A 1996 graduate of Edina High School, Katie (Ryerse) Aafedt excelled in soccer in both high school and college at Gustavus Adolphus. As Edina High School Girls' Soccer Coach for 11 years, Katie led the Hornets to a state championship in 2023. In this episode, recorded as part of the Hornet Buzz podcast in June of 2024, Katie shares her experience growing up in Edina as the daughter and granddaughter of coaches who inspired her love of sports and, in particular, of soccer. Katie also talks about the evolution of her coaching philosophy and the difficult decision to retire after the championship season. Hornet Buzz Podcast producer Pete Waggoner gets the assist on this interview.

A 2022 Edina High School graduate, where she was a team captain in basketball and soccer, Dorothy (Dottie) went on to play basketball at the Coast Guard Academy. Dorothy is experiencing quite a bit of success in basketball at the academy. In January, she became only the 12th player in Bears women’s basketball history to break the 1,000 point scoring mark. Dorothy was also named to the First Team All Conference Team in the New England Men and Women’s Athletic Conference. Dorothy talks about the role of her family in her athletic success, shares her experiences at the service academy and lays out her post-graduation options. Most importantly, Dorothy relates her real moment of fame when she was on an ESPN highlight video. (Thanks Paige Bueckers!)

A 2018 Edina High School graduate who played both football and basketball for the Hornets, Luke Glenna went on to the University of St. Thomas where he became the first ever Tommie Division I All-American football player in 2022. Luke is entering his 3rd season in the European League of Football and has signed a contract with the Nordic Storm based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Luke shares his favorite memories of playing football and basketball growing up in Edina, his experience at the University of St. Thomas as the program moved from NCAA Division III to Division I, and what playing professional football in Europe has to offer. Hang with the episode to hear Luke’s story about playing in a Johnnie-Tommie game with a broken collar bone.

This week we talk to Hilary Lunke about her youth sports experience and how she got into golf and made a career out of it. The Star Tribune 1997 Metro Scholar Athlete of the Year, Hilary shares her experiences at both EHS and being recruited to Stanford University. She also talks us through, in great detail, her experience winning the LPGA Women's US Open in 2003.

Paul Nitz is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of Edina High School. A five time Paralympian, Paul won 5 medals (4-gold, 1-bronze) in track. Paul shares with us his experience as a student and athlete in Edina and how his athletic experience evolved from basketball to track and ultimately to his competing in the Paralympics. Paul also acknowledges and explains his status as an EHS sports Superfan.

This week we were fortunate to talk with Jeannette Cluskey Vickman, EHS Class of '00 and back to back State Class AA Singles Tennis Champion in 1998 and 1999. Jeannette went on to play college tennis at the University of Richmond and the University of Minnesota. She shares with us her experiences developing her tennis game and how they continue to impact her perspective in all areas of her life. Most importantly, Jeannette helps us identify the name of the popular sandwich shop that was a go to for so many EHS students from that era.

As we expand our reach to persons who have become fixtures in the community but are not EHS alums, a great person to start with is Dave Dickey, the "Voice of Edina." Dave has been a public address announcer for EHS sports teams for 25 years. While his main focus lately has been football and basketball, Dave has called numerous other EHS sporting events and, beginning in 2019, became the voice of the Edina 4th of July parade. Dave shares his experience moving to Edina with his wife Ann (EHS '88) as well as some highlights of his announcing career.

From Athens, Greece, where he is playing basketball professionally, Anders Nelson EHS '18 shares his favorite memories of youth sports, especially basketball in Edina. One of the top scorers in the history of Edina HS basketball, Anders went on to Unversity of St. Thomas where he participated in the transition from a Division III basketball program to Division I. Anders spent his post-graduate year making a huge impact on the William and Mary basketball program. After playing a professional season in Switzerland, Anders finds himself in Greece enjoying the weather and the unique experience that is overseas basketball.