THE ART OF THE 3-SPORT
ATHLETE
Hornet Spotlight Athletes Kaylee Idrogo-Lam (pg 12) and Chase Bjorgaard (pg 18)
Boys Inaugural Volleyball. pg 8
Boys State Swimming. pg 16
Coach Spotlight. pg 26
From the AD
Participation in Edina High School Sports Continue to Rise. What does this remarkable trend mean?
Dear Sting Locker Fans:
Participation in high school athletics continues to rise at Edina High School and within the United States. For the first time in history, our nation had more than eight million participants competing in high school sports during the 2023-24 school year, an all-time record.
The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), of which the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) is a member of, released their Athletics Participation Survey indicating that 8,062,302 participants were involved in high school sports in 2023-24, which is up 210,469 from the previous year. Moreover the recovery from the pre-pandemic levels (7,980,886) in 2017-18 is a tremendous milestone. This is a remarkable trend in the positive direction to engage more students within their high school. Participation in high school extra-curriculars helps engage students with their classmates and feel a greater connection to their school. This engagement helps students stay academically focused to excel in school and sports.
In this issue of the Sting Locker, we will profile our players spotlights, and in this case, we are thrilled to present a profile on the other side of this outstanding trend in increased participation, which is the 3-sport athlete. A feat that has become elusive even for our greatest athletes. The increase of total athletes and reduction in multi-sport athletes is a paradox that has been impacted by a few factors:
SPECIALIZATION: More athletes are focusing on a single sport, dedicating year-round training and travel to improve their skills and potentially gain opportunities to play.
COST: The high cost of specialized training, equipment, and travel can be a barrier for families, making it less appealing to participate in multiple sports.
TIME COMMITMENT: The increased time commitment required for specialized training can make it difficult for students to juggle multiple sports.
In this issue of the Sting Locker, we want to recognize a couple of 3-sport athletes who are decorated with accolades. Kaylee Idrogo-Lam and Chase Bjorgaard. Both have committed and excelled as multisport high school athletes at Edina. So, how have they accomplished this? Read the Sting Locker to find out.
At Edina High School, we collaborate with our Edina Athletic Booster Club (EABC) to help facilitate the success of our studentathletes, whether a 3-sport athlete or one of the increasing pool of 8 million that participate on a team. I am grateful for the support of the EABC and thank you for helping drive these impressive trends and student-athletes to success at Edina.
Yours in, Hornet Pride!
Troy M. Stein Director of Activities & Athletics
Edina High School • 6754 Valley View Road •
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From the BOOSTERS
Edina Athletic Booster Club (EABC).
Creating outstanding experiences for all athletes.
Hello Edina Families,
Everyone says kids grow up too fast—and EVERYONE is right. It feels like yesterday when I first saw LaFrenz on the back of an Edina jersey. At the time, I had no idea what this journey of being part of the Edina athletic community would mean to our family. Looking back, it brought lifelong memories, incredible friendships, and helped prepare our kids for life through the lessons learned on the fields, courts, and rinks of Edina. I couldn’t be more grateful for those incredible years.
But, like all good things, my time as the father of Edina athletes has come to an end. I’m excited to shift gears and dedicate some of my extra dad energy to ensuring that current and future athletes and families have the best possible experience in this amazing community. As the new president of the Edina Athletic Booster Club, my goal is simple: to help maximize this unique and special experience for everyone involved. Whether you’re a player, a parent, a coach, or a fan, you are a vital part of our community. Together, we’ve created many unforgettable moments, and I look forward to helping build countless more.
The success and impact our athletic department achieves wouldn’t be possible without the great work of the Edina Athletic Booster Club. At our May meeting, we approved nearly $90,000 to support the basic needs of all varsity sports. Additionally, we voted to continue our partnership with Premier Sports Psychology Services for another year. The positive feedback from our initial pilot year confirms that our commitment to mental health is adding real value to our student-athletes and coaches. We also approved the purchase of a new golf cart for our training staff at Kuhlman, along with repairs to the ECC message board.
These initiatives directly align with the Booster Club’s mission to enhance the athletic environment for all student-athletes, ensuring they have a positive, rewarding, and fulfilling experience.
Our recent ‘Winners Circle’ fundraiser was a huge success — not only did it raise essential resources for our programs, but it also brought people together for a night of fun and celebration. While the generosity of our members makes these initiatives possible, it’s the energy and spirit in the room that truly fuels Hornet athletics. That sense of community and passion is the heartbeat of everything we do.
We’ve built something great—an athletic department where athletes and the community grow stronger every day.
Thank you for all you do. The bar is set high, and I look forward to raising it even further with continued support from this incredible community.
Long live sports & Go Hornets!
Scott LaFrenz President Edina Athletic Booster Club (EABC)
As the new president of the Edina Athletic Booster Club, MY GOAL IS SIMPLE: TO HELP MAXIMIZE this unique and special experience for everyone involved.
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EHS Boys Varsity Volleyball team participates in first officially recognized season by MSHSL
By Pete Waggoner, photos by Natalie Johnson
The 2025 Edina High School boys’ varsity volleyball team can be seen as trailblazersthe first team that participated in the sport as recognized officially by the Minnesota State High School League. Yet, this is not the first team at Edina High School, as the boys volleyball team has participated in 8 seasons of club volleyball. The path to the historic season was paved by the leadership and vision of head coach Nathan Koller and a number of players who were curious about the sport and have embraced the game with commitment and passion.
Getting Started
Edina boys’ varsity coach Nathan Koller was an athlete that played multiple sports growing up. He participated in soccer, basketball and baseball in high school. While attending Winona State University, Koller joined the club volleyball team.
It was a mix of players from neighboring states, including Wisconsin, which at the time had volleyball as a recognized sport. The experienced players ignited a love for the game in Koller. Learning quickly, the sport is a tight knit community that supported itself and provided Koller the backdrop for a future in coaching the sport.
“For me, coaching-wise, it was an opportunity,” Koller said of his choice to coach volleyball. “It was a growing sport in Minnesota. So
the need for coaches was there and it was just that opportunity to get involved and get back to something that I grew into later in life and wanted other people to have an opportunity to get involved.”
Koller began his career with Edina High School coaching the ninth grade girls team in 2018. He also began coaching the boys’ club volleyball team that same season. After working with both teams through the 2021 season, Koller’s family began to expand and he cut back on coaching the ninth grade girls’ volleyball team, focusing on the boys’ club volleyball program.
With the help of girls’ varsity volleyball coach Mark Nelson, Koller took the leap to secure Edina High School a club team. “I helped start that team with the help of the head girls coach,” Koller recalled. “In those first few years, it was giving boys another opportunity to represent Edina that weren’t already involved in a spring sport. A lot of people wanted to just try something new, let’s see what we can do with it and a lot of them stuck with it and we grew from year to year.”
Program Growth
Many players jumped in and did not have much experience in the game beyond playing in Physical Education class. Koller said that the goal all along was to elevate the sport to the varsity level and be recognized by the MSHSL. There was an attempt to usher in boys’ volleyball in the early 2000’s, but there was not the momentum that existed today to make it happen.
“It probably wasn’t until after COVID that I was like, all right, this continues to grow,” Koller said. “We’re up to 70 plus high schools that have core programs. Then I was like, all right, this is going to be for real. It’s just a matter of getting the public and getting everybody on board and aware of it and then presenting it to the high school league.”
Retention of players has been exceptional for Koller and equally important for the growth of the program. Typically, a player begins playing and then continues the path forward through the high school years without quitting the sport.
“I mean, over those club years, I maybe had only two that didn’t return the next year except for obviously, if they graduated,” Koller said. “The return was just tremendous. Once they got in the gym and were playing and being part of the group and the team, it’s just a fun game and they seem to always want to come back and return, our program is continuing to grow.”
Last season as a club team, Edina had 22 players. This year, its first as a varsity sport, the team boasts 34 players with 12 of them being new to volleyball this year. “That means I’m still returning 20 from last year. The skill continues to build and build and build as they keep developing year after year,” Koller said.
“It is super exciting for me and I believe everyone on the team. We are finally getting the recognition which this sport deserves. I also believe that this first year will be super impactful in developing the legacy of boys volleyball in the state.”
