By Bruce Karnick

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The Hastings boys swim and dive team sent two Raiders to the big dance last week. Senior Ryan Lester for Diving and Junior Philip Jensen in two swimming events, the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke.

Lester finished 17th overall with a score of 233.20, just missing the cut to go to the final round by 2.5 points. For comparison, Hopkins had the winning diver, Senior Stewart Fish. Fish scored 284.55 in the semi-finals then 398.6 for the finals.

In the 100 butterfly, Jensen finished 20th overall with a time of 51.38 his personal best and only a quarter of a second shy of the Hastings School Record of 51.13 set by Colby Smith in 2021. St. Cloud Tech had the winner in the 100 fly, Senior Chris Morris set the state record at 48.11.

For the 100 backstroke, Jensen finished seventh overall with a time a 51.09. Eden Prairie’s Luke Logue, a sophomore, won the event with a time of 49.59.

Head Coach Gerry Rupp was pleased with his guys’ performances. “I am very excited about Phil’s return next year to continue his leadership example, and to make his mark on the Raiders record board!”

Junior Phil Jensen waiting for his first event at the state meet, the 100 butterfly. Coach Katie McAlpin did her best to distract Jensen and help him relax snapping this photo of him. Photo Courtesy of Katie McAlpin