Sports

RAIDER HOCKEY TEAMS SWEEP THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES

The Hastings Raiders hockey teams both emerged victorious from their Thursday night from their contests. The Raider boys hockey team went on the road for the first time and held off Simley to get a 3-2 win. The Raiders prevailed despite 7 trips to the penalty box, and got quality goaltending from Kody Niederkorn once again. The Raiders were in an even contest early on, but Mark DeNoyer would break the ice on a rush, beating the Simley goaltender to make it 1-0. The Raiders would seize control after that. DeNoyer nearly added a second goal on a rush, and the Raiders had a few more rushes in the period, before Danny Millner scored on an assist from Blake Vandehoef to make it 2-0. Simley would score a minute later to make it 2-1 after an exciting first. The second period was scoreless, and Hastings spent a good majority of the period on the penalty kill, as a result trailing in shots on goal after two 18-17. The Raiders started the third period much cleaner, and Blake Vandehoef would zing one past the Simley goaltender to make it 3-1, with Peine and Larsen on the helpers. Hastings would play suffocating defense to keep the lead 3-1, until Connor Zgoda went off for a 5-minute major penalty. Simley however couldn’t find any shooting lanes, and then took a penalty of their own to make it 4 on 4 hockey. They would pull the goaltender and get a meaningless goal with 2 seconds left, but Hastings would get the win 3-2. Niederkorn made 21 saves in the winning effort, and 7 Raiders registered one point or more, with Vandehoef registering two in the victory. The Raiders return to action Tuesday night in Anoka now sitting with a record of 1-0-1 on the year. They then head south to Rochester on Thursday to play Century.

The Hastings girls hockey team cruised to a 5-1 win over the Two Rivers/Saint Paul Co-op. Kacey Plank added a power play goal in the first period to kick things off and Addie Seleski would double it up later on to make it 2-0 after one. The Raiders pulled away in the 3rd, after TRSP cut it to 1 in the 2nd, with Makayla Berquist scoring twice and Madyn Hanson adding another. 10 different Raiders registered a point, with Berquist’s two goals giving her two. The Raiders were 5-5 on the season heading into a nonconference tilt with White Bear, check back for an update on that contest.

Playof Fromat Causing Conern

KDWA EXCLUSIVE: NEW PROPOSED WIAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FORMAT STIRRING UP CONCERNS

Prescott High School Athletics Director Andrew Caudill joined KDWA to talk about a recent proposal that would guarantee every high school football team in Wisconsin gets 11 games, with a 9 game regular season, followed by 2 guaranteed playoff games. The report initially came out from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association, but Caudill told KDWA in an exclusive interview that they had not heard that from them. Listen to Caudill's thoughts on the issue, as well as his thoughts on the WIAA sanctioning lacrosse, in the link below:

RAIDERS WALL OF HONOR CEREMONY HELD, WILLIAMS COMMITS, BOYS BASKETBALL OPENS SEASON

It was a special night at the Hastings girls basketball game last weekend as eight legends were inducted into the Hastings High School Wall of Honor. Dick Cragg, Terry Hartman, John DeWall, Jackie Kranz, Bob Majeski, Greg Sandkamp and Al and Sandy Storlie were inducted into the wall of Honor during halftime of the basketball game. These 8 individuals are all longtime leaders and representatives of Hastings athletics. DeWall, Sandkamp and Majeski were all accomplished coaches, Hartman served in a variety of coaching and adminstrative roles, Kranz is a longtime Athletic Secretary, while Cragg has served for many years as a statistician in addition to his role as a section secretary and also a former teacher. The Storlies have spent many years involved in basketball and softball events as well as other Hastings related athletic functions. Each individual was honored with a plaque and posed for photos with AD Trent Hanson at center court of the basketball gym. A picture of that event is posted here.

Williams Commits

Hastings golfer Charlie Williams announced this past week he was committing to Bemidji State for Golf. Williams, another multisport athlete in Hastings, held a ceremony with his family at Dugarel's restaurant in Hastings.

