By Katie McAlpin

Editorial Note: Coaches Katie McAlpin and Gerry Rupp have been wonderful contributors to the telling of the stories of the Raider Swim and Dive teams this year. McAlpin wrote the below season recap. Thank you for the support coaches!

This year we were second in the MEC behind St Thomas.

We took fifth in Section 3AA and 24th at the state meet.

With a team of over half underclassmen that is a great accomplishment.

Seniors this year were Philip Jensen, Obbe Haveman, Nick Kohn and John Destross.

Jensen set two new Hastings’ pool records in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke and a new school record in the 100 butterfly. Jensen and Destross received an academic award from the Minnesota State High Scholl Coaches Association for having a 3.75 or higher cumulative GPA through high school. We will definitely miss our seniors and what they each uniquely bring to our team.

Each year we have team awards that are given at the end of the season. This year we had four.

For diving, Thomas Foss got Most Determined. For only diving a third of the season he was a part of the section diving team and was not afraid of trying anything and trying again when he smacked the water.

For swimming, Phil Jensen got MVP. He made All State in both events and led our team in and out of the pool. Phil also achieved Academic All American with a 4.0 GPA. Caleb Urban got Hardest Worker. He always put all he had into every set that was given to him. Even the extra sets for his distance workouts. If you told him to go a certain time, he did it. Obbe Haveman got Most Improved. It has been a pleasure getting to watch Obbe grow up over the last six years. He is such a pleasure on our team. Obbe is always there for his teammates. I am excited to see what he brings to the world in the future.

Next year we have a handful of incoming seventh graders that will be joining us. When Thanksgiving rolls around, we will be there ready and waiting to start another great season.

Photo courtesy of Beck Photography/ dennyb.zenfolio.com.