Sports

Raiders Earn Two Seed, Host Section Semifinals

The Hastings Raiders football team will host a section semifinal, earning the 2 seed despite a 37-29 loss to Mankato East.

The Raiders held their own against a strong Cougar team. Zack Shatek ran for 249 yards and two scores, and Grant Birken had an offensive and defensive touchdown in the loss, as the Raiders were doomed by a couple of turnovers that gave Mankato East short fields that they capitalized on.

But the loss proved to help Hastings, as the Raiders earned a two seed, while Two Rivers shut out Northfield 20-0, to earn the three seed, after Apple Valley fell to a rebuilding Owatonna team. The QRF was used to rank the section, with Hastings earning the two based on QRF rank and their performance. Two Rivers, despite beating Apple Valley and losing to Hastings, was projected by many to end up the 4 seed, but their win over the Northfield Raiders put them over the top. This relegates Apple Valley to the 4 seed, with the Eagles playing Burnsville on Tuesday night in the play in game.

The Raiders now get an extended layoff of over 10 days to prepare for round two with the Warriors, who Hastings beat on homecoming 29-19.

The game is set for Saturday, Ocotber 25 at 2 p.m. at Todd Field as of now.

Raiders Earn Two Seed, Host Section Semifinals

The Hastings Raiders football team will host a section semifinal, earning the 2 seed despite a 37-29 loss to Mankato East.

The Raiders held their own against a strong Cougar team. Zack Shatek ran for 249 yards and two scores, and Grant Birken had an offensive and defensive touchdown in the loss, as the Raiders were doomed by a couple of turnovers that gave Mankato East short fields that they capitalized on.

But the loss proved to help Hastings, as the Raiders earned a two seed, while Two Rivers shut out Northfield 20-0, to earn the three seed, after Apple Valley fell to a rebuilding Owatonna team. The QRF was used to rank the section, with Hastings earning the two based on QRF rank and their performance. Two Rivers, despite beating Apple Valley and losing to Hastings, was projected by many to end up the 4 seed, but their win over the Northfield Raiders put them over the top. This relegates Apple Valley to the 4 seed, with the Eagles playing Burnsville on Tuesday night in the play in game.

The Raiders now get an extended layoff of over 10 days to prepare for round two with the Warriors, who Hastings beat on homecoming 29-19.

The game is set for Saturday, Ocotber 25 at 2 p.m. at Todd Field as of now.

Girls Soccer Section Final Preview

The Hastings Raiders Girls Soccer Team is in their first ever section final, taking on powerhouse Holy Angels on Tuesday afternoon for the right to go to State.

Th Raiders defeated Twin Cities Academy 10-2 and Highland Park 3-0 en route to the section final, and will face the 8 time defending section champion Academy of Holy Angels Stars, who are undefeated at home with three draws and six wins.

Hastings is just 1-5-1 on the road, but went a perfect 4-0 in the section in the regular season. The two teams did not play each other in the regular season.

Gametime is 4:30 on Tuesday, and KDWA will carry the game live from Richfield.

Prescott Coaches Show

Due to sports coverage, last week's Prescott Coaches Show was aired earlier. In case you missed it, here is last week's episode

Zack Shatek Makes History As Raiders Win, Cardinals Claim Highway 10 Again

The Hastings Raiders literally ran wild on Friday night, taking down Bloomington Jefferson 46-19 behind an otherworldly performance from Zack Shatek, who finished with 26 carries for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns. No that is not a typo. Shatek had 246 yards at halftime before ripping off an 80 yard touchdown to start the third quarter. Shatek's performance is believed to be the eighth most rush yard in MSHSL history.

Dick Cragg joined us to recap the game

As you also heard in this segment, the Prescott Cardinals also took care of Ellsworth, using a big second half to win 20-10. Prescott erased a 10-0 deficit, and a 62-yard bomb from Brody Temmers to Jaylen Fleming would give Prescott the lead, before Wyatt Budworth sealed it on a pick six, 20-10. The Cardinals are now 1-2 on the year, 1-0 in the MBC

Try Hockey For Free Returns Next Saturday

Next Saturday, the Try Hockey for Free event returns to Hastings Civic Arena, with a new name and partner, but the same opportunities to learn the sport.

