The Austin bowling team started slow, but found its groove at the state bowling tournament in Alexandria, Minn. Saturday.

Austin’s season eventually came to an end when it lost a tie-breaking game to Faribault in the third round of the double-elimination tournament by a score of 219-216.

“The game was not decided until the tenth frame,” Austin head coach Jim Juenger said. “Faribault was a pre-tournament favorite and this match took on the look of a prize fight.”

Austin lost to Fergus Falls in two games in the first round where it missed nine fill opportunities and it beat Blaine in two games in the second round as it missed just three fill opportunities.

The Packers, who had three bowlers competing in their first state meet, struggled with lane conditions in their first five games in the qualifying round as they put up a total score of an 833. The Packers scored a 1014 over the last five qualifying games to advance them into match play.

Austin was led by Kody Phillips, who connected on 47 of his 50 fill opportunities on the day.

Austin seniors Lauren Schabert and Cole Kroneman finished their bowling careers, but Austin’s other 13 bowlers will be back next season.

The Packer JV team saw its season end on a three-game loss to Brainerd-Crosby-Ironton at the JV state meet in Owatonna.

AUSTIN RESULTS

State tournament fills: Collin Bailey, 22-for-28; Jacob Conner, 7-for-10; Dan Gerlach, 7-for-10; Cole Kroneman, 38-for-50; Kody Phillips, 47-for-50; Elijah Rayman, 20-for-30; Lauren Schabert, 18-for-24