MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Austin boys basketball program continues to be well-represented at the college level as six former Packers are currently logging in minutes at the next level.

Austin grads Tom Aase and Zach Wessels are both playing big roles in their final season at the University of Sioux Falls, which is scoring big and winning big this season.

The Cougars (8-3 overall) have surpassed the 80-point mark in nine of their 11 games this season.

Both Austin grads have started every game this season and Wessels is averaging 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds per game and he has 33 assists and just 13 turnovers. Wessels is shooting 51 percent from the field.

Aase is averaging 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game and he is shooting 59 percent from the field.

Austin grad AJ Nywesh has been in the regular rotation at Minnesota Moorehead University (4-8 overall). He logged in 19 minutes, while totaling six points and two rebounds in an 89-70 loss to Northern State University recently.

Austin grad Gach Gach is playing big minutes at No. 12 ranked Western Texas A & M and he had six points, two rebounds and five assists in an 88-60 win over Rolling recently.

Gach has started in nine of the 12 games for the Buffs (11-1 overall) and he is averaging 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Austin grad Bret Lukes has played in all eight games for Hamline University (3-5 overall) to start off his senior season.

Lukes is averaging 3.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 55 percent from the field and 43 percent on three-pointers.

Austin grad Oman Oman has started all 13 games in his first season at North Dakota State College of Science (10-3 overall).

Oman is averaging 11.5 points, 5 rebounds and .9 assists per game, while shooting 52 percent from the field, 43 percent on three-pointers and 94 percent on free throws.

Hayfield grad Drew Olive has played in all eight games this season for University of Saint Mary’s (1-7 overall) in Winona and he’s averaging 1.9 points per game and shooting 40 percent from the field.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Austin grad Shayley Vesel has started four games and played in all 13 games for NIACC (12-1 overall) this season. Vesel is averaging 8.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 42 percent from the field, 43 percent on three-pointers and 73 percent on free throws.

Blooming Prairie grad Taylor Hagen has played in all 10 games this season for the University of Northern Iowa (3-7 overall).

Hagen is averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the field.

Blooming Prairie grad Madison Worke has played in all 10 games this season at Winona State University (9-1 overall).

Worke is averaging 3.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 43 percent on field goals and 33 percent on three-pointers.

Southland grad Jana Schammel has started all 10 games at John Brown University (7-4 overall) this season. Schammel is averaging 9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, while shooting 40 percent on field goals, 45 percent on three-pointers and 80 percent on free throws.

Pacelli grad Sarah Holtz has started 10 of 12 games this season for Luther College (7-5 overall). Holtz is averaging 8.3 points and 4 rebounds, while shooting 45 percent from the field and 44 percent on three-pointers.

Austin grad Rebecca Younis has started two of nine games at Pratt Community College (1-11 overall) this season. Younis is averaging 5.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.

Grand Meadow grad Rio Landers has started in all 11 games for Northwestern University (6-5 overall) this season. Landers is averaging 5.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1 assist per game, while shooting 78 percent on free throws.

Hayfield grad Sophia Waldner is averaging 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season at Riverland Community College (1-10 overall). Waldner is shooting 42 percent from the field, and 65 percent on three-pointers.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Blooming Prairie grad Elly Strunk has played in seven games and attempted five shots this season for Gustavus (8-1-1 overall).

MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Austin grad Pat Hagen made a recent debut for the University of Sioux Falls when he took 31st in the weight throw with a distance of 40 feet, 6 inches at the South Dakota State University Holiday Open.

WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Austin grad Carolyn Hackel took second in the pentathlon for Minnesota State University Mankato in the Chuck Peterson Open in Mankato recently.

Hackel also took first place in the 60-meter hurdles.