Sports - Hastings Journal

Hawks unleash sixth-inning barrage to bury Royals 16-0

On a perfect summer night at Veterans Park, with the midway lights of Rivertown Days flickering in the distance, the Hastings Hawks put on a show that was as loud as the carnival and just as … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/23/25

Hurricanes win weekend and Federal League South Division

Coming into this past weekend, the Hastings Hurricanes 35-plus Baseball Team knew that their games on Friday and Saturday would give them as close to a real-life simulation to life in the AAA State … more

By Peter Gasparino | 7/23/25

The Hastings River Blades Skating School, representing the Hastings Civic Arena, claimed the Overall Championship Team Trophy at the 2025 Summer Breeze Competition, held June 27–28 at the Woog Arena. Front row, left to right: Avery Piskor, Millie Nitti, Chesney Marthaler, Hannah Woehrmann, Lyla Sieben, Piper Radford, Aislynn Haider, Etta Thoms, Letty Meyer. Back row, left to right: Josie Jacobs, Carly Sieben, Avery Mikonowicz, Marissa Nitti, Abby Stagno, Livie Schmidt, Maddy Graham, Sydney Iverson, Mabel Forrest.

Hastings River Blades triumph at Summer Breeze, prepare for ISI Worlds, and celebrate 20 Years of skating excellence

Hastings, MN — The Hastings River Blades Skating School, proudly representing the Hastings Civic Arena, recently took home the Overall Championship Team Trophy at the Summer Breeze Competition … more

7/23/25

United Heroes League President and Founder Shane Hudella spoke at the most recent Hastings Area Rotary Club meeting about Hastings hosting the upcoming Hockey Day Minnesota 2026 event. Hudella touched on the planning processes and those things becoming reality at the UHL campus on Ravenna Trail in Hastings.

Hastings gears up for a historic Hockey Day Minnesota 2026

Come January 2026, the puck will drop on something far bigger than just a game. Hockey Day Minnesota is heading to Hastings for its 20th anniversary, and the celebration is shaping up to be the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/16/25

The Raiders defeated Inver Grove Heights 20-1 on Friday and beat Stillwater/Bayport 6-1 on Saturday. They defeated the Hastings VFW 16U team 13-9 in the championship game on Sunday. Front row, left to right: Harley Sykora, Adam Staves, Payton Perseke, Will Rotty and Joey Horton. Back row, left to right: Cooper Pagel, Seth Leary, Luke Werner, Brady Hendrickson, Isaac Meyers and Zander McVicker. Not pictured: Head Coach Ryan Hendrickson, Assistant Coaches Dean Meyers, Chris Perseke, Martin McVicker, and Taylor Pagel.

Youth sports successes

We love bragging about our youth teams and their successes! Please email the team photo with details as laid out below to bruce@hastingsjournal.news by Sunday evening to be in that week’s … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/16/25

Hawks tied for fifth place in Section 1

The Hastings Hawks had a two-game week, both of which ended up in extra innings, completing the week at 9-13 overall and 4-6 in section play. The Hawks dealt the Red Wing Aces an 8-7 loss on July 9 … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/16/25

Incoming Junior Harmon Brown will be looked at as one of the potential leaders heading into the 2026 season. Brown showed skill and poise all season long challenging the seniors for the top scoring position.

Determination, growth, and a glimpse at the future

The Hastings Raiders varsity girls golf team wrapped up their 2025 season with a strong mix of leadership, determination, and promise for the years ahead. While the squad didn’t come away with … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/11/25

U18 Girls White The U18 girls have qualified for the Final Four again this summer and are chasing a three-peat as state champions after winning in 2023 and 2024. Their standout performance has come from the defense and goalkeeping. Despite a thinned-out roster due to injuries and multi-sport commitments, they surrendered the second-fewest goals in the league. Katlin Wood and Kayleigh Geisen held down the center back line, while Addison Lanning excelled in goal. They finished fourth in league play with a 4-3-3 record. A favorite moment of the season was when the team paused practice to cheer on the U10 girls at Veterans Park, proof of the club spirit and leadership these players carry.

Hastings Soccer Club Makes History with Eight Final Four Teams

HFC United is making waves this summer, qualifying a record-breaking eight youth teams for the Minnesota Final Four—more than double the usual number for the small-town club. In a typical … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/11/25

Hurricanes Surge to 11-1

The 2025 Season is now into the second half for the Hastings Hurricanes 35-plus Baseball Team, and there haven’t been many days through the schedule in which the Canes haven't held the top slot … more

By Peter Gasparino | 7/10/25

Sports Recap: Boys Tennis

The 2025 season for Hastings High School’s varsity boys tennis team opened with energy, optimism, and a sharp test right out of the gate. Hosting Woodbury on April 8, the Raiders came close to … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/10/25

Sophomore David Bauer was Hastings lone golfer to play on the links for the MSHSL State Tournament. Bauer finished tied for 37th with a two-day score of 153, 19 strokes short of first place.