– Edina Captain Felipe Vasconcelos
Getting the word out and promoting the sport is key as Edina does not have a youth program or club from which to draw in younger players from. Koller asked a couple of basketball players who were on the team where they were last year and they indicated that they didn’t know there was a team.
At the time of the writing for this article the team is 7-10 with three conference matches left to play. Koller has been pleased with his team’s level of growth. “The biggest highlight is seeing the players come together as a team, pushing themselves and each other to improve every day,” Koller said. “They’ve learned to lean on and support one another through the highs and lows of the season, building both skill and camaraderie. Another key highlight has been the growing involvement and excitement of the parents and community. For many, this is their first time experiencing boys’ volleyball, and it’s been incredible to watch their enthusiasm and support grow alongside the team.”
Players Perspectives
Captains Felipe Vasconcelos and Carson Frederick are both captains on this year’s inaugural team.
For Vasconcelos, it was a summer camp he attended that had a volleyball tournament. “I really enjoyed it. This made me sign up for a youth camp which made me fall in love with the sport,” Vasconcelos said. This year will mark his 4th year playing volleyball at Edina High School.
Frederick, who is in his third year playing volleyball and was playing golf, is a senior libero. His efforts as a golfer at Edina High School came to an end due to Vasconcelos, who recruited him to the team. “Felipe convinced me to join as I quit golf and was looking for a new spring sport,” Frederick recalled.
Like Koller, Vasconcelos and Fredrick have seen measurable growth in the game. The key data point is in volume of players and teams. “The biggest measure of growth for the program is the amount of kids who have joined this year,” Frederick said. “We were able to create three teams which is a huge step for the program and the growth of it. Also, the skill level has definitely increased as I can see more kids becoming passionate and willing to work hard to become better at volleyball and create a higher competitive environment for all people while it still remains a fun place to be.
Vasconcelos, a junior setter’s perspective, has seen the level of play increase while the gap in skill level has closed with steady improvement over the four years he has been a part of the program. “The team has continued to grow every year,” Vasconcelos said. “I remember the first year playing and there were massive differences in skill levels throughout the team. Currently though, it is much more even as a team and we are continuing to grow and improve in our chemistry and skill.”
Seeing the game move from club to a recognized MSHSL varsity sport is rewarding for the current and past players who helped push the game to the next level. From Frederick’s perspective seeing players show interest in the sport who may have never thought to get involved has been the biggest positive through his eyes. The time that he and Vasconcelos put into the sport and team have helped pave the way for others to enjoy the sport at the varsity level.
“It is super exciting for me and I believe everyone on the team. We are finally getting the recognition which this sport deserves. I also believe that this first year will be super impactful in developing the legacy of boys volleyball in the state,” Vasconcelos said.
“I think being a part of this experience not only as a player but a captain has been an amazing experience, especially since Felipe and I have worked hard with the help of our parents to set up a structure for this program but also creating traditions and a sense of family that we hope continues as the years pass with this program,” Federick said.
A key component of Koller’s culture has been to create an environment of inclusion and community, a concept that his team has gravitated to. “One of the key things for sure is just creating an environment and a community where everybody’s welcome,” Koller said. “Everybody can be included in this game. Our team and our program is already extremely diverse. And it just goes to show how welcoming that volleyball community is and how universal that the sport is. One thing that has definitely grown from last year to this year is definitely the parent involvement. So that’s kind of a big culture thing, too, is just getting everybody included. It’s about growing and creating a nice community of volleyball players.”
Frederick added that the sport sparks a passion, is fun, and easy to jump in and improve quickly. His advice to players and families considering the sport is on point. “I have a younger brother who
is insanely excited about volleyball and loves that I’m part of this experience,” Frederick said. “I know there are more kids out there exactly like that and I would tell them and their parents that the volleyball community is one of the best sports communities I’ve been a part of. And the sport itself is not only really fun, but anyone can play and learn quickly.”
Next Steps
With the building blocks in place and the team’s first varsity season under way at the time of the writing of this story, growth and moving forward is key to the overall health of the sport at Edina High School and beyond. Currently there is not an existing youth boys volleyball division in Edina. Koller said there are plans to make that happen. “My assistant coach and my JV coach is the EVBA director for the girls youth program,” Koller said. “So hopefully in the near future, we will be able to accommodate more boys in the youth and develop a boys section of that program. So that’s kind of our goal.”
Currently, 90 boys’ volleyball teams participate at the varsity level and that number will continue to increase year-by-year. There is one class and after assessing the level of play and competition level, additional classes will be added in the near future.
There are two boys’ Junior Olympic (JO) in the state for players to participate. The growth from 2018 has evolved over many factors, including JO programs. “Each year it’s just getting so much more competitive,” Koller said. “The players are growing just
tremendously. More and more athletes are coming out. There’s more and more opportunities to play at the JO clubhouse level. Right now there are currently two main JO clubs, Minnesota Select and Northern Lights, they are kind of the two big ones that have boys programs. But then there’s some schools that have their own in-house program. I think Eden Prairie has their own little in-house program and a couple others do as well. Prior Lake might be one as well.”
It is key for players to try all positions and give the sport a try. The retention level for the sport at Edina High School has been impressive. “Try all of the positions and see what fits the best, “Vasconcelos said, “As you continue to grow in the sport you will find your spot but try to experiment and find somewhere you enjoy the best. And most importantly have fun, and enjoy the process along the way.
Koller’s sights are on the community and steady growth and concluded, “My vision is that it’s a high school sport. We’ll continue to grow competitively, grow as a community, and we’ll continue to get support from the administration and faculty who have been tremendous in year one. So it’ll just be continual growth over and over. Then, I just want to make sure that everybody who comes in the program leaves with that great experience so that they really have that lifelong love for the sport. And maybe, you know, who knows, someday somebody will have that same experience I had and want to come back and support their community or neighboring community in the future.”
Athlete Spotlight
Making Magic
Edina soccer, hockey and lacrosse player has distinguished high school career
By Karissa Cheng, Edina Zephyrus, photos by Miranda Almen
Kaylee Idrogo-Lam // EHS Senior
“SHE
JUST MAKES MAGIC”: TRI-SPORT ATHLETE KAYLEE IDROGO-LAM WINS ATHENA AWARD
Kaylee Idrogo-Lam has spent her life on the field. She’s been playing soccer since before she could remember. In elementary school, she played hockey and basketball on top of doing gymnastics. Now, as a high school senior, she’s varsity captain of the Edina Girls’ Soccer, Hockey, and Lacrosse teams. As of May 2, she’s been recognized for it with one of the most celebrated international awards in Edina: the Athena Award. The Athena Award recognizes one woman per high school that has distinguished herself in one or more sports. For Idrogo-Lam, it encapsulates the effort she’s put into being a tri-sport athlete and represents a community of women in sports she looks up to. “I’ve played on teams with past Athena winners, so that’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve, ever since I was really little,” she said. “Now that I have my name next to theirs, it’s a big deal for me because I feel like I can be that role model for someone else.”
Through her four years with Edina sports, Idrogo-Lam has built a legacy of success and incredible athleticism. Joining the ranks of past Athena Award winners, her impact is sure to be felt well beyond her graduation.
Success at EHS
Idrogo-Lam started playing for EHS as a freshman. At the time, she was invested in multiple sports and couldn’t play on all of the high school teams due to overlapping seasons. In a tough decision, she settled on soccer in the fall, hockey in the winter, and lacrosse in the spring, sacrificing basketball and cheerleading. She made varsity soccer her junior year and varsity hockey her sophomore year. Even though she had never played lacrosse up until that point, she made varsity as a freshman. “My coach told me that I had really bad stick skills because I just started,” Idrogo-Lam said. “[But] she was like, ‘I believed in your potential because you can run fast.’”
Throughout her years with Edina, Idrogo-Lam has defined her success through consistent hard work. She’s a midfielder for lacrosse and the second-highest scorer on the team for the 2024–25 season, averaging 3.67 points per game and scoring 33 goals total thus far. Her stick skills have improved. “It’s fun to see how she has just evolved and continued to get better,” Varsity Lacrosse Assistant Coach Christine Hanson said. “She just creates magic out there. She’ll somehow weave through defense and get to the goal.”
As a midfielder and center-back for soccer, Idrogo-Lam secured five assists and a goal for Edina during the season. She plays center forward for hockey and averaged half a point per game, closing out this year’s season with 10 assists and two goals. Idrogo-Lam played for EHS in all three sports’ state championships.
