Wrestling on the varsity team at 195 pounds as a freshman has caused Austin’s Isaac Arjes to take on a lot of older wrestlers this year.

Arjes was finally able to compete against fellow freshmen when he won the 189 pound title at the Minnesota ninth grade Under League Individual State Tournament in Champlin Park Saturday.

Arjes picked up a pin, a 7-2 decision, an 8-6 decision and a 6-3 decision over Owatonna’s Nick Staska in the title match.

“I was really excited because I’ve never wrestled freshmen before. I think I can do good anywhere, I’ve just got to keep trying,” Arjes said. “I think it prepared me for the section meet and it prepared me to just go out there and fight.”

Arjes qualified for the ninth grade state meet by winning a tournament against other freshman from Section 1 teams. Austin head coach Jer Osgood said the freshman tournament gives younger wrestlers a chance to get more matches.

Osgood is excited about what Arjes has to offer the Packers over the next four years.

“Unfornutately he’s at a weight were his competition is mostly made up of upperclassmen,” Osgood said of Arjes. “He’s got to learn on the fly and adjust to the strength and the pace of his opponents. This was a great opportunity for him. He works hard in practice and I’m excited his future in our program.”

Arjes has wrestled since he was four years old and his dad wrestled in Iowa. He said this year has been exciting, but challenging.

“Practice has been tough, but I just keep pushing through it,” he said.

The Austin wrestling team will host Mankato West 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The dual will serve as senior night, youth night and Pink Out Night.