back:

Sawyer Anderson, Quinn Peterson, Rory Uskavitch, Thomas Knapp, Brian Post, Andrew Baumgardner middle: Archer Simpson, Owen Swenson, Connor Olsen,

Sam Tilsner (Head Coach), Johnny DeVoe, Luke Hecker front: Gage Reiners, Channing Schmidt, Sam Garza,

Casey Stageberg, Elan Powless, Cam Francis

48 |

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Carson Keating, Max Rhodes, Charlie Brinkman, Wyatt Wurst, Brennan Wurst, Ryan Quick middle: Greydon Simpson, McCoy Delaney, Anders Gustafson,

Michael Govan Head Coach, Lucas Zimprich, Charlie Madison front: Finn Dexheimer, Trever Olson, Owen Gray,

Cameron Sanderson, Cole Brazel, Zach Mooers

EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Varsity Team

Lacrosse - Girls

back:

Christine Hanson (Coach), Michael Shoemaker (Manager), Jack Wolfe (Manager), Peter Colby (Manager), Kelly Crampton (Coach) middle: Allison Mackay, Ana Wesselman, Helen Propson, Alex Mawn, Elli Strittmater, Olivia Swaim, Emerson Gorney, Anna Van Wart,

Cordelia Flemming front: Grace Burnside, Cece Little, Frances Brown, Jane Kuehl, Haley Reeck, Sophia Doll, Caleigh Claar, Lindsey Mckhann,

Haley Maxwell, Avie Jarkan

JV Team

10-A Team

back:

back:

Katherine Heinle, Laryn Scribner, Grace Phinney, Carolyn Seifert, Mallory Abena, Elle Busby, Katie Hoffman (Coach) middle: Nicola Santoni, Morgan Brothers, Taylor Overstreet,

Claire Nelson, Ellie Joing, Cara Kaufer (Coach) front: Mary Velner, Kennedy Beck, Elise Charette, Serena

Petersen, Lauren Stone, Jane Drought, Zanna Jackson

Sarah Hunt, Bella Finn, Gracin Van Liere, Emma Rapallini, Lily Vucenich middle: Maggie Ronning (Coach), Sydney Meyer, Sophie Pekarek,

Libby Flaherty, Zoe Langsev, Emily Magner (Coach) front: Miranda Conte, Izzy Garvin, Libby Strittmater, Alexis Goff,

Mya Dawson, Annika Page, Kate Dahlager

spring 2019

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Varsity Team

Softball

back:

Maria Teien, Caroline Pins, Genevieve Ovsak, Katie Erickson, Molly Mchugh middle: KJ Johnson (Coach), Katie Simon, Madison Johnson, Hannah Sundem, Emerson Evans, Logan Ahlness (Coach) front: Anna Schaidler, Katy Olive, Alison May, Olivia Perry, Abby Jones

JV Team

back:

Maria Teien, Caroline Pins, Alexa Venne, Katie Erickson middle: Mathilde Hardy, Gwen Kebhart, Abby Richter, Mackenzie Rapacki, Chris Fourdyce front: Hanan Abdi, Ava Carlson, Gillian Zeuli, Greta Jacobs spring 2019

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Synchronized Swimming

Synchronized Swim Team

back:

Kelley Deshler, (Coach), Emily Heckmann (Coach), Carla Steffen (Coach), Rachel Klenke (Coach)

row 5: Grace Baker, Lily Barrows, Ava McGrath, Lily Mrachek, Kate Brown, Izzy Steffen, Alexa Densmore, Zofi Steffen,

Kaia Browne, Rhea Hammond, Ann Jacobson

row 4: Eloise Sundal, Grace Bowe,

Abby Van Ness, Chloe Desjardins, Miranda Ritter, Isabelle Waggoner, Charlotte Olson,

Ava Nelson, Hayley Nilsen

row 3: Grace Martin, Charlotte Prather, Maggie Baker, Elouise Hollenkamp, Norma Mahoney, Ellie Van Ness, Lexi McCoy,

Lindsay Matthews, Diya Jain row 2: Grace Dressen, Hannah Cushman, Althea Barrows, Ella Weinstein, Elena Grafe, Mihika Sathe, Grace Carlson,

Sophie Banker, Mehak Jain, Addison Bowe

front:

