The Austin wrestling team came up with one of its better performances in years when it won the 10-team Cannon Falls Invitational in Cannon Falls Saturday.

The Packers tallied a team score of 145.0 and Kimball Area was second with a 138.0.

“This accomplishment was a total team effort. Every wrestler, no matter if they finished fifth or first contributed to this successful day,” Austin head coach Jer Osgood said “We must use this success as momentum to continually improve as the season progresses because we want our best wrestling to be occurring in February. Us coaches are very proud of both the individual and team effort of this squad.”

The Packers had three wrestlers take first place in their weight class. Brandon Edgar, who is 11-1 on the year, took first at 152, Brandon Cotter, who is 5-2 on the year and near 100 career victories, took first at 160 and Eli Kaercher took first place in heavyweight. Kaercher is currently ranked No. 9 in Class AAA and he won the title match by getting a big takedown in the third period to beat the No. 10 ranked wrestler in Class AA.

“I am very happy for Eli,” Osgood said. “This win should give him the confidence that he belongs with the states best.”

Danny Albarran took fourth for the Packers at 106, Chris Romero was fourth at 113, Juan Rodrigues took fifth at 126, Aiden Wilson took fourth at 132, Phillip Zynda finished fourth at 138, Jayden Erie took fifth at 145, Kole Igou took second at 170 after he lost on a late takedown in the title match, and Corey Waller took fifth at 195.