Hanson attributes Idrogo-Lam’s skill in games to her mature mindset and physicality. “She handles pressure really well, and she just adapts to the moment,” she said. “If someone is guarding her tight, she’ll blow by them. And if they’re giving her space, she’ll look for her shot.”
Idrogo-Lam currently captains all three of her sports. Her responsibilities include leading captains’ practices up to season tryouts, facilitating communication between the team and coaches, and getting her teams excited before games. Senior Ally Adair, a Edina Girls’ Soccer forward, said that Idrogo-Lam’s athletic experience helped her succeed as a captain. “She seems like she’s very comfortable in her position, and she’s a good leader,” she said.
Both Adair and Hanson noted that Idrogo-Lam was reliable, both on the field and in the locker room. “She is a really good teammate. She encourages everyone in the small moments, like if there’s a break in practice she’s checking in on people, just encouraging them,” Hanson said. “She doesn’t get caught up in the highs and lows, so when we get down, she’s not super frustrated. She’s just a steady force.”
A culture of hard work
Idrogo-Lam credits her family for teaching her the value of trying her best both on and off the field. She has three older brothers who were involved in football, track, and soccer, and her father coached her during her first years of playing soccer.
“This girl is always taking hits and managing to push through, like nothing is enough to stop her,” Adair said. “Her work ethic really stands out… she’s just always working super hard and putting in her all.”
Being a tri-sport athlete is tricky. Throughout her journey, Idrogo-Lam faced challenges from people who believed that committing to multiple sports divided her time and commitment, inhibiting her ability to improve. “There were a lot of coaches and people who wanted me to specialize at [one] sport,” she said. “And I don’t know, that might have been a little bit of the reason why I wanted to [be a tri-sport athlete]: to prove them wrong.”
At home, her parents prioritized fostering her interests over pushing for just one. “They were always supportive in signing me up for new things. Whatever I wanted to try, just like lacrosse,” Idrogo-Lam said. “I was like, ‘Mom, can you get me a lacrosse stick?’ And she was like ‘Sure, honey.’”
They were also integral in Idrogo-Lam’s journey success in all three of her sports. “My parents have been huge supporters,” she said. “They’re always at my games, always getting me ready for my sports, making sure I have a healthy balance of sleeping and eating.”
There were a lot of coaches and people who wanted me to specialize at [one] sport,” she said. “And I don’t know, that might have been a little bit of the reason why I wanted to [be a tri-sport athlete]: to prove them wrong.
Edina Sting Locker
Idrogo-Lam values having a life off the field, too, outside of hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. She maintains that she’s a “student-athlete”: academics are just as important as sports, so she juggles challenging classes with practices and workouts. “[School] is a big priority to me and my parents,” Idrogo-Lam said. “Managing everything together is hard sometimes, but I’ve enjoyed it all the way through high school.”
Idrogo-Lam also commits herself to school spirit and community service. She has been a member of the Student Council for four years and was its president this year. She finds that the collaborative nature of Student Council mirrors that of team sports, which she appreciates. “Being able to work alongside a lot of people with a shared common goal is really fun,” she said. Additionally, Idrogo-Lam teaches youth sports, is involved in organizing festivals for Vietnamese holidays, and used to sing in her church choir.
All this work and leadership has culminated in the recognition of Idrogo-Lam’s well-roundedness. In her junior year, she received the ExCEL Award, which recognizes excellence in community service, education, and leadership; this year, she won the Academics, Arts, and Athletics (AAA) Award, which is awarded to one senior girl and boy at Edina High School.
The future
Idrogo-Lam began considering playing hockey in college her sophomore year and entered the recruitment process that summer. She received offers from several Division I schools her junior year, but found them to be smaller than what she preferred. After applying to schools on an academic basis, she ended up choosing the University of Southern California. In addition to its larger
size and academic rigor, the university’s location would allow Idrogo-Lam to be closer to two of her brothers and her grandmother. “I can be away from home and still have that home feeling with family around,” she said. “One [of my brothers] attends UCLA right now, so being rivals with him will be fun.”
Idrogo-Lam plans on studying Biochemistry and Neuroscience on a pre-med track. Her interest in the brain stems from a desire to understand a stroke her late aunt had, as well as her experience taking AP Biology and AP Chemistry at EHS.
Although she doesn’t expect to play any varsity sports for the University of Southern California, she is sure to stay as active in her new community, just as she did in Edina, and is interested in continuing to play at a club level. She is already excited to try new things in Los Angeles. “I get to have a whole new array of opportunities [in college and want to] take advantage of those and put myself out there,” she said.
Idrogo-Lam is grateful for the skills she has gained through being a student-athlete at EHS. “I think that playing team sports is really important to development because it does teach you a lot… like determination, resilience, and definitely teamwork,” she said. “The lessons that sports have taught me I will carry through for the rest of my life, and I will continue to play sports and make friendships through sports even if it’s not playing at a high level.”
For younger athletes, Idrogo-Lam advises that maintaining hard work and a passion for team sports will translate into success. “Try new things, put yourself out there, and appreciate every opportunity,” she said.
The “art of the 3-sport athlete” refers to the practice of participating in and excelling in three different sports.
Benefits: Playing multiple sports can lead to a more well-rounded athlete, improve overall fitness, and reduce the risk of psychological stress, burnout, and overuse injuries.
By Sylvia Oglesbay, Edina Zephyrus, photos by Miranda Almen
The Edina High Schools Boys’ Swim and Dive team won the 2025 MSHSL State Tournament, giving the team its 16th state title. That in itself is impressive, but focusing on the one victory obscures the bigger picture: the team has been cultivating success since the start of the season.
Step one for the team was bonding, which played an integral role in preparing for competition. That was a big task, considering there were 18 freshmen and only two seniors. “It was really important to make sure that the freshman felt supported, so they could swim their best,” sophomore and two-year Edina varsity swimmer Patrick Gabler said. “When I was a freshman, I felt a part of the team when upperclassmen and older kids talked to me and gave me advice, so that’s what I tried to do at the start of the season.”
The team makes bonding a priority. “I personally believe supporting each other is the most important piece of team building. A team is strongest when we’re comfortable with each other, whether that’s in the pool or out. When we build that sense of community, we become much stronger and perform our best,” junior and Boys’ Swim and Dive Team Captain Logan Bracken said.
This philosophy runs counter to the stereotypical negative reception of freshmen on varsity teams, but the swim team was excited to welcome them in at the start of the season. “I had an awesome time getting to know all of them. The freshmen are all great, and it’s super exciting to have a large freshman-classed team because that means we’ll have another three years of excellent swimmers,” Bracken said.
Another challenge that comes at the start of the season is switching away from the individual training that takes place during the summer. “Year round, swimming is mostly individual, but in the high school season we all work as a team,” Hemberger said. “It changes your mindset about going to practice because in the off-season or year-round, you go to practice for yourself. But when it’s high school season and everyone is working together, you go to practice because your team needs you to go to practice.”
Once the team had been formed, the regular season began. Team veterans were focused on one major goal. “Swimming against Minnetonka has always been really big for us,” Gabler said. “Last year we beat Minnetonka by six points, so this year we knew it was going to be close again. I was really hoping for our win.”
Other members of the team didn’t have the same optimistic outlook. “Winning state just seemed unlikely. Minnetonka was good, and we had a really young team, so we just didn’t have those skills yet,” Hemberger said.
Though swimmers were already focused on the conclusion of the season, they had to swim the regular meets first. “We have a meet almost every week during the regular season, so it’s a good time for everyone to bond and figure out our dynamic as a team,” Gabler said.
I personally believe supporting each other is the most important piece of team building. A team is strongest when we’re comfortable with each other, whether that’s in the pool or out.
LOGAN BRACKEN, Edina Boys’ Swim and Dive Team Captain
Continued on page 24
Athlete Spotlight
Keeping it Real
Edina football, hockey, and baseball player carries on family legacy
By Pete Waggoner
Chase Bjorgaard // EHS Junior
Edina High School’s Chase Bjorgaard is a throw back in today’s terrain of athletes. He plays in and stars in three sports. Bjorgaard, a member of the class of 2026, is a running back for the varsity football team, goalie on the varsity hockey team, and center fielder on the varsity baseball team. He was introduced to sports by his family as father Eric was a three-sport athlete at Thief River Falls High School. The love of the game runs deep in his family and Bjorgaard plays all three sports with a purpose and focus that many who play one sport would like to have. Bjorgaard began his varsity sports experience at Edina High school with a few games as a ninth grader on the baseball team. He lettered in football his sophomore and junior years and in hockey his junior year. Each sport Bjorgaard plays, he is an impact player in key positions in the three sports.