Ashley Dooley, Addison Kirscht, Ava Chow, Kiki Miller, Emily Olson, Summer Peterson, Marit Lebakken, Bridget Werner, Ellie Gaskill, Claire Carlson

52 |

Sting Locker

EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Varsity Team

Tennis - Boys

back:

Ryne Reger, Gabe Everts, Noah LaTour, Brett Chorske, Luke Westholder, Ryan Schenck, Joey Powers middle: Tom Matson (Coach), Jack Thurk, Shrey Ramesh, Otto Schreiner, James Sabow, Kevin Delaney, Gary Aasen (Coach), Ramesh Shanmugaved (Coach) front: Oskar Jansson, Joseph Joas, Liam Malmquist, Kevin Madugula, Matthew Fullerton, Lars Ranger

JV Team

back:

Ben Ragus, Jack Girton, Atman Jahagirdar, William Kelley, Erik Smith, Keegan Clark, John Taghader Samuel Wellborn, Julian Thym, Cole Kouchoukos, Charlie Burbach, Benjamin Thym, Mitchell Holderness, Brian Brown row 2: Kartik Jain, Bryson Schenck, Alex Carlson, Arjun Konety, Jack Sotem, Zach Succio, Matthew Maciosek front: Andrew Simonson row 3:

spring 2019

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EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Full Team

back:

Track & Field - Boys

Nick Yelkin, Ryan Kirsch, Hank Stechmann, Noah Rudi, Nick Idrogo-Lam, Will Davis, Caden Edam, Charlie Phinney

row 10: Peter Stidman, Logan Silva, Willem Gokemeijer, Carter Olson, Maxwell Manley, Ben Spriggs, Ben Tietjen, Charlie Heinecke,

Noah Richards, Carson Dudley, Abubakar Hassan row 9: Tobias Burgess, Lucas Selman, Sam Rudi, Andrew Anselmo, Luke Jessen, Hamza Hassan, Noel Hayward, Paul Gherghetta,

Noah Koelbl, Thomas Sebek, Zach Wagener, Russell Gokemeijer row 8: Amanda Smock, Noah Chestler, Tom Gatyas, Kayla Lindell, Carol Comp, Joshua de Block, Jordan Charles, Jamie Kirkpatrick,

Noah Laack-Veeder, Matt Gabrielson row 7: Aidan Holovnia, Jack Elliott, Owen Simonsen, Theo Keller, Carter Curti , Finley Webb, Kieran Brown, Charlie Croxdale,

Noah Zimprich, Bobby Harrison, Matthew Nissen, Jack Peters

row 6: Riley Hammond, Ethan Bernstein, Owen Bernarde, Robel Zena, Joey Burke, Tyler Malek, Andrew Mendez, Matt Boettcher,

Aditya Tulahalli, Luke Osler, Tate Huss

row 5: Henry Contag, Curtis Thiele, Isaac Smalley, Jack Hilliker, ZenSugata, Isaac Wu, Mason Lackner, Dawson Langdon,

Rory Conway, Cormac Kelly, Gus Hubbell, Sean Baird

row 4: Leban Abraham, Gabriel Nicholas, Daniel Marquez, Sean Scullin, Jake Pechman, Elijah Hollenkamp, Patrick McGarvey,

Nick Austin, Connor Larsen, Owen Davis, Matthew Cao

row 3: Jay Erickson, Romel Ashley, Jacob Shin, Isaac Tabor, Max Knudson, Logan (Kai) Young, Tate Phernetton, Hamze Abdi,

Carlos Diaz, Keishad Brookins, Wallace Neaton, Nasiruddin Shariff

row 2: Hoken Opsahl, Owen Sullivan, Jay Lebakken, Ryan Hermes, Will Liethen, Ben Wellborn, Ethan Richter, Tommy Wyant,

Kurt Lebakken, Nathan Annareddy, Owen Johnson, Adam Senna

front:

Yoeil Batista, Kang Vang, Mohamed Mohamed, Jimmy Tshering, Tommy O’Brian, Kevin Bourgeault, Case Winter, Anthony Borchardt, Joe Manser, Carlos Maldonado, Charlie Koelbl

not pictured: Owen Brown, Maxwell Doom, Mark Gherghetta, Charles Kleynhans, Emmet Maynor,

Jayson Olsen, Isaac Ray, Alonso Ruiz Cota, Karsten Wennerlund spring 2019

| 55

EHS Spring Sports Teams 2018-19

Full Team

back:

Track & Field - Girls

Emma Kim, Alexis Ferris, Linnea Shively, Catherine Redpath, Anna Busyn, Sarah Edgington, Muna Bashir, Bridget Braun, Maddy LaFrenz, Alexandra Ensrud, Caiya Wulf, Becca Haff

row 9: Kara Flaherty, Maddie Dahlien, Ashley Hughes, Olivia Hufendick, Olivia Pierce, Karen Lee, Lizzie Kelley, Ella Pkelker,

Natalie Pfeifer, Ella Campbell, Dana Ehrlich, Mabel Lawler, Maddie Bowers

row 8: Evie Schmidt, Julia Karpinsky, Wesley MacMiller, Skyler Kieffer, Maggie Healy, Jane Schauerman, Megan Sieve,

Emma Hudson, Sadie Schreiner, Evie Hage, Ellese LaTour

row 7: Jennifer Ai, Vivian Garvis, Angie Ohaeri, Maggie Van Someren, Elena Monnot, Rori Curti, Mara Bowden, Kisha Pelkey,

Niamh MacDonagh, Victoria Braianova, Emily Rogers, Ella Stoffel

row 6: Addie Collier, Alise Johnson, Kayla Maring (Coach), Christine Larson (Coach), Kayla Lindell (Coach), Francis Sullivan (Coach),

Joshua DeBlock (Coach), Carol Comp (Coach), Lynn Sosnwski (Coach), Amanda Smock (Coach), Hanna Jaeger, Lauren Collins

row 5: Macy Iyer, Julia Nowak, Hayden Pronley, Brynn Shaw-Strack, Allison Nelson, Ashlyn Garvis, Meara Aberle,

McKenna Halvorson, Kelly Hurley, Harper Carsello, Sabrina Talghader, Keya Shapiro, Maggie Wagner

row 4: Abbie Manhard, Ella Brown, Katrina Zettler, Georgia Jensen, Ella Meitrodt, Eva Doescher, Catherine Landelle, Hannah Myers,

Sasha Lessin-Burris, Melanie Peterson, Cate Flanagan, Mia Lee, Sofia Ebsen, Olivia Sedarski

row 3: Heidi Engman, Kelsey Neff, Johanna Orth, Abby Winter, Maria Anderson Marquez, Katelyn Krietlow, Morgan Richter,

Claire Wagner, Adeline Hinkie, Bella Whyte, Cora Adam, Addie Hardie

row 2: Kayla Yang, Marie Landelle, Reece Cooke, Julia Kloiber, Maddy Lawler, Liesl Schreiner, Evie Dunning, Kathryn Wilkening,

Betty LiaBraaten, Elli Strittmater, Alex Gilbertson

front:

Maria Rickman, Berit Schuveiller, Anna Teien, Anna Rumley, Evelyn Adams, Emma LaFrenz, Nia Diaby, Lauren Gray, Mia Sennes, Birgen Nelson, Meghan Flinn, Grecia Toriz-Lugardo

spring 2019

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EABC Members

2018-19 Edina Athletic Booster Club Lifetime Club • $5000 David & Katie Aafedt

President's Club • $1000 Andrew & Kerrie Hecker

Steve & Annie Bishop

Green & White Club • $500

Jay & Kari Carroll

Louis F. Jacques

Tom & Erica Allenburg Sean & Deborah Broderick Jay & Betsy Cavanagh Keith & Amy Collins Dave Dickey Family Daniel & Cheryl Dulas Lisa & Mike Eckroth Lloyd R. Flynn Les & Wendy Glenna Rusty & Greta Golfis Rick & Tamela Greene The Gremmels Family Mike Huberty & Sherry Hohmann Ellen Jones & Bob McKlveen Todd & Beth Klemmensen Lindsay & Sarah Knapp Jim & Cindy Murphy Betsy & Tom Pfeifer J.P. & Shannon Presthus Tim & Kimberly Ritzer Terry & Kathy Sandven Bob & Nicole Schnell Dr. Steve & Jodi Swaim Kathleen & Larry Vorlicky

Isabelle, Natalie, Alicia & Elianne Jacques

Alumni Club • $250

Matt & Michelle Cooke Chris & Margaret Davis Scott, Chris, Clay and Hunter Dawson Jesalyn Desjarlais Jeff & Deborah Eckland Jim & Barb Eppel Pete & Kari Espinosa Pete & Eleni Glerum Rob & Sherry Guimont Jay & Betsy Hiniker Josh & Sarah Howard