Our Adam Elling is involved in the event, and he talked about what you can expect, as well as the opportunity to take part in skating on the Hockey Day rink

Mudhens Manager Recaps Epic State Title

The Miesville Mudhens continue to celebrate their epic state title, and Manager Robb Gamm joined KDWA to recap the tournament as well as the entire season

What?! Mudhens' Incredulous 9th Inning Leads To Second Straight Title

The Miesville Mudhens pulled off an epic comeback for the ages with a 2025 state championship win 11-9 over the Champlin Park LoGators, a team that Miesville has quite the history with.

The Mudhens got it started right away when Joey Werner hit a 2-run home run to give Miesville a 2-run lead. After that, however, Champlin Park controlled the majority of the game, thanks in part to a 6-run 2nd to make it 6-2. It would stay that way until the bottom of the fifth, when Lucas McNellis scored on a Ben Vujovich single to make it 6-3. In the top of the 9th, it looked like Champlin Park had put it away, after adding three more runs to make it 9-3. This included some controversy after the bottom of the 8th, when Champlin Park's pitcher was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after allegedly throwing his glove in the direction of a Miesville player. The LoGators responded by adding the three runs, but come the bottom of the ninth, the Mudhens found a way. Werner started with a walk, Ronnie Sweeny singled, Evan Nelson walked, Brock Rinehart hit a bases loaded two run double to make it 9-5. Deryk Marks, who got the start on the mound, then struck out, and McNellis singled to score two runs and make it 9-7. Matt Vanderbosch in a pinch hitting effort walked, and Alex Hendrickson popped out to give the Mudhens two outs in the bottom of the ninth. When Ben Vujovich came to the plate, the Mudhens were down to their last strike, and Vujovich with the 2-2 count singled to drive in a run and make it 9-8. When Werner came back for the second at bat of the inning, Champlin Park pitcher Charlie Hutchinson would be called for a balk, which would score Max Gamm and tie the game. With a 2-1 count after the balk, Joey Werner cemented his Mudhens legacy with a no doubt two run homer to right field, and the Mudhens repeated as state champions in unbelievable fashion, with an eight run rally. It is their second straight state title. Werner talked with KDWA's Adam Elling after the game.

The Mudhens returned home with a celebratory parade courtesy of the Miesville Fire Department, and celebrated at Jack Ruhr Field as a team, one of the wildest championship game endings of all time.

Mudhens Headed Back To Title Game

The Miesville Mudhens came back from an 8-1 deficit to punch their ticket to the championship game on Sunday. After going down 4-0 early, the deficit swelled to 8-1, but then Miesville came roaring back, en route to an 8-7 gap, before Deryk Marks hit a solo shot to tie the game, which forced extras. In extra innings, the Mudhens got two on in the tenth, and that's when Lucas McNellis delivered the game winning RBI to win it. The title game is set for Sunday at Noon in Gaylord.

Hens Win, Cards Lose

The Miesville Mudhens are on to Semifinal Saturday with a 4-2 win voer the Forest Lake Brewers. Trevor Koenig went the full 9 innings, giving up just 6 hits, one of which was a 2-run bobmb that resulted in Forest Lake's only runs of the game. Miesville clamped down otherwise and the Mudhens will face the Minneapolis Warriors (formerly Lyons Pub) in Gaylord at 1:30 with the winner advancing to Noon for the title game in Gaylord on Sunday.

The Prescott Cardinals football team dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 34-21 loss to Durand, but not before the Cardinals clawed back from a massive halftime gap. The Cardinals trailed 28-0 at half and came right ot with Kobe Russell connecting with Gavin Miller for a touchdown. The Panthers would add another score to make it 34-7, but Russell would find Miller again, as the deep ball came to life for Prescott. Now 34-14, Prescott would succeed on an onside kick and score in two plays to make it 34-21. Another onside kick was nearly converted, as the Cardinals recovered, but the officials said it touched a Cardinal before it went the full ten yards. The Cardinals would force a turnover but couldn't find the scores they needed. Prescott travels to Ellsworth next week

Raiders Take Season Opener

The Hastings Raiders football team opened the season with a thrilling 20-17 win over New Prague on Thursday night. The Raiders defense struggled in the first half, but made plays in the 2nd half to give them a chance to win.