Raiders Boys Golf close: Bauer bound for State

Hastings varsity boys golf wrapped its 2025 season on a high note, delivering a balanced blend of senior leadership, depth across the lineup, and a standout individual performance. From chilly … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/10/25

Kelin Rasmussen has been a big contributor this season for the Hawks on both sides of the ball. He has been a key defensive piece at third base and one of the more consistent hitters in the lineup.

Hawks win big over Dundas

The Hawks have had a tough stretch of away games after starting the season 6-3, a seven-game losing streak dropped them to 6-10 and with the last four straight losses by just one run, brought about … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/9/25

The Hastings boys and girls track and field teams celebrate together after both squads claimed the Metro East Conference championship titles at Two Rivers High School.

Hastings Track teams deliver historic season

The Hastings High School varsity track and field teams put together a season for the record books in 2025, marked by dominant performances, blistering speed, and historic achievements. From early … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/9/25

River Blades Skaters set for summer competitions, including prestigious ISI World Championships

The skaters of River Blades Skating School are gliding into summer with energy and anticipation as they prepare for two major competitions, including one of the largest recreational ice skating … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/26/25

Hastings 10u AA team punched their ticket to state by winning the Shakopee Tournament. In pool play, Hastings fell to Shakopee 8-10 then they defeated Chaska 7-4 before beating White Bear Lake 14-4 to finish 2-1 in pool play and advance to the championship bracket on Sunday. Sunday, they defeated Waconia 10-0 and fought to a regulation tie, 8-8 in the championship game. In the eighth inning, Hastings scored six in the top of the eighth and held off Mankato to win the championship 14-12. L to R Front row: Brody Sieben, Knox Havard, Caleb Stock, Quinn Benedict, Gavin Jennings, Landry Tennis. Back row: Mason Christiansen, Justin Brommerich, Kyle Burt, Parker Anselment, Lincoln Sneddeker, Eli Kummer Assistant Coach: Rodney Havard, Head Coach Ron Stock, and assistant Coach Sheena Burt

HYAA Tournament Wins of the Week

Please note, these are coach or parent submitted. If you wish to have your child’s team photograph in the next edition, please email it to bruce@hastingsjournal.news with the details as written … more

6/26/25

Haley Strain has been the primary leader in the pitching circle for three seasons, helping the Raiders achieve tons of success on the field. If you watched her off the field, she never let her successes get to her head, she was always a Raider first, part of the team, win together, lose together.

Sports Recap: Raider Softball

The Hastings Raiders embraced a fresh start in 2025, rallying behind new head coach Becca Sorenson to deliver a season packed with momentum, memorable comebacks, and a deep run into the Section 3AAAA … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/26/25

Representing Hastings at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, from left to right: Carlee Kordosky, Ellie Magnus, Johnathan Vickney, Jack Cloutier, Gunner Hanstad, Sebastian Strauss, Lane Hoffman, Cole Zeien, Jersey Appert and Olyvia Erickson.

Hastings Track wins National Title at Nike Outdoor National Meet

The Nike Outdoor Nationals (NON) is a high school and middle school track and field championship held in Eugene, Oregon for the nation’s top track and field athletes. Athletes across the U.S. … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25

Ryan Klingaman tees off at Hastings Golf Club for the first hole of the tournament.

Hastings Family Service raises $17,000 in 5th annual Drive Out Hunger Golf Tournament

Despite dark clouds, golfers lined up in carts for the fifth annual Drive Out Hunger Golf Tournament fundraiser for Hastings Family Service, raising $17,000. The fundraiser started during the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/25/25

Blake Beissel paid a visit to the Hastings Area Rotary Club’s Thursday breakfast meeting at the Second Street Depot where he talked about wrestling, the transition from high school to college and inspiration.

Former HHS wrestling star visits with Rotary

Members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club were treated to a special guest on Thursday morning as Blake Beissel, a former Hastings High School wrestling standout and current University of Minnesota … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25

Carter Lundstrom is poised to be the ace on the Raiders roster in 2026. Lundstrom has two varsity seasons under his belt and a calm, steady presence that has him maturing into a natural leader.

Spring Recap: Baseball

In a season that mixed promise with perseverance, the 2025 Hastings Raiders Boys Baseball team wrapped up a roller-coaster year with grit at every turn, capped by a tough but spirited run into the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25