Jefferson, Kennedy alumni inducted into athletic halls of fame

Kennedy and Jefferson High Schools inducted six alumni into their respective Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 12. The Hall of Fame celebrates individuals whose outstanding talent, success and commitment to excellence – both during and after high school – have left lasting impressions on their school communities, staff and students.

photo of two alumni with plaques for being inducted into an athletics hall of fame

Left to right: Mark Norwich for Chrissie (Norwich) Cook, Ryan Edlefsen

Jefferson High School Inductees

Chrissie (Norwich) Cook, class of 2002, played hockey. She lettered five times, participated in five state tournaments, won the state championship in 2001, was a four-year All-Conference and All-State selection and a Ms. Hockey finalist. Cook continued her hockey career at Princeton University and was an Ivy League All-Academic selection. She lives in the Denver, CO area with her family and works in the technology industry. Cook’s brother, Mark Norwich, accepted the award on her behalf.

Ryan Edlefsen, class of 1998, played tennis. He lettered six times, was part of two state championship teams in 1994 and 1996, won the state singles title as a junior in 1997, was runner-up in singles his senior year, and took third place in state doubles with Philip Woo in 1996. Edlefsen was a team captain and earned multiple All-Conference and All-State accolades. He continued playing college tennis at Pepperdine and Northwestern Universities. He lives in Chicago with his family and works in wealth management.

Hall of Fame inductees standing on football field with plaques

Left to right: John Torvik for Paul Torvik, Danielle (Berndt) Huber, Brad Konik, Matt Hanson,
Principal Molly Hollenbeck, AD Jareck Horton

Paul Torvik, class of 1988, was inducted posthumously. His brother John Torvik accepted the award on his behalf. Torvik was diagnosed with Becker Muscular Dystrophy as a child. Despite his physical challenges, he was MVP and co-captain of the 1987 state champion adapted floor hockey and adapted soccer teams. Torvik graduated from St. Olaf College cum laude and worked as an internal auditor until he passed away from heart failure at the age of 24. His family established a memorial scholarship fund at St. Olaf in his honor, which has benefited dozens of students, including many with disabilities.

Danielle (Berndt) Huber, class of 2008, competed in cross country, nordic skiing, and track. Huber lettered 18 times, six in each sport. She set and still holds records in the 1600m and 3200m track and field events and cross country 4000m. Huber earned dozens of All-Conference and All-State awards, was All-American in nordic skiing, and an Athena Award winner and Bloomington Female Athlete of the Year in 2008. She continued cross country and track at the University of Iowa, competing in multiple Big Ten Championships. Huber graduated magna cum laude from University of Iowa and works as an engineer in the aerospace and defense field. 

Brad Konik, class of 1991, played hockey and tennis. In hockey, he was a team captain and MVP his junior and senior years, participated in two state tournaments, and was an all-time leading scorer for Kennedy hockey. Konik went on to play hockey for Harvard University, signed with the Boston Bruins, and played one year of professional hockey with the Providence Bruins (AHL) and Charlotte Checkers (ECHL). He is the CEO of Konik Network, an engineering and architectural recruiting company based in Minneapolis.

Matt Hanson, class of 1997, played baseball and hockey and participated in student government as senior class president. Hanson earned All-Conference, All-State, Academic All-State, and Lions All-Star Participant awards. Hanson continued playing baseball at Southwest Minnesota State University. He came back to Kennedy to be a teacher and head baseball coach for ten years, leading the team to a Section 6 AAA championship and state consolation championship in 2011. Hanson also coached hockey, table tennis and was Kennedy’s activities director from 2013-2018.