The Austin wrestling team held its own in the lighter weight classes, but couldn’t match up with Albert Lea in the heavier weights as it lost 54-12 in Albert Lea Thursday.

The Packers (0-1 overall, 0-1 Big Nine) won three of the first six matches of the night as the match was tied at 12 going into the 145-pound match.

None of Austin’s wrestlers were pinned in the first six matches, but the Tigers racked up five pins and two forfeits in the last eight matches.

“We are a very scrappy, competitive bunch in our lower weights,” Austin head coach Bill Kinney said. “We don’t have the depth and in-room competition for our upper weight spots. The guys we have are trying hard, but tonight Albert Lea’s experience and physical maturity were too much for our big guys.”

Austin’s Brandon Cotter picked up an 8-1 win at 138-pounds and Dylan Diekmann won 5-3 at 132-pounds.

Joe Maxfield picked up a win by disqualification at 113 when he was slammed into the mat by Trevor Westurlund, who is ranked No. 8 in Class ‘AAA.’ Maxfield required medical attention and there was a 35-minute delay afterwards.

“Overall, we wrestled better tonight than we did last weekend. There were some very good, competitive matches on the mat tonight,” Kinney said. “I saw a lot more hustle from our kids, and we will try to build upon that in the weeks to come.”

Austin does not currently have a 195-pounder or a heavyweight wrestler on its roster.

“If there’s a big kid sitting in class at AHS or Pacelli with an itch to wrestle, we’d sure like to have them,” Kinney said.

AUSTIN RESULTS

103: Beau Johnsrud (AL) 6-0 dec. over Connor Eads (A) 6-0

113: Joe Maxfield (A) won by disqualification over Trevor Westerlund (AL)

120: Garrett Wangsness (AL) dec. over Devon Felten (A) 12-5

126: Dakota Wangsness (AL) 6-2 dec. over Brennen Russell (A) 6-2

132: Dylan Diekmann (A) 5-3 dec. over Devin Nelson (AL)

138: Brandon Cotter (A) 8-1 dec. over Derek Samudio (AL)

145: Spencer Carstens (AL) 4-1 dec. over Riley Grinstead

152: Bany Chan (AL) pinned Joe Kamp (A) (1:04)

160: Tristan Westerlund (AL) pinned Michael Gaines (A)( 1:03)

170: Trey Hable (AL) pinned Mitch Tebay (A) (:54)

182: Derek Sipple (AL) won by forfeit

195: Dalton Westerlund (AL) pinned Tyler Peterson (A) (:47)

220: Tyler Blake (AL) pinned Joe Williamson (A)(:49)

285: Jacob Kunkel (AL) won by forfeit