Individually, Austin High School wresters turned in some solid performances.

Tuesday, February 13, 2001

Individually, Austin High School wresters turned in some solid performances. Team-wise, the Packers were lackluster Monday in a 37-22 lost to Rochester Mayo.

"We didn’t wrestle with the intensity and determination that I have come to expect from our team," said head coach Bill Kinney. "Monday night duals present special problems, such as making weight without a recent workout. Still I would like to think that our team would be more highly motivated.

"This is the exciting part of the season, when section team and individual tournaments start. The teams and individuals that aren’t focused and determined usually find themselves sitting on the sidelines."

AHS got its top performances and the lower and high weights. From 125 pounds to 171 pounds, the Packers lost seven of eight matches.

Dave Cunningham got the Packers off to a good start with a pin of Ryan Vanderheiden at :44 to tie the match, 6-6.

Spencer Wolner decisioned Andy Leisen, 10-6, at 119 pounds and AHS led 9-6. Wolner is 18-4 on the season.

Then the Packers hit a long dry spell. Marcus Ball at 125, Josh Kestner at 130, Josh Solberg at 135, and Matt Adwell at 140 all lost their contests.

Finally, Drew Oesterle pinned Mayo’s Luke Ties at 1:42 to temporarily halt Mayo’s dominating performance.

Mat Neumann at 152, Kristopher Cox at 160 and Jeff Cochran at 171 all lost their matches, setting up the heavier weights.

Chad Mentel captured a major decision over Matt Higgins, 16-3, at 189 pounds to register his 90 career win in dual meets. He is 27-1 on the season.

Heavyweight Jim Knoebel decisioned Luke Kimlinger, 7-2, to end AHS’ evening on a positive note.

The team section tourney starts in Rochester on Thursday.

"We have a tough team assignment on Thursday," Kinney said. "We will need to regain our focus or our season will end on Thursday."