Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1967

• The Albert Lea High School basketball team recorded its first win of the season after defeating Faribault, 51-50. Jay Gustafson led the Tigers with 17 points.

• The ALHS wrestling team improved its season record to 5-1, after defeating Blue Earth 33-8. Jeff Righgels of the Tigers opened the match with a pin at 95 pounds.

• Sophomore Charlie Evan scored three goals and Bob O’Byrne added two goals for the ALHS hockey team in its 12-0 shut out of Minneapolis Vocational.

• The Emmons High School basketball team defeated Rake, Iowa 67-54. The Eagles were led by Ed Underwood with 33 points and Jim Berg with 10 points.

• Jeff Righgels at 95 pounds, Tom Lair at 112 pounds. and Bruce Dahl at heavyweight were first place finishers for the ALHS wrestling team in its championship of the Brainerd Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

25 years ago: 1992

• The ALHS girls’ basketball defeated Austin Pacelli for its first win of the season in a first-round game at the Austin Holiday Girls Classic Tournament. The Tigers were led by Mollee Ludtke with 15 points and 14 rebounds, Kristen Adams had 12 points and Becky Schmidt had 10. In a second-round game the Tigers defeated Hayfield 52-48. Ludtke scored 19 points, Schmidt 16 and Adams 11 for the Tigers.

• The Alden-Conger girls’ basketball team defeated Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 73-59. The Knights were led with balanced scoring by Ann Brandt with 15 points, Christy Merritt and JoDell Bendickson with 12 points each, Tammy Newman and Jenn Sorenson with 10 points each.

10 years ago: 2007

• The ALHS girls’ hockey team raised their season record to 10-4 with a 5-1 victory over Bloomington Jefferson. They were led by Lauren Klick with three goals and Jenni Christensen and Sophia Jepson with one goal each.

• In the first round of the of the Tiger Classic Basketball Tournament the ALHS boys defeated Murray County Central 63-47 for their first win of the season. Colby Strilreff scored 22 points and Jordan Hanson had 16 for the Tigers. North Branch defeated the Tigers 87-55 in the final round for the championship. Luke Grossman led the Tigers with 11 points.