8. Packers’ boys basketball and gymnastics eye another state bid

The Packer boys basketball team and Packer gymnastics teams are hoping to get back to state this winter, and each team has a pretty good chance of doing just that.

The gymnasts, who have most of their lineup back from last year’s team that took third in the Class ‘A’ state meet, are currently ranked No. 2 in Class ‘A’ and will be the favorites in the Section 1A meet for the third-straight year.

Austin senior Sela Fadness, who took first in the all-around at the Class ‘A’ state individual meet last year, gives the team a solid leader, along with last year’s top-10 state individual finishers Abby Bickler and Maddie Mullenbach.

The Packer boys basketball team is currently ranked No. 4 in Class ‘AAA,’ and it will likely be in the mix when the Section 1AAA tournament rolls around. It has already picked up big home wins over No. 5 ranked Red Wing and Mankato East, and it knocked off Plainview-Elgin-Millville, which is ranked No. 3 in Class ‘AA,’ as well.

Austin doesn’t have the size it had last season, and rebounding has been a bit of an issue, but the Packer trio of guards Zach Wessels, Ajuda Nywesh and Bret Lukes gives Austin a chance to win on every night.