5 Super Athletes With Ties To Lake Minnetonka

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Lake Minnetonka area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Hagen Burrows (Ice Hockey)

A standout forward from Minnetonka, Hagen Burrows has made a name for himself in both high school and junior hockey. As a key player for Minnetonka High School, he was named the Associated Press Player of the Year for Minnesota high school hockey and won the prestigious Mr. Hockey Award. Burrows also competed in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers, tallying 22 points in 25 games and making a playoff impact with four points in eight games. He is currently committed to the University of Denver for the 2025-26 season.

2. Layla Hemp (Ice Hockey)

Minnetonka native Layla Hemp has solidified her place among the top high school goaltenders in Minnesota. As a senior at Minnetonka High School, she posted a 15-1 record with an outstanding 95% save percentage, earning her the Star Tribune’s All-Minnesota Player of the Year honor. Hemp also boasts international experience, winning gold at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship and bronze in 2023. She is committed to playing Division I hockey for the University of Minnesota.

3. Kyle Rudolph (Football)

Kyle Rudolph, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end who spent 12 seasons in the NFL, has called Lake Minnetonka his home. Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Rudolph became a key offensive weapon, amassing over 4,000 career receiving yards and 50 touchdowns. He also played for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 2023. Off the field, Rudolph has been active in community and philanthropic efforts across Minnesota. Since stepping away from football, he has transitioned into sports media, working as a Big Ten analyst for Peacock and co-hosting FOX Sports Radio.

4. Matthew Wilkinson (Track & Field)

Minnetonka High School graduate Matthew Wilkinson made his Olympic debut in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 17th overall. He qualified for Team USA by securing second place at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a time of 8:23. However, it was his personal best of 8:16.59 earlier in the season that officially secured his Olympic berth.

5. Kayla Mershon (Basketball)

A standout during her time at Minnetonka High School, Kayla Mershon was a four-time All-Lake Conference honoree and helped lead the Skippers to a state title in 2016. She played college basketball at Nebraska before transferring to the University of Minnesota, where she contributed as a forward for the Golden Gophers. Throughout her collegiate career, she was known for her defensive presence, rebounding ability and versatility, earning multiple academic honors along the way.

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