The Hastings Raider Dance Team continued its steady rise during the 2025–26 season, building on the foundation established during the program’s first year competing under the Minnesota State High School League.
Throughout the winter, the Raiders showed growth both on the competition floor and as a program, highlighted by improved scores, strong placements, and several milestone moments along the way.
One of the early highlights of the season came when Hastings hosted its first-ever home dance competition. The event marked another historic step for the program and brought teams from around the conference to Hastings High School for a full day of performances. For the Raiders, the meet represented both a competitive opportunity and a chance to showcase the growing support around the dance team.
As the season progressed, Hastings continued to gain confidence in both its jazz and kick routines. At an invitational late in the season, the junior varsity jazz team delivered one of the day’s top finishes, placing second out of nine teams, while the varsity jazz squad earned third place in a field of 11 teams.
Those performances reflected the steady improvement the team focused on throughout the year, as dancers refined technique, timing, and synchronization while preparing for postseason competition.
The season concluded at the Section meet in February, where the Raiders faced a deep field of experienced programs competing for limited state tournament spots.
Hastings delivered one of its strongest performances of the year. The varsity jazz team finished fourth out of 13 teams, narrowly missing the top three that would have advanced to the state competition. The varsity kick team placed eighth out of 12 teams, continuing to show improvement in a style that remains relatively new to the program.
Head coach Kayla Sohn praised the team’s dedication and growth throughout the season, emphasizing the bond the athletes built along the way.
Although the season ended just short of a state berth, the Raiders leave the year with momentum and confidence. With the program still early in its MSHSL history, the continued progress on the floor suggests even greater opportunities ahead for Hastings dance.