50 years ago — 1961

The Albert Lea High School basketball team opened the season with a 61-30 victory over Minneapolis Patrick Henry. Leading the Tigers were Clair Flaten with 27 points, Lowell Syverson with 12 and Gary Jacobsen with 10.

Don Brummer with 27 points and Mark Newman with 17 led Alden High School to a 50-41 win over Glenville. Doug Cipra scored 18 points for the Trojans.

The ALHS wrestling team shut out Minneapolis Marshall 48-0. Winning their matches by falls were Pete Fabry, Mike Callahan, Bruce Palmer, Dan Jahns and Dexter Westrum.

Named to the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-American football’s First Team was quarterback Sandy Stephens of the Minnesota Gophers. Named to the second team was tackle Bobby Bell of the Gophers.

25 years ago — 1986

Thirty-six-year-old Tom Kelly was named the Minnesota Twins manager. He spent the prior four years as the third base coach for the Twins.

Minnesota Gopher freshman tailback Darrell Thompson was named to the 1986 Associated Press All-Big Ten football team. He set the Gophers single season rushing record with 1,240 yards.

Senior Greg Deyak of ALHS was named to the WCCO Radio Prep Parade “All-State Football Team of the Year.”

Tina Wangsness scored 18 points and Rosie Kasper 16 for the Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team in their 63-49 win over Glenville. The Trojans were led by Brigett Matter with 13 points.

10 years ago — 2001

The ALHS girls’ hockey team defeated Winona 7-1. Scoring goals for Albert Lea were Laura Hillman with four goals, Amy Leach, Jill Woodside and Heather Bagley.

In their season opening game the ALHS girls’ basketball team defeated Waseca 50-32. Aubree Page scored 16 points and Jenny Vanderploeg 10 for Albert Lea.

The Alden-Conger girls baskeball team won their second straight game with a 43-32 victory over Martin Luther. The Knights were led by Angie Wichmann with 12 points and Hayley Jensen with nine.