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Sports Memories, Tom Jones

10 years

• Alex Bledsoe hit a triple to score Tanner Bellrichard for the go-ahead run as the Albert Lea baseball team defeated Rochester John Marshall 3-2 at Hayek Field. Jakob Kilby threw a seven-inning complete game to pick up the win.
• The Albert Lea softball team had two home runs from Allison Grandstrand and one from Megan Kortan as the Tigers defeated Rochester John Marshall 17-9 for their first win over the Rockets in five years.
• Madi Ziebell pitched eight innings to get the win as the Glenville-Emmons softball team defeated Mabel-Canton 8-7 in the first game of a doubleheader.

20 years

• Plans were underway for the annual Gus Macker Basketball Jam that was scheduled to be played at the Northbridge Mall.
• The Albert Lea girls’ golf team defeated Rochester Century 207-216 at the Albert Lea Country Club. April Heilmann was medalist in the meet, shooting a 48.
• The Albert Lea baseball team fell 7-6 to Waseca in non-conference play. Jared Butler led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-4 including a double.
• The Albert Lea girls’ golf team fell to Austin 379-413 at the Austin Country Club. Kelli Hanson shot a 99 over 18 holes to lead the Tigers.

50 years

• Polis Photo of Albert Lea won the state volleyball championship with wins over Rochester, Roseville and Eden Prairie. Team members included John Polis, Orlo Willmert, Dick Lybeck and Ed Mikulich.
• The Minnesota Twins were swept 4-1 and 5-1 in a doubleheader with the Oakland A’s. Bert Blyleven was the losing pitcher in the first game with Jim Hughes taking the loss in game two.
• Gay Iverson of Emmons was named the Most Valuable Player in football and basketball and was also awarded the Oil Can Award for displaying a tremendous amount of hustle at the annual Emmons sports banquet.
• Outdoor fishing enthusiasts were excited to hit the lake as Fountain Lake was officially declared ice-free on April 23, two days short of tying the record at the time as the latest ice-out date.
• The Albert Lea girls’ swimming team picked up their fifth win of the season with a 60-37 win over Mankato West. Sally Folven took first place for the Tigers in the 200-freestyle with a time of 2:22.3.
• Ken Ulman’s Albert Lea golf team fell 311-312 to Austin. Mark Knutson took medalist honors for the Tigers by carding a 74. The b-squad team also fell 330-362 to the Packers with Mike Hockinson shooting an 85 for the Bengals.
• Albert Lea Country Club Pro Jim Ihnot announced the Country Club Ladies Kick-off Brunch was being held at the club with Ihnot being the guest speaker.
• Glenn Kermes, Nate Eggum and Larry Abrego took first place in an AAU wrestling tournament in Rochester for youths in the age groups of 8 and under and up to age 14. The team was led by Jim Skaar of Hayward.
• After leading early in the game, the Albert Lea boys’ baseball team fell to pre-season favorite Red Wing 9-6. John Dziura had two RBIs to lead the Tigers.
• Coke Minehart of Albert Lea was holding tryouts for an adult amateur baseball team that was beginning play in the summer. The team was set to play in the South Border League and would be playing Austin, Stewartville, Hayward and Rochester.

Signings

Albert Lea High School senior Connor Pirsig will be continuing his high school career this fall as a member of the Mason City Toros, who are a member of the North American 3 Hockey League. The Toros play their home games at the Mason City Arena that is attached to the Southbridge Mall.