The Sting Locker magazine sat down with Bjorgaard to discuss his journey as a three-sport star at one of the most successful high schools in the country. Bjorgaard is not phased by much and speaks in an impressively humble matter-of-fact tone.
Q: How did you first get introduced to sports as a child?
A: My parents both had sporting backgrounds. My dad and my uncle were very similar to me. Instead of hockey they played basketball, football and baseball. My mom was kind of into sports but her dad also played hockey at a higher level and played baseball too. They were from Thief River Falls and introduced me to sports at a young age.
Q: Did the background of sports, and multiple sports in your family rub off on you as a younger kid as something you just do?
A: Yea, at a young age they were like do this, try them all. I liked them all and there was a point when I was playing hockey and basketball and it got to be too much in second grade and I had to pick one. I love them all and I take it all season-by-season.
Q: Do you like to blend the athletic components in the three sports?
A: I think that every sport is different but it is the same. From a competitive standpoint, a lot of guys have a mindset that we want to be better than you. Baseball and hockey, the hand eye coordination plays a big part. Football is a little bit different, but I am a running back and there is a hand eye component to that and that all ties together. My grandpa told me before, you use different muscles for every different sport so that helps not overusing the same muscles. You see a lot of hockey players and baseball players, not as much in football players, with overuse injuries. Playing three sports year-round minimizes that.”
Q: You play three sports at the highest level of your age group. How do you maintain the competitiveness to be so good in all three sports yet not be able to specialize or spend the time in a single sport like so many other athletes in all three of the sports you play?
A: That is kind of tough. It is like my natural ability but then it’s almost a mindset thing too. I want to be better than you almost. I am thinking I am going to be better than you, almost. Not in a cocky way, but you have to have confidence in yourself and your ability. I think once you realize that it almost unlocks a whole other world for you
Q: What is the dynamic and togetherness of the three teams like? How are they similar or different in your eyes?
A: I think all the teams are somewhere obviously pretty closely bonded together. I’d say football is definitely the most unique because, there’s an offense and a defense. Our head coach Curt (Giles) was talking about this in hockey. You need five guys or six guys at the goalie on ice always on point. But then in football, the offense will go out there for their plays and then they’ll come off and most of the time they don’t even watch the defense. I would say hockey and baseball are a lot more like a tight group. Especially hockey because everyone’s got to be on the same page doing defensive zone, offensive zone, neutral zone, forecheck, backcheck, all that stuff. Football is probably more like a position groups, mostly offense and defense. Then with baseball you’re kind of similar to that with the hitters and the pitchers but it’s a little more individualized because obviously you’re playing together but it’s more of one guy at a time.
Q: In football you can play both sides of the ball effectively. Most of your time in your sophomore year was at linebacker with some reps at running back. Last year, it was most exclusively on the offensive side of the ball at running back. Do you think the coaches will look for you to play both sides of the ball your senior year?
A: That’s tough to tell right now. I’d say the way that I’ve heard it from the coaches is I’m probably just playing offense. But honestly, you never know just because the way my running back coach said that he uses the running backs is usually one running back. It’s a lot of touches, it beats on your body so I think it’d be tough to play both ways then but I’ll definitely be up for it
Q: I am sure you get this question all the time, do you have a favorite of the three sports you play?
A: Honestly right now, I’m gonna have to say no just because I really like just looking at everything and rolling from season to season. It is tough right now. I’d say baseball but then if you asked me two months ago I’d say hockey. It’s kind of just how that works because it’s weird. It’s almost like right now, I couldn’t imagine myself playing hockey. It’s so weird my mindset just completely changes from sport to sport like I’m able to just kind of block those elements out. I just take it year by year and I would say no.
Q: What has it meant for you to play for Edina High School?
A: There’s a lot of history in all sports here and I think all my friends are really supportive through all the sporting events. I think it’s an honor to be able to play for the Hornets.
Q: Do you have any colleges speaking with you from any of the three sports?
A: Yeah, I’ve got a couple offers for baseball. I have a good amount of interest there. Hockey is a little bit less interest, but I haven’t played as much summer hockey so it’s tough for coaches to see me as much. I’ve got some junior camp advice and I think they’ve been talking to see where my heart is, wondering where my mind’s at and then football I’ve got a couple smaller schools that have reached out with a couple camp invites.
Q: With as much time as you spend on the field or ice, how do you manage your academics?
A: It is hard to stay on top of all my work, but I get it done one way or another. Usually I’ll be able to get some homework time where they allow us to take an online class if you want so that makes the workload a little bit easier. Then we’ll have study halls during the day. I’m pretty good at getting all my work in and I enjoy it enough to where I don’t have to force myself to do it and be dreading it the whole day.
STING LOCKER: Chase, it has been great getting to know you and learn about your journey as a three sport student athlete at Edina High School. You have a bright future ahead no matter what you choose and we wish you nothing but the best.
CHASE: Thank you.
Family, competition, and love for Edina fueled Chris Garvin, a 1989 three-sport star.
By Pete Waggoner
In the history of Edina High School sports, there are few like Chris Garvin, a 1989 graduate. He embodied the key components of being a three-sport athlete and had a locker room presence like no other. His love of everything Edina and their sports was nurtured by a family loaded with a sports background and it fueled he and his two other brothers to move on to success at Edina High School.
Dave and Judy Garvin moved from New York to Edina and had four kids, all who graduated as Hornets, Trish (86), Guy (87), Chris (89), and Mike (93) grew up in a family where sports were a part of their lives.
Dave was a three-sport athlete in Colorado where he played football, basketball and baseball. Earning all-state honors in all three sports, Garvin went on to play football in college and played professionally as well. After living in his native New York, both Dave’s parents died while he was young, which forced him to move to Colorado. Dave went to live with his uncle and his cousin was Buzz Garvin who spent time on the PGA tour. .
Sports were the fabric of the Garvin household. “My dad was a three-sport athlete, played D1 football for Colorado, and they were good,” Chris recalled. “And my mom’s brother, Dick Nolan, played in the NFL, and was a head coach in the NFL. My cousin, Mike Nolan, and then Ed Hughes, who was a non-blood relative,
non-blood uncle, were also head coaches in the NFL.”
Watching sports was a given in the Garvin household. “We watched everything religiously, and then I’d always go see my dad,” Chris said. “He still played softball, basketball, and football. He actually played flag football. We’d go to all of his games, and I just remember, I couldn’t wait until it was my turn.” Garvin paused and thought of his dad and said with pride, “He taught me everything.”
Garvin began his sporting journey playing t-ball in first grade. From there, getting to his next game consumed him. “We were the biggest sports guys ever,” Garvin said. “I would wait all day after school with all my stuff laid out, just waiting to play. Literally, I remember, I’d even sometimes have my jerseys, all my stuff on, a hundred percent.”
The love of sports went beyond the Garvin home itselft as they created a golf course of their own at nearby Countryside School. There were also older neighbors the boys looked up to as well.“When we were young, we had Countryside and it was perfect. We made a golf course there. We had holes, we put plastic cups in there and everything. Then across the street with Jimmy Williams (Class of 83), he was a big influence as well. He’s a huge sports lover. He was a born coach, so I always remember him throwing, like, well, I just remember playing, I was the youngest, for sure. He coaches Jefferson and has been there for years.”
Older brother Guy paved the way as a threesport athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. Younger brother Mike also lettered in three-sports and participated in football, hockey, and baseball. Mike held the single season rushing record at Edina High School that was just eclipsed in 2023 by John Warpinski. Mike Garvin went on to play in the D2 National Championship game at North Dakota State and wound up transferring to the University of St. Thomas where he started both ways.
Chris noted that baseball was his best sport and the author of this story can attest to that having seen his ability on full display when he was 14-years old as his baseball coach. Garvin’s clutch hitting and ability to play all positions, his jump on balls off the bat, smooth hands, high baseball IQ, above average arm, and a bat that sent line drives to the gaps was notable. He was one of the most dependable players over this coach’s 34-years in baseball. Garvin did not commit an error in center field his senior year. It was his energy for the game, team-first commitment, and compassion that stood out among everything else.
