Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1965

The Albert Lea High School basketball team defeated Wells 60-55 behind 14 rebounds by Darrel Gavle. The Tigers’ scoring was led by Dan Doty with 19 points and John Vollum with 12. Tom Colby and Alan Kirkeide each scored 15 points for the Wild Cats.

The ALHS wrestling team won eight matches to defeat Robbinsdale 29-16. Winning matches for the Tigers were Chuck Nelson at (103), Mark Allen (112), Bob Hatch (120), Dean Hoeve (138), Ken Stencel (145), Bob Severson (154), Chuck Jean (175) and John Forman (hwt).

The ninth-ranked Minnesota Gopher basketball team defeated Cornell 84-82. Archie Clark led the Gophers with 25 points and Paul Presthus added 18. The Gophers preseason record fell to 6-1.

 

25 years ago: 1990

In a first-round game at the Eagles Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament in Austin, the ALHS girls’ basketball team defeated Hayfield 67-53.

The Alden-Conger-Freeborn girls’ basketball team lost to Medford 30-27 for their first loss in the Gopher Conference. Kim McKean scored 10 points for A-C-F.

Angi Nowak scored 12 points and Dayna Grosk 11 for Wells-Easton in their 38-49 losing  effort against Maple River.

The ALHS boys’ swimming team defeated Austin 109-77. Winning relays for the Tigers were the  200 yard freestyle relay team of Jay Jerdee, Nate Olson, Erik Hendrickson and Chris Schmitz and the 400-yard freestyle relay of Chad Bergo, Olson, Hendrickson and Schmitz. Individual winners for the Tigers were Chris Schmitz in the 50-yard and the 100-yard freestyle, Chad Bergo in the 200-yard individual medley and Gregg VanderWaerdt in the 500-yard freestyle.

 

10 years ago: 2005

The ALHS girls’ basketball team moved into a three-way tie for first place in the Big Nine Conference after defeating Owatonna 71-68. Leading scorers for Albert Lea were Niki Hendrickson with 23 points, Hali Hendrickson and Liz Thompson with 13 each.

Derek Schmidt scored 20 points to lead the United South Central boys’ basketball team to a 78-41 victory over Randolph.