The Hastings Raiders Trap and Skeet Team continued to build momentum in their second week of the spring season, showing solid improvement and impressive individual performances. With state championship registration now closed, the focus has shifted toward finishing conference competition strong and preparing for the big events ahead. Ninety-one trap shooters from Hastings will head to Alexandria on June 17 to take part in the World’s Largest Trap Shooting Event. Meanwhile, 21 skeet shooters will travel to Prior Lake on June 26 to compete in the State Skeet Championship. All shooters are eligible for state and will be placed in divisions based on their five-week average. Those who rank among the top 100 in the state by the end of conference play will earn a coveted spot at the Minnesota State High School League Invite Only Championship in Prior Lake on June 20.

During week two of competition, the Hastings trap team landed in fifth place out of six teams, scoring a total of 19,950 points. While the standings may not reflect the team’s full potential just yet, there were strong individual performances worth noting. Owatonna led the conference in first place with 28,869 points, followed closely by Bemidji with 28,642 points. Rosemount secured third with 23,106 points, and New London-Spicer came in fourth with 21,660.50 points.

On the boys’ side of the conference leaderboard, two Hastings shooters cracked the top 25. Trent Westberg finished in 16th place with an average of 23, and Harley Sykora placed 20th with an average of 22.75. Westberg also achieved a straight 25 in trap, a perfect round that is a notable accomplishment for any shooter.

Among the girls, five athletes from Hastings earned spots in the top 25 for the conference. Gracie Majetich stood out with a strong performance that landed her in fifth place with a 21.50 average. Keela Butler followed in 17th place with an average of 19.25, just ahead of her sister Kenlee Butler in 20th place with an average of 19. Ruby Timm came in at 23rd with an average of 18.75, and Lydia Kieffer rounded out the group at 25th place with an 18.50 average. These results show a depth of talent on the girls’ side, with multiple athletes demonstrating consistency and potential for growth as the season progresses.

The skeet team saw even more encouraging results. Hastings finished third out of eight teams with 964.50 points. Wayzata led the standings with 1,213 points, and Prior Lake came in second with 1,116 points. Despite the tough competition, several Hastings athletes placed among the best in the conference.

In the overall top 25 rankings for skeet, Hudson Bauer led the Raiders with an eighth-place finish and a 23.25 average. Jackson Slattery and Brock Bauer also earned recognition, tying for 25th place with matching averages of 23. Hudson Bauer’s performance also placed him eighth among the top ten male shooters in the conference. His consistent scores have made him a reliable contributor for the team and a name to watch heading into the later weeks of the season.

With registration for state championships complete, all eyes are now on finishing the regular season strong. While not every shooter will qualify for the invite-only event in June, all Hastings athletes will have the opportunity to compete at the state level within their respective divisions. Whether they are classified as novice, junior varsity or varsity will depend on their average over five weeks of conference competition. This structure allows shooters at all levels to experience the excitement and challenge of state-level competition while recognizing their individual growth and performance.

The team’s showing in week two reflects a program that continues to develop depth and talent across both trap and skeet disciplines. While the standings show room for improvement, the presence of multiple Hastings shooters in the conference top 25—both male and female—indicates a strong foundation. With continued focus and consistent performance, the Raiders have the potential to climb in the rankings and make a significant impact at the state competitions.

As the remaining weeks of conference play unfold, the athletes will aim to sharpen their skills, maintain strong averages and push for personal bests. The leadership of experienced shooters like Trent Westberg and the rising performances of younger teammates set a positive tone for the rest of the season. Whether in practice or competition, every round counts toward building confidence and preparing for the challenges ahead.

With state events on the horizon and personal milestones being achieved along the way, the Hastings Trap and Skeet Team has much to be proud of and much still to aim for. The second week brought solid progress, and if the team continues on this path, the postseason promises to be both competitive and rewarding.