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Sports Memories by Tom Jones

10 years

• The Albert Lea Tigers boys’ cross country season began their regular season with a meet in Austin. Jackson Goodell was the top runner for the Tigers with a third-place overall finish. Caleb Troe was the second Tiger to cross the finish line in 13th place. Autumn Muilenburg was the top finisher for the girls’ team, finishing in 10th place.
• The Albert Lea boys’ soccer team opened their season at home with a 4-1 win over Byron. Schafer Overgaard led the Tigers with two goals with Jerry Halstead and Nate Nelson adding one.
• The Minnesota Gophers football team opened their season with a 42-20 win over Eastern Illinois. Mitch Leidner threw for 144-yards and one touchdown and ran for two more scores in the win.
• The Albert Lea Tigers volleyball team fell 3-0 to Apple Valley. Camryn Keyeski had 18 digs in the loss.

20 years

• Albert Lea’s Ashley Judd won the Top Leadership Award at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s cheerleading camp.
• After being an outstate ticket representative for the Minnesota Twins for 17-years, Albert Lea’s Mike Sichko retired. He had originally moved to Albert Lea after a minor league career to play baseball for the Albert Lea Packers.
• Chris Baas defeated Eric Amann in extra holes to take the Minnesota State American Legion Golf tournament that was played at the Green Lea Golf Course.

50 years

• In the Albert Lea Softball Association’s Men’s National League championship game, Town House defeated the Skyline Merchants 9-8. Byron Jensen picked up the win with Barry Coughlin taking the loss.
• Bert Blyleven pitched a nine-inning complete game, allowing only four hits as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 in front of 10,951 fans at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium.
• The Alden-Conger football team had 40 players out under coach Dick Waslein and was picked to be a pre-season favorite in the Gopher Conference.
• According to coach Jerry Kaphers, 29 candidates were competing for a spot on the Albert Lea varsity cross country team.
• The Albert Lea Open Water Ski Tournament was being held on Edgewater Bay over the Labor Day weekend. A skier could enter in slalom, tricks or jump.
  Cost to participate was $8.50 for one event or $10.50 for two.
• The Minnesota North Stars acquired Minnesota hockey legend Henry Boucha from the Detroit Red Wings for Danny Grant. Boucha had set an NHL record in his rookie year of 1972 by scoring a goal six seconds into the game.
• The Albert Lea Quarterback Club held its first meeting of the year at the VFW club. Head football coach Jerry Nelson and head cross country coach Jerry Kaphers gave some insights into the upcoming seasons.
• Earl Krieger won the ninth annual First District American Legion Golf Tournament held at the Green Lea Golf Course. He defeated Tom Kroc with a birdie on the first hole of sudden death.

Homecoming parade

I have offered to help find the oldest living Albert Lea High School homecoming king and queen to be a part of this year’s parade, which will be held on Sept. 25. Please reach out to me if you can help at alexis.march@yahoo.com or stop by Strong Insurance Agency in the afternoons.