Neil & Jill Johnson Susan Kolden, Lisa Kolden & Jackson Kolden Tim & Mary Kuehl Mike Marinovich Patti Marinovich John & Quay Mitchell Marty & Patti Nanne Jeff & Janna Northrup Rob & Amy Parish The Rowland Family Duke & Lisa Uihlein Tim & Andrea Walsh Keith & Carrie White Jim & Julie Wohlford Dan & Carol Wolfe

58 |

Sting Locker

Kirk & Amy Aadalen Deb & Jay Adams Erik & Alison Anderson The Andor Family Dan & Alison Arom Dan & Lee Azar Bridget & Doug Baird Rick & Jill Barnes Marie & David Berghult Matt & Stacy Bogart Kevin & Kate Bonthius Bill & Barb Buenz The Burger Family Heather & William Burns Ted & Alex Christianson Greg & Krysta Clark Rich & Cathy Clarke Steve & Kristi Colby Kevin & Jane Collier Ted & Jackie Colwell John & Christine Conte Tom & Shelly Crowley The Dahlien Family Constance Davis Mike & Sheri Dobesh Jeff & Kristi Einhorn Dr. Al & Lisa Enriquez Tom & Ann Enzler Bill & Sandy Essendrup The Fehrenbach Family Mike & Laurie Fischer Scott & Ann Flaherty Tim & Kelly Flaherty Camille & Shaun Flanagan Jon & Melissa Freeland Bill Fullerton Michele Gatien & Nevin Dikel Tom & Linda Gilligan Matt Grimes & Dr. Lisa Irvin The Gunther Family Jason LaFrenz & Naomi Hagestuen LaFrenz John & Alyssa Hammar Ron & Janis Hardie

Andy & Darcy Hatch Michael Haukaas Tim & Shanna Hawkinson Leah & Brad Haymaker Wayde & Jan Heirigs Anchor Distributing Trenton & Melissa Hogg Casey Holley Chris & Anne Holt Brad & Laura Hunt Mike & Beth Hutson Mark & Peggy Jessen Bill & Margaret Joas Brent & Anne Johnson, Team RealtyGuy! Derrick & Liska Johnson Jeff Johnson Brad & Laura Johnson Tara & Troy Johnson Thomas & Shirley Jungels Keith & Kelly Jungels John & Kristen Karpinsky The Kershner Family The Kirsch Family The Knopick Family The Koelbl Family Tom & Starr Kouchoukos Dean & Angela Koumontzis Michael & Susan Kratz Rod & Susan Lacy The Launer Family The Lindborg Family Matt & Christie Lockhart Bruce & Dawn Locklear John & Jane Lonnquist Ryan & Heather Lund Colin & Deb Mackay Derek & Patricia Malmquist John & Ann Marie Marshall Mark & Kris Marshall Mark & Sara Mason Kari & Chris Mawn Brian & Erna Maxwell John, Kelly and Lexi McCoy Lisa & Dan McDonald Andy & Angella McGarvey Anonymous Matt & Sara McLenighan Karrin & Jim Meffert Geoff & Annie Michel Kerry & Jennifer Middleton John & Kristen Mrachek Todd & Laura Mulliken Amy & Rob Murphy Tim & Kristi Nasby Tom & Stacy Nevers The Richards Family Keith & Kathy Nelsen Paul Nitz & Family Andy & Kim Nooleen Anonymous Nick & Jody Olsen Lance & Trudy Olson The Olsons Stephanie & Josh Ortmeier Chris & Kellee Ott Dr. David & Kristine Overman Bob & Lisa Peck The Peckham Family Brian & Jennifer Pederson Josh & Allison Peterson Lori & Mike Post Heidi & Walter Poxon Melissa Raphan & Tom Rock Don & Cindy Reiners Jack & Ede Rice Fritz & Ilrid Richards Kai Richter & Zenaida Chico