One of his Hornet baseball teammates Nick Kennedy recalled a moment he will never forget that stands out for the type of player and person Chris Garvin is. “Soup Dragon (Garvin),” Kennedy said with a chuckle, “It was 1989, his senior year and my junior year. Braemar field one, he hit a line drive so hard off the forehead of the pitcher that the ball
ricocheted off the pitcher’s head in the air and onto field 2. It was the hardest hit ball I had ever seen. And then, everyone paused and started yelling at him to run to first base. But the Soup Dragon ran out to the pitcher’s mound to care for the pitcher who was unconscious.” It should be noted that Garvin was called out by the umpire for his compassion.
When asked what he liked most about baseball, Garvin simply said, “I love it all.” His Hornet teams won the Lake Conference his junior and senior year and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the state each year as well. He was all-conference and all-metro honorable mention in baseball.
It was difficult to get Garvin to speak much about his abilities and rather discussed how much respect he had for his family members from his siblings to extended family. That theme included his teammates as well as he spoke of the experiences they had with fondness and sprayed the praise around the guys from his three teams like he did line-drives in the day.
As a hockey player Garvin could score, skated well, and could blend in a physical game as well. He was a member of the 1989 state tournament team that captured the consolation title. The team was ranked No.1 in the state pretty much from the start of the season to the close of the season and Garvin pointed to his coaches Willard Ikola, Bart Larson, and Bob O’Connor as being instrumental in his growth as a hockey player.
Garvin was at home on the football field and as a quarterback earned all-conference honors. He made great decisions, did not turn the ball over and was only intercepted two times in his senior season. A broken hand stopped his football season, and prior to getting injured, he had completed 17 of his last 17 pass attempts.
When recalling his experiences as a student athlete at Edina High School, Garvin does not hesitate to mention his many teammates and more importantly his coaches. Football coach Stav Canakes had a special bond with Garvin, one which he termed as buddies after high school. Canakes had such trust in Garvin as a quarterback that he allowed the signal caller to call his own plays and noted, “He’d be like, do you have a feel for it? He trusted me with that.”
Garvin attended his coach’s funeral in 2008 and recalled, “I loved him.”
It was his baseball coach Jim Luther that made the biggest impact on him as a coach at Edina High School. “Luther was my favorite coach
besides my dad in my life,” Garvin said. “He believed in me first, he knew me well. He knew how I was a team guy, he knew I was a fiery competitor and would kind of make fun of me in a good way. He knew how to teach me the game and loved it.”
When asked if trust was the word to use for his hockey coach Willard Ikola, Garvin said without hesitation, “Absolutely. I wouldn’t want any other coach. He was an amazing coach, a really good coach. It’s not like he chatted up with you that much. You would just play hard for him just because he’s Willard. He was intimidating but in a good way and you knew you were playing for the jersey and all of that with him.
When looking back on the impact the coaches, teammates and players had on his life, Chris Garvin had a number of positive things to say about the entire experience. “First of all, just playing for your fellow teammates, playing hard, doing it right.” Garvin said. “But I think it was just, they all instilled having pride that wearing the Edina jersey means a lot.
The coaches were obviously all huge icons for a while. I think I was in Ikola’s 31st year, Canakes’ 24th year and Luther’s 19th year. So, they had already been established.”
Garvin has taken life long memories with him from his experience at Edina High School.
“I love sports more than anything in the world, but it’s a great way to make friends, lifelong friends, guys you battled with that you’ll remember forever,” Garvin said.
Garvin still plays softball and can be seen at Van Valkenberg Park where he still plays softball in a 35 and over league with friends from his high school days. He has turned to the links and plays golf as it has become his favorite sport where he plays 80 rounds a year.
When discussing the way that was paved for future athletes in Edina, Garvin got emotional discussing the topic as he knew how important it was to not only carry the torch from those before him but to pass it along to the future generations. “I remember when Mike Lauen (Edina East 79) scored that goal, in OT,” Garvin recalled. “When I was a caddy at the Country Club he (Lauen) helped there. I still have his autograph. Rob Wassenaar (83) and Rick Raether (89) were my jugball coaches. You know, I got taught by them and they took me aside, So, I mean, it was everyone, it was everything.”
“Older brother Guy paved the way as a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. Younger brother Mike also lettered in three-sports and participated in football, hockey, and baseball.”
“I love sports more than anything in the world, but it’s a great way to make friends, lifelong friends, guys you battled with that you’ll remember forever.”
SEASON OF SUCCESS
Continued from page 17
The landmark event of the regular season is the Minnetonka dual meet, which gives Edina swimmers the chance to showdown against their rival school. “Minnetonka has always been our biggest rival,” Hemberger said, “so the Minnetonka dual meet is the biggest dual meet of the year. It sets the tone for how the state tournament is going to go.”
Edina prepared for the meet with routine intensely. “We prepared the same as we always do. Sleep well, eat well, train strategically, and go all-out when the moment comes,” Bracken said. Their hard work and dedication paid off when Edina won the meet scoring 108–78 against Minnetonka.
“We had an unconventional lineup that matched up against the events we thought we would obtain the highest point total. Minnetonka had very strong sprinters, so we developed a line-up that avoided head-to-head races against their top-level athletes. We got a number of touch-outs, and we had a very positive energy level. Our divers swept the board as well,” Johnson said.
The mid-season meet didn’t come without its own challenges. “It’s hard to get through the middle of the season because it gets boring, and you have practices where coaches are really pushing you,” Gabler said. His teammates agree. “Mid-year is when our practices are the toughest, and it’s cold outside, so I really didn’t want to be swimming. Swimming also takes up a big time commitment, so I have to remember to keep my priorities straight with my grades,” Hemberger said.
Despite the difficult winter months, the team never lost motivation. “I just reminded myself that I needed to have a lot of determination if I wanted to win the state,” Hemberger concluded.
Motivation looked different across the team. “Personally, attending team events like post-meet team dinners or team breakfasts helps remind me that I’m supported by an awesome community of amazing swimmers, even when the season feels hard,” Bracken said.
Between the dual meet and state, the team focused on getting wins at intermediary meets. “It’s important to understand when it’s necessary to train and when it’s necessary to rest. We didn’t want to be worn out before the state meet, so getting rest was crucial, but we also wanted to focus on having a strong season leading up to the final state meet,” Bracken said.
Once the regular season meets were over, the preparation for state began in earnest. “We took things easier before the state meet so we could rest our bodies: it’s a process called taper. When we did go fast, we focused on sprinting because that’s mainly what we were going to be doing at state,” Gabler said.
For some, mental prep was just as important as physical. “For me it was about getting in the mindset to swim fast. You don’t want any
outside pressures to get to you; you just have to be focused on yourself and work to swim as fast as possible,” Hemberger said.
When the big day came, the coaches played an important role in motivating the team. “Our coaches gave us hope. They told us that we were the team that could defeat Minnetonka and win state, and that hope carried us through, even when we weren’t sure we could take the win,” Hemberger said.
After a pep talk from the coaches, it was time for the swimmers’ individual routines. “I like to warm up, and then get out of the pool and eat three clementines. It gets me in the mood to race,” Gabler said. Others have less specific warm-ups.
“I personally enjoy eating a light meal before the races and getting in the right mindset, usually by listening to music or talking to my friends,” Bracken said.
The events continued back and forth, with the swimmers uplifting each other all the way through. “It was really about making sure everyone felt supported. We were all checking in on each other throughout,” Gabler said.
Then, the moment finally came. “Our team, including those in the stands, kept track of scores and were able to tell once we reached the winning ‘tipping point’ for the final score against Minnetonka, where it would have been impossible for them to catch up. It was an amazing feeling, as it felt like our early mornings and late nights of training had truly paid off,” Bracken said.
There was only one more hoop to jump through. “We knew all we had to do to keep up our points and win state was not to disqualify our relay. And that’s what we did,” Hemberger said.
To the team, this was the moment they had been waiting for. “Everyone was super happy,” Gabler said. “It was really a special moment for our seniors since it was their last state meet. We could tell our coaches were super proud of us too. It was really a fun time.”
The team celebration was well deserved. “Our whole team and their families went to a celebration party at one of the athletes’ homes where we celebrated our victory,” Bracken said.
