Three points over the course of a dual match in wrestling is a slim margin. But, as has been the case all season long, there hasn't been much of a margin for error for Hastings.
The Class 3A, No. 7 Raiders (22-8) lost their regular-season finale to Simley 28-25 on Feb. 6, and with it their chance to claim a Metro East Conference championship in their first season in the league.
It was another in a season's worth of close matches for Hastings. Of their five losses to Minnesota teams this winter, only two have come by more than 10 points — both lopsided defeats to No. 2 St. Michael-Albertville. The Raiders also have defeated fellow Class 3A powers Anoka, Farmington and Coon Rapids.
They've had a stretch of 10 consecutive victories, as well as a three-match losing streak.
"It's been a good year, just a little up and down," Raiders coach Josh McLay said. "We have a really balanced team. Every kid we put on the mat is a good wrestler, but we don't have the real top-end studs like we might've had in the past.
"We still have a heck of a team, but it's all about pulling out those close matches and piling up points. Nothing's going to come easy for us."
That goes for the road to Xcel Energy Center as well. Hastings has the No. 1 seed in the Section 1 tournament, but advancing through to the state meet won't be simple, McLay said.
'A good mix'
Hastings may not have "the big names," as McLay puts it, but he said the Raiders do have a slew of talented wrestlers who have put up points consistently all season.
