Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1968

• The Albert Lea High School basketball team handed the Austin Packers their first loss of the season, 59-55. The Tigers were led by Jay Gustafson with 25 points and Mike Gregerson with 18. 

• Ron Peterson with 26 points and Allan Walker with 18 led Alden High School to a 79-73 victory over Glenville. Clark Cipra scored 22 points and Gary Buchanan 18 for the Trojans.

• In the Albert Lea YMCA Adult Basketball League, Berglunds Sporting Goods defeated Jewel Tea 82-51. Tom Allen scored 16 points and Warren Strandell 14 for Berglunds. Jewel Tea was led by Wayne Wacholz with 16 points and Jim Loge with 10.

• The Ellendale wrestling team raised its season record to 4-2 after defeating Morristown 40-8. Winning by pins for the Raiders were Duane Reichi (95) pounds, Rodney Thompson (112) pounds, Blake Fluke (145) pounds, Roger Hill (165) pounds, Dale DeRaad (175) pounds and Al Lee (heavyweight).

25 years ago: 1993

• The ALHS boys’ swim and dive team placed first in seven of 12 events and remained undefeated after defeating Winona 96-86. Nate Saul of the Tigers won the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke and Garth Saul won the diving events.

• John VanBeek scored 26 points and had 11 rebounds for Glenville in its 72-64 win over Hayfield. Lane Vanek scored 18 points and Brian Cipra 10 for the Wolverines.

10 years ago: 2018

• The ALHS wrestling team won its 29th straight Big Nine Conference dual match when it defeated Austin 53-13.Winning by pins for the Tigers were Cody Hansen (112) pounds, Kyle Kreiwall (119) pounds, Adam Clark (125) pounds, Logan Kortan (140) pounds, Logan Hansen (171) pounds and Derek Peterson (215) pounds.

• The ALHS girls’ hockey team, ranked 4th in the state, defeated Rochester John Marshall 4-1raised their season record to 11-4 and their Big Nine record to 6-3. Scoring for the Tigers were Jenna Christensen (2), Lauren Klick and Amy Gackstetter 1 goal each.

• Hali Hendrickson scored her 1,000th career point for the ALHS girls’ basketball team in its 59-51 loss to Faribault.