After the win, the team is ready to come back for more. “Although a few amazing athletes are graduating, we still have an incredibly strong team,” Bracken said. “If we continue to push ourselves and train hard, the 2025–26 team should be even more than prepared to take on the competition at state next year.”
In the 2024-2025 season, Edina won the Class AA boys’ swimming and diving title with 348 points, marking their second consecutive and 16th overall state championship.
By Jon M. Zentner
Coach Spotlight
From Athlete to Mentor:
Coach Quincy Bryant’s impact on Edina Track & Field is evident on and off the field. In Edina, where high school athletics are woven into the fabric of the community, Coach Quincy Bryant has become a beloved and respected figure. As the shot put and discus coach at Edina High School, Bryant brings a unique blend of technical expertise, life experience, and heartfelt mentorship to the team. His journey from multi-sport athlete to guiding force on the field is a story rooted in discipline, hard-work, and resiliency,
From Chicago to Minnesota:
Foundations of a Coach: Coach Bryant’s story begins in Chicago, where his early love for sports was born. A family move brought him to Minnesota, and he never looked back. He graduated from Minneapolis South High School in 1993, having competed in football, wrestling, and track—a demanding trio that shaped his work ethic and competitive spirit.
“Sports were everything growing up,” Bryant recalls. “They taught me discipline, gave me a sense of belonging, and helped me stay focused.”
Bryant continued his athletic career at Augsburg College, again participating in all three sports. He later earned a degree in Psychology from Argosy University, a combination that fueled his understanding of both physical performance and mental strength—key tools in his future coaching career.
“Moving from Chicago to Minnesota, attending two different colleges, and being a multi-sport athlete taught me how to be versatile and engaged,” he reflects. “Those are qualities I try to instill in every athlete I coach. Competing on the field is important, but competing in life matters even more.”
Coaching as a Calling: After college, Bryant was drawn back to the sports world—not as a player, but as a coach and mentor. Over the past 30 years, he has worked with countless young athletes at various different high schools in the area, driven by a simple but powerful motivation: to help them succeed.
“I just love working with kids,” he says. “They may not realize it, but we’re all rooting for them to succeed—not just as athletes, but as people.”
At Edina High School, he found the perfect environment: a program that values both athletic excellence and character.
He quickly became a cornerstone of the track and field team, focusing on the throwing events, where his technical insight and passion have made a lasting impact.
Coaching with Purpose:
Coach Bryant’s approach to coaching is a careful balance of fundamentals, focus, and fun. He emphasizes consistency and technique, while also encouraging mental toughness and self-belief.
“Throwing is a strange balance—you have to be aggressive, but also relaxed,” he explains. “It takes confidence and patience. You have to believe in your ability to improve every day.”
That mindset is paying off. Under his leadership, Edina’s throwers have made steady progress. “I’m proud that every thrower—boys and girls—set a personal record this year,” he says. “Our senior boys led the way to our fourth straight appearance at True Team State, which is a school record. They’ve set the tone for what hard work looks like.”
More Than a Coach:
Ask his athletes, and they’ll tell you—Coach Bryant’s influence goes far beyond the throwing circle. He’s a mentor, a motivator, and often, a trusted adult in their lives.
“Coach Bryant made a huge difference right away,” says senior captain Gage Holmberg. “He knows so much about the sport, and he’s always willing to show us exactly what he wants. He makes practice fun, and because of that, we’ve built real camaraderie.”
Whether he’s offering advice about college, checking in on a tough day, or sharing a laugh during practice, Coach Bryant is a consistent presence in his athletes’ lives.
A Lasting Legacy:
Over burgers, fries, and a shake at Snuffy’s, I had the chance to hear Coach Bryant reflect on his path. His warmth, humility, and dedication are clear—and it’s no wonder his athletes respect him.
His journey from a multi-sport athlete in Minneapolis to a standout coach in Edina is more than a sports story—it’s a story of connection, growth, and purpose.
“In the end,” Bryant says, “I tell my athletes that if you put in the work, winning will take care of itself. That’s true not just in sports—but in life.” Well said Coach, well said.
Sponsor Spotlight
Supporting our Youth
Family owned and operated BBQ joint gives back
Colleen Anderson // Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse
Q: Can you provide the story to your business background ?
A: We are a family owned and operated BBQ joint that started in 2015 in Hayward, WI, which is where James’ family’s reservation is located. The recipes are originally from Jimmie Anderson, James’ grandfather, whom we have named the restaurant after. (The official name of our restaurant is Jimmie’s Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse). The restaurant is in honor of his passion for Southern food, primarily BBQ. He was a Choctaw Native American from Idabel, Oklahoma, and moved to Hayward with Iris Anderson, James’ grandmother, after they were married. Iris was an Ojibwe Native American from Hayward, WI.
We smoke our meats fresh daily & make all of our sides from scratch. We are proud of our food and our mission of ‘People & Food’. Taking care of our team is super important to us, and they in turn make amazing food.
Q: What do you like about being in the restaurant business that makes it different from other occupations or businesses?
A: We love the fact that every day is different. Our wins are always unique & our struggles change depending on the day. We currently have 4 locations & a suite in US Bank Stadium, so even our environment is different. Guests are special, because they want to talk to us about our food, their families, their smokers at home. They can bring a lot of joy to the day. If we are ever bored doing administrative work, we can pop into a smokehouse and get re-energized!
Q: What makes this kind of business more challenging than others?
A: You are never ‘done’. It is a full time, 7 days a week grind. At other occupations, you are done with a project, or a task, but with restaurants there is never an end, which can at times seem daunting if you let that get to you. You can never take your focus off of food costs, staffing levels, protein costs, etc. That focus doesn’t ever go away.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your role in the business
A: As owners of this brand, we are so blessed to be in a position to make the changes that we feel fit our team the best. We can immediately initiate things like a shorter work week when we feel that is what our team needs to feel appreciated, or give raises or make menu changes. It’s our ability to read our team & our guest and make changes to what we are doing. We have learned that you have to be willing to pivot, and you can’t be married to an idea. We are also able to create the culture that makes us proud. Having really high standards, but having fun at the same time. You can have both, and we get to be in charge of making that happen.
Q: How important is it to you and the business to be tied to your community, and why?
A: Super important to us. We love each of the communities we are in. We have always wanted to be known as being a neighborhood BBQ joint, not a chain, so being integrated into the community is huge for us. We want to sponsor sports, host PTO fundraisers, be part of the neighborhood festivals, etc. We want you to know
our team by name, and we want to know you right back! Our employees are usually local to the smokehouse they work at, and we find out what is important to them and start there. We have been involved in some really unique things, but it was important to our team members & we knew that would make our involvement with those groups even more impactful by having their buy-in. Edina is extra special to us, because we are raising our family here.
Q: As parents of high school athletes, what have you enjoyed the most about supporting your athlete and the activity they play.
A: We have 2 boys, one is a senior lacrosse player, and the other is a sophomore runner and Nordic skier. Totally different passions and totally different kids, however the impact that sports has had on them is incredibly similar. They have both grown in their confidence and their work ethic. They have been able to develop their ability to handle success and failure with tact…we aren’t fully there, but they are headed that way!. They have grown their strongest friendships through sports & have been able to be coached by some amazing adults. Being coachable is a lifeskill that they have both gained from sports.
James & I have also gained a ton through watching them. We are a sport-loving family, so having a general appreciation for what they are going through when there is a hard practice or they are sore or injured has been important. We have loved
building a family within each team where we can all support each other during the season.
Q: What would you like our EABC community specifically to know about Old Southern BBQ.
A: Our restaurant will be dedicated to our sports community long after our kids are done at Edina High School. We owe Edina’s sports community for all that they have done for our family & our team. We are truly dedicated to a lasting partnership with Edina Athletics! We love having some of the athletes work for us in the summers & share with us when they love something on our menu!
Q: What benefits could other prospective EABC sponsors learn from you about why community outreach on support is so important.
A: That you aren’t sponsoring the banner on the track - that isn’t the reward for your sponsorship. You are truly sponsoring high school sports on a more personal level. You are allowing the teams to do extra things that make the athlete experience more special. Kids will always remember their time on these teams and your sponsorship just makes this time even more impactful. Families of athletes support the businesses that support them. It’s really a chance to get more interwoven into the sports community and we have seen an impact in sales because of this relationship.
