Prep athletes of the week: Matthew Fullerton brings calm to Edina tennis title pursuit

A year ago Fullerton was a talented freshman member of a veteran team. The pandemic robbed Edina of a chance at a state title in 2020, a disappointment that Fullerton now hopes to erase.

"We could have had a really good team last year. We had a lot of seniors," he said.

This year's Hornets are much younger but are driven to accomplish what last year's team didn't have the chance to do: Win a Class 2A team title.

"It's a super important season," Fullerton said. "We've had good teams in the past finish on bad note. Hopefully, we can change that this year."

Edina won tough Section 6 with the sophomore Fullerton stepping into the No. 1 singles role on a full-time basis. He proved he deserved the position by defeating Sujit Chepuri of Blake 6-0, 6-4 in the finals.

It was a far different outcome than his first section playoff match.

"The first time, when I was in eighth grade, I got killed," he said.

Playing in the section singles final, Fullerton was shocked at how poised he was despite facing championship pressure.

"I honestly didn't know how to feel," he said. "I was surprised I was so calm in that situation. I played so freely. It was one of the best matches I've played all season."

In a 10-0 victory over Minneapolis Southwest in the Class 4A, Section 6 playoffs, the sophomore pitcher threw a no-hitter, struck out 14 and hit three home runs. She led the Royals to a 5-1 semifinal victory against Edina, striking out 14.

The junior middle-distance sprinter won three times at the South Suburban Conference meet. He won the 400 meters in 48.34 and the 800 in 1:52.54, both the top times in the state. He also anchored the winning 4x800 relay.

The Mustangs collectively outscored opponents 32-1 in the three decisive Class 4A, Section 3 victories, with the junior leading the offense. He hit .800 (8-for-10) with a double, two stolen bases, three RBI and seven runs scored.

The senior throws captain won twice at the Metro East Conference meet, leading the Spartans to their first team championship. She remained undefeated in the shot put for the season and posted a season-best throw of 104-5½ in the discus.

The junior pitcher held Maple Grove scoreless for nine innings and reached base three times in a 1-0 victory in the Class 4A, Section 5 semifinals. The previous day, she pitched four shutout innings in a 7-2 victory over Champlin Park.

The senior, who was Johnson's Athena Award winner, capped her final high school season with a state championship. Two, in fact. She helped the Governors win the team title, then followed by winning the individual singles crown.