Hastings Boys Basketball Splits Red Wing Tourney

The Hastings boys basketball team split its two games in the Red Wing Tip-Off last weekend. The Raiders took a tight 75-70 loss to Big Lake in the first game, before taking a 72-57 win in the second game over East Central. Coach Chad Feikema expected his team to be a good shooting team this year, and told KDWA that he expected last year to be an anomaly when it comes to how the team's record looked.

RAIDERS STORM BACK, DOUSE BLAZE IN OPENING NIGHT THRILLER

The Hastings Raiders girls basketball team stormed back to beat Burnsville on Friday night thanks to 26 points from Keagan McVicker and stingy defense down the stretch. In the early portions of the game, it was a back and forth affair, as Hastings and Burnsville both tried to shake off the rust. The Blaze were able to do it faster, as they broke open an 8-8 tie and opened up a double digit lead for much of the first half. The Raiders would race back however, and would end up taking a 38-34 halftime lead. The second half was more tightly officiated, with both teams making many trips to the foul line. The Raiders had a tough night at the line, making just 14 of their 28 free throw attempts, which kept the Blaze in the contest. Hastings would hit an inappropriately timed dry spell in the latter stages of the contest, but Burnsville was also unable to convert shots and the Raiders retained the lead. McVicker also fouled out of the contest, leaving the Raiders without their top scorer and point guard for the home stretch. Leading 64-63 late, Hastings would split a pair of free throws at the line, and Burnsville had a shot with 15 seconds After a drive to the basket, Haley Strain would obliterate the basketball with a ferocious block with 9 seconds left, giving the Blaze one last shot. Burnsville would miss a shot, snag an offensive board, but was then unable to put it back in, and the Raiders held on for the thrilling 65-63 win ahead of a monster clash with Rosemount on Tuesday.

As mentioned, the Raiders were led by McVicker's 26 points on 10/17 shooting, where she also nabbed 5 boards and had 2 assists. Strain had 15 points, 8 of which came from the free throw line, and she had 7 rebounds to go along with a block and 3 assists. The Raiders also got 12 points on 5/10 shooting from Emma Bakker with 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Natalie Caflisch added 8 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists and Rachel Notch had 4 points, 5 rebounds and an assist. Coach Sheri McLeod told us last week she was hoping that the Raiders would rise to the challenge with 22 point per game scorer Lilly Nuytten graduating, and while only 5 Raiders scored, three were in double figures. The Raiders celebrated the victory with a dance party to Sugarhill Gang's "Apache" (also known as Jump on it) at center court after the game. The Raiders next two games are Rosemount and Visitation.

HASTINGS HONORS FOUR ATHLETES

Earlier this week, Hastings High School honored four athletes with MSHSL awards. Trent Hanson joined us to talk about the awards to Jaylen Hanson, Noah Quigley, Emma Hagen and Martin Onnen.

HASTINGS BASKETBALL PREVIEWS

The Hastings boys and girls basketball teams begin their seasons on Friday, and both coaches joined KDWA to give us a preview of their seasons.

Head Boy's Coach Chad Feikema:

Head Girls Coach Sheri McLeod:

HASTINGS, MAYO, PLAY TO 3-3 DRAW

The Hastings Raiders boys hockey team played to a 3-3 tie with Rochester Mayo in the season opener Thursday night at Hastings Civic Arena, surviving an onslaught in overtime from the Spartans to walk away with it at least not being a loss. The game started off with both teams feeling each other out. Mayo had been blown out by two powerhouses in Chanhassen and top-ranked Minnetonka to start the season, but it was not indicative of the fact that the Spartans might be the second most experienced team in the section behind Lakeville South. That being said, it was the Raiders looking to see where they stacked up early, and the young Raiders team looked ahead of schedule. Hastings scored first when Jon Harris fed Blake Vandehoef in front to give the Raiders a 1-0 advantage 13:08 into the first period. With 15 seconds left in the period however, Mayo would respond, sneaking one in past Kody Niederkorn off a bad turnover to tie things up at 1 after 1.

