The Hastings Raiders turned in a strong showing at the Hamline Elite Meet on Friday, April 24, at Hamline University in St. Paul, where selected athletes competed against top competition from 138 invited teams in a showcase style elite event.
Because the meet featured hand selected entries rather than full team scoring, the focus stayed on head to head matchups among many of the state’s best individuals and relays. The Raiders responded with several event wins, personal bests, meet record performances, and marks that now rank among the top times in Minnesota this season.
Lane Hoffman led the boys performances with a first place finish in the 200 meters, running 21.22 seconds with a slight headwind. The time was a personal best, set a meet record, and currently ranks first in Minnesota this season. Sebastian Strauss added a runner up finish in the 400 meters in 47.58 seconds, which also ranks No. 1 in the state this year. Gunner Hanstad followed closely in the same race, placing fourth in a personal best 48.73 seconds, now third in Minnesota this season.
The Raiders were especially strong in the relays. Hastings won the 4x200 relay in 1:25.17 with Hanstad, Zachary Shatek, Strauss, and Hoffman. That performance set a meet record and stands as the fastest time in Minnesota this season. The same group of standout sprinters helped continue the momentum in the 4x400 relay, where Hoffman, Hanstad, Cody Weber, and Strauss ran 3:17.35 to take first place. The time broke the Raiders’ own meet record from last year and gives Hastings the top two performances in meet history in that event.
On the girls side, Ellie Magnus delivered one of the top individual performances of the night. She won the 200 meters in 24.28 seconds, a personal best and the fastest time in Minnesota this season. Magnus returned later to place fourth in the 400 meters in another personal best effort of 56.18 seconds, which ranks third statewide.
The Raiders also captured first place in the girls 4x200 relay. Kaylin Jelks, Olyvia Erickson, Jersey Appert, and Magnus combined for a time of 1:40.54, breaking the school’s meet record from last season by more than a second and moving into the top spot in Minnesota this year. Hastings now owns the two fastest performances in meet history in that event.
Another relay victory came in the mixed 4x400 relay, where Aven Johnson, Erickson, Paisley Grunzke, and Brayden Thomsen ran 3:38.45 to secure first place against a competitive field.
Several Raiders also moved into the Minnesota season top 10 lists with their Hamline performances. Hoffman’s 21.22 in the boys 200 meters ranks first in the state, while Strauss leads the boys 400 meters with his 47.58. Hanstad’s 48.73 sits third. The boys 4x200 relay and 4x400 relay both hold the No. 1 times in Minnesota this season. On the girls side, Magnus ranks first in the 200 meters and third in the 400 meters, while the girls 4x200 relay leads the state rankings.
Although the Hamline Elite Meet does not include team scoring, the Raiders left the meet with multiple event wins, several meet records, and a strong presence on the state performance lists as the season continues to build toward championship competition.
Hastings will compete next at the True Team Section 2AAA meet on Tuesday, May 5, at White Bear Lake North Campus, followed by the Matt Kero Memorial Invitational on Friday, May 8, at Denfeld High School. The Raiders will then prepare for the Metro East Championships scheduled for May 19 and May 21 at Two Rivers High School.