The Austin wrestling team fell to Mankato East 40-35 on the road in the regular season finale Saturday.

“We needed to win one more match to win the dual, or at least save a few points in a few matches,” Austin head coach Bill Kinney said. “I have needed to improve our team in that area, and it is obvious that we haven’t improved enough to win these close duals. The blame for the many close losses this season lies squarely on my shoulders.”

The Packers (7-13 overall, 3-6 Big Nine) got big pins from Dylan Diekmann, Zach Sauer, Michael Hirsch, and Ethan Eggum.

“We had very nice wins by fall from both Dylan Diekmann and Zach Sauer.  Both of those young men have been wrestling well lately,” Austin head coach Bill Kinney said. “Ethan Eggum and Michael Hirsch just kept rolling tonight dominating their opponents and recording falls.” 

Hirsch is now 32-1 and is ranked No. 2 at 189 in Class ‘AAA’ on the season and Eggum is 30-2 and ranked No. 8 at 160 pounds.

Mankato East 40, Austin 35 

103    Leon Fletcher (ME) pinned Jake Finnegan (A) 1:50

112    Colin Sheehan (A) won by technical fall over Cole Mosher (ME) 19-4

119    Ricardo Fletcher (ME) pinned Erick Power (A) 3:36

125    Dylan Diekmann (A) pinned Eric Ostgarden (ME) 1:59

130    Wyatt Derynck (ME) decisioned Brandon Holtorf (A) 3-1

135    Zach Sauer (A) pinned Cody Lorentz (ME)  2:45

140    Steven Claeys (ME) pinned Cody Miller (A) 4:30

145    Howie Underwood (A) won by forfeit

152    Daniel Davis (ME) major dec. Bryce Zahradnik (A) 15-4

160    Ethan Eggum (A) pinned Nate Roberts (ME) 3:45

171    Dylan fast (ME) pinned Bobbe Dulitz (A) 2:30

189    Michael Hirsch (A) pinned Justin Simpson (ME) :51

215    Mat Schnorenberg (ME) dec. Brett Kraemer (A) 8-2

285    Paul Kratzke (ME) pinned Thomas Herrera (A) 1:06