Hastings Raiders Alpine Ski Team continues its trek toward sections with a pair of successful races this past week battling against sub-zero temps on February 3 and 4, 2023. On February 3, the Raiders competed in the Metro East Conference championship race at Welch. Eighth grader Kate Nowak and junior Abbi Pelava led the way in fourth and fifth places individually with the girls’ team finishing in fourth place.

Coach Jason Gergen said of the girls’ team, “Jolie Pettit, Maddie Herdt, Addie Maniak, Maddie Paulson, Hannah Millner and Anna Lena Seipelt all stepped up and are constantly improving. The girls have been skiing great and making huge strides!”

The Raiders boys won the MEC championship Thursday with junior Jackson Reents taking the individual win, and senior Aaron Herber in third, junior Cole Caturia in fifth, and senior Zach Rother in seventh place. Sophomore Gavin Molitor and senior Jacob Shield placed in the top 20, and the win was secured by sophomore Finn Caturia, freshman Will Bauer, sophomore James Millholin, and freshman Axton Bauer. The boys won the MEC championship with a score of 881 points over Minneapolis Washburn’s 872 points.

Coach Gergen says of the boys, “(This season) really boils down to a few tenths of a second here and there on everyone's runs. Solid season for all the guys who helped Hastings win every invitational race they entered, and an impressive 5-0 record just in invites.”

On February 4, the Raiders once again competed in frigid temps and proved their mettle against 15 teams and over 100 racers for the girls and boys teams respectively at the Afton Invitational. The Raider boys team once again took first place. Jackson Reents placed second, Aaron Herber took third, and Cole Caturia finished in seventh place. Gavin Molitor and Zach Rother finished in the top 20, with Jacob Shield, Finn Caturia and James Millholin adding valuable points to the team.

The girls’ team placed ninth with Abbi Pelave leading the way in seventh place overall. Mallory Karnick, Alexa Loritz, Jolie Pettit, Claire Caturia, Maddie Herdt, Addison Maniak and Maddie Paulson all added valuable points to the team. The boys’ and girls’ teams combined forces for a third-place overall finish in the co-ed race, missing out on second by only two points.

The boys JV team finished in sixth place. Axton Bauer and Will Bauer led the way finishing sixth and seventh places overall. They were supported by Mason Leary, Weston Chandler, Jadon Mike and Fischer Kaufman.

Coach Gergen said of both teams, “Great skiing everyone! I’m honored to coach a team that supports each other so well. It shows real team spirit to see all the boys stay for almost five hours after their race for awards in order to celebrate as a team! It was also great to see the whole co-ed team together celebrating their success!”

The Hastings Raiders Alpine Ski Team moves north again on Wednesday, February 8 to compete in the section race at Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls.