The Girls Golf Conference Championships were cancelled due to heavy rain on May 20. The Boys Conference Championship, while still cold and wet, was playable with lighter rain on May 21.
The Hastings Raiders boys golf team capped off their regular season with a solid fourth-place finish at the Metro East Conference Championships, battling through cold temperatures and steady rain at Loggers Trail Golf Course in Stillwater on May 21. While the weather was a challenge, the Raiders showed grit and consistency, closing out the day just one stroke behind third-place Hill-Murray and within striking distance of the top two teams.
Two Rivers took the team title with a seven-over-par 299, followed closely by Mahtomedi at 300 and Hill-Murray at 307. Hastings was right on their heels, carding a team total of 308 to claim fourth. The Raiders topped Simley, St. Thomas Academy, Tartan, South Saint Paul, and North St. Paul in a competitive nine-team field.
Leading the way for Hastings was sophomore David Bauer, who turned in a steady and composed round of 75, finishing two-over-par. Bauer’s performance earned him fourth place individually out of a large field of conference competitors and marked one of his most complete rounds of the season. His maturity and focus stood out, especially considering the tough playing conditions.
Senior Luke Kendall also came through with a dependable performance, carding a four-over 77 that placed him twelfth overall. Kendall’s steady presence throughout the season has been a key part of Hastings’ success, and he brought that same leadership to the conference meet.
Two Raiders tied for seventeenth place at five-over 78. Seniors Jon Harris and Trey Bremer both delivered composed rounds and showed their experience under pressure. Harris, seeded first for Hastings, held steady through the back nine and limited mistakes down the stretch. Bremer’s consistency from tee to green helped him weather the elements and post a reliable score.
Senior Drew Greiner added to the team’s depth with an eight-over 81, good for twenty-ninth overall. His round helped keep the team total competitive and provided crucial support in a tightly packed leaderboard. Junior Charlie Stoffel rounded out the Raider lineup, grinding through the round to shoot an 89. Stoffel’s effort, despite difficult conditions and a few tough holes, demonstrated the kind of perseverance that has become a hallmark of this year’s team.
The Raiders’ team score of 308 was one of their better marks of the season, especially considering the weather. Their performance placed them just nine strokes behind the conference champion and only one back of third, showing how tight the competition was at the top. Every shot mattered, and the Raiders proved they could hang with the best in the conference.
Throughout the season, Hastings has relied on a mix of senior leadership and emerging young talent. That balance was on full display at Loggers Trail, where experienced upperclassmen like Harris, Kendall, Bremer, and Greiner combined with younger standouts like Bauer and Stoffel to produce a well-rounded team effort.
The conference meet served as both a conclusion to the regular season and a springboard into postseason play. With their top four scorers all shooting under 80, the Raiders demonstrated that they have the depth and capability to contend in high-pressure events. The confidence gained from this finish will be crucial as they move into the section tournament.
The fourth-place finish also reflects the steady growth of the program this season. Each player in the varsity lineup has shown improvement over the course of the spring, both in terms of scoring and mental toughness. Coach and team leadership have emphasized staying focused and playing smart golf, and the results at the conference meet speak to that approach paying off.
Looking ahead, the Raiders will prepare for the Section 3AAA tournament, where they’ll once again face strong competition from teams like Two Rivers and Simley. With the experience gained from this week’s meet and a lineup that has proven its depth, Hastings has every reason to be optimistic.
In the end, the final standings from the Metro East Conference Championships tell the story of a team that was competitive to the final hole. Hastings finished ahead of five teams, trailed third place by just one stroke, and showed they can hold their own against the top programs in the region.
With solid scoring across the board and key contributions from both veterans and underclassmen, the Raiders left Stillwater with a sense of pride and momentum. As the postseason begins, they will carry forward the same determination and focus that helped them make a statement at Loggers Trail.
For Hastings boys golf, the conference meet was more than just a final regular season round. It was proof of progress and a reminder of what this group is capable of achieving when it counts.

Both teams have their Section Tournament coming up this week. The two sources for when and where show conflicting information so we are unable to share accurate details of sections. With the holiday weekend, Raider staff members were not available to provide the needed clarifications for the schedule. Watch our social media for schedule updates.