Austin girls' golf, a team that came into the season with high hopes, got a visit Wednesday from a good measuring stick for their progress when two-time defending state champion Red Wing came calling. The Packers edged out Kasson-Mantorville 369-371, but Red Wing gave everyone a free lesson, carding a 345 to capture the tri-meet Wednesday at the Austin Country Club.

"We've still got some strokes to take off to get to our goal of shooting in the low 350s," said AHS head coach Mark Anderson. "But it's all there, we're just going to keep working at it.

"I hope the girls paid attention to Red Wing out there and how they kept battling when they struggled."

The Packers were led by a pair of 88s from Claire Johnson and Andrea Petersen.

"Those two played better today," Anderson said. "Claire's been struggling a bit with her putting and Andrea's been having a tough time off the tee, but she's starting to stick it better."

"There are always things to work on," Johnson said, "but overall I'm pretty happy with how I shot today."

"I couldn't putt to save my life on the back nine," Petersen said, "but compared to other rounds, it wasn't bad."

Carissa Gabrielson had a 95 and Noelle Weibelhaus a 98 to round out the scoring for Austin, who remained 4-1 in the Big Nine Conference while dropping to 4-2 overall.

"I thought the girls played pretty well," Anderson said. "It's better to have an off-day out of conference anyway."

Red Wing's Angie Hartmann was their low scorer with an 83. They also got an 86 from Katie Mettling, who tied former Packer Brittany Bertilson for 11th at state last year.

Meg O'Neil of Kasson-Mantorville shot an 81 for the low round of the afternoon.

Austin heads to Rochester for a tri-meet Friday with John Marshall and a young Owatonna team that is playing the best golf of anyone in the conference. The Packers complete their mini-tour of Minnesota's finest Saturday at the Fairmont Invitational, whose host finished third at state last year and are the top-ranked team this season.

RED WING (345) -- Angie Hartmann 83, Katie Mettling 86, Britta Hendrickson 88, Alyssa Halvorson 88.

AUSTIN (369) -- Claire Johnson 88, Andrea Petersen 88, Carissa Gabrielson 95, Noelle Weibelhaus 98.

K-M (371).