Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1968

• Head baseball coach Don Buhr greeted five letter winners at the start of practice. The returning letter winners were Donn Drommerhausen, Harold Schumaker, Gerald Walcholz, Steve Rugroden and Bill Hahn.

• Albert Lea High School top finishers at the indoor track meet included Tim Peterson, second in the 880-yard run; Mike Gregerson, fourth in the high jump; and Craig Ludtke, fifth in the high jump.

• Tom Lair and John Demo were named co-captains for the ALHS wrestling team for the 1968/69 season and Tim Tidemann and Bob O’Bryne were named 1968/69 hockey co-captains. 

• Gary Neist, a graduate of ALHS and a junior at Luther College, won 11 dual wrestling matches.

25 years ago: 1993

• The Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team won its first game at the National Invitational Tournament, 76-58, and then defeated Providence 76-70 to reach the championship game. Voshon Lenard scored 25 points and Jason Walton 16 for the Gophers against Providence.

• Glenville-Emmons senior John VanBeek was named the Albert Lea Tribune All-Area Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year and his coach Craig Rayman was named A.L. Tribune All-Area Boys’ Coach of the Year. Named to the first team were Chris Boysen of ALHS, Darlan Baker of NRHEG, John VanBeek of G-E, Paul Kenis of ALHS and Jayson Newman of Northwood-Kensett. Named to the second team were Ryan Peterson of United South Central, Tom Fredickson of G-E, Lee Kuiters of ALHS, Kris Johannnsen of Alden-Conger and Dan Rice of Lake Mills.

10 years ago: 2008

• The Minnesota women’s basketball team was defeated in the first round of the NCAA tournament by the University of Texas, 72-66. The Gophers were led by Emily Fox with 23 points and Leslie Knight with 12. The Gophers finished the season with a record of 20-12.

• The YMCA Adult Men’s Basketball League was won by Troy Thompson Insurance. Team members were Aaron Phillips, Derrick Bauer, Chris Sorenson, Maurie Monson, Mike Diemer, Todd Taylor and Dak Sorenson.

• After 65 years of bowling, Darwin Haroldson of Albert Lea bowled his first 300 game in the Holiday Classic League in Albert Lea. Darwin had a 739 series.