In the 2nd period, Hastings would regain the lead. Mark DeNoyer passed the puck to Harris, who beautifully weaved his way behind the goaltender for his first varisty goal and a 2-1 lead. But Mayo wasn't going down without a fight, as Mason Leimbek would score two goals at the end of the 2nd period to give Mayo their first lead of the game 3-2. It would be their only lead of the night, as Hastings would tie it up in the 3rd period, when Connor Zgoda would score on a rebound with helpers from Sawyer Zaruba and Matt Sherry. That would remain the score heading into the extra 8 minutes.

In overtime, it was all Mayo. The Raiders spent nearly the entire 8 minutes backed up into their end, as an extended press from Mayo put more than 10 shots on net. But Kody Niederkorn would stop them all. Hastings had their only shot of overtime in the final seconds, and a great chance would not go in, resulting in a 3-3 tie. The Raiders are 0-0-1 on the season and return to action next week at Simley. Hastings was outshot 40-31 in the contest, and went 0-3 on the power play, but killed off both penalties against them. Niederkorn stopped 37 shots for a .925 save percentage, as he is primed to be the force in net for the Raiders this season.

EIGHT TO BE INDUCTED INTO HHS ATHLETICS WALL OF HONOR

On Friday night at Hastings High School, eight individuals will be inducted into the Wall of Honor for their exemplary accomplishments with Hastings High School athletics. Dick Cragg, John Dewall, Terry Hartman, Jackie Kranz, Bob Majeski and Greg Sandkamp as well as Al and Sandy Storlie will be honored during halftime of the Girls Basketball game against Burnsville.

Trent Hanson joined KDWA to discuss the inductees and also look back at an honor of his own that he received.

PRESCOTT AND HASTINGS NEWS AND NOTES

On Wednesday, KDWA learned of some news regarding Hastings and Prescott athletics.

Prescott

In Prescott, Katrina Budworth was named by WSN to the Senior Point Guard Award Watch List. Budworth is one of the top players in the Middle Border Conference, and leads a Cardinal team that is expected to be one of the top teams in the State this season under first year coach Owen Hamilton. The list will eventually be trimmed down later in the season before a winner is named.

Prescott's boys basketball team has its first ranking of the season. The Cardinals are ranked #8 in Division 3 in the first ranking. The Boys' first game at Durand-Arkansaw was postponed due to the winter storm and will be made up on December 5. The Cardinals are led by Jordan Malmlov and Dallas Wallin and return many pieces from last season's team.

Ava Salay has been named the top recruit in Wisconsin in Girls Golf for the Class of 2023. The Multi-time defending state champion has already signed her National Letter of Intent to golf for the Wisconsin Badgers. Rhi Stutz is the 17th ranked player in the class, and Maddie Reiter is the 41st.

Hastings

During Friday's Girls Basketball home opener, several legends of Hastings athletics will be honored on the schools Wall of Honor. The ceremony at halftime will honor Dick Cragg, John DeWall, Terry Hartman, Jackie Kranz, Bob Majeski, Greg Sandkamp and Al and Sandy Storlie for their "exemplary service to Hastings athletics". KDWA will broadcast the game live and will have coverage of the ceremony.

