The Hastings High School varsity track and field teams put together a season for the record books in 2025, marked by dominant performances, blistering speed, and historic achievements.
From early meets to the Class AAA State Championships, both the boys and girls squads showcased depth, discipline, and drive. The Raiders swept the Metro East Conference titles, crushed the field at the Section 2AAA True Team meet, and capped the year with the boys winning the first state title in program history.
Hastings set the tone early, with standout performances in April and May. At a key meet in Mendota Heights, the boys stormed to a first-place finish, while the girls made a strong showing to signal their potential. The Raiders quickly emerged as a force, especially in the sprints and relays.
The Section 2AAA True Team meet confirmed that dominance. The boys swept the 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400 relays. Lane Hoffman and Sebastian Strauss led the sprint unit with wins in the 100, 200, and 400 meters. The girls matched that energy, taking the 4x200 relay and piling on points in the sprints, hurdles, and distance events.
Speed defined this season. Hastings not only outran their opponents they rewrote the record books.
The boys 4x200 relay team of Gunner Hanstad, Jack Cloutier, Strauss, and Hoffman clocked the fastest time in Minnesota this year at 1:27.81. They followed it up with the state’s top 4x400 time of 3:19.14, thanks to Cloutier, Hanstad, Johnathan Vickney, and Strauss.
Hoffman ranked third statewide in the 200 meters with a blazing 21.69. Strauss was fourth in the 400 with 48.24. On the girls side, the 4x200 squad of Carlee Kordosky, Olyvia Erickson, Olivia Appert, and Ellie Magnus clocked a state-leading 1:41.63. Magnus ranked fourth in the 200 (24.77), and Erickson was seventh in the 400 (56.66). In the field, Lauren Whitfield finished third statewide in discus with a throw of 138-8.
At the Metro East Conference Championships, Hastings left no doubt. The boys racked up 153.5 points, while the girls piled on 184.5 both easily claiming first-place team finishes.
That meet demonstrated the Raiders’ depth, with scorers across sprints, relays, hurdles, distance events, and field. Hastings showed they weren’t just a sprint powerhouse they were a complete team.
In May, Hastings swept the Section 2AAA True Team meet with another well-rounded performance. The boys and girls both captured titles behind big wins from Magnus, Hoffman, Strauss, and Ronning. The girls scored heavily in the throws and distance, while the boys controlled the track from the 100 through the 800.
It was clear the Raiders had built something special. Depth, speed, and internal competition drove improvement throughout the season. The boys and girls trained together, shared facilities, and pushed each other to reach new levels.
June 12, 2025, will go down in Hastings athletic history. Battling tough weather and elite competition at the Class AAA State Championships in St. Michael-Albertville, the boys entered the final relay tied in the team standings.
What followed was one of the most dramatic races of the season.
Cloutier, Hanstad, Vickney, and Strauss surged through the 4x400 with a 3:19.41 finish not only winning the race but locking up the school’s first-ever boys track and field state championship with 52 points.
Strauss also won the 400 meters in 49.02, and Hoffman added a 200 title with a time of 21.22. Earlier in the meet, the boys 4x200 relay posted a season-best 1:25.80, putting them among the top in Minnesota history.
It was a defining moment for the program, delivered by a group that had been building toward it all season long.
While the girls didn’t bring home a state team title, they made their presence felt. Relay teams placed high, sprinters advanced deep into finals, and Whitfield continued to shine in the throws.
Their consistent presence across events showed that the girls program is not only competitive but also positioned for long-term success. Juniors like Magnus, Erickson, and Kordosky emerged as core contributors, while veterans like Whitfield and Ronning anchored the team with experience and poise.
The coaching staff, led by Jason Koch, deserves much of the credit. Koch, in his 17th year leading the boys and fourth with the girls, emphasized competitive practices and strategic event placement to maximize team scoring.
The Raiders also benefited from excellent indoor facilities. Hastings’ fieldhouse includes a 200-meter indoor track and dedicated time for the nearly 150-athlete roster. That access, especially during Minnesota’s unpredictable spring weather, was crucial to keeping athletes healthy and prepared.
This year’s Raiders were more than fast they were historic. The boys brought home a state title. The girls racked up meet wins and top five state times. Both teams swept conference and section titles. Athletes broke school records, led the state in key events, and set the standard for what’s possible at Hastings.
What’s even more exciting: most of the core will return next year.
Juniors Hoffman, Strauss, Cloutier, Hanstad, Magnus, Erickson, and Kordosky are back in 2026. That sets up another run at the top, with momentum firmly in Hastings’ favor.
The Raiders didn’t just run fast this season. They ran into history.