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Sports Memories by Tom Jones

10 years

• At the state boys’ cross country meet held at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Albert Lea’s Jackson Goodell placed 68th out of 176 runners with a time of 16:35.7.
• St. Paul native Paul Molitor signed a three-year contract to become the 13th manager in the history of the Minnesota Twins.
• At the Albert Lea girls’ swimming and diving banquet, Carson McGivern and Mercedes Saltou were named captains for the following year’s team.
• The Albert Lea girls’ hockey team opened their season with a 5-1 win over Mankato West at the All Seasons Arena in Mankato. Hannah Savelkoul and Madi Hererra had two goals for the Tigers with Anna Englin adding one.

20 years

• The Albert Lea girls’ swimming and diving team placed sixth among 10 schools at the Big Nine Conference meet held in Rochester. In the 100-yard breaststroke, Leah Matheson finished fourth and Krista Horejsi fifth to lead the Tigers.
• Albert Lea’s Tessa Christensen and Kendra Olchefske were named to the Big Nine All-Conference girls’ soccer team. Jenny Birkhofer received honorable mention.
• At the Big Nine Conference junior varsity swimming and diving meet, Albert Lea’s Nicole Larson was the top scorer for the Tigers, taking second in the 100-yard freestyle and third in the 50-yard freestyle.

50 years

• The Albert Lea Tigerette volleyball team defeated Rochester Mayo 15-11 and 21-19 to give them a tie for the Big 9 championship with an 8-1 record. Team members included Mary Speltz, Kathy Ehrhard, Jodi Pierson, Kris Wadding, Sue Shoff and Sabrina Ost.
• Former University of Minnesota basketball player George Schauer, who was laying claim to be the “world’s greatest dribbler” was scheduled to appear at the Kiester High School gym for an exhibition of his dribbling skills.
• Hank Aaron held on to his title as the world’s home run king when he out homered Japan’s Sadaharu Oh in an exhibition in front of 50,000 fans at Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
• The Distribution Education Club at Albert Lea High School announced they were hosting a donkey ball basketball game to be played at Southwest Junior High.
  Al Anderson, Lee Anderson, Wayne Bellrichard, Arlie Brandt, Paul Marquardt and Dolf Moon were scheduled to play.
• The Boston Bruins trounced the Minnesota North Stars 10-1 at the Boston Garden. Bill Goldsworthy’s fifth goal of the season was the only goal for the Stars.
• In the opening round of District II girls’ basketball that was played at Southwest Junior High, Alden defeated Freeborn 44-28. Gloria Steele had 11 points and Natalie Politz eight to lead the
• Blackhawks. Rita Klocek paced the Yeomen with nine.
  At the Albert Lea fall sports banquet, Al Toft and Rich Wendorff were announced as captains for the next year’s cross country team. Dale Hendrickson, Paul Nies and John Dziura were also announced as captains for the following year’s football team.
• Forty-five high school athletes participated in a marathon basketball game at Southwest Junior High that was sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The seniors outscored the juniors 1500 to 1280. Mike Edling led the seniors with 150 points with Tom Dyrdal adding 142. Randy Christopherson led the juniors with 88 points.

Pierce to be honored

In January, Alden-Conger’s Neil Pierce will be recognized as a Jim Dimick Retired Coach Award recipient at the Minnesota Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame Banquet and Awards night that is being held at Target Field.