The Hastings Raiders trap and skeet team continued their strong showing in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League, turning heads in both disciplines during the fourth week of competition. With standout performances from seasoned shooters and newcomers alike, the Raiders are carving out a competitive name for themselves across two stacked conferences.
In the 9A Conference 2 for trap shooting, Hastings climbed to fourth place overall after putting up 11,369 points in Week Four, their strongest total yet. That effort pushed their cumulative score to 41,564.50, overtaking New London-Spicer for the fourth spot in the standings. While they still trail powerhouses like Bemidji, Owatonna and Rosemount, the upward momentum is a promising sign as the Raiders continue to close the gap.
Individual efforts were a key part of Hastings’ rise in trap standings. Trent Westberg remained one of the most consistent shooters in the conference, earning a spot in the Top 25 Male shooters with a 22.75 average. On the girls’ side, Gracie Majetich led the way for Hastings, moving up to third place in the Top 25 Females with a 21.75 average. She was joined by teammates Ruby Timm in 15th place with an 18.75 average and Addison Dorham in 18th at 18.38. Rounding out the list were Lydia Kieffer and Kenley Butler, who shared a tie for 22nd place, both posting a 17.50 average.
Meanwhile, in 3A Conference 1 for skeet shooting, the Raiders held steady in third place overall. They posted 515.50 points in Week Four, raising their total to 2,032.50. Though they remain behind Wayzata and Prior Lake, Hastings is building a consistent scoring base that could help them challenge for more ground as the season progresses.
The team’s skeet shooters also made their mark in the individual rankings. Brock Bauer climbed into the 10th spot overall with an impressive 23.50 average. Right behind him were Reed Anderson and Hudson Bauer, who each landed in a tie for 14th with a 23.38 average. When those same averages were applied to the male shooter rankings, Brock earned a 7th place finish while Hudson and Reed shared the 9th spot.
Week Four followed a strong showing in Week Three, when the Raiders saw several individual highlights. On the trap side, Westberg earned a spot in the Top 25 Male rankings with a 22.67 average. For the girls, Majetich placed 7th with a 21.17 average, followed by Timm in 15th at 19.00 and Butler in 18th at 18.67. The team’s cumulative trap score of 10,245.50 in Week Three helped set the stage for their rise in the Week Four standings.
Skeet shooters also had big moments in Week Three. The Bauer brothers, Brock and Hudson, tied for 14th place overall with a 23.33 average. Reed Anderson was close behind, securing the 18th spot with a 23.17 average. In the male conference rankings, the Bauer brothers finished in 10th place overall.
Recognition continued during Straight Shooters events, where athletes aim for perfection with a clean 25-target round. In Week Four, Reed Anderson achieved a perfect 25 during practice while Nick Leifeld recorded a straight 25 in official skeet competition.
Then in Week Five, several Raiders added their names to the straight-shooters list. Aiden Meier, Ben Stanton, Charlie Meyers, Brennen Lohmann and Jackson Slattery all nailed 25 straight in trap shooting. In skeet, Reed Anderson, Hudson Bauer and Alex Marzen each hit 25 consecutive targets, underlining the squad’s focus and precision.
While the top teams in the conferences are putting up massive numbers, Hastings continues to chip away, week by week. The program is anchored by athletes who perform under pressure and are steadily improving their scores. That trend is reflected in both the individual standings and the team’s overall position across the two disciplines.
What sets this group apart is its depth. The Raiders are not relying on just one or two top shooters. Instead, they are getting contributions across the board from a mix of veterans and younger athletes who are coming into form at the right time. Whether it is someone climbing the state rankings or a newcomer hitting their first perfect round, the team is loaded with potential.
Heading into the final stretch of the season, the Raiders have their sights set on climbing even higher in the standings. If their current trajectory holds, they could be poised to shake up the leaderboard and make a strong push into postseason competition.
With each round, each clay shattered and each perfect 25, the Raiders are showing they belong among Minnesota’s top shooting teams. Week Four was another step forward, and if the past is any indicator, Hastings is not done yet.