A regular feature of the Hornet Buzz podcast that captures the determination, persistence, and accomplishments of Edina High School Alumni.


In Episode 11, Girls Varsity Hockey Coach Sami (Reber) Cowger shares her journey through Edina High School sports and in coaching. After successful hockey careers at Edina High School and Harvard University, Sami returned to EHS as the head girls hockey coach. 5 state championships later, Sami has already established herself as one of the greatest coaches in the history of Edina High School.


In Episode 10, we feature 2006 EHS graduate, Jenny Taft. Jenny graduated from Boston University where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and also played Lacrosse.
Jenny works for Fox Sports as a sideline report for College Football, is a host for Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and has served as a reporter for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand. She also worked the FIFA World Cup Qatar in 2022.


In Episode 9, we catch up with 1986 EHS graduate Jim Carroll who was a multi-sport athlete in hockey, soccer, and baseball. Jim went on to play college hockey at Michigan Tech in the WCHA and also served as the first ever public address announcer for the Minnesota Wild. Currently, Jim can be heard in the arena as the voice of MSHSL state tournaments including boys’ and girls’ hockey. We discuss with Jim his experience growing up as a Hornet and how it impacts him today.


Episode 8 features Kelly (Siemon) Deyo. Kelly is a 1997 EHS graduate and was a two-time All State and Honorable Mention All American basketball player in high school and was a major reason the Fighting Irish won a national basketball championship in 2001. She was inducted into the Edina High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.


In Episode 7, we talk to “Chef Donny” Andrew Enriquez who was a 2015 graduate of Edina High School and who is currently the host of What’s For Lunch? produced by Barstool Sports. “Chef Donny” is also the author of Not Your Mother’s Cookbook.


Episode 6 is our conversation with multi-sport star Maddie Dahlien, a 2022 graduate of Edina High School. The 2021-22 Minneapolis Star Tribune Female Athlete of the Year, Maddie is currently attending school and playing soccer at The University North Carolina.

(A quick note here: There is an episode 5 of the Hornet Buzz podcast. We don’t link to it here because it is not an episode of Always A Hornet)


In Episode 4 we welcome Hayley Nilsen, a 2022 graduate who is a team member on the MN Junior Rolling Timberwolves, plays wheelchair basketball at the University of Arizona and was a Gold Medalist at the 2023 Women’s U25 Wheel Chair World Championships.


In Episode 3, 2013 graduate Anthony Walsh joins the show for a conversation about his experience growing up playing hockey in Edina. Anthony is a Community Engagement Specialist for Hennepin County and the author of Hockey is for Everyone: Anthony’s Goal.


Episode 2 features Hornet multi-sport athlete Justin Gaard a 2001 grad who earned eight varsity letters (5 in tennis, 3 in basketball). Justin is a producer of the popular KFAN radio show, Bumper-to-Bumper. He also a sideline reporter for Golden Gopher Football and the radio play by play announcer for the University of Minnesota’s Women’s Basketball team.

(Another note here: There is an episode 1 of the Hornet Buzz podcast. We don’t link to it here because it is not an episode of Always A Hornet)

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