RAIDERS COMEBACK FALLS SHORT,BOW TO ROYALS 3-2

The Hastings Raiders girls hockey team saw its comeback effort fall a goalpost short against Hopkins/SLP on Tuesday night. The Raiders nearly doubled up the Royals in shots, but were unable to find the net in the first period. In that period, the Raiders had a 10-6 shot advantage, but it was Hopkins getting on the board first on a power play marker to make it 1-0. It was a strange goal, with everyone stopping after the ref ruled the first shot no goal, but a smart rebound put it back behind the net and the Raiders trailed. The Raiders had a few chances in the first, but were not able to find an answer and went into the first intermission down a goal. In the second period, the Raiders would surrender another, and then five minutes later another, and they trailed 3-0 late. But the dam would finally break, and with under two minutes to go in the period the Raiders would get the first goal, when Madyn Hanson went top shelf blocker side with helpers from Jade Schauer and Karissa Thompson to cut the gap to 3-1. 80 seconds later, the Raiders would add another, this one from Kylie Gruden assisted by Madelyn Schuster, to make it 3-2. The Raiders had an opportunity in the 3rd to tie the game, and made it interesting. With a few minutes to go, Addie Seleski had a shot ring off the crossbar and maybe the post, and the Raiders gave it one last push in the 3rd period, but they were unable to find the tying goal. The loss drops the Raiders to 3-4, but their record is certainly not indicative of how the team is playing, looking like the better team in 6 of their 7 contests, and outshooting the opponent in 5. Bree Balster didn’t face a lot of shots, but she stopped 14 out of 17 in the contest. The Raiders went 2 for 3 on the penalty kill and 0 for 1 on the power play, with an offsetting penalty on both teams for roughing not counting towards a power play but counting towards a penalty. The Raiders managed to get 30 shots on net, with 10 in the first, 11 in the second and 9 in the third. They returned to action Thursday for a rare out of state trip to take on Western Wisconsin in Somerset, WI, before they open conference play Tuesday against Simley and Thursday against Two Rivers/Saint Paul. That is followed by a nonconference game on Friday against White Bear Lake, before a return to conference play against North Saint Paul/Tartan Co-op on December 13, and a trip to South Saint Paul on December 16. The Raiders will see where they stack up during this slate.

RAIDERS DROP TWO, READY TO GET BACK ON TRACK

The Hastings Girls Hockey team returned home last week to open its home slate, playing its home opener against East Ridge. The Raiders fell 4-1, with the Raiders getting their lone goal from Emily Thuet at 15:24 of the second period with assists from Karissa Thompson and Makayla Berquist. That would make it 3-1 at the time but they were unable to make a comeback effort. The Raiders faced 51 shots, and Bree Balster was fantastic, stopping 47 of them for a .922 save percentage. The Raiders went 0 for 4 on the power play, and surrendered two goals on the kill to finish 2 for 4. The loss dropped the Raiders to 3-2 on the year.

After that, Hastings entertained Duluth Northern Stars Co-op at home, in a tightly contested game. It was physical early on, as a player from Duluth was given a 5 minute major penalty for checking, which then resulted in a ten minute misconduct. With no score after one, the Raiders were outshooting the Northern Stars 7-4, but Duluth would dominate the 2nd period, gaining a 7-3 shot advantage. But again there would be no score, and we would head to the 3rd deadlocked. In that 3rd period, Hastings would have a slight edge in shots, but Duluth would find the back of the net for the games only goal, a heartbreaker at 16:32 of the 3rd period. The loss dropped the Raiders to 3-3, but was a very competitive performance. Bree Balster stopped 15 of the 16 shots she faced, for a .938 save percentage, bringing her season total to a .922 save percentage and a goals against average of 2. Alexis Steinke has played two games in net, with two shutouts stopping all 22 shots she has faced.

The Raiders leading points scorer through the first 6 games is Kyra Erickson with 11 points (2 G, 9 A). She is followed by Makayla Berquist (5 G, 5 A) with 10, Kylie Gruden (4 G, 5 A) with 9, and Madyn Hanson (2 G, 6 A) and Jade Schauer (4 G, 4 A) with 8. Berquist leads the team in goals with 5, followed by Schauer, Seleski and Gruden with 4. The Raiders return to action Tuesday against Hopkins/Saint Louis Park Co-op before heading out of state Thursday, where they travel to Somerset, Wisconsin to face the Western Wisconsin Stars. That then begins a four game homestand with games against Simley (12/6), Two Rivers (12/8), White Bear Lake (12/9) and North/Tartan (12/13). The Raiders will look to get back in the win column in those games.

