Raiders keep on rolling

January was a very good month for the Hastings Raiders wrestling team. The Raiders climbed from eighth to second in the team rankings with impressive wins over Owatonna, Cambridge-Isanti, Albert Lea, St. Michael-Albertville, and Prior Lake.

Hastings ended the month with a 12-0 dual record, two dual championships and two individual champions. Hastings will look to build on January’s success in February.

No. 2 Hastings 77, East Ridge 6

On Friday, Hastings continued its perfect run in the SEC by pummeling the East Ridge Raptors, 77-6, in the opening dual of the evening.

The Raptors only win came at 106 pounds before the Raiders tallied falls from Luke Rowh, Isaac Bauer, Eric Bauer, Dan Marquette, Jake Anderson, Dylan Nelson, Andy Rachuy, Cody Wagner, Jake Swenson, Isaac Eichmann and Jake Anderson. Hunter Swenson earned a technical fall while Jacob Spitzack was awarded a forfeit to round out the Raiders scoring.

No. 2 Hastings 56, Eastview 16

In Friday’s nightcap, Hastings won 10 of 14 matches on their way to a 56-16 drubbing of the Eastview Lightning.

Raiders adding to their yearly pin totals were Luke Rowh, Jacob Spitzack, Eric Bauer, Stuart Mattison, Cody Wagner, Isaac Eichmann and Jake Anderson. Also contributing to the Raiders scoring were; Isaac Bauer, who was awarded a forfeit; Andy Rachuy, who claimed an 18-3 technical fall; and Alex Nygaard, who added a 5-4 decision.

Dave Arens Classic

The Second-ranked Raiders started the Dave Arens Classic with a 78-0 stomping of St. Paul Highland Park. Hastings encountered no resistance in accumulating eight pins by Eric Bauer, Dan Marquette, Jake Johnson, Dylan Nelson, Hunter Swenson, Andy Rachuy, Alex Nygaard and Cody Wagner. The Raiders added five forfeits to the scoring from Josh Loiacano, Isaac Bauer, Jacob Spitzack, Isaac Eichmann and Jake Anderson.

No. 2 Hastings 50, Bloomington Kennedy 6

In the semi-finals, Hastings’ opponent was the tournament host Bloomington Kennedy Eagles. The Raiders sprinted out to a commanding lead with Josh Loiacano receiving a forfeit at 106 pounds followed by second-ranked Luke Rowh’s 17-0 technical fall and Isaac Bauer’s 12-1 major decision at 120 pounds.

Jacob Spitzack recorded a 5-4 decision at 126 pounds. Fourth-ranked Eric Bauer, Dan Marquette and Jake Anderson earned major decisions to push the Raiders lead to 30-0 at the halfway point of the dual.

Ninth-ranked Bloomington Kennedy’s Ben Cousins put the Eagles on the board with a 3-1 decision at 152 pounds. Victories by twins Brian and Andy Rachuy along with a major decision at 182 pounds by fifth-ranked Jake Swenson pushed the Raiders’ lead to 37 at 40-3.

Hastings dropped a 4-1 decision at 195 pounds, giving the Eagles their last points of the dual. Fourth-ranked Isaac Eichmann claimed an 8-0 major decision over 10th-ranked Kellan Ziebol. Heavyweight Jake Anderson closed the dual with a fall to close out the scoring for Hastings.

No. 2 Hastings 38, No. 9 Prior Lake 24

The Raiders’ final dual of the weekend turned out to be their most competitive of the weekend. The ninth-ranked Prior Lake Lakers were looking to seek some revenge from a December loss to Hastings, but the Raiders would have nothing to do with that as they once again defeated the Lakers, 38-24.

Prior Lake claimed the first match with a 9-6 decision, and then followed that up with third-ranked Tanner Johnshoy pulling out a 5-2 decision over second-ranked Luke Rowh to lead early at 6-0.

Isaac Bauer’s 2-1 decision gave Hastings its first points of the dual at 120 pounds. The Lakers responded with an exciting 9-8 decision at 126 pounds to lead 9-3 after four matches.

Eric Bauer’s impressive 22-7 technical fall over sixth-ranked Ben Rock pulled Hastings within one before Dan Marquette’s 11-8 decision at 138 pounds gave Hastings its first lead of the dual at 11-9.

Prior Lake’s Matt Kahnke quickly answered with a first- period pin to push the Lakers in front for only a moment. Hastings’ Dylan Nelson was awarded a forfeit at 152 pounds to give the Raiders a 17-15 lead that they would not relinquish.

Bryan Rachuy earned his own first period pin before Prior Lake earned a 4-2 decision to close the gap at 23-18.

A 6-0 decision by Jake Swenson at 182 pounds, followed with pins by Cody Wagner and Isaac Eichmann, extended the Hastings lead to 38-18 before Prior Lake finished the dual with a pin of their own at heavyweight.

February will certainly be a big month for the Raiders. Thursday the Raiders will host the Forest Lake Rangers in a battle for the SEC title.

Next, Hastings travels to Anoka on Saturday for another dual tournament. Looking to derail the Raiders will be fourth-ranked Cambridge-Isanti, fifth-ranked New London-Spicer, and 12th-ranked Anoka.

Ninth grade team sends seven to state meet

The ninth-grade wrestling team was in Richfield on Saturday qualifying for the ninth grade individual state tournament.

Hastings came away with three champions; Spencer Kopp at 94 pounds; Austin Eichmann at 126 pounds; and Stuart Mattison at 145 pounds. The Raiders will also send four second-place finishers to the state tournament. They are: Reid Zeitlow at 138 pounds; Keith Mikel at 152 pounds; Logan Gove at 152 pounds; and Cullen Brendeland at 182 pounds.

Other wrestlers competing were; Cole Benson, fifth at 100; Ben Route, fifth at 106; Finley Meyers at 113; Henry Schlagel, fifth at 120; Devin Krier, fourth at 132; Dima Wagner, fifth at 170; and Edison Doung, third at 195.

Tags: raider wrestling, sports, hastings, minnesota, spiral, prep