By Derek Simon [email protected] news

The Hastings varsity wrestling team competed in a triangular Friday this past week. The Raiders travelled South to face a talented Goodhue team and a traditionally good Pine Island team. The Raiders dual record coming into Thursday night’s matches was 21-4, winners of 15 straight. This was the last dual match on the Raiders regular season schedule meaning with a pair of wins, Hastings could enter post season play with a 17 match win streak. The majority of Hastings matches recently have been easy victories with very little drama. Hastings found out quickly that Goodhue would be a much more difficult opponent. Goodhue would win four of the first six matches to take the lead 21-9. Hastings would then answer with six straight wins to take a 36-21 lead. The schools would split the remaining two matches. The small school Wildcats performed well, but the Raiders would prevail in a 42-27 victory. Hastings would win nine of 14 matches. The Raiders won just four matches by fall, meaning many of the wrestlers had longer matches than they’ve had in a while. Hastings won four more matches by decision. Good hue did forfeit the match at 170, giving Hastings the win.

The match against Pine Island was much different. As the Raiders have done often during their win streak, Hastings dominated the whole match. After the first 12 classes, Hastings had the maximum 72 points. The Raiders had seven wins by pin and Pine Island had to forfeit five matches. Although Pine Island would win by a fall and a decision in the final two classes, Hastings wins easily 72-9. Individual results: 106 Blake Beissel, ranked 7th in state, continues to roll along going 2-0 with both wins by fall. 113 Creed Peterson was 1-1 this week with a win by fall.

120 Jack Bainbridge had another perfect week. Jack was 2-0 with a win by fall.

126 Skylar Little Soldier was 1-1 this week with a win by fall.

132 Fletcher Peterson was 0-1 this week, Cody Wenzel was 1-0.

138 Derrick Steinke was 1-1 this week.

145 Josh Route was 2-0 on the week.

152 Aiden Erickson won both his matches this week.

160 Nolan Meyers was undefeated this week with a win by fall.

170 Rico Cooper was 2-0 on the week with a win by fall.

182 Sam O’Connor was 2-0 on the week. Sam barely broke a sweat winning both matches by fall in less than a minute!

195 Blake Clemons won both his matches this week, one win by fall.

220 Dylan Bartz was 0-2 on the week.

285 Austin Leflay was 1-1 on the week, the win by fall.

The wrestlers now will wait for the section seedings to see who they will wrestle individually and as a team.