50 years ago — 1962

In a District 2 semi-final game, the Albert Lea basketball team defeated Austin 71-64. The Tigers were led by Gary Jacobsen with 28 points, Lowell Syverson 17 and Clair Flaten 14. The Tigers lost to Lyle 47-46 in the title game. Flaten scored 24 points for the Tigers.

Paul Wilke Jr., a former Albert Lea football and basketball player, won the Air Force Academy school’s 137-pound wrestling tournament with six straight victories.

In a west sub-district tournament basketball game, Freeborn defeated Emmons 63-55. Rod Schultz scored 20 points and Brad Miller 18 for Freeborn. Blooming Prairie, behind 24 points by Don Matson, defeated Ellendale 69-55.

25 years ago — 1987

At the Region 1AA wrestling tournament, Kevin Kermes placed second at 126 pounds, Dave Rowe (132) placed second and Kevin Schiltz (185) placed second for Albert Lea. Schiltz defeated Byron Nelson 7-4 to place third at the state wrestling tournament.

The Lake Mills boys’ basketball team won their second straight Iowa District 1A title with a 60-58 win over Armstrong-Ringstead. Jeff Charlson scored 33 points for the Bulldogs.

In the opening game of the Region 1AA girls’ basketball tournament, Albert Lea defeated Red Wing 47-41. Albert Lea was led by Jill Cluppert with 14 points.

10 years ago — 2002

The Glenville-Emmons boys’ basketball team raised its season record to 18-4 with a 61-48 win over Bethany Academy of St. Paul and advanced to the semi-final round. Paul Kleven scored 24 points for the Wolverines.

In the quarterfinal round of Section 2AA, Albert Lea boys’ basketball defeated Mankato West 38-35. Josh Kasper led the Tigers with 10 points.

Albert Lea junior Josh Hansen won the 103-pound title at the state wrestling tournament, and sophomore Adam Elseth (135) placed third. Hansen finished at 39-1 for the season and Elseth closed at 38-2.

John Niebuhr of United South Central placed second at 140 pounds in Class A at the state wrestling tournament. He finished the season with a record of 38-3.