In its 100-year history, Eden Prairie Schools has helped foster and inspire thousands of brilliant minds, outstanding athletes, and high-level achievers in all walks of life. Many of these exceptional Eagles have shared their successes with siblings who also made a name for themselves in Eden Prairie Schools.
Avery & Josie Wallace (‘24)
Some believe twins share a sixth sense — an innate ability to tap into the thoughts and feelings of one another. The jury may still be out on that, but one thing is certain: Avery and Josie Wallace sure have a lot in common.
Both played lacrosse for eight years and shared the same line as midfielders. Both were team captains. Both were selected All-Section, All-Conference, All-State and named Ms. Lacrosse finalists. Both played varsity soccer. And on top of those impressive athletic resumes, both were dedicated to their academics, graduating from Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) with 3.9+ grade point averages. They clearly know what makes them Sibling Superstars.
“Our hard work and dedication,” Avery said. “We strived to make our teams better by being coachable, by being leaders and through our determination.”
Josie added that older sister Winnie Wallace (‘22) paved the way for the Wallace twins. “All three of us were on the lacrosse team, making our own impacts and showcasing our athletic abilities. Winnie was also a gymnast and a captain for the high school team. We were all great students, captains, teammates and athletes. I am so proud of my sisters and loved making a positive impact with them at EPHS.”
After sharing so much success together in Eden Prairie Schools, including a section championship in lacrosse in 2021, the Wallace twins followed their own paths at separate colleges in Ohio. Josie is attending Kent State, while Avery is attending the University of Akron. Given their bond, it’s not surprising those colleges are only 20 minutes apart. And with their respective lacrosse teams playing in the same conference, the sisters will get to experience playing on opposing lines for the first time.
“I think it’s going to be interesting how that plays out, because I think we’ll know how each other will play,”mAvery predicted in an interview with WCCO in May.
Perhaps the sixth-sense belief is the product of a deep understanding and bond between siblings, which the Wallace twins have exhibited from the time they were young Eagles to their triumph as champion lacrosse players at EPHS.
“I see being a twin as a strength, because you always have someone there to support you,” Josie emphasized. “We enjoy each other’s company,
have a lot of good laughs, and in the end, I think we’re really lucky to have one another.”
Matt, Adam & Melissa Steele (‘97, ‘99 & ‘01)
The Steele siblings are no strangers to adversity. Despite being decorated, multisport athletes in high school, each faced and overcame obstacles tied to competing at the highest level.
This was especially true for Matt Steele, a talented hurdler. The oldest Steele sibling set the standard for his younger brother and sister when he became a state champion in the 110-meter hurdles as an 11th grader at EPHS. A three-sport athlete in cross country, downhill skiing and track, Matt credits high school athletics with teaching him resilience and discipline — skills forged when he suffered a hamstring injury in the middle of his 12th grade year.
“It was an injury I couldn’t recover from. It took me out of contention to defend my state title,” he acknowledged. “But I was still a captain and part of the team. Even though I was struggling personally, I was still able to motivate them by having a positive attitude, supporting the team in their successes, and continuing to put in the workouts to try and defeat the odds. The result didn’t turn out the way I wanted, but it taught me the process was more important than the result.”
If it can be said Matt’s achievements cast a shadow on his siblings, Adam Steele quickly ran out from under it — literally. He won the state title in the 400-meter sprint as an 11th and 12th grader, plus the 800-meter run and 4x800-meter relay his 12th grade year. A hockey player, cross country runner and track star during his time at EPHS, Adam pointed to the great coaching he received in high school as a cornerstone in helping him build his leadership skills.
A track scholarship took Adam to the University of Minnesota, where he won an NCAA championship in the 400-meter run in 2003. After a thrilling photo-finish, he won the title with a time of 44.57 secondsn— the fastest 400-meter sprint recorded in the world at that point. The time stands as a school record to this day. He went on to run for Team USA in multiple competitions, including the 2003 World Championships in Paris. Despite his run of success, injuries from overtraining caused him to fall short of his ultimate goal — qualifying for the 400-meter in the 2004 Athens Olympics. While training to qualify for the 800-meter race in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he suffered an Achilles injury that forced him to retire from his running career.
“I wish mental health was discussed more openly during my career like it is today. I remember a number of days throughout my college and professional career that were very difficult,” he reflected. “I learned how to heal through time and talking. I don’t have control over time, but I had control over talking with former coaches, athletes, and my wife, Katie. As a therapist and former college athlete herself, she understood and knew when to be supportive and when to tell me I had to move on.”