EDINA ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB
2024-2025
Board & Committee Members
The Mission of the Edina Athletic Booster Club is to enhance the athletic environment for all student athletes so that they may have a positive, rewarding, and fulfilling experience.
The Edina Athletic Booster Club is governed by a formal charter, has established by-laws, and members of the Board are elected to three-year terms. EABC committees work closely with the EHS Athletic Department and various community groups to achieve the EABC mission.
2024-2025
EABC Executive Committee
President: Scott LaFrenz
Outgoing President: Kurt Lange
Secretary: Jeff Carlson
Treasurer: Jeff Ohe
EHS Activities Director: Troy Stein
Advertising/Sponsorship
Jeff Carlson, Chair
Membership/Communications
Scott LaFrenz, Chair
Concessions
Natalie Spicer
Hall of Fame Banquet
Zibby Nunn, Co-Chair
Maggie DeVoe, Co-Chair
Homecoming Open
Scholar Athlete Banquet
Mary Kuehl, Chair
Major Expenditures
Mary Kuehl, Chair
Annual Fundraiser Event
Kari Norman
Administrator
Patty Dronen
Check out our sponsors: edinaboosterclub.com/about/1538
EABC MEMBERS
2024-2025 Edina Athletic Booster Club
LIFETIME
$5,000
David & Katie Aafedt
Dominic & Brooke Allocco
Greg & Monica Ansems
Keith & Jamie Ballard
Steve & Annie Bishop
The Bjerke Family
The Broderick Family
Jay & Kari Carroll
Jay & Angela Chapman
Matt & Michelle Cooke
Chris & Margaret Davis
Scott, Chris, Clay & Hunter Dawson
Jesalyn Desjarlais
Jeff & Deborah Eckland
Tom & Kristen Ewers
Jim & Barb Eppel
Peter & Kari Espinosa
Peter & Karen Gabler
Pete & Eleni Glerum
Brian, Janel, Alexis, Bianca & Jett Goff
Paul & Margot Grangaard
Adam & Abigail Graves
Rob & Sheri Guimont
PRESIDENT’S CLUB
$1,250
Sophia Helget
GREEN & WHITE CLUB
$750
Erik & Alison Anderson
BJ & Kate Austin
Mark & Jennifer Gentry
Tim & Amy Grimsrud
The Ihrke Family
Meysam & Amy Kebriaei
Patrick & Kristin Kemper
Matt & Margaret Kershner
John & Andrea Schlosser
Chuck & Cheryl Segale
The Becks
ALUMNI CLUB
$350
John & Jennifer Berge
The Bergren Family
Matt & Jen Doscotch
The Drake Family
The Dubuc Family
Ryan & Patricia Engle
The Farrell Family
Matt & Meighan Frederick
Ben & Sara Friswold
Sara & Ryan Gordon
Heather & Sean Goudy
Chris Graft
The Gremmels
Patrick & Kassi Grove
Peggy & Jay Halvorson
Charles & Erica Hamilton
Ann & Bryce Hanstad
David & Megan Hardt
Jafar & Afira Hasan
Gary & Marilyn Hoch
Greg & Kristy Hoffmann
Mark & Laura Horton
Abby Hougan & Ehren Rudolph
Susie & Bob Huff
Rich & Kris Inderieden
Eric & Kelly Ingvaldson
John & Amanda Jeske
The Jezierski Family
Spencer & Tricia Nichols
Dan & Kristin Minotti
Michael Molepske
The Moore Family
John & Kirsten Mrachek
Liz & Devon Muir
Todd & Laura Mulliken
Andy & Kristine Mullmann
Jimmy & Kristi Neal
Koren & Andy Nelson
The Newburg Family
Matt & Gina Oelschlager
Dan & Allison Olfelt
The Olins
Katherine & Jesse Olson
Chris Ott
Kate & Mark Pacyna
Greg & Nikki Peacock
The Peckham Family
Erik & Erika Perry
Brett & Mandy Petesron
The Piprudes
Bryan & Kristel Pitko
Tim & Molly Portz
Dave & Tami Pried
Sheryl & David Prince
Jane & Chris Reichert
Rick & Cameron Romer
Erik & Maribeth Romslo
Greg & Nikki Roth
Tony Rubin
Tom & Anne Salmen
Jennifer & Matt Samuel
Hilary & David Santoni
Casey & Holli Hankinson
Jay & Betsey Hiniker
Josh & Sarah Howard
Louis F. Jacques
Isabelle, Natalie, Alicia & Alianne
Jacques
Neil & Jill Johnson
Susan Kolden, Lisa Kolden, Jackson Kolden
Tim & Mary Kuehl
The Idrogo-Lam Family
Kurt & Kelley Lange
Mike Marinovich
Patti Marinovich
Jay & Erin Matushak
John & Quay Mitchell
Marty & Patti Nanne
Jeff & Janna Northrup
Zach & Alisha Parise
Rob & Amy Parish
The Rowland Family
Duke & Lisa Uihlein
Jim & Meghan Van Someren
Gage & Lisa Walker
Tim & Andrea Walsh
Keith & Carrie White
Jim & Julie Wohlford
Dan & Carol Wolfe
The Wulf Family
Matt & Kelly Bertram
Eric & Jenny Bjorgaard
Mark & Katie Blozis
Kara & Michael Bogden
The Botts Family
The Bowen Family
The Brothers Family
Erin & Ryan Budlong
The Burger Family
The Burgess Family
Jeb & Laura Burke
The Burkett Family
Jim & Annie Burt
Kevin & Laura Carlson
Daniel Carlson
Joe & Jennie Carpenter
The Christiansons
Arthur Cobb
Steve & Kristi Colby
Ted & Jackie Colwell
Heather Conrad & Hegel Brandes
The Coogan Family
Marit & Greg Corniea
Tom & Rhonda Cronin
Carol Cutshall
Robert Darwin
The Dau Family
Ryan & Jennifer Deisler
Justin & Shelly Dekker
Steve & Janet (Grangaard) Dietrich
The DiLorenzo Family
Kate & Chad Donnay
Christian & Stacy Johnson
Troy & Tara Johnson
Brent Johnson
Jeff Johnson & Susan Link
Scott & Erin Keeley
The King family
Jon & Amanda Knez
Angie & Mike Koelbl
Wade Kram & Gretchen Cepek
Matt & Heather Kruse
Steve & Sarah Kumagai
Scott & Teri LaFrenz
Kelly & Blake Laursen
Kari & Mike Lessard
The Levy Family
Bo & Melissa Lewis
The Lipperts
Jon & Jen Lowell
Andrew & Natalia Luedtke
Green Bee Gifts
Mark & Sara Mason
Andy & Jenny Matysik
Tom McConnell
Bobby & Kristi McConnell
Lisha McConnell
Hugh & Elisabeth McCutcheon
Kyle & Marcella Smoley
The McLeans
Monica & Phil Mero
Jason & Stefanie Meyer
Justin & Laura Miller
The Miller Family
The Sargeant Family
Tracy & Scott Schaefer
Mike & Melissa Schiena
Dr. Carl & Steph Schneider
The Pittsley Family
The Shackelford Family
The Simonson Family
Carrie & Dan Sink
Jeff & Lindsay Sorem
Brigid M. Spicola
Brandon & Sara Strangis
Pete & Lindsay Swenson
The Toren Family
Per & Liz Utne
Lynn & Tim Vernon
Zimmer Design
Jim & Stephanie Vitt
The Walter Family
Eric & Mali Wenkus
The West Family
Dan & Dee Whitney
The Wilkening Family
The Williams Family
Brian & Amy Wyatt
J.T. & Tara Wyckoff
Alison & Chris Yeamen
HORNET CLUB
$250
Debra Anderson
Ian Banks
Jevne Bennett
Jeff & Anna Bodensteiner
Maggi & Dave Bookey
Art & Angie Boylan
Rob & Carey Caverly
Brian & Peggy Cepek
Scott & Kirsten Rewey
The Conner Family
Bob & Jennifer Cossack
Jeff Couchman
Margarita & Deniz Cultu
Todd & Mary Doroff
Devan & Jenn Dubnyk
Mark & Valerie Eckstein
Kristina Edstrom
Jamie & Libby Engelsma
The Fitzgerald Family
The Fitzpatrick Family
The Folken family
The Francis-Jones Family
Matt & Eva Frank
Karen & Pete Gabler
Elizabeth Gain
