Sports Memories by Tom Jones

 

50 years ago: 1969

• At the American League meetings in Chicago, Minnesota Twins owner Calvin Griffith announced he had offered the job of manager of the Twins to Bill Rigney, who was expected to accept the job. Rigney had been fired by the California Angels earlier in the season. Rigney was no stranger to the Twin Cities, as he had managed the Minneapolis Millers in 1954 and 1955.

• Starting tackle Jeff Neitzel was named both offensively and defensively for the Albert Lea Tigers football team on WCCO Radio’s All-State football team of the week. The team was nominated each week by sports editors and broadcasters from all areas of Minnesota.

• New York Mets world champion Jerry Koosman was welcomed home to a crowd of 2,500 people at a parade of confetti and marching bands from surrounding communities in his hometown of Morris, Minnesota after he started and won two games as the Mets stunned the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. After doing some hunting, he was heading with other Mets stars for a two week appearance at a Las Vegas night club.

 

25 years ago: 1994

• The Glenville-Emmons volleyball team defeated Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 3-0 in the opening round of Section 2A, sub-section 1A play. Carolyn Anderson was 19-for-20 serving with four ace serves and three ace kills to lead the Wolverines, who were coached by Craig Rayman.

• The Albert Lea Tigers football team ended their season at 4-5 when they were defeated 30-12 by Owatonna in the opening round of the Section 1AA playoffs. Steve Nolander’s 20-yard pass to Will Bryant and a kick-off return of 75 yards by Marcus Ludtke were the lone scores for the Tigers.

• Sarah Lindeman’s 13th place finish among 98 runners led the Albert Lea girls’ cross country team at the Section 1AA meet in Owatonna. Her time of 16:13 was just ahead of Melissa Roche, who crossed the finish line at 16:15.

 

10 years ago: 2009

• The Faribault Falcons ended the Albert Lea Tigers football season with a 28-6 victory in Section 1AAAA playoffs at Faribault. Trevor Rasmussen caught a 13-yard pass from Kyle Kriewall for the Tigers only score. The Tigers ended up 2-7 on the season.

• The fifth-seeded Alden-Conger Knights 80-yard game winning drive while trailing 21-20 with under two minutes to go gave them a 28-21 victory over Mabel-Canton. Brandon McTague capped off the drive with a one-yard run, which helped the Knights advance to play top-seed Grand Meadow.

• Albert Lea’s Chrissy Monson earned a return trip to the state cross country meet as she placed second for the second straight year at the Section 1AA girls’ cross country meet at Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna. Steve Kruen placed 28th to lead the Tiger boys.

 

This year

• Benji Lundberg, a 2018 graduate of NRHEG is a sophomore on the men’s basketball team at Gustavus. His brother Sam, a 2012 Graduate of NRHEG is in his first year as Director of Operations and Recruiting as well as being the tight ends coach for the football program at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. They are the sons of Dave and Karen Lundberg of Ellendale.