The Austin Packers wrestling team had a tough weekend, going 1-4 at the Centennial Invitational Duals at Circle Pines.

Monday, February 05, 2001

The Austin Packers wrestling team had a tough weekend, going 1-4 at the Centennial Invitational Duals at Circle Pines.

The Packers were without five of their 13 varsity regulars at various times during the day. The five account for 55 percent of all this season’s match wins, according to Coach Bill Kinney.

The following were missing from the invitational:

T.J. Parlin (24-0), who didn’t make weight.

Spencer Wolner (17-4), who had the flu.

Matt Adwell (19-9), who was cut and received seven stitches above his left eye in the second dual.

Drew Oesterle (15-9), who was out because of a family commitment.

Todd Krupicka (11-3), who was injured in the first match of the day.

"This was going to be a very tough tournament with a full lineup, but without our regulars, it really hurt our performance," Kinney said. "With Matt Adwell’s eye injury, every varsity starter has missed at least one match this year."

The coach noted that it has been difficult at times during this season to put together a lineup.

"We have had to call upon the younger members of our team to step up and wrestle in the varsity lineup far too many times," Kinney said. "Saturday was not a good time for us to depend on our most inexperienced wrestlers as Centennial is a top-10-rated team and St. Cloud Tech, New Prague and Lakeville are all receiving votes for state ranking."

The Packers’ overall record now is 11-12-1 and 5-3 in the Big Nine.

Here are the scores for the day:

St. Cloud Tech 49, Austin 13

Centennial 54, Austin 18

New Prague 49, Austin 18

Lakeville 44, Austin 18

Austin 46, Hopkins 30