Hastings track and field athletes opened their season with an early spring competition designed to give both the boys and girls teams a first look at where they stand after the winter training period. The meet served as a low stakes benchmark event, giving coaches and athletes a chance to evaluate sprint, distance, and field groups while building energy for the weeks ahead. It also gave competitors an opportunity to face another team in a setting that felt closer to a true meet than an indoor workout, while still keeping the focus on development.
Head coach Jason Koch said the purpose of the early competition was simple. It allowed the staff to see how athletes performed in real race situations and helped runners begin the transition from practice pace to meet pace.
“It’s a chance for us to give the kids a chance to compete against another school,” Koch said. “It’s not high stakes, but at the same time it also isn’t a huge deal, but it’s a chance for us to get a look at the kids.”
The Raiders entered the season with strong returning depth on the boys side, especially from athletes who contributed to last year’s state championship lineup. Koch pointed to several experienced runners who helped the team score at the state meet last season, including Gunner Hanstead, Sebastian Strauss, Lane Hoffman, Parker Stoltz, Tristan Herbs, and Aiden Reuter. Their return gives Hastings a solid base across both sprint and distance events as the outdoor season begins to take shape.
On the girls side, the roster is smaller than last year but still includes athletes with proven ability across several event areas. Some returning highlights are Olyvia Erickson, Elli Magnus and Maya Bauer, all who reached the state meet last year with Bauer going as a freshman. Bauer is expected to continue contributing in multiple events this spring with Magnus and Erickson expected to continue with their leadership and athleticism both on and off the track.
While results from early season competitions often matter less than later meets, the shift in the weather and thus outdoors for practices brought a noticeable change in energy for the team. Koch said simply getting back onto the outdoor track helped lift the athletes’ enthusiasm after months inside.
“Obviously every single day we want to go outside,” Koch said. “Even when it’s a little cooler, running on the outdoor track, not as tight of turns. Getting to wear spikes, things like that, are always better.”
That excitement carried into the preseason’s competition’s atmosphere as teammates supported each other throughout events. Koch compared the meet to a scrimmage in other sports, where the focus stays on learning rather than results but still creates a stronger competitive environment than a typical practice.
“It’s kind of like a practice, but a little bit of extra juice that goes into it,” Koch said. “They get hyped, they cheer for each other. It’s a little bit more exciting and a little bit more fun than just a practice.”
The early meet also gave coaches a clearer picture of where different event groups currently stand. Sprinters, distance runners, and field athletes all had opportunities to test themselves in competition conditions and begin setting goals for improvement as the season progresses. Those early marks often become important reference points later in the spring when conference and invitational meets arrive. It also helps the rookies on the team understand the flow of a competitive situation; what to listen for, when to warm up, when to show up to the start line and the process of competing.
For returning athletes, the meet served as a chance to begin building rhythm and confidence. For younger competitors, it provided valuable experience with meet routines and expectations. Together, those steps help shape the direction of the season as Hastings prepares for a busy outdoor schedule.
The Raiders will continue building toward upcoming meets as the calendar moves deeper into April, using each competition as another chance to sharpen performances and track progress across events.
The Raiders first competition is slated for 4 p.m. on Apr. 7 at Tartan. For those who will be in the stands cheering the Raiders on, Tartan High School has been undergoing a major remodeling process for the last few years that was still in process during the winter. It would be wise to show up early to assess parking and field access because that has changed with each sports season.