By Bruce Karnick

Girls Swimming still has a month to go and they are getting stronger as each meet happens. September 22nd had the Raiders at the middle school hosting Simley. Like all the other sports in the state, swimming is also limited to competing against conference teams in the regular season, so each schedule has to reflect one competition as the one that counts before they can schedule additional competitions. For Simley vs Hastings, this was simply a fun gathering. Hastings would “win” 103-75.

Swimmer of the meet was Ashtyn Stewart. She won both of her individual events and had lifetime best times in them.

Thursday Henry Sibley would come to town on the Raiders Parent Night. Parent night for the girls is usually a big deal. They decorate the pool, make pictures and card for their parents and of course there is always an exchange of flowers. This year, with all non-essential personnel being prohibited from indoor events, parents are not allowed in the pool as spectators. “We wanted to still do parents night.” Said Head Coach Katie McAlpin, “We just needed to figure out a fun way to make it happen. Then we realized a drive by parade could work.” It worked very well. The girls spread out along the sidewalk of the Middle School and dozens of cars drove through honking and waving signs, many were decorated with balloons, window chalk and streamers. “I think the girls really enjoyed it! I know I enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces and the waves. We all miss our fans, it’s weird without them.” McAlpin said before heading back into the school.

Once back inside, it was obvious the parade energized the girls. The atmosphere was much more raucous than previous meets and both teams were fired up ready to go. Odds are that the parade was a huge part of that, but there was also history about to be made, and both coaches new it. Coach McAlpin and Sibley Head Coach Kelli Simpson talked before the start of the meet how there were going to be at least two conference records that would fall that night and possibly as many as five. “Both teams have some incredibly fast swimmers” McAlpin said, “This should be a fun night!”

She was correct. The first conference record to fall was the 200 Medley Relay with a time of 1:54.20 Hastings Swimmers Kendal Jenkins, Ava McNamara, Lauren Jenkins, and Ashtyn Stewart made up that team.

Just a short time later, Senior Avery Vogen from Henry Sibley took over the record for the 50 Free with a time of 24.78. Vogen was also involved with some photo finishes, winning them by just inches. In the end, Hastings defeated Henry Sibley 106-80 to remain undefeated this year.

Diver of the meet was Elizabeth Hinke. It was her first-time diving in a meet. Coach McAlpin said “She did great!”

Swimmer of the meet was Kira Aarness. Kira had a phenomenal finish in her 100 free to win the event.

The girls travel to Skyview Middle School to take on Hill-Murray on October 1st then a rematch against Henry Sibley at Heritage Middle School on October 6th.

Thursday night against Henry Sibley, not one, but two conference records fell. The first was in the the 200 Medley Relay. Your NEW Metro East Conference record holders, with a time of 1:54.20 are (Left to right) Hastings Swimmers Ava McNamara, Kendal Jenkins, Ashtyn Stewart and Lauren Jenkins. Photo by Bruce Karnick