The Austin Packer wrestling team picked up one win and it had one learning experience in a triangular in Packer Gym Tuesday.

Austin beat Winona 38-24 in the opening dual and it lost 62-15 to Owatonna in a second dual.

The Packers (7-7 overall, 2-2 Big Nine) were able to close out Winona due to sophomore Corey Waller getting a first period pin at 220 pounds and sophomore Caleb Tapp getting a pin with three seconds left in the first period after trailing 2-1 at 182.

“We had some of the younger guys step up with some big wins. We’ve just got to work on wrestling for six minutes and keeping the pace,” Austin head coach Jer Osgood said. “Caleb Tapp and Corey Waller came through big for us tonight. They both were able to turn their opponent and secure the pin.”

Austin senior Brandon Cotter picked up a 9-3 win in the Winona dual, but he has was pinned by a state ranked wrestler in the Owatonna dual. Cotter recently picked up his 100th career win for the Packers.

“It meant a lot. I’ve been working for it since I was in eighth grade and not too many people get one hundred wins,” Cotter said. “That first match [tonight] got my confidence up, but I wrestled a good kid tonight [against Owatonna] and I can’t be too ashamed. It’s good to get good matches like that in and we’ve just got three more weeks to get better before sections.”

Austin senior Kole Igou also had a big night for the Packers at 170 as he had a pin against the Huskies and an 8-4 win against Winona. Austin junior Eli Kaercher had a pin against the Huskies at heavyweight and he won by forfeit against Winona.

Kaerceher, who is ranked No. 9 in Class AAA, is having a big year after taking on the heavyweight role as a sophomore last year.

“Last year helped a lot. I had my share of wins and losses, and I really strived off that pressure,” Kaercher said. “Coming in this year I had a lot of weight on my shoulders with being a captain and the expectations me and my coaches have. I feel like I’ve been doing pretty good and it’s been a lot of fun.”

Kaercher said he feels pressure as a state ranked wrestler, but it also gives him confidence to know that he has earned a ranking. On Tuesday, he made quick work of his Owatonna opponent with a quick takedown and pin in the first period.

“You can’t psyche yourself out. Wrestling is all mental,” Kaercher said. “I went in there and knew I was going to pin him and that’s what I did.

Osgood said that Kaercher has made some big strides for the Packers.

“Eli’s doing a nice job. He’s coming in with a lot of confidence,” he said. “He comes in and knows he’s going to get the takedown and he knows he’s going to ride him out. We’re happy with Eli and the progress that he’s made since last year.”

Tuesday night was senior night for the Packers and they have eight seniors on their roster.

“They do a nice job of leading this team by example and we want to thank them for everything they’ve done for the program,” Osgood said.

AUSTIN 36, WINONA 24

106: Jacob Summers (W) 7-6 dec. over Danny Albarran (A); 113: Eli Fabian (W) 10-4 dec. over Chris Romero (A); 120: Jack Vaselaar (W) pinned Ben Nelson (A) (:43); 126: Trevor Pomeroy (W) pinned Quok Le (A) (1:48); 132: double forfeit; 138: Aiden Wilson (A) pinned Tristan Penic (W) (2:37); 145: Randell Boogan (W) 6-3 dec. over Nathan Brinkman (A); 152: Brandon Edgar won by forfeit; 160: Brandon Cotter (A) 9-3 dec. over Mason Henke (W); 170: Kole Igou (A) 8-4 dec. over Chris Wisted (W); 182: Caleb Tapp (A) pinned Justin Ruff (W) (1:57); 195: Alec Estrada (A) lost 6-4 dec.; 220: Corey Waller pinned Jacob Stanislawksi (W) (1:15); Eli Kaercher (A) won by forfeit