Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1967

•Named to the Gopher Conference Football Team from area High Schools were the following; from New Richland – Alex Hansen, Larry Berg,Thomas Bergner, Kenneth Abraham and Michael Supalin; from Ellendale – David Richards.

•A 13 yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the game lifted the Minnesota Vikings to 27-24 win over the New York Giants. Quarterback Fran Tarkenton of the Giants threw 3 touchdown passes.

•The Lea College football team dropped their season record to 4-5 after losing to Minot State College 20-6. Bob Swanson scored the Lancers touchdown.

•Leading stats for the undefeated Albert Lea High School football team were the following; halfback Dennis Larson – scored 11 touchdowns and 66 points, gained 799 rushing yards and averaged 6.00 yards per carry. Quarterback Jay Gustafson – passed for 799 yards and 10 touchdowns. Larry Brandt – had 11 passes caught for 330 yards and 10 touchdowns.

25 years ago: 1992

•In the first round of Sub-Section, Section 2A volleyball tournament United South Central defeated Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 3-0. Jane Passer had 20 kills and Coleen Hill was 22 for 22 serving for the Rebels. In the second game Alden-Conger topped Maple River 3-1. Christy Merritt led the Knights with 8 kills. USC defeated A-C 3-0 by scores of 15-5, 15-3 and 15-4 to win the sub-section and move on to Section 2A. The Rebels record after defeating A-C was 21-6.   

•In Section 1AA volleyball ALHS defeated Owatonna 3-1 by scores of 15-6, 10-15, 15-9 and 15- 9, Laural Mikulichj was a perfect 36 for 36 serving for the Tigers. ALHS was eliminated by  Eagen 1-3 by scores of 12-15, 15-9, 11-15 and 7-15. The Tigers were led in their loss by Laura Bisek and Becky Schmidt with 15 kills each. The Tigers finished their season with a record of 21-6.