As it Happened

New Prague got the ball first, and the Trojans made it count, rattling off a 9 play, 84 yard drive that took nearly four minutes, with a 38-yard pass to make it 7-0.

The Raiders responded in kind with a four minute drive of their own, going 80 yards in ten plays capped off by Zack Shatek's 4 yard run. The extra point was blocked and the Raiders trailed 7-6.

New Prague then goes on a lengthy, 10 play 74 yard drive that lasts into the 2nd quarter, with Jasperson hauling in yet another 38 yard pass. 14-6 New Prague

Yet another lengthy drive, this time from the Raiders, who go 80 yards in 14 plays, capped off by Shatek's 2nd score of the game. Carter Hansen found Birken for the 2-pt conversion. 14-14

New Prague ends the half with a 14 play 68 yard drive, with the Trojans hitting a field goal at the end of the half. 17-14 New Prague

2ndHalf

The defense's figured things out in the 2nd half. Hastings marches down the field, only to fumble the ball, and New Prague recovers

Raiders defense stops New Prague, still 17-14.

We head to the fourth quarter with the Trojans ahead 17-14.

In the fourth quarter, the Trojans have a chance to put the game away, but the Raider defense comes up big, making a huge fourth down stop.

After a New Prague punt, the Raiders would get the ball on their own 15, after the punt was muffed but recovered by Hastings.

The Raiders put on an absolute clinic on the last drive, marching down the field in ten plays, with Shatek putting a bow on the drive with an 11 yard TD. 20-17 Hastings with 1:06 left.

The Trojans got the ball back, with time and timeouts, and methodically work their way down the field, putting themselves in a position for a game tying field goal. But the kick is blocked! The Raiders spill out onto the field victorious.

Hastings is @ Bloomington Jefferson next Friday @ 6:30

Shatek had 35 carries for 215 yards and 3 scores, while Hansen went 11-19 for 155 yards. Matt Foss had 99 receiving yards on 6 catches.

Raiders vs New Prague Preview

Hastings Football Head Coach Dana Strain joined KDWA to discuss the Raiders' season opener against New Prague

Raider Football Preview

Hastings Football Head Coach Dana Strain joined KDWA to discuss the Raiders' practices so far and their scrimmage on Saturday against Park:

Prescott Girls Golf Preview

The Prescott Cardinals Girls Golf team kicked off their season on Thursday, and Head Coach Chad Salay joined the team to preview the season

2025 Prescott Football Preview

The Prescott Cardinals football team is excited for their 2025 season, and head coach Jordan Hansen joined KDWA for a preview:

Mudhens, Cannon Falls Learn State Brackets

The Miesville Mudhens and Cannon Falls Bears have found out their 2025 State Tournament Brackets

Miesville

The Mudhens get the first week of the 24-team single elimination tournament off, where they will face the winner of Waconia and Minnetonka. The Tournament then would continue over three days the third weekend to determine a winner. Waconia is the defending Class C champion, setting up the possibility of the two defending champions from last year facing off in the Round of 16. Miesville will play a tune up game on Wednesday to prepare.

Cannon Falls

Cannon Falls will open its 2025 tournament on Saturday, August 16 in Hutchinson against Roseau. The winner of this matchup advances to take on Opole or Sauk Centre the following Saturday, while the loser is eliminated.

Brackets are available Here

Mudhens Claim Section Title; Hawks On The Brink Of State

The Miesville Mudhens made a statement on Wednesday night, clinching the 1 seed from their section for the state tournament with a 21-5 dismantling of Dundas at Jack Ruhr Field.

After a scoreless first inning, Miesville took the lead in the 2nd inning when Ben Vujovich had a 2-RBI single. Joey Werner followed that up with a 2-RBI triple, and Ronnie Sweeny a 2-run homer and just like that it was 6-0.

Dundas responded with a 3-run homer from Ryan Cahoon to make it 6-3, but that was as close as they would get, as Miesville would add a run to go up 7-3, and then a 3-run shot from Werner made it 10-3. Miesville then added 11 runs in the 5th to go up 21-3, including a Rinehart grand slam, as Werner himself came within a double of hitting for the cycle.