The Gleason Family
Mitch & Lexi Granberg
Kelly & Jeff Griffing
Joe & Stacy Grunnet
Anne & Todd Gustin
Peter & Elizabeth Hang
Kellee Ott
Doug Peterson
The Pofahl Family
The Quirk Family
Bill Ramsay
Jeff & Amanda Reierson
Ryan & Missy Ringle
The Rogers Family
Rob & Joanna Rebischke
The Rueter Family
The Ruffiens
Denny Russell
BCShane Consulting
Shannon & John Sieve
Christina Simmons
The Skramstad Family
The Sorensen Family
Scott & Lisa Sporcich
Sean & Stephanie Stephenson
The Susser Family
The Sweeney Family
Matt & Heidi Swinney
Amy & Andrew Teitscheid
Christine & Marc Tompkins
David & Katherine Tucci
Kelly Van Stone & Joel Hutcheson
The Vandertop family
Noelle & Pat Varecka
Jeremy & Sara Voigts
The Vose Family
The Wells Family
Zack & Kirsti Wenner
Charlotte & Chet West
John & Karen Williams
John & Molly Cox
Kirk & Sommer Darling
The DeMars Family
Iryna Dobrolyubov
Andrea Doebbert
Jeff & Gretchen Doom
Jim & Katie Downey
Jackie Dutdut & Kirin Patel
The Ehlens
Dan & Steph Eicher
Bjorn Engstrom
Jenna Estlick
John & Jenna Farrell
Dan & Amy Farsht
The Flick Family
Sue Fundingsland Varecka
Leah Gale
Allison & Tom Gartner
Tom Gatyas
Todd & Jules Geisler
Meg Gilbertson
Oskar Gilman
Glynn family
The Golfis Family
Renae & Phillip Goter
Jon & Julie Greene
Betsy Grossman
Jason LaFrenz & Naomi Hagestuen
LaFrenz
Scott Hanrahan
Matt & Brittany Hansen
Kelly & Roger Hauck
Liam Heidemann
Daniela Hernandez
The McElroy Family
Mike & Jennifer McLenighan
Mari Melin
The Metro Family
Michele & Phil Miller
Brent & Gretchen Moore
Jeanne Monchamp
Heidi Moon
Jason & Christina Mosakowski
Bill & Michell Moser
Tony Montgomery
Classic Company
Lee & Elizabeth Nordstrum
Dan & Jaime Norling
Kevin & Lou Ann Oak
Lance & Trudy Olson
Chris & Brooke Page
Eric Payne
Scott & Katie Peterson
The Polomis Family
The Potter Family
Noah Pruett
Lillian Pugh
Darcy Quarles
Jerrod Quarles
Sarah & Zac Quayle
The Quinn Family
The Ramme Family
Sean Regan
Anonymous
Paul Farris & Mara Rendi
Mollie & Kurt Ritter
Bill & Kristine Sanow
Kirk & Sommer Darling
Axel Hawes
The Haymaker Family
Anne & Chris Hill
The Hook Family
Kelly & Jessica Horner
Chris & Kristy Howe
Brad & Laura Hunt
Bruce & Carolyn Jackson
Derek A Johnson
Tim & Sarah Kingsley
Aaron & Josie Koppen
Stephanie Krieger
Peter & Holly Lafferty
Carrie & Pat Lang
Christopher & Jill Larson
Chuck & Dixie Lewis
Maria & Matt Loucks
Pete & Julie McCarthy
The McGuire Family
Bethany & Mitch Mohs
Paul Molitor
Miranda & Alex Morton
Keith & Sophie Moser
John & Allison Mowery
David & Steph Nelson
Scott & Shan Nelson
The Newton Family
Kari & Matt Norman
Layla Nouraee & Jeff Carlson
Matthew & Birgitta Nybeck
Joseph Orr
STARTING LINE $75
The Quentin Adams Family
The Aftahi Family
Ramla, Ahlum, Zahra, Muniba & Miski
Stephanie Amsler & Dave Liske
Alethea Anderson
Dan & Haley Armstrong
Stewart Pokorny & Heather Ball
The Bennett Family
Dan & Brea Anne Bentley
Adrienne & Efrem Berman
Scott & Lindsay Beuning
Mike & Megan Bireley
Jeff & Amy Bisson
The Bovy Family
Anonymous
The Broich Family
Kurt Butz
Melis Candir
Nancy Carlson
The Almen Family
Juan Chaelson
Tim & Carey Chapdelaine
The Mark & Shawnee
Christenson Family
Miles ans Evan Christenson
The Coma Family
Pat & Bridget Connell
Paul Tisdell
Todd & Sue Hilgenkamp
The Hinnenkamp Family
Brian Hobbins Family
The Horwitz Family
Jake & Angela Jacobson
The Jakuc Family
Scott & June Johnson
Ken & Kristen Johnson
Kimberley & Wade Johnson
Kapoor Family
Matt & Trish Karki
Fatuma Kassim
Kiran & Chandra Kavati
Tim & Beth Kehoe
The Kluis Family
Mike & Ellen Kreblin
The Lapensky Family
Rachel & Chad LaTour
Andrew & Rebecca Leddick
Pete & Jennifer Lesch
Brett & Marcy Libby
Victoria & Michael Linton
Angie Lucachick
Stephen & Christy Lukasewycz
Liz Lundberg
The Mahoney Family
The Malinski Family
Dene Maloney
The Heinz Family
Clare & Mike Manuel
Natalie McCown
The Shane Family
Siham Sheik-Abdi
Deb Simonson
John & Alyssa Smith
Alex Stanton
Joe Stukenberg
Anonymous
Tom & Jess Thompson
Kim & Todd Thorsen
Betty Martin
Justin & Leslie Turner
Marc & Lisa Ungerman
Noelle Varecka
Michael & Katherine Jehring
The Veit Family
Treva & Jason Vogt
Kevin Smith
Mitch Walter
Jeff & Lindsey Wenngatz
Robert
Amy Yescavage
The Ziegler Family
LEGACY LEVEL
DONATION
Steve & Mim Kagol
B Montgomery Rasmussen
Jeff & Alley Ohe
209 EDINA STATE TITLES
Edina High School Athletics
Fall Sports
ADAPTIVE SOCCER (CI)
1991*, 2000
CROSS COUNTRY - BOYS
2018, 2024
CROSS COUNTRY - GIRLS
2015, 2016, 2019, 2021
FOOTBALL
1957*, 1965*, 1966*, 1969*, 1971*, 1978W
GYMNASTICS - BOYS
1982, 1984, 1990*
SOCCER - BOYS
1999, 2000, 2001, 2019
Winter Sports
ADAPTIVE FLOOR HOCKEY (CI)
1994, 1995
ALPINE SKIING - BOYS
1967, 1979W, 1980W, 1982, 1999, 2002, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021
ALPINE SKIING - GIRLS
1991, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2021
BASKETBALL - BOYS
1966, 1967, 1968
BASKETBALL - GIRLS
1988
Spring Sports
BADMINTON
2023*, 2024, 2025
BASEBALL
1968, 1983
GOLF - BOYS
1954, 1970, 1973W, 1977W, 1978W, 1987, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023
GOLF - GIRLS
1983, 1984, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
TENNIS - BOYS
SOCCER - GIRLS
1986, 2023
SWIMMING & DIVING - GIRLS
1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
TENNIS - GIRLS
1978E, 1979E, 1980E, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019
COMPETITION CHEER
2007*, 2009*, 2010*, 2011*, 2016*, 2018*, 2021*, 2023*
GYMNASTICS - GIRLS
1979W, 1980E, 1981W, 1985
HOCKEY - BOYS
1969, 1971, 1974E, 1978E, 1979E, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1997, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2024
HOCKEY - GIRLS
2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
NORDIC SKIIING - BOYS
1981W, 1988
ROBOTICS
2022
SWIMMING & DIVING - BOYS
1965, 1967, 1968, 1984, 1986, 1987, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
E = Edina East, W = Edina West, * = Not included in MSHSL Count
1959, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973E, 1975E, 1978E, 1979E, 1980W, 1981E, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2021
TRACK - BOYS
1969, 1970, 1974E
Edina