Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1967

• Albert Lea High School head hockey coach Lester Etienne opened pre-season practice with eight returning letter winners. They were Chuck Pappas, Gary Barb, Gary Hillman, Paul Jacobson, Tim Tidemann, Rod Sorenson, Bob O’Byrne and Steve Apple.

• Senior halfback Dennis Larson of the undefeated ALHS football team was named to the WCCO Radio All-State football team.

• The ALHS basketball team opened its 1967/68 season with a loss to Fairmont 72-64. Jay Gustafson led the Tigers with 21 points and Larry Brandt added 10 points.

• The Glenville and Freeborn basketball teams both opened their seasons against each other with Glenville defeating Freeborn 78-64. The Trojans were led by Larry Perleberg with 21 points, Clark Cipra with 15 and Lynn Berven with 14. John Miller scored 26 points and Gary Young had 21 for the Yeomen.

• Lea College of Albert Lea won its first game in the John F. Kennedy Invitational basketball tournament in Wahoo, Nebraska 109-95 over Briar Cliff. The Lancers were led by Peaches Hoskins with 28 points, Jim Roberts with 15 and Jim Shockemoel with 14. The Lancers won the tournament with a 122-97 victory over John F. Kennedy. Roberts scored 25 points, Tom Hanratty and Willie Hester had 21 each.

• Ed Underwood scored 28 points to lead the Emmons High School basketball team to a 48-42 win over Lyle.

25 years ago: 1992

• The Minnesota Vikings raised their record to 9-3 with a 31-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Sean Salisbury of the Vikings completed 23 of 34 passes for 238 yards and Terry Allen caught 10 of those passes for 110 yards.

10 years ago: 2007

• The ALHS girls’ basketball team opened their season with a 66-57 victory over New Ulm. Abbey Arends scored 32 points and Morgan Stadheim had 16 for the Tigers.

• Adam Royce and Grant Stadhein scored twice and Parker Stanley and Tyler Brackey once each for the ALHS boys’ hockey team in their 6-2 win over Waseca in their season opener.