John & Lisa Robinson The Rofidal Family Nina & Doug Rose Joanne & Sam Rosenstein Greg & Nikki Roth Jeff & Julie Ryan Jeff & Mary Jo Sanderson Rachel Saturn & John Seymour Jeff & Jillaine Savage Jennifer Schaidler Abby & Tom Schauerman Mike & Melissa Schiena JoDee & John Selle Matt & Emily Sever John & Shannon Sieve Doug & Kate Shoemaker Bob & Kristin Slaney Laura & Steve Soderling The Spences Brigid Spicola Mike & Lisa Stanley Jon & Kara Stechmann David Strand The Strittmater Family James & Lynne Swanson Tom & Julie Swenson Heidi & Matt Swinney Peter & Michi Taft The Thurk Family Jon and Jo Ann Tollefson Mark & Beth Waterloo David & Ginna Wahoff Rob & Terri Webb Mike & Kiersten Webert The Wetmores Tom & Jana Whear Mark & Brooks Wilkening Jason & Cathryn Williams Rich & Terri Wipperfurth

Hornet Club • $150 Anonymous Laura & Rob Anderson Angie Andresen & Randy Larson Chris & Dena Angelos Rob & Dana Baker John & Jennifer Berge Shane & Sarenja Betz Mitch & Erin Bleske Kevin & Trina Bloemendaal John & Barb Bloom Steve & Julie Boman Jeff & Kari Bowers Matthew & Erin Brumm Scott & Margaret Busyn Pam Cavanagh Francois Charette & Sarah Fjelstul Tom & Kristie Chorske The Claar Family John & Maggie Conway Jose & Isabelle Corralejo Jeff Couchman Steve & Leslie Curry The Curti Family Patty & John Davis Stan Davis David Decker Tom & Marian Delaney John & Maggie DeVoe Fallou & Kathy Diaby Jeff & Gretchen Doom Janel Dressen Deanna & Martin Duffy The Duffy Family Steve & Linda Enck Brian & Torri Erickson continued…

Edina Athletic Booster Club

2018-19 Board & Committee Members EXEC UTIVE C OMMITTE E

Jon Stechmann, President Dan Arom, Vice President Jon Marker, Past President Marit Sprenger, Secretary Oliver Lerner, Treasurer

AD or EABC ad/content Board listing ?

HALL OF FAME

SCHOLAR ATHLETE RECOGNITION

Zibby Nunn, Co-Chair Maggie DeVoe, Co-Chair Steve Bishop Annie Bishop Katie Kloos Kerry Middleton Jennifer Middleton Mick Spence

Mary Kuehl, Chair

MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATIONS

Sean Broderick, Chair Dan Hunt Mary Kuehl Pete McCarthy Jon Stechmann

ADVERTISING/MARKETING

Dan Arom, Chair Mark Jessen Nick Kennedy Betsy Cavanagh Chris Davis HOMECOMING

Tom Crowley, Chair Dan Hunt

C ON C E S S ION S

Ken Hanson, Co-Chair Terry Ingram, Co-Chair Steve Enck Linda Enck Wendy Glenna S P I R IT STOR E

Starr Kouchoukos, Chair Lisa Uihlein Lisa Robinson Cathy Kidd Cynthia Mashaal M A J OR E XP E N DITUR E S

Jon Marker, Chair Dan Arom Jennifer Middleton Kerry Middleton Todd Miller Todd Doroff A N N UA L FUN DRA I S E R E V E N T

Kari Mawn, Chair Board/Committee list is accurate as of this publishing

spring 2019

| 59

EABC Members (continued) 2018-19 Edina Athletic Booster Club Jane Farrell & Greg Smith Heather & Brett Fenske Anonymous Ryan & Teresa Garry Bob & Anne Gaskill John & Paula Glieden Karla Gluek & Jom Sorboro The Goepfrich Family Mark & Jill Gorius Chris Gorney & Jennifer Stack Kristi Goss Gerry & Rhonda Greene Steve & Kim Griffiths Rick & Amy Gustafson Lyn & Eric Gustafson Sandy & Rich Haddad The Halvorson Family Casey & Holli Hankinson Peter & Heather Hankinson Kendall Harrell Scott & Kari Hauser Jeanne & John Hibbs Rich & Karen Holetz Brant Hollenkamp David & Belinda Hopkins Tom Holler Andy & ViAnne Hubbell Steve & Sharlene Hufendick Tom & Tracey Illies Terry & Giovanna Ingram Ken & Avanel Jarka Peter & Cindy Jarvis Todd & Mary Joing Jason Kalgreen & Carrie Ellis Sean Kellenberger Gretchen & Mike Kelly Mark & Julie Kerekes Reid & Carrie Kilberg Jason & Katie Kloos The Kompelien Family Andy & Karen Krenik David & Kim Kupiecki The Idrogo-Lam Family Sarah & Mike Lanrus The Lauer Family The Lawler Family The Linton Family Bob & Victoria Luedtke Christopher Lyche The MacMiller Family Julie & David Madison Tim & Sheila Mahoney Erika Malvey-Dorn & Rich Dorn Jon & Alyssa Marker The Mashaal Family Maryan & Bill McDonald Tom & Vickie McGuire Chas & Fei McKhann Dave & Suzie Meitz Karin & Todd Miller Dan & Katie Moe Dave & Nancy Moore Brad & Katie Nelson Brad & Terri Nelson David & Stephanie Nelson Erica & Jeff Nowak John & Amy Nymark Anonymous Timothy Olken-Hunt Alex Orthey Lance & Ann Paradis Woody & Christeen Paulison Dan & Tina Pavek Al & Lisa Petersen Chris & Katie Peterson Scott & Nancy Phinney Tim & Lori Porth Chris & Jennifer Reeck

