For the first time, the Austin wrestling team has been recognized for its academic achievement.

Thursday, March 09, 2000

For the first time, the Austin wrestling team has been recognized for its academic achievement.

The Packers were presented with a silver award at last week’s state wrestling tournament. The award is sponsored by the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association and The Guillotine, the state’s wrestling publication.

Silver awards are given to teams with a collective grade point average between 3.0-3.49; gold awards are given for teams with a 3.5 and up. Top academic teams in each class (A, AA, AAA) are given a banner to hang in the school’s gymnasium.

The Packers’ award was based on the grades of the 16 Austin wrestlers who were active in the Section 1AAA team tournament – 13 wrestlers and three alternates.

"We’re thrilled," Austin coach Bill Kinney said. "It shows that the kids we have are not only dedicated athletes, but dedicated students as well."

More wrestling

Cunningham keeping busy

Mike Cunningham is keeping the schedule of an elite wrestler these days.

Cunningham, fresh off of his second place at 145 pounds in the Class AAA state tournament, has received invitations to participate in two prestigious tournaments.

The Austin senior will attend both.

The first begins Friday at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where the Minnesota/Wisconsin Wrestling Challenge opens its two-day run. The tourney concludes across the border on Saturday at Coon Rapids High School.

The tournament features the top senior wrestlers from the two states battling it out in a team format.

"It’s quite an honor for Mike," Kinney said. "The challenge goes back a long way."

The challenge is experiencing a revival of sorts. It’s back for a second straight year after a being dormant for a few years.

According to Kinney, Minnesota holds a huge edge over Wisconsin, beating the cheese state almost annually.

After the challenge, Cunningham will wrestle at the National Senior Wrestling Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa. on March 24-26.

The national championships are held on the campus of Duquesne University.

Kinney, a five-time attendee of the tournament, will again attend as one of the Minnesota coaches. More than 35 wrestlers from Minnesota will participate. A wrestler must have reached the finals of the state tournament to be eligible.

Brad Fisher, who finished seventh at the national championships in 1997, was the last Austin wrestler to attend.

For Cunningham, the trip to Pittsburgh will include his first airplane experience.

"A lot of the wrestlers are from small towns in rural Minnesota," Kinney said. "I’d guess that 75 percent of them have never been on a plane, or never been to a major city except for the state tournament in Minneapolis. It’s a valuable experience."