The third-rated Austin girls' swimming and diving team got its best challenge since the opening week of the season by hosting the Blake Bears Tuesday night.

The Packers, who haven't lost a dual meet since an Aug. 29 Big Nine Conference pairing at Faribault, did not clinch Tuesday's victory until the last event. Blake was within five points of the Pack entering the 400 freestyle relay and could have won the meet with a triumph in the 12th and final race.

Instead, Austin's relay team took first place by 1.5 seconds and scored the 96-89 non-conference win Tuesday at Ellis Middle School.

The Packers won seven of 12 events, but Blake's victory in the opening event -- the 200 medley relay -- made Austin aware of the Bears' intentions. Three of the four members of Blake's relay team went on to take individual victories in the closest meet Austin has swam in since August.

Stacy Bjorlie won two events -- the 200 and 100 freestyle -- and swam the opening leg for both triumphant freestyle relay teams. Meghan Walsh and Lauren Goettsch put together back-to-back wins in the pool before Danielle Chapek earned first in the diving competition, giving Austin a 43-34 lead it would not relinquish.

Walsh won the 200 individual medley and Goettsch got the 50 freestyle, and Bjorlie's leading effort in the 100 free forged Austin to a 17-point advantage. Blake picked up three victories in the last five events to close the final margin.

The Packers, now 9-2 overall in duals, return to Big Nine swimming action tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Mankato West. Austin is 6-1 in the Big Nine, trailing only Faribault for first place. The Packers are back home next Tuesday for a league meet with Rochester John Marshall.

Results:

(Winner and Austin placewinner only)

200 medley relay -- 1. Blake 1:59.15, 2. Austin (Beth Goskesen, Cassie Srock, Meghan Walsh, Lauren Goettsch) 2:00.34; 200 freestyle -- 1. Stacy Bjorlie (A) 2:01.77, 2. Lindsay Lukes (A) 2:02.07, 5. Chrissy Srock (A) 2:10.80; 200 individual medley -- 1. Walsh (A) 2:23.31, 5. Nicole Novak (A) 2:29.80; 50 freestyle -- 1. Goettsch (A) 25.85, 2. Amanda Martin (A) 26.98.

Diving -- 1. Danielle Chapek (A) 233.60, 3. Jori Baldus (A) 157.95, 4. Shannon Doyle (A) 135.35; 100 butterfly -- 1. Johnson (B) 1:02.78, 2. Walsh (A) 1:04.31, 3. Novak (A) 1:06.44, 5. Ca.Srock (A) 1:11.64; 100 freestyle -- 1. Bjorlie (A) 56.25, 2. Goettsch (A) 56.53, 4. Martin (A) 59.36; 500 freestyle -- 1. Annalisa Andre (B) 5:32.93, 2. Lukes (A) 5:41.74, 5. Ch.Srock (A) 6:04.15.

200 freestyle relay -- 1. Austin (Bjorlie, Lukes, Martin, Goettsch) 1:42.98; 100 backstroke -- 1. Sara Lannin (B) 1:05.96, 2. Goskesen (A) 1:09.25, 4. Briana Walsh (A) 1:10.61, 5. Janine Davis (A) 1:12.08; 100 breaststroke -- 1. Grant (B) 1:16.82, 2. Ca.Srock (A) 1:18.91, 5. Stephanie Gorman (A) 1:24.37; 400 freestyle relay -- 1. Austin (Bjorlie, Lukes, M.Walsh, Martin) 2:47.20.