Raiders On The Record

Adam Gerlach- Rapid Fire Questions

Adam Gerlach is a 2000 Raider Graduate. During his time at Hastings High School, Adam was a three sport athlete competing in football, hockey, and baseball. In football, he was a three time letter winner, multiple time all-confer recipient, and All-State his senior year. The football team were state finalists during his senior year and compiled a 34-4 record during his three years on varsity. In hockey, Adam rotated between the JV and varsity during his freshman year and was full time on the varsity team during his final three years. During that time, his hockey team was a state qualifier during his 10th grade year, took 2nd his 11th grade, and 3rd his senior year. Again, Adam was a multiple time all-conference recipient and All-State in hockey. In Baseball, Adam was a three year letter winner, multiple time all-conference athlete, and All-State his senior year. During his junior year, the baseball team won the state championship.

After high school Adam played Junior hockey in Dubuque, Iowa and after one season, attended MSU-Mankato where he played hockey as well. Since graduating from college, Adam has coached over 20 years of youth sports and competed multiple times in the Red Bull Crashed Ice events. During his first year competing, he placed top 4 and was invited to be a member on Team USA but had to decline.

Many consider Adam to be the best athlete to ever come from Hastings and is one of the few three sport All-State athletes in our history. Adam’s high school career, post high school career, and years of youth sports give Adam an insight into sports few others have.

Coach Briana Aarness- Rapid Fire Questions

Briana ‘Featherstone’ Aarness is a 1997 Raider graduate. During her time at HHS, she competed as a diver and set the school records for the 6 and 11 while also qualifying for the state tournament during her junior and senior years. Briana still holds the school record for the 11 dive. In 2011, diving was brought back to HHS and Briana was hired as the girls coach and both the boys and girls during the following year, where she has been since.

Ava McNamara Rapid Fire Questions

Ava McNamara is a 2023 Raider graduate. During her time at Hastings High School, she has participated on the girls swim and dive team. Ava is a 5 time varsity letter winner. She was a state qualifier during her sophomore year and qualified for four different events at the state tournament during her junior year in the 200 medley relay, 100 fly, 200 free relay, and the 100 breaststroke. At the state tournament, Ava took 2nd in the 100m fly. She is currently in her senior year and hopes to finish her year strong, meet her goals, and decrease her time. Ava has great advice for student athletes and talks about the great coaches and teammates she has been surrounded by during her career. 

Coach Paul Armstrong-Rapid Fire Questions

Coach Paul Armstrong is originally from Burnsville, where he grew up playing soccer, baseball, and basketball. He is a graduate of Burnsville High School where he competed in basketball and soccer. After high school, Paul attended Luther College where he played soccer. After graduating from college, Paul coached at the Shakopee Soccer Association, The Blake School, St. Paul Academy, and is now in his first year as the head coach of the girls soccer team.

Hanna 'Norman' Junker-Rapid Fire Questions

Hanna ‘Norman’ Junker is a 2015 Raider graduate. During her time at HHS, she competed in soccer, basketball, and track and field. In Soccer, she was a 4 time letter winner, multiple time All-Conference recipient, and captain of the team. Hanna did not get to compete at the high school level during her junior year due to a MSHSL rules around club soccer. In Basketball, Hanna was a five time varsity letter winner, multiple time all-conference recipient, captain of the team, and scored over 1000 points during her career. Finally, she competed in track and field during her freshman year in the 400, 4x100, 4x400, and high jump. After high school, Hanna attended NDSU where she competed in soccer. At NDSU, Hanna played every position on the field, was named All-Summit team, played in 72 total games, and started in 69 games while racking up 9 goals. Hanna also joined the basketball team during his senior year. Hanna has great insight into the balance it requires to be a multi-sport athlete while competing at a high level.