Dundas added a 2-run homer for good measure, but Miesville left no doubt that they were the top team in the section as everyone predicted at the beginning of the season. But the road to that point wasn't as easy as thought initially.

After a 16-game win streak dating back to last season was snapped, the Mudhens went into a free for all during the middle of the season, dropping a stretch of games that took them out of contention for the section's top seed. Miesville landed with the 5-seed or playoffs, and pulled away from Hampton after a sluggish start to win 7-3, which sent them to Saint Patrick, the section's top seed and a trendy favorite to win State. St. Patrick would keep Miesville at bay until the top of the 9th, when down 7-3, the Hens would launch three homers in 4 batters to take a 9-7 lead and win the game by that score, clinching their spot at State. The Mudhens then used that momentum to dispatch Dundas and take the top seed, which will give Miesville the first weekend of the State Tournament off and relegates Dundas to the first weekend.

The Hastings Hawks are on the brink of a state tournament appearance, needing to beat Elko Thursday. After Hastings lost to Saint Patrick 5-3, the Hawks the pulled off a crazy comeback of their own, scoring five runs in the 8th to take a 5-4 lead over New Market, eliminating the 3-seed. Hastings will travel to Elko, who upset New Market and then fell to Dundas in section play so far. Rochester faces Saint Patrick in the other state qualifier game, and if the Royals win, its very possible that the 5, 6, 7 or 8 seeds all qualify for state alongisde the 2 seed Dundas (Elko is the 6 and Hastings is the 8 so they both cannot qualify).

Legion Post 47 Back to State

The Hastings American Legion Post 47 baseball team is headed to the State Tournament in St. Michael after a comeback in substate from an early loss to down Eagan. The team defeated Eagan in a winner-take-all game to punch their ticket and will partake in Green Pool play with New Ulm, Shakopee and Sauk rapids. Should they win, they would advance to the semifinals and finals which take place Sunday in St. Michael.

Hockey Day Minnesota Date, Matchups Announced

The official matchups for Hockey Day MN 2026 were revealed at Rivertown Days on Friday night.

On January 24, the Hastings Raiders boys hockey team will take on the East Ridge Raptors and the Hastings Raiders girls hockey team will take on the Park Wolfpack at United Heroes League

Saint Thomas Academy will also take on Rock Ridge in boys hockey at the same venue. It is each school's first time at Hockey Day Minnesota.

The entire festivities will begin a week earlier on January 17, and on January 23, Hastings will make history, as Hockey Day Minnesota will host a professional game for the first time when the Iowa Wild, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, will play the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators, at UHL's 5500-seat rink.

KDWA spoke with Shane Hudella of United Heroes League, one of the integral people behind Hastings being awarded the event:

Raider Track Wins Relay National Title At Nike Outdoor Nationals

The Hastings Track and Field team went to the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, OR over the weekend and came away with a national championship. The Raiders compiled the following results:

1 Boys 4x200m Relay Championship 1:26.22 C. Zeien, G. Hanstad, S. Strauss, L. Hoffman

13 Boys 4x100m Relay Championship - Preliminaries 42.92 'A' H3 C. Zeien, J. Vickney, J. Cloutier, L. Hoffman

6 Girls 4x200m Relay Championship 1:42.09 'A' H3 C. Kordosky, O. Erickson, J. Appert, E. Magnus

8 Boys 4x400m Relay Championship 3:19.70 'A' H3 J. Cloutier, G. Hanstad, J. Vickney, S. Strauss

3 Mixed 4x400m Relay Championship 3:32.95 'A' H3 G. Hanstad, E. Magnus, S. Strauss, O. Erickson

Boys 200m (Championship) - Prelims

25 Lane Hoffman 21.83

Boys 400m (Championship)

8 Sebastian Strauss 47.56

Boys 400m (Emerging Elite)

31 Gunner Hanstad 49.84

The 4x200 relay's time of 1:26.22 was nearly a second faster than the next closest team, while the other relays all finished in the top 10 or top 15.

