Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1967

• In the final basketball game of District 2 sub-finals, Blooming Prairie High School defeated Ellendale 64-42. Larry Worke led the winners with 22 points.

• The Albert Lea High School wrestling team won its 10th straight District 2 title with 124 points to second-place Austin with 77 and LeRoy with 60. District champions for the Tigers were Gerald Bakke, Roger Klukow, Chuck Jean and Mark Hunt.

• The ALHS gymnastics team won the Region 1 title 145 to 143 against Austin. Placing first for the Tigers were Dave Banks on the parallel bars and high bar, Dave Vandegrift on the trampolene, Bryan Hill in free exercise, Dick Boyum on the side horse, John Lageson on the still rings and Mark Christianson in tumbling.

• Winners in the Albert Lea men’s city bowling tournament were Dan Young in singles, Warren Duenow and Clarence Ellingson in doubles and Wally Karl in all-events.

25 years ago: 1992

• The ALHS hockey team was eliminated in the first round by Rochester John Marshall 6-3 in Section 1, Tier 1. Scoring goals for the Tigers were Reid Olson, Johan Englund and Matt Nechanicky.

• ALHS graduate Tom Jean was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame. He won three state titles and had a 12-0 record in state matches. His total high school record was 94-8-1 with 65 pins and had won 80 straight matches.

10 years ago: 2007

• The ALHS wrestling team had nine champions in the Section 1A tournament; Cody Hansen 103 pounds, Logan Kortan 125 pounds, Eric Johnson 130 pounds, Zach McGinnis 140 pounds, Beau Hansen 145 pounds, Matt Morris 160 pounds and Taylor Ignaszewski 171 pounds. Placing second and moving on to state were Tim Aldrich at 112 pounds and Bradon Reyerson at 189 pounds.

• The ALHS girls’ hockey team were the Section 1A Academic Champion. Named to the Big Nine All-Conference Girls’ Hockey Team were Sarah Jensen, Jenna Christensen and Katie Nelson. Madi Passingham received Honorable Mention. 

• In Sub-Section 2A basketball, Alden-Conger defeated Madelia 42-39. Kaylee Newman scored 11 points for the Knights.