The Raiders held a non-conference meet against the Apple Valley Eagles where they won eight of the twelve events, outscoring the Eagles 99-84. The Raiders went into exhibition mode in the final race of the day which, had Hastings scored normally, it would have ended 107-78. Exhibition in swimming is similar to a mercy rule in other sports. The exhibition team does not get any points toward the final total, but the race times still count for records and seeding for future events.
The relay team of Tristan Herbst, Charlie Jensen, Thomas Foss and Oliver Gergen continued to perform well in their relays, Jensen also won diving. Several younger swimmers are stepping up big like Jack McAlpin, James Jensen, Jaren Kihima, Oscar Green, Sammy Green, Alex Culp, Russell Schalk and more.
“Swimmer of the meet was James Jensen. James cut time in all four events and personal best in two of the four. Overall, he dropped eight seconds. He was on the winning 400 free relay and took second in the 200 free. Other shout outs go to Sammy Green who cut 14 seconds in the 500 free and four seconds in the 100-breaststroke. Oscar Green cut seven seconds in the 100 free on a relay, and Jack McAlpin cut 16 seconds in his 200 free,” explained Head Coach Katie McAlpin.
The boys are doing well and holding their own against some of the top teams in the area. The next chance catch the boys in action is Jan. 23 at the Grove against Simley. They return home on Jan. 28 to take on Tartan/North St. Paul. This starts a three-meet home stand with St. Thomas Academy on Jan. 30 for Parent’s Night and Farmington on Feb. 4 for Senior Night. All four meets are scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start.