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Former team meets to catch up after 55 years

What started as a nostalgic Facebook post soon turned into the reunion of a lifetime when two former ALHS cross country runners, Dwight “foot” Wright and Gary Reichl, shared an Albert Lea Tribune article commemorating the team’s participation in the Minnesota State Cross Country meet in 1969. They shared the post on the page “You know you’re from Albert Lea If,” and thus began the search for the rest of their teammates.

After scouring the internet and reaching out to old connections, the other team members were located. Sadly, members Jim Henry and Clay Cameron had passed away.

The team soon discovered that their coach, Jerry Kaphers, lives in Mankato and continues to coach at age 89 at Mankato East High School.

The team met in person Oct. 28 in Mankato and had a great time reconnecting, sharing memories and catching up after 55 years.