The 2024-25 season will be remembered as the year the Hastings Raiders girls wrestling team firmly planted their flag as one of the top programs in the state. In only their second full season, the Raiders didn’t just show up, they dominated. Whether it was team tournaments, dual meets, conference championships, or postseason showdowns, the Hastings girls made it clear they were a force.
The numbers only tell part of the story. Six state qualifiers. Ten section place winners. A fifth-place finisher and a sixth-place finisher at the state tournament. A first-place team finish at Pine Island out of over forty schools. A strong showing in the first-ever Metro East Conference girls’ championship. Add in a near-title run at the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association (MWCA) Dual State Championship, and you have the makings of a season that won’t soon be forgotten.
Assistant Girls Coach Angie McLay summed up the year best: “It has been an incredibly exciting and historic year for the team! It’s so clear that the hard work and dedication from these young ladies are paying off. It was thrilling to watch Hastings prove their worth at the MWCA state duals, especially with upsets against STMA, Bemidji, and that narrow loss to Apple Valley. Also, nineteen girls placed at the Metro East Conference tournament! Simply incredible.”
Postseason Brilliance
The Raiders saved their best wrestling for when it mattered most. At sections, Hastings sent ten girls into the top six, with six punching tickets to the MSHSL State Tournament. Leading the charge was junior Ellie Levine, who captured the section title at 118 pounds. Right alongside her, Amelia Miller (170 pounds) and Mady Radspinner (235 pounds) both stood atop the podium as section champions.
Allison Weinzettel (112 pounds), Olivia Levine (124 pounds), and Cashawn Brooks (142 pounds) each fought their way to runner-up finishes, showing the team’s depth and grit.
At state, the Raiders didn’t shy away from the big stage. Weinzettel wrestled her way to a fifth-place finish at 112 pounds, capping a season filled with steady improvement. Ellie Levine added a sixth-place finish at 118 pounds, solidifying herself as one of Minnesota’s top competitors.
Conference Dominance
Another highlight came in February, when Hastings stormed through the first-ever Metro East Conference Girls Championship. It was a showcase of both talent and depth. The Raiders crowned eight conference champions: Allison Weinzettel, Annabel Norquist, Olivia Levine, Cashawn Brooks, Josie Giangiacomo, Lily Watts, Amelia Miller, and Ellie Levine. Several others placed in the top three, showing the team’s all-around strength. Samantha Allen, Audrianna Dahlberg, and Avery Levine each claimed second place, while Trinity Yates, Leighton Robinson, and others added strong third-place finishes.
McLay praised the team’s rapid progress and emphasized the larger significance of their success. “The progress for girls in wrestling this year is amazing. The NCAA sanctioning women’s wrestling is a huge leap forward. More colleges will likely follow suit and create programs, opening up even more opportunities for these athletes. It’s truly a moment in history for the sport. I feel truly blessed to be a part of the Hastings Wrestling program and a part of history in the making.”
MWCA Dual State Thriller
Perhaps the most thrilling event of the season came at the MWCA Minnesota Girls Dual State Championship in January. Hastings opened with a commanding 51-23 win over Brainerd, followed by an impressive 45-29 victory over perennial powerhouse St. Michael-Albertville. In a heartbreaker, the Raiders dropped a tight match to Apple Valley by just one point, 37-36. Undeterred, they bounced back in the final round, rolling past Bemidji 43-24. The overall performance left no doubt that Hastings belongs among the state's elite.
Tournament Success
The Raiders’ early season schedule also featured strong showings that set the tone. At the Pine Island Tournament, they topped a field of forty-one schools, claiming the team title with a deep roster of place winners. Samantha Allen, Cashawn Brooks, and Amelia Miller all took home individual titles, while several others including Allison Weinzettel, Ellie Levine, Josie Giangiacomo, and Avery Levine earned top five finishes.
Champlin Park was another proving ground, where Amelia Miller, Sammie Allen, Darriyanah Kelly, and Audrianna Dahlberg all earned first-place finishes. The rest of the lineup contributed consistent results, once again proving the team's balance and versatility.
Senior Leadership
As much as this year was about victories and medals, it was also about leadership and growth. Hastings bids farewell to a special group of seniors who helped lay the groundwork for the program’s success.
Amelia Miller, Anabelle Norquist and Allison Weinzettel are the last three of the original seven girls that started this whole, groundbreaking adventure. They are joined by fellow seniors Maya Campbell, Cashawn Brooks, Josie Giangiacomo and Maddy Radspinner. These girls have all worn the Raider singlet with pride and purpose. Their mentorship has been crucial to the team’s development. Whether it was leading by example in the practice room, stepping up in key duals, or guiding younger teammates through the grind of the season, their contributions extend far beyond the mat. Their leadership, dedication, and commitment will leave a lasting legacy.
The Next Wave
Looking ahead, the Raiders are in good hands. Ellie Levine returns as one of the top wrestlers in the state, ready to build off her state podium finish and take on an even bigger leadership role as a senior. Olivia Levine, who showed flashes of brilliance throughout the year, will be counted on to step up, as will underclassmen like Leighton Robinson and Avery Levine, both fresh off their breakout seasons.
Samantha Allen, Madeline Berg, Lily Watts, Emma Taylor and more all demonstrated they have the skills and work ethic to keep Hastings at the top. And with a strong middle school and youth pipeline feeding into the program, the Raiders are poised for continued success.
The Community Impact
Beyond the wins and titles, one of the most remarkable aspects of this season was the support from the Hastings community. The Raider faithful packed gyms and filled social media feeds, cheering on the girls every step of the way. The buzz around the program grew with each match, and the athletes responded by wrestling with heart and pride, knowing they had a town backing them.
The 2024-25 Hastings girls wrestling season wasn’t just successful, it was defining. It set a new standard for what’s possible and proved that when talent, hard work, and support come together, greatness follows. The bar has been raised, and the Raiders are just getting started.