50 years ago – 1961

In the first round of the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournament, Duluth Central defeated Danube 74-52, Sauk Centre topped Mahtomedi 54-40, Winona defeated Royalton 71-51 and Bemidji defeated Edgerton 76-47. In second-round games, Duluth Central defeated Sauk Centre 75-53 and Bemidji defeated Winona 57-51. Duluth Central won the title with a win over Bemidji and Sauk Centre took third place with a win over Winona.

Named to the Minnesota State High School Basketball All-Tournament Team from Duluth Central were Chet Anderson, Terry Kunze and Roger Hanson, from Danube was Bob Brugger and from Edgerton was Dean Veenhof.

25 years ago – 1986

Named to the All-Big Nine Conference boys’ basketball team from Albert Lea was Mike Petersen. Greg Deyak of the Tigers received honorable mention.

Named to the All-Big Nine Conference girls’ basketball team from Albert Lea was Julie Leininger and receiving honorable was Julie Coughlin.

Named to the All-Big Nine Conference boys’ hockey team from Albert Lea was Mike Nelson, Don Savelkoul, Steve Stoltz and Mike Kruse.

Awards presented at the annual Albert Lea girls’ basketball banquet included Most Valuable Player – Julie Leininger, Coaches Award – Mary Mathews and Hardest Workers – Heather Lang and Konnie Severtson.

Receiving awards at the annual Albert Lea boys’ swimming team banquet was Mark Hallberg – Most Valuable Player, Steve Cunicelli – Most Improved and Todd Truax – Hardest Worker.

10 years ago – 2001

• New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva graduate Matt Petsinge, a senior at Minnesota State-Mankato, won the 157-pound wrestling championship in Division II.

• Amber Sickels, a senior at Albert Lea, was named the Albert Lea Tribune Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year. Named to the first team were Sickels, Aly Rayman from Glenville-Emmons, Kjerstin from Lake Mills, Holly Waldhauser from New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva and Amber Ellertson from United South Central. Named to the second team were Jessica Wichmann from Alden-Conger, Holly Herr from G-E, Jenifer Brouwers from NRHEG, Kerby Christianson from Northwood-Kensett and Shelly Bebler from USC.