Sports Memories by Tom Jones

 

50 years ago: 1968

• Albert Lea “White” Moose slowpitch softball team repeated as champion of the Minnesota Moose slowpitch softball tournament that was held in Albert Lea. The team was managed by Roger Rynerson.

• The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Denver Broncos 39-16, giving them their first victory over an American Football League team. Garry Cuozzo and Bob Berry quarterbacked the team to victory.

• Mike Gibbons, club professional at the Albert Lea Country Club, gave golfing tips to Pollyanne Ball, Miss Albert Lea of 1968-69. Ball was to kick-off the country club’s Pro-Member Invitational golf tournament by teeing off the first ball.

 

25 years ago: 1993

• The Albert Lea High School football players hit the gridiron for the first time under the direction of coach Chris Chalmers.

• Wells youth Randy Skellenger placed sixth in the 2000-meter steeplechase at the National Junior Olympics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

• The Minnesota Vikings named Jim McMahon as their starting quarterback in the regular season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

 

10 Years ago: 2008

• The Bayside Skiers held two “learn to ski” classes through Community Education on Edgewater Bay.

• The coaches of the Albert Lea Thunder hockey team held camps for mini-mites, mites, squirts, peewees and bantams at the Albert Lea City Arena.

• Albert Lea city golf champions were Andy Petersen and Kelli Hanson. Flight winners were Riley Worth, Scott McKinney, Darrel Soper, Steve Goskeson and Ryan Wuerflein.