Lisa Quednow-Bickler

Austin High School state participants are proud to be recognized as Grand Marshals in the Fourth of July parade in Austin. All AHS state tournament teams as well as individual participants will be recognized.

The 2012-13 school year was a great year to be a Packer!

In the fall we sent cross country runners Madison Overby and Haley Splinter qualified for the state meet along with swimmers, Maddie Kinney, Emily McAlister, Merideth Fritz, Lindsey McAlister, Helen Heimark and Diver Autumn Laury.

The winter was a busy time for the Packers, with our Dance team qualifying for state for the 11th year in a row. They finished fourth in the state in High Kick. Our gymnastics team was Minnesota True Team state champions along with qualifying for the state tournament, setting the state floor record and finishing third as a team. Junior Gymnast Sela Fadness defended her state floor championship along with winning the state all around championship as well was beam champion. Our boys swimming and diving team followed suit, qualifying Sawyer Myers, Alex Laury, Seth Clasen, Carson Hackel, Craig Heimark, Ian Christopherson and Nick Brehmer. To add to the exciting winter our boys basketball team made it to the state tournament where they played some great games. The boys finished with an impressive 29-1 record losing in the state championship game.

In the spring our state qualifiers were from our boys and girls track team. Senior Abby Snater qualified in the pole vault, finishing eighth in the state. Senior Jake Hagen-Erickson qualified in the long jump. Senior Omot Okello qualified in both the 110 and 300-meter high hurdles. Sophomore Carolyn Hackel qualified in the 100 and 200 meter sprint.

The 2012-13 school year was also great for our many activities. Our Science Olympiad team qualified to compete at the state tournament. The robotics program developed a robot that could launch frisbees and participated in the state tournament. DECA had many students qualify for the state competition along with two, Patrick Wagner and Alex Thorson qualified for nationals. Our Skills USA program qualified for state as well as the following students qualified for Nationals, Jordan Flugum, Corey Todalen, Seth Peterson, Mike McQueen and Jordon Jensen.

Our first year activity Clay Trap Shooting also qualified students for the state tournament in June of this spring.

The Austin Music department also had a number of students awarded as all-state this year. They were, Jiyoon Shin, Ethan Johnson, Anna Bachmeier, Sam Ogilvie, Matt Tylutki, Joe Gerber, Melissa Navoa, Molly Kestner and Joy Riley.

It was a great year to be a Packer. We appreciate all of the community support for our coaches, advisors and student athletes. Have a Red and White Fourth of July. We’ll see you in the parade. Go Packers!