50 years ago — 1961

Kiester High School won the Border League baseball title with a 5-0 record after defeating Delavan 10-3. Leon Wacholz threw a four-hitter for the victory. Wacholz, Ralph Schmitt and Bob Peterson led Kiester with two hits each.

In their season opening game, the Albert Lea VFW baseball team defeated Mankato 8-5. Winning pitcher Dennis Nelson had 11 strike outs. Larry Peterson and Tom Hoffman each had two hits for Albert Lea.

Bruce Nelson pitched a five-hitter, drove in one run and had two hits for the Albert Lea Legion baseball team in their 3-2 win over Mason City.

In a Southern Minnesota League baseball game, the Albert Lea Packers defeated Austin 2-1 behind the 12 strikeout pitching of Myron Hoffman. Ron Bodine led Albert Lea with two hits.

25 years ago — 1986

John Nelson, a 1981 graduate of Albert Lea High School, led the 15-5 Augsburg College baseball team with 10-5 record.

Ryan Rugroden threw a no-hitter, and Jeff Kasper hit a home run for New Richland in their 12-0 win over Glenville in a Five Star American Legion League baseball game.

Named to the All-Border League baseball team were the following: Chad Goerish, Terry Hintz, Chris Eaton and Stan Thompson from Kiester-Walters; Pete Schuster, Toby Koziolek and Matt Stenzel from Freeborn; Keith Schuder and Mark Kaelberer from Martin Luther; Steve Jahnke and Steve Redman from Alden-Conger; Bruce Grunzke from Delavan-Minnesota Lake; Scott Rohne from Lyle; Tom Haight and Mark Daniels from Winnebago; Jeff Schultz from Ceylon; Ross Thompson and Kevin Beck from Emmons; Nate Legred from Bricelyn; Todd Plumhoft from Welcome.

10 years ago — 2001

Erin Anderson of New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva was named the All-Area Softball Player of the Year, and United South Central’s Brad Huse was named the All-Area Coach of the Year by the Albert Lea Tribune. Named to the All Area Softball Team were Jerri Mondeel and Amber Sickels from ALHS, Emily Krogsgaard and Jessica Wichmann from Alden-Conger, Megan Avery, Jill Delger, Fallon Lorenzen and Jill Yost from Glenville-Emmons, Erin Anderson and Holly Waldhauser from NRHEG, Shannon Schrader, Kim Schultz and Hillary Wacholz from USC.