PRESCOTT BASKETBALL GAMES POSTPONED

Both Prescott basketball games have been postponed Tuesday due to weather. The girls game against SCC will be made up on Thursday, while the boys game against Durand does not currently have a makeup date. Stay tuned to KDWA for updates.

PRESCOTT BASKETBALL GAMES POSTPONED

Both Prescott basketball games have been postponed Tuesday due to weather. The girls game against SCC will be made up on Thursday, while the boys game against Durand does not currently have a makeup date. Stay tuned to KDWA for updates.

AFTON ALPS OPENS 2022 SEASON

Afton Alps opened its 2022 season Friday, November 18, with an immense level of excitement for what should be a fantastic winter. Trevor Maring of Afton Alps joined KDWA to give us the lowdown on their 2022 season and what you can expect at the Alps this year.

HASTINGS GIRLS SWIM AND DIVE WRAPS UP 2022 SEASON

The Hastings Girls Swim and Dive team wrapped up its 2022 season with a successful state meet that saw one swimmer take All-State honors. In a message to KDWA, Coach Katie McAlpin outlined the completion of the season for the team. Back in October, the JV Conference meet saw 9 swimmers representing the Raiders. 85% of the races resulted in best times. Three relays finished in the Top 6, but the meet is not scored. Two seniors, Shannon Olsen and Chloe Robinson were celebrated.

The Raiders then had the Section 3AA meet. 15 Raiders swam in this meet, leading Hastings to a third place finish. The Raiders sent Ava McNamara to State in the 100 fly and 100 breast, where she set section records. Kira Aarness qualified in the 200 IM, and the Raiders sent two relay teams as well. Four of the five events swam at State resulted in the Raiders making the finals. The 200 Medley Relay of Ashtyn Stewart, Ava McNamara, Josey Larson and Clara Birken finished 16th earning an All-State Honorable mention, while the same can be said for the 200 Free relay of McNamara, Lila Salzman, Lauren Jenkins and Aarness who finished 15th. McNamara earned All-State honors with a third place finish in the 100 fly, and a 6th place finish in the 100 breast in the last meet of her high school career. Emma Carter was honored at sectionals as a senior for her contributions to the program as well.

In the message sent to us, McAlpin closed with "As a coach, when you end a season, you reflect on how the season went. Not just from a stats point of view, but from a growth point of view. Each season as coaches we choose a few themes that we want to follow and "teach" to our team. This year I chose Purpose, Perspective and Practice. Through Purpose the girls came up with a team purpose to work for together. It was super cool to see them come together, create it, and live it. We worked on Perspective; why we are here(at the pool), our team, our selves, our failures and our successes. Our girls worked through a handful of ups and downs through out the season and I believe really embraced it. In practice we had extra focus on the little things making the big things work better. We saw this through their swimming and diving. Though out this season our team really came together and supported each other. It was so refreshing to see. I am so very proud of all of them!"

TEAM PREVIEW: PRESCOTT GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Prescott Girls Basketball season kicks off Tuesday night with a home game against Elk Mound, in the first game of the Owen Hamilton era. Hamilton joined KDWA to discuss the upcoming season.

TEAM PREVIEW: PRESCOTT GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Prescott Girls Basketball season kicks off Tuesday night with a home game against Elk Mound, in the first game of the Owen Hamilton era. Hamilton joined KDWA to discuss the upcoming season.

UPDATE: RAIDER NATION AND HYAA MERGING

Last week,we brought you news that HYAA and Raider Nation were merging to create a single youth baseball entity in Hastings after 13 years. We checked in with Traveling Director Jason Stoffel to gain a little more information.

COACHES SHOW 11/12

Due to some technical difficulties, KDWA was unable to provide a live coaches show on Saturday. But we were able to record a version for you with Cross Coutnry Assistant Coach Emily Hovseth, and athlete Linnea Ronning joining us to discuss the season, Ronning's state meet, and other cross country related tidbits. Click below to listen:

SEASON PREVIEW: PRESCOTT BASKETBALL

Prescott basketball begins its season on Monday, and Head Coach Nick Johnson joined KDWA to give us a preview of the season, including the difficult schedule, the biggest Conference foes, and the pieces that will help Prescott try and make a State run this season.

