By Derek Simon

[email protected]

The Hastings wrestling team competed in triangulars on Thursday and Saturday this past week. Thursday, the Raiders would wrestle Mounds View and White Bear Lake. On Saturday, they would face Tartan and Mahtomedi. The Raiders dual record coming into Thursday night’s matches was 14-4, winners of eight straight.

Hastings wrestled Mounds View first on Thursday night. The Raiders jumped out to a 16-0 lead after the first three matches. But as coach Haneburg predicted, Mounds View would be a good test for his team as both teams won seven matches. Hastings lost the next three matches and saw their lead trimmed to 16-12. The back and forth between the teams continued, as the Raiders would then win three matches to take a 30-12 lead. Mounds View then took their turn winning three matches in a row to narrow the gap to 30-27. The Raiders finally claimed the victory in the 220 pound match when Austin Leflay won by pin. Hastings narrowly defeats Mounds View 36-33. White Bear Lake was not the test that Mounds View was. The Raiders had their way with the Bears winning 13 of 14 matches rolling to a 77-6 win. Nine of the wins were by fall.

Saturday, Hastings continued their dominance on the mat. Tartan was the first victim. Tartan would jump out to a 14-12 lead after five matches. The fifth match was a heartbreaking three overtime loss for Caleb Folstrom. After the terrific battle at 132 pounds, the Raiders did not lose a match, winning the final nine matches. Hastings won 11 of 14 matches, seven by fall and defeat Tartan 63-14. The final match of the week was against Mahtomedi. This time the Raiders made sure there was no drama winning the first nine matches to lead 54-0. Hastings would win 12 of 14 matches, eight by fall. Hastings won easily, 72-9.

Individual results for the week: 106 Blake Beissel continues to dominate. He was 4-0 this week with three wins by fall.

113 Creed Peterson was 1-0 with a win by fall. Mark Svoboda was 2-1 with a win by fall.

120 Jack Bainbridge continues his impressive season with a 4-0 week. Two wins by fall.

126 Skylar Little Soldier was 2-2 this week with one win by fall.

132 Caleb Folstrom was 2-2 on the week with a win by fall.

138 Derrick Steinke was 3-1 on the week with all three wins by fall.

145 Josh Route had another 4-0 week with two wins by fall.

152 Aiden Erickson was 4-0 with two wins by fall.

160 Nolan Myers was also 4-0 win two wins by fall.

170 Rico Cooper was 2-1 this week with both wins by fall. Zander Hallis was 0-1.

182 Sam O’Connor was 2-1 with a win by fall. Rico Cooper was 0-1.

195 Blake Clemons was 2-1 with two wins by fall. Caleb Long was 1-0.

220 Tyler Miller was 2-1 with a win by fall. Austin Leflay was 1-0. The win by fall.

285 Cameron Olsen was 0-1. Austin Leflay was 3-0 with two wins by fall.

The Raiders now have won 12 straight dual matches and have an overall 18-4 record on the season. The Raiders will look to continue their winning ways on Thursday night at home. They also will be home on Saturday.

Kelvin Maher shoots a free throw early in the second half loss to Mahtomedi. Maher finished the night with four points. Photo by Derek Simon.