Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1967

• Dave Christianson threw a three-hitter for Emmons Lutheran in its 6-0 victory over Methodist in an Albert Lea Church League softball game. Duane Bartness homered for Emmons.

• John Sullivan, Andy Knutson and Clark Cipra each had three hits for Glenville in its 9-6 win in the State Line League amateur baseball league over Rake.

• Winning pitcher Jay Gustafson struck out nine batters for the Albert Lea VFW baseball team in its 6-0 win over Wells. Randy Bottelson hit a three-run homer for Albert Lea.

• In an Albert Lea Slowpitch League game Motor Inn defeated First Federal, 24-11. Gary Hoyne homered and Del Schnoor had four hits for Motor Inn. First Federal was led by Bill Intihar and Carroll Steele with four hits each.

25 years ago: 1992

• Qualifying to compete in the Minnesota State Hershey Track and Field Meet from Albert Lea were the following: Jennifer Elseth in the 100-meter dash, the 400-meter run and the long jump; Kristi Kleinbeck in the 400-meter run; Myia Sather in the 800-meter run; and the 400-meter relay team of Melanie Severson, Whitney Thorn, Myia Sather and Shauna Klukow.

• The Albert Lea Colonels baseball team defeated Owatonna 5-2 and raised its record to 15-4. Tom Heiermann was the winning pitcher. Jim Johnson hit two home runs, and Vern Frydenlund and Pete Christian had one home run each.

• The Albert Lea Elks U-12-4 boys’ soccer team shut out Apple Valley 4-0 and raised its record to 5-3-2. Zach Flugum scored two goals for Albert Lea. 

10 years ago: 2007

• The Northwood-Kensett High School baseball team defeated North Central 6-5 in the Iowa District 1A tournament. Jake Weisert scored the winning run on a suicide squeeze. The Vikings were eliminated by West Hancock in the semi-final round, 3-2.

• The Albert Lea VFW baseball team split a doubleheader with Owatonna, losing game one 4-1 and winning game two 8-4. Colby Strilaeff was the losing pitcher in game one. Luke Grossman and Jordan Holland each had two hits for Albert Lea in game two.