60 |

Sting Locker

Andy Slothower & Molly Rice Robin Rohde Keller & Michael McShane Harlan Rossman & Sonja Dusil Jim & Laura Rubin Mark & Susi Ruchi Jay & Suzanne Rudi Tom & Kim Sabow David and Hilary Santoni Karl & Susan Scheppers Dan & Laura Schleck The Schultz Family Mike & Cindy Scriver Bill & Stephanie Seymour Jeff & Kelly Siemon Dave & Tia Smythe Alescia St. Dennis Bob & Judy Straub Chad & Tina Sundem The Swoap Family Mark & Sue Teien Alison Terrell Tom & Michelle Terwilliger Chris & Judy Thommes The Thompson Family Alex Tokarz-Schuchardt The Tuchenhagen Family The Baumgarten-Usem Family Dan & Mary Utoft Mark & Pam Van Ert Lori & Terry Wagner Tom & Tara Wagner Melanie J. Weber Bob & Mary Kay Werner The Williams Family Jeff & Cathy Winter Lucy & Karl Winter The Wolfe Family Carin & Corey Wulf Matt & Jill Yeager Todd & Susan Young

Starting Line Club • $50 Steve & Gina Abbott Audrey Allopenna & Robert Scalia Brian & Sara Aslesen Andy & Kim Behm Mugs & Scott Berdelman Michael & Roxanne Bernstein Scott & Lindsay Beuning Pete & Tiffany Bils Steve & Jean Bonneville The Bruzek Family Adam Mans & Elizabeth Burnett Steve & Stephanie Calvert Amy & Rob Carson Cameon & Jeff Carver Heidi Chen & Tom Knickelbine Barry & Patty Crater Kelly Cyskiewicz & Brian Warpinski Mary Dalsin Scott & Laura Davidson Brian & Cosette DeCesare The Cultu Family Todd Doroff DeeDee Drays Mandy & Pete Dupont Maren Elze-Powless Tonja & Greg Engen Kim & John Erickson Cullen & Jenn Glass Rick & Angela Graf The Halloran Family Ken & Christy Hanson Mark & Deb Hanson Tim & Kristi Healy Thomas & Jasmine Hoedeman

Phil Holm & Kathleen Mulrooney Ryan & Jane Horton Britta Hovey Steve & Shelly Howe John & Stephanie Hultman Daniel Hunt The Jacobson Family Jonathan & Kris Jank Karen & John Johnson Betsy & Steve Kloiber Sherri Knopick & Henry Chang Chad Krietlow & Lori Holstrom Patrick & Amy Landelle Mary Beth & Steve Larson Matt & Carmine LeVoir Heather & Rob Little Kristin Love Mary Manderfeld Amy & Tony McAllister Sandy & Joe McGurran Lori & Jack Mertes Rhondi & Mike Miller Sara & William Mize Chris & Kristin Moquist Jim & JoAnn Nasby Marcus Niles Dan & Jaime Norling Matt & Kari Norman Kathy Nygaard Dave & Sarah Parry Rick & Chris Passolt Kris Paul & Dan Goldblatt Bryan Peterson The Polomis Family Stephanie Porter The Powers Family Mary Frances & Brian Price Christopher & Kristin Quinby Andria & Scott Redpath Pat Ridgely MD & Sharon Braxtan Harrington Paul Rondestvedt Chris Scribner Peter & Stacy Seng Kevin & Michelle Swanson Susan Swigart & Mike Hudson Carolyn & Jim Tabor Dean & Dena Tortorelis Greg & Stefanie Trebil Todd & Jayne Tuttle Marc & Lisa Ungerman Mary Kay & Ted Hoffman The Vose Family Linda & Phil Wandrei Georgia Wang Laura & George Warner Mark & Tracy Weinstein The Wetzel Family The Whalen Family The Woolner Family The Zeuli Family

