The Packer wrestling team had one wrestler move on to the semifinals and their other wrestler had his season end at the Class ‘AAA’ state meet at Excel Energy Center in St. Paul Thursday.

Austin’s Mike Hirsch topped Josh Vaughan of Bloomington Jefferson/Kennedy with a 14-2 decision in the 189-pound Class ‘AA’ state quarterfinals Thursday.

“He was a lot more comfortable today after getting that first match out of the way yesterday. He just went out there and wrestled the Mike Hirsch way,” Austin assistant coach Dustin Winsky said. “I think it’s set in now that he’s been here for two years now before. I think he’s just ready to get a state title under his belt.”

Hirsch (35-2 overall) will take on Matt Hechsel (36-8 overall) of Apple Valley in the semifinals Friday.

Howie Underwood of Austin had his run at the state meet come to an end when he lost a 145-pound match to the second ranked wrestler in Class ‘AAA’, Charlie Janssen (40-6 overall) of Forest Lake in the first round of the wrestlebacks on a 4-3 decision.

Underwood finishes the season at 27-8 overall.

Class ‘AA’

Grand Meadow/LeRoy/Ostrander/Kinglsland had both of its wrestlers fall in the quarterfinals at the Class ‘AA’ state meet Thursday.

Carter Brandt lost a 3-1 overtime decision at 215-pounds to the No. 1 ranked wrestler in Class ‘AA’, Colton Thorson (43-0 overall) of Fergus Falls.

“In overtime I had to go for the win. I got in deep and I just couldn’t get it finished. He was a big guy compared to me, had a little more weight to him,” Brandt said.

Brandt was pleased that he was able to push the state’s top ranked wrestler.

“I knew going into it it would be tough. On paper it was probably supposed to be a blowout according to the rankings. I kind of surprised myself that I was in it as long as I was,” Brandt said. “It showed me that no matter who anyone is, you’re always in the match.”

Brandt (36-7 overall) came through with a second period pin of Tavis Radke (28-11 overall) of Fulda/Murray County Central in the wrestlebacks.

Brandt will take on Jake Schmidt (33-5 overall) of New Ulm Friday.

GMLOK’s Tyler Jennings (30-7 overall) was pinned by Jake Dorn of Adrian in the 125-pound quarterfinals.

Jennings had his season end when he lost to Sam Keeler of Foley on a 9-7 decision in the wrestlebacks.

Class ‘A’

Southland’s Grant Hegge lost to Alex Cooling (34-6 overall) of Madelia/Truman/Martin Luther in the quarterfinals.

“You’re nervous anytime you go into overtime. I took him down in the first period so I knew I could set up a shot and take him down,” Hegge said.

Hegge led Cooling escape in the third period, but couldn’t get the takedown to win it regulation.

“I was going to ride him for a while but I knew the match would come down to a take down either way. I rode him as long as I could and then I just kind of let him loose,” Hegge said.

Hegge (24-7 overall) rebounded with a 4-2 overtime win in the wrestlebacks over Ryan Brady of Royalton/Upsala.

Hegge will take on Cole Tensen on Friday.

Hayfield’s Mason Moreno lost a 10-4 decision to Will McCarthy of Boder West in the 119-pound quarterfinals at the state wrestling tournament Thursday.

Moreno’s seasn came to an end when he lost to Hayden Rouser (41-3 overall) of Atwater/Cosmos/Grove City in the wrestlebacks. Moreno, an eighth grader, finishes this season at 24-11 overall.