Sports Memories by Tom Jones

 

50 years ago: 1969

• Albert Lea opened its cross country season with a seventh-place finish at the St. Olaf Invitational. Clay Cameron placed eighth overall with a time of 14:52 on the 3-mile course.

• It took five extra holes before Jack Ebeling sunk a birdie to defeat Ken Ulman at the Albert Lea Country Club Championship.

• Harmon Killebrew hit home runs No. 41 and 42 that led the Minnesota Twins to a 16-4 win over the Oakland A’s. Killebrew’s seven RBIs in the game gave him 128 for the season. Dave Boswell got the win for the Twins.

 

25 years ago: 1994

• A second-half rally fell short as the Albert Lea Tigers football team lost their home opener to Mankato East 17-8. A third-quarter pass of 19 yards from Steve Nolander to Mitch Edwards was the lone score for the Tigers.

• The Albert Lea girls’ tennis team finished third in the Rosemount Invitational with wins over Henry Sibley and Mound. Darcie Gayken won all three of her matches at No. 2 singles for the Tigers.

• The Albert Lea freshman football team improved to 2-0 with an 20-18 victory over Mankato East. Chad Damerow scored two touchdowns for the Tigers with G.G. Gonzales adding the third.

 

10 years ago: 2009

• Derek Jeter collected hit No. 2,722 to pass Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig as the all-time hits leader for the New York Yankees.

• The Albert Lea Tigers football team nearly pulled off an upset of No. 8-ranked Winona before falling 20-14 to the Winhawks. Aaron Klaat and Luke Grossman scored for the Tigers, who were coached by Clay Anderson.

• The Albert Lea volleyball team took fourth place at the Hayfield Invitational. The Tigers went 2-2 on the day, picking up wins over Southland and Blooming Prairie. Kristine Kelly had 22 kills to lead the Tigers.

 

This year

• The Waldorf Warriors will begin play as charter members of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 when they host Iowa State University at Albert Lea City Arena.