4-Year Full Ride Zeeshan Abu Josie Al-Najim David Arndt Savanna Atol Weston Balfany Arian Behshid Elizabeth Berube John Berube Uma Bahti Jeff Bisson Jessica Brenner Holly Brinkman Eileen Campbell

Sophie Clarkowski Mia Coma Lewis Crosby Emily Crosby Lehmann Jake Cross Karin deVerdier Bella Dickson Chester Dixon Sydney Doran Mason Dorgan Johana Engstrom Emily Fan Fadumo Farah Katie Froemming Rohan Gholkar Ben Gustafson Jhamese Harvey Luke Hauritz Joe Hellickson Kate Higgins Matthew Holderness Katherine Hulbert Dominick Ingram Henry Jackson Nick James Olivia Janovy Meyer Addie Jung Ali Kaju Demetrios Koumontzis Anne Kratz Emily Kratz Mac Lamont Adrian Lampron Samira Lauer Madeline Lawler Michael Lin Jack Linton Ngawang Lobsang Ava Lusty JJ Martinez Alison May Kelly McCarthy Katie Mendel Anand Mittal Jack Nasby Emma Nicholson Mattias Oddsson Preston Olson Molly Paulison Joey Puckett Sidharth Ramesh Chris Reichling Anonymous Sara Sabri Margaux Seiler Sophia Sexton Evan Shoemaker Josie Shuster Connor Silva Mary-Kate Sipes Connor Smith Megan Smith Jack Strouts Hayley Trebil Landon Tselepis Juan Uribe Izzy Valdavia John Webb Brandon Willi Sarah Willett Eleanor Yeager Elizabeth Younger Grace Zenner ■

Greg Loffhagen, Agent 4801 Excelsior Blvd St Louis Park, MN 55416 Bus: 952-920-4035 www.gregloffhagen.com Hablamos EspaĂąol State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1211999

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M AGA Z I N E

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181 State Titles Edina High School Athletics

HORNETS

Fall Sports

Winter Sports

Spring Sports

Adaptive Soccer (ci)

Adaptive Floor Hockey

Baseball

Cross Country - Boys

Basketball – Boys

Golf – Boys

Cross Country - Girls

Basketball – Girls

Golf – Girls

Football

Competition Cheer

Gymnastics – Boys

Gymnastics – Girls

Soccer – Boys

Hockey – Boys

91*, 00 18

15, 16

57*, 65*, 66*, 69*, 71*, 78W 82, 84, 90* 99, 00, 01

Soccer – Girls

86

Swimming & Diving – Girls

84, 86, 87, 88, 92, 99, 00, 01, 03, 04, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 Tennis – Girls

78E, 79E, 80E, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18

94, 95

68, 83

66, 67, 68

54, 70, 73W, 77W, 78W, 87, 14

88

83, 84, 88, 93, 94, 95, 97, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18

07*, 09*, 10*, 18

Tennis – Boys

59, 66, 67, 68, 71, 72, 73E, 75E, 78E, 79E, 80W, 81E, 87, 88, 89, 92, 95, 98, 00, 02, 03, 06, 08, 09

79W, 80E, 81W, 85 69, 71, 74E, 78E, 79E, 82, 84, 88, 97, 10, 13, 14, 19

Track – Boys

69, 70, 74E

Hockey – Girls

17, 18, 19

Alpine Skiing – Boys

67, 79W, 80W, 82, 99, 02, 15, 16, 19 Alpine Skiing – Girls

91, 97, 98, 99, 01, 02, 04, 05, 09 Nordic Skiing – Boys

81W, 88

Swimming & Diving – Boys

65, 67, 68, 84, 86, 87, 04, 08, 09, 10, 19

E = East W = West

62 |

Sting Locker

* = Not included in MSHSL count

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