By Chuck Anderson

50 years ago — 1961

Named to the 1961 Big Nine All-Conference football team from Albert Lea High School were tackle Jeff Brooke and guard Bruce Palmer. Receiving honorable mention were center Wayne Mortenson, halfback Curt Pickavance, quarterback John Goodmanson and center Jim Margadant.

The ALHS basketball team won their opener over Minneapolis Patrick Henry 61-30. Leading scorers for the Tigers Clair Flaten with 27 points, Lowell Syverson with 12 and Gary Jacobsen with 10.

Wells High School defeated Owatonna 48-43 in their season opener. Ron Meyer scored 17 points, Lonny Buscho 12 and Dave Schrieber 10.

25 years ago — 1986

Named to the All-Big Nine Conference football team from ALHS were Greg Deyak and Matt Sullivan. Receiving honorable mention were Owen Todd and Jeff Boyer.

Returning letter winners for the ALHS girls’ basketball team were Jill Cluppert, Jana Hellie, Julie Coughlin, Kara Johnsrud and Heather Lang. Also on the team were Lynette Roemich, Brit Uldal, Melissa Johnson, Nicky Edwin, Carol Hoffman, Patty Keating and Joni Wright.

Lloyd Stussy, of Wells-Easton High School, was voted region Athletic Director of the Year by his peers in Class A.

Julie Coughlin scored 21 points and Melissa Johnson nine to lead the ALHS girls’ basketball team to a season-opening 55-36 win over Fairmont.

10 years ago — 2001

Named to the Albert Lea Tribune All-Area football team from ALHS were Adam Lares, Jake McClasskey, Tony Tolbers and Tyler Young; from Alden-Conger were Alex Drescher and David Schmidt; from Glenville-Emmons were Maurice Chessmore, Nick Flatness, Paul Kleven and Richie Mathis; from Lake Mills were Josh Ainley, Matt Hauan, Dan Helgeson and Mike Stensrud; from United South Central were Jon Beyer, Trevoe Haugh, Cole Iverson, Noel Johnson, Chance Kimpton and Trent Ulrich; from New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva were Clark Field, Isaiah Lundberg, Chris Matthies and Seth Tukua; from Northwood-Kensett were Jared Avelan, Erik Butler, Tom Carmody, James Erickson, Matt Johnson, Brian Klitzke, Nathan Loberg, Trevoe Madsen and Josh Reindl.

The ALHS girls’ hockey team defeated Austin 4-2. Scoring goals for Albert Lea were Laura Hillman, Brittany Arendt, Tessa Christanson and Lindsey Sorenson.