In terms of individual events, the Raiders weren't as lucky, but the proof is in the pudding that the Raiders used their speed to run towards a national title in a race, much like they did for a state title.

The Raider track and field team will be honored at Wednesday night's school board meeting for their success.

Hastings Boys Track and Field Wins First State Title

The Hastings Raiders boys track team used four victories in finals to take the program's first ever state championship in St. Michael on Thursday.

The 4x200 relay of Sebastian Strauss, Gunnar Hanstad, Lane Hoffman and Cole Zeien won the first title of the day with a season best of 1:25.80, which also was the only time under 1:26 in the state this year.

Strauss won the 400 meters in 49.02 seconds, Hoffman won the 200 meters in 21.22 seconds. The 4x400 relay of Strauss, Hoffman, Jack Cloutier and Johnny Vickney was the deciding race, rallying from an early deficit to get the win on the anchor leg. This gave the Raiders 42 points, enough for their first title in program history. Hanstad's sixth place finish in the 400 meters also ended up being important, as it gave the Raiders additional points towards their victory.

The Raider girls finished 16th in the standings but had some solid performances as well.

Prescott Track Breaks Records At State Meet

The Prescott Cardinals Track and Field team was at the State Tournament in La Crosse last weekend, and had several fantastic results. The 4x100 team of Andrew Lesso (11), Andrew Russell (11), Wyatt Budworth (10), and Ethan West (12), finished 1st in a STATE RECORD time of 42.00.    The Previous state record mark was held by Denmark at 42.11 from 2023. Alternates on the 4x100 team were Reese Stanton (10) and Kobe Russell (11).

The boys 4x400 team of Jack Kreager (12), Kobe Russell (11), Will Packard (12), and Andrew Russell (11) finished on the podium in 6th.

Ethan West took 4th in the 200 meter dash and finished 5th in the pole vault.

Kyra Dix (10) took advantage of her first state track meet berth by breaking Prescott's school record in the 3200 meter run. Her 11:35.57 eclipsed Victoria Simones previous mark of 11:44.08 set in 2010.

Will Packard (12) also competed in the 300 hurdles. Packard missed making the finals, but he concluded his high school career as Prescott's school record holder in the event.

Park High School Mourns Loss Of Beloved Coach

Park of Cottage Grove High School is mourning the loss of a beloved baseball and football coach. Jeff Plaschko passed away suddenly over the weekend, and Park High School Activities Director Phil Kuemmel joined KDWA to reflect on his life and impact, and about the emotions of playing a baseball game after his passing:

Raider Sports Awards Take Place

The Raider Sports Awards again took place this year, with Raider parents, coaches and athletes alike in attendance. Athletes were honored for everything from academic all-conference to winning a section championship. The ExCel, AAA and Athena and Apollo award winners were also honored, as were this year's Wall of Honor, Russ Welch, Jake Moore and Paul Vaith. We will have a full recap to come.

MSHSL Releases 2025-2027 Section Placements

Every two years the MSHSL updates the section placement, and Hastings athletics has learned its placements for 2025-26 and 2026-27. One major change occurred, with boys hockey moving down to Class A. Full placement list:

Section 1

• 1A- Clay Target, Adapted Sports, Nordic Ski

• 1AA- Dance, Music

Section 3

• 3A- Lacrosse

• 3AA- Girls Hockey, Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis, Boys Swim and Dive, Gymnastics,

• 3AAA- Boys Soccer, Wrestling, Track and Field, Girls Tennis, Cross Country, Golf

• 3AAAA- Girls Volleyball, Softball, Basketball, Baseball

• 3AAAAA- Football

Section 4

• 4A- Alpine Skiing, Boys Hockey, Girls Swim and Dive

In football, Burnsville joins the section, replacing BOTH Bloomington schools and creating a five team section.

Boys hockey moves down to Class A based on enrollment numbers and being the lowest AA team on enrollment last season. While they move, Girls Hockey stays up in AA. The Raiders boys hockey section will include Mahtomedi, Simley, South Saint Paul, Osseo, Chisago Lakes, St. Paul Academy, Tartan, Irondale-Saint Anthony and St. Paul Co-op. Girls Soccer also is on the move to AA while Boys Soccer stays in AAA.