The youngest sibling, Melissa (Steele) Merritt, just wanted to keep up with her two big brothers. That was enough motivation to become an outstanding athlete in gymnastics, cross country and hurdles.
“I remember from a young age always trying to keep up with them,” Melissa recalled. “Matt was successful at hurdles, and my gymnastics background made it easy for me to pick up. I loved it. Adam kept me chasing his success and wanting more. Watching him run and train kept me motivated and working hard. They both set the bar high for me to follow, and I loved living up to the challenge.”
Melissa competed at statewide championships in all three sports, earning a remarkable three-peat of 300-meter hurdles titles as a 10th, 11th and 12th grader. Her exceptional athletic achievements at EPHS culminated in receiving the Athena Award in her 12th grade year.
After high school, Melissa followed in Adam’s footsteps and was his track teammate for the first two of her four years at the University of Minnesota. She won a Big Ten title in the 400-meter hurdles in 2005 with a time of 57.67 seconds, a school record that stood for 13 years. Despite the successes she achieved in her athletic career, it’s learning from failures that sticks with her to this day.
“I think the hardest part about competing in a sport is training and working hard, then showing up for a competition and not performing your best,” Melissa explained. “Reflecting on that anger and disappointment and putting it into training for the next competition is how you overcome it and become better. I use this a lot in my adult life. I constantly reflect as a parent and elementary educator and ask myself what I can do better next time.”
John & Steve Turnbull (‘71 &‘73)
It all started with football in the snowy front yard for John and Steve Turnbull, brothers who eventually became crucial contributors to the 1970 Eden Prairie football team that won the program’s first-ever conference title. John, a 12th grader and co-captain, played halfback and outside linebacker, while Steve, a 10th grader who was bigger than his older brother, played fullback and middle linebacker.
“If I could choose one word to describe that team, it would be tough,” John said. “And we became tougher and more unified as the season progressed.”
After losing its first conference game to rival Shakopee, the team brought home five straight wins until the title-deciding game against St. Anthony. The scrappy squad snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a late touchdown and gutsy two-point conversion, winning the game 8-7 and earning the coveted title. John was named team MVP and All-Conference, while Steve was an All-Conference Honorable Mention.
“After the season ended, I wrote the final football wrap-up in The Eyrie and titled the piece ‘Eagles Walk On Water,’” John remembered. “That was a dual reference to the success we had as a team
and also to describe the field conditions, as that fall was wet and we often played in the slop.”
A young man of many talents, in his 12th grade year alone John was co-editor-in-chief of The Eyrie; class president; treasurer of the National Honor Society; choir member; writer and performer of his own song, “Think Blue,” at Sno Daze festivities; intramural basketball player; track, ski club and letterman’s club member; and, according to him, player in “an absolutely killer performance of ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’” He was also co-valedictorian, along with Merri Lee Patterson (‘71).
Asked why he felt compelled to participate in so many extracurricular activities and events, John modestly observed that “with family support, and being surrounded by caring and creative kids and teachers, being in that environment of opportunity makes things easy and enjoyable.”
Steve was an exceptionally gifted athlete who led the football team to an undefeated season and another conference title in 1972. That same year, he won the state title in shot put with a distance of 59.475 feet — which stands to this day as the oldest Eden Prairie track & field record. His athletic accolades earned him football and track scholarships to the University of Minnesota.
Chronicling Steve’s talents and successes, John joked, “Did I mention I was a faster runner than him?”
While the brothers enjoyed many years operating the family business together, being uncles to each other’s sons, adventuring on hunting and fishing trips, and recounting the glory days on the football field, John now hopes Steve is “enjoying himself in Valhalla” after passing away on Oct. 22, 2022. After also enduring the sudden loss of his son Jason in March of this year, John expressed sincere gratitude for the Eden Prairie community. He said the love and support he received helped sustain him through his grief.
“Once again, the great people of Eden Prairie stepped up and in, for which I am so grateful.” – John Turnbull
“The unexpected appearance of so many classmates and people from my youth at Jason’s funeral, as well as the comments and responses posted online — some from people I have not seen since graduation — were a great comfort and encouragement. They gave me the love I could not give myself,” John reflected. “Once again, the great people of Eden Prairie stepped up and in, for which I am so grateful. They remain worthy and deserving. Love you guys!”