DEVELOPING STORY: RAIDER NATION, HYAA TO MERGE

It was announced Thursday that the Hastings youth baseball associations would be combining together. Raider Nation and HYAA will join forces to create a single entity. According to the press release, the two programs had been split for 13 years.

We will have more coverage of this announcement on KDWA.com

STUTZ, SALAY SIGN NLIs, COMMIT TO PLAY IN COLLEGE

Wednesday was an exciting day in Prescott, as two Prescott golfers signed to continue playing in college. Ava Salay officially joined the Wisconsin Badgers, while Rhi Stutz signed with Kutztown University in Pennsylvania for her college. Stutz signaled the school's marine biology program as a catalyst for helping her make her decision. Coach Chad Salay and Athletics Director Andrew Caudill spoke very highly of both girls during the signing ceremony. Salay is the only in-state recruit of 8 First year students for the Badgers 2023 class. She ends her Golf career as one of the most accomplished in the State, with multiple individual and team titles, and course records. Stutz has only been playing golf for a number of years, but was a fast learner and finished her career as one of the top players in the state, inclduing having one of the best single day performances in the history of the WIAA Girls Golf Tournament, making up 20 shots from the day prior.

Rhi Stutz talked to the media about her decision, including what drew her to a school in Pennsylvania, her favorite moments from golfing in Prescott, and what she would say to young people interested in Golf.

Ava Salay also spoke to the media, taking us through her recruitment process and being the only Wisconsin native to commit to the Badgers.

HASTINGS FOOTBALL AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Hastings football have unveiled its awards for the 2022 season, at a banquet that was held Tuesday night.

The following awards were announced:

1st Team All district:

- Creed Peterson

- Johnny Bezdicek

- Sawyer Tjomsland

- Payton Burow

- Lucas Sorenson

- Austin Leflay

Honorable Mentions

- Rico Cooper

- Ian Pepple

- Blake Vandehoef

- Jack Cloutier

The Most Improved award went to Paul Ficker, while the Scout MVPs were Elijah Schwantes, Treyson Tessier and Sal Jimenez. Creed Peterson won the Defensive MVP, Bezdicek was the Offensive MVP, and Burow took the Special Teams MVP Award. Pacer Ruble won the team's Grit Award, and Danny Millner took the Raider Award.

VIKINGS PLAYERS VISIT UNITED HEROES LEAGUE, VETERANS

It was a very special day at the United Heroes League in Hastings on Tuesday, as two members of the Minnesota Vikings came to the facility to visit with Veterans and their families. Harrison Phillips and Kyle Hinton took a tour of the facility, as well as the obstacle course, and also participated in some archery. The event was open to the media, and KDWA was among those in attendance.

The two Vikings players also visited the new monument that is up at the facility, where names of those who have served can be placed.

The United Heroes League revealed that the facility will be the first sports facility of its kind, dedicated to miltary families. It will have a football field, soccer field and an outdoor ice rink.

Phillips spoke with media members in a bullpen after the event, and he talked to KDWA specifically about the comparisons he may or may not have noticed between the military and sports.

The United Heroes League has a vast relationship with sports, as many teams have visited the facility and the obstacle course for team bonding exercises. Both Phillips and Hinton both were amazed with the facility and noted they would love to return to UHL.

BEISSEL, PEINE ANNOUNCE COLLEGE COMMITIMENTS

Hastings' state champion wrestler Blake Beissel announced Monday that he would further his athletic career and committed to the University of Minnesota to wrestle. Beissel will also look to defend his state championship crown with wrestling later this year. We will have a more in depth story coming soon to KDWA.com.

In recent weeks, Hastings' baseball player Eddie Peine also announced a commitment to play baseball in college, when he committed to Northern State. Peine will play both hockey and baseball this year, and will be one of the veteran leaders on both teams.