Sports Memories by Tom Jones

 

50 years ago: 1970

• Joe Kapp, Gene Washington and Dave Osborn scored touchdowns and Fred Cox added two field goals as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Cleveland Browns 27-7 to capture the National Football League Championship in a game played in front of 47,900 people at Met Stadium. Temperatures near zero caused the officials’ whistles to freeze during the game.

• The Albert Lea swim team was defeated by Mason City 63-32. The Tigers medley relay team of Dan Kenison, Mark Bosaker, Marsh Halberg and Keith Doty took first for the Tigers, who were coached by Jerry Grade.

• Alden-Conger defeated Glenville 67-65 in non-conference boys’ basketball action. Rick Hanson scored 27 points and Gene Lutteke added 15 for the Blackhawks, who were coached by Neil Pierce. The Trojans were coached by Al Christensen.

 

25 years ago: 1995

• The Albert Lea ninth grade girls’ basketball team defeated Rochester Mayo 35-30. Beth Kamrath scored 11 and Tammy Diggens eight for the Tigers, who improved to 4-1 on the year.

• After going 2-0-1 in the Granite City Classic over the holiday break, the Albert Lea junior varsity hockey team shut out Farmington 1-0 at Albert Lea City Arena. Jesse McGill scored the lone goal for the Bengals, with Matt Sondrol getting the shutout in the nets.

• The No. 1-ranked Faribault Falcons wrestling team defeated Albert Lea 42-21 at Faribault. Josh Hinnenkamp, Brian Goodnature, Aron Attig and Jamie Jensen picked up wins for the Tigers.

 

10 years ago: 2010

• The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team was defeated by Owatonna 81-47 at Albert Lea High School. Kyle Ooms scored 13 points and Colby Strilaeff added 11 to lead the Tigers.

• The Albert Lea girls’ hockey team defeated Rochester John Marshall 2-1. Lauren Klick and Sarah Savelkoul scored for the Tigers, who improved their record to 6-8 on the year.

• Kalli VanRyswyk scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, but the upset-minded Glenville-Emmons Wolverines girls’ basketball team fell to LeRoy-Ostrander 44-42. Emily Belshan added 12 points.

 

This year

• Shortstop Evan Kayser and pitcher Blake Bagenstos, two members of the inaugural Albert Lea Lakers team, will be seniors on the Truman State University baseball team this spring in Kirksville, Missouri. The Bulldogs open their season Feb. 7 against Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma.