Year in Review 2020

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wednesday, december 30, 2020 | year in review

Year in review

IMPACTS OF CORONAVIRus top year of local news

By Albert Lea Tribune

The year 2020 will forever be remembered in the history books as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It changed the way of life for people across the globe, and in Albert Lea it was no different.

As the Tribune editor, publisher and reporters sat down at the beginning of December to look back through the big stories of the year and narrow that list to the top 10, there was no question the pandemic and how it impacted the community was the top story of the year.

Aside from the pandemic, however, there were several other large stories, including a controversial election season, shootings, fires, changes in the business community and developments for the new clinic opening in Albert Lea that in most years would have been top news.

Here is how the news of 2020 stacked up:

1

Coronavirus sweeps across the globe; safety precautions put in place affect daily living, schools, businesses, nursing homes, other areas of life

In March, COVID-19 became real for Minnesota residents when Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit movements outside of their home beyond essential needs.

Schools shifted to distance learning, several businesses not deemed essential shut their doors, and city and county buildings were closed out of an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and give local and state officials time to prepare resources and gather personal protective equipment for area hospitals and nursing homes.

People who could work from home were asked to do so, and visits were limited at local senior care facilities and hospitals.

Students arrive in August at Halverson Elementary School for the first day of the 2020-21 school year. Students had the choice of attending in-person or via distance learning. In-person teaching continued through the middle of November when a high number of local COVID-19 cases forced the district to switch to distance learning for all students. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune The stay-at-home order was ultimately extended, but even after it was drawn back, many limitations remained in place. People were asked to wear face masks indoors and limit large indoor gatherings.

Many large summer events were canceled, including the Freeborn County Fair, most of the small town festivals, the Big Island Rendezvous and others.

It was not uncommon to see drive-in church services, outdoor graduation ceremonies or even drivethru birthday parades.

While in-person dining was allowed for a few months, resaturants and bars in November were asked to scale back again to takeout and delivery only.

This order remains in place through Jan. 10.

As of press time Monday,

Waseca Police officer Arik Matson is steadied by his wife, Megan, as he reads a statement at Tyler Janovsky’s sentencing hearing in November at the Waseca County Courthouse.

Janovsky was sentenced to 35 years in prison in Waseca County District Court for shooting Matson in the head on Jan. 6 after officers were called to a suspicious person call.

Pat Christman/Mankato Free Press

COVID-19 had led to 17 deaths in Freeborn County and 92 hospitalizations. Of the county’s 1,934 people who have tested positive for the virus, 77 cases currently remain active.

Minnesota has had 5,160 cumulative deaths. New case counts are declining both in the county and as a state, along with hospitalizations.

Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea began vaccinating its health care employees the week of Christmas, and Albert Lea nursing homes were slated to begin vaccinating workers and residents the final week of the year.

Many who work in the health care industry have described the vaccination as a light at the end of the tunnel.

Albert Lea schools are slated to return to in-person learning Jan. 11 after the break.

2

Community rallies behind shot officer and family

Andy Dyrdal waves to his granddaughter-in-law and his great-granddaughters during a visit in April through a window at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community for his 97th birthday. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune Much of southern Minnesota was in shock in early January after hearing that Waseca Officer Arik Matson was shot and gravely injured while responding on duty to a call of a suspicious person.

Matson, who lives with his family in Freeborn,

grew up in Albert Lea and had worked for the Waseca Police Department since 2013 on patrol and as the D.A.R.E. officer. He also was a member of the South Central Drug Task Force SWAT team and had previously worked for the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office

and Wells and New Richland police departments.

Aside from his law enforcement experience, he was a volunteer on the Freeborn Fire Department and a member of the Freeborn City Council.

CONTINUED

Community members gathered on the street to wave and greet the parade bringing Arik Matson home to Freeborn in October. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Page 2 | wednesday, december 30, 2020 | year in review

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continued its investigation Nov. 30 into the shooting at Shady Oaks.

Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

The community quickly rallied behind Matson and his family with a large prayer rally at Crossroads Church and fundraisers.

A GoFundMe account for Matson and his family raised over $200,000. Tshirts sold by 407Designz of Alden and Tiger City Sports in Albert Lea raised over $16,000.

Many people followed his recovery online, and after spending several months in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, Matson returned home in October to warm welcome home parades in Waseca, Freeborn and Albert Lea. Though he continues his therapy and rehabilitation at home, many have described his recovery as a miracle.

In November, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, in partnership with Dave Syverson Ford Lincoln, presented Matson with a new 2020 Ford Expedition and an additional $25,000. The Minnesota 100 Club gave gifts and checks of $500 to each of Matson’s two young daughters.

The man who shot Matson, Tyler Robert Janovsky, was sentenced in November to 35 years in prison — 20 years in prison for first-degree attempted murder of Matson and 15 years in prison for a second count for fellow Waseca officers Andrew Harren and Sgt. Timothy Schroeder.

3

Shooting at Shady Oaks apartments injures 3

Life in Albert Lea stood still for much of the day Nov. 29 during a reported shooting and standoff at Shady Oaks apartments that injured three people, including one Albert Lea officer.

Authorities arrested Devin Matthew Weiland, who lived at the apartments, after an eight-hour standoff. Investigators said Weiland allegedly fired as many as 90 rounds during the standoff, which started after he reportedly called law enforcement for a report of fireworks or gunshots in the area. When the first officer arrived, he reportedly began firing shots out the window from his apartment on the third floor, striking the officer in the chest with a rifle.

The officer, who was wearing a protective vest, suffered a serious injury to the chest that was about two-inches-by-two-inches

in size and that was consistent with a wound caused by a high-velocity impact, according to court documents.

The Freeborn County attorney said during the approximately eight hours that followed, Weiland took shots at whatever target presented itself as officers attempted to make contact, and there is no evidence that any of the other individuals who were shot were threatening to him.

One of the others who was injured also reportedly lived at the apartment complex and walked out of the building because he was concerned about his vehicle. As he returned to the building, he was shot in the arm, suffering a gunshot wound to his right bicep that displaced and fractured his humerus. He also suffered a large tearing injury to the right side of his chest.

Another man, who lives across the street from Shady Oaks, was reportedly shot in the leg through his car door while leaving to drive to work, court records state.

Authorities worked to evacuate as many people as possible to United Methodist Church, and Weiland ultimately surrendered after he reportedly suffered an injury to his forehead, though it has not been stated whether that was from himself or others.

The incident garnered the aid of law enforcement all over the region, which set up an emergency headquarters at Skyline Plaza.

Residents of Albert Lea were issued emergency messages to avoid the area while the standoff was ongoing, and nearby streets were blocked off to motorists.

Weiland has since been charged in Freeborn County District Court with three counts of attempted murder and three counts of seconddegree assault with a dangerous weapon.

4

Area and nation see heated election season; Republicans sweep most of races in Freeborn County

Election seasons can often be divisive, and this year’s election proved especially so on the national level and trickling on down to local offices.

Though it was a heated election, the campaigns were different than in typical election years because

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper blocks off the entrance across from Shady Oaks apartment complex Nov. 29, the scene of an early morning shooting that injured three people. Eric Johnson/Albert Lea Tribune of COVID-19, leading to smaller gatherings and in some cases more virtual events.

Though former Vice President Joe Biden ultimately won Minnesota in the presidential race, Trump won the vote in Freeborn County with almost 57% of the vote, compared to Biden’s almost 41%.

DFLer U.S. Sen. Tina Smith won reelection statewide, though Republican Jason Lewis garnered more votes locally.

U.S. House Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a Republican, won reelection in the 1st District, and Republican District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett won reelection against DFLer Thomas Martinez.

Republican Gene Dornink of Hayfield overturned the District 27 Senate seat, unseating longtime state Sen. Dan Sparks, a DFLer. The Albert Lea City Council saw three incumbent councilors reelected to their seats, while the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners will have three new commissioners. Albert Lea school board member Neal Skaar was reelected to his position, and Angie Hoffman and Bruce Olson will join him on the board.

The Albert Lea school district’s levy referendum failed and will come before voters again in 2021.

5

Large fire destroys Albert Lea warehouse

Incumbent District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, looks on at election numbers on election night at Wedgewood Cove with Republican District 27 Senate candidate Gene Dornink. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune shelter at United Methodist Church.

News of the fire grew quickly on social media as people driving over the West Main Street viaduct took photos and video of the fire and shared them.

The Albert Lea Fire Department, along with the Glenville and Austin fire departments, battled the blaze, with fire crews remaining at the site for about 10 hours.

The warehouse destroyed in the fire was owned by Merrick’s of Minnesota LLC, according to Freeborn County property records.

CONTINUED

A large fire broke out at a structure at 601 W. Main St., along the West Main Street viaduct in December. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

On the evening of Dec. 3, an Albert Lea patrol officer discovered a fire in the warehouse building at 601 W. Main St. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke, and the fire quickly grew to engulf the whole building, leading to heavy smoke throughout the city and the evacuation of 13 nearby homes, including homes on the north and south sides of College Street and on the south side of Main Street.

Several of the people who were evacuated sought

Deputy Albert Lea Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske, right, speaks with Lt. Trevor DeRaad Dec. 4, the morning after a large fire at 601 W. Main St. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

wednesday, december 30, 2020 | year in review | Page 3

The Herberger’s sign was removed in August at property owned by the Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition that is expected to become a new MercyOne clinic. Provided Damage was estimated at $300,000.

The building originated in the late 1930s as RILCO Laminated Products Inc. adjacent to the former Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad, and manufactured thousands of glued laminated arches, bow-string trusses and solid timber roof trusses for factories, hangars, warehouses and other buildings for the armed services and war industries.

After an investigation into the incident, the Albert Lea Fire Department stated the cause of the fire was deemed undetermined. The department stated human interaction was believed to be involved in starting the fire because the building had no power, gas or utilities of any kind. However, the damage was significant enough that investigators could not determine if the human interaction was accidental or intentional.

The police department had frequently been called there for reports of homeless people seeking shelter at the building.

The city of Albert Lea at the end of December stated it had received a court order allowing for the cleanup of the site and had contracted with Dulas Excavating for $40,000 for the work. Work was expected to be complete in early January.

6

Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition purchases former Herberger’s building; COVID-19 delays start of construction

many other procedures.

Despite the setback, the coalition continued fundraising throughout the spring and summer and announced in August it had received two larger donations from Albert Lea High School alumni who no longer live in the community — one for $150,000 from an anonymous donor and a second for $700,000 from Dale Larson.

In November, the coalition announced it had received word from MercyOne that construction would begin in January.

The groundbreaking ceremony has now been slated for Jan. 14.

Brad Arends, right, shakes hands with Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition’s “Big Donor,” John Morrison, during an event in Albert Lea in February. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

7

Rally held in Albert Lea in honor of George Floyd asks for justice, change

Eight days after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a few hundred people gathered in Albert Lea north of the Freeborn County courthouse to protest against Floyd’s death and to open a dialogue for change.

Floyd, 46, was arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill to pay for goods at a grocery store and died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for minutes, even after he stopped moving. That officer faces a second-degree murder charge in the case, and the other three officers at the scene are facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

There had been many protests across the state and country after Floyd’s death, and the one in Albert Lea included people of all ages and backgrounds.

Attendees of the rally in Albert Lea gathered in the county parking lot at the intersection of Newton Avenue and College Street, and organizers encouraged people to practice social distancing and wear face masks.

With high temperatures and humidity, Albert Lea police officers handed out water to attendees.

Many talked about the need for change on a greater scale but also credited the Albert Lea Police Department for its work in the community.

After the rally, they also walked through the downtown streets, carrying signs and chanting to remember Floyd and that “Black lives matter.”

The year started off on a high note for the Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition when it purchased the former Herberger’s building at Northbridge Mall in February.

In a celebration with dozens of members of the community in attendance, coalition trustee and president Brad Arends signed documents to make the purchase official and the crowd erupted into applause.

Also attending the ceremony was Albert Lea High School graduate John Morrison of the class of 1955, who contributed $1 million toward the effort.

Plans call for partnering with MercyOne North Iowa to bring a new clinic to the community.

Construction was on track to begin in April when MercyOne announced in March it had temporarily halted construction plans for the Albert Lea clinic because of the COVID-19 panCommunity rallies demic. Hospitals across the country were closed down together after deaths for elective surgeries and of several area youth

8

A Justice for George Floyd Rally was held in June diagonally across from the Freeborn County law enforcement center.

Floyd died the week before while in Minneapolis Police Department custody, igniting rallies, protests and demonstrations across the state, country and the world. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune Any time you have one youth death in a community, it is heartbreaking, but this year, the Albert Lea area saw the deaths of a handful of youth by tragic circumstances.

The first was in February when 16-year-old Grace Zimmerman died in a crash on Minnesota Highway 13 south of Manchester. Zimmerman was a sophomore at Albert Lea High School and was part of the Albert Lea dance team.

In June, the body of a missing teenager was found in Fountain Lake. William Edward Bair, 18, had last been seen two days prior and was found in the lake by a family member searching from the shore. Family and friends could be seen for several days along the shoreline of the lake after Bair’s body was recovered, as they reminisced about his life and paid their respects.

In August, Madison “Maddie” Mann, 12, a student at Southwest Middle School, died from injuries she sustained in an ATV crash. Her friends said she was full of life and enjoyed dancing.

Close to the same time, Jimmy Amarosa, 17, of

Albert Lea died unexpectedly as a result of a car crash in Glenville. Amarosa attended the Area Learning Center and enjoyed spending time on his Xbox with family and friends, according to his obituary.

In September, Job Sanchez, 16, who attended Albert Lea High School, died of complications with pneumonia. Sanchez was employed at Walmart and enjoyed skateboarding, video games and being with family and friends.

In all of the instances, the community rallied to support friends and family of the victims through food, fundraisers, prayer vigils and other efforts, and school officials worked to provide counseling resources to students when possible.

People of all backgrounds came out to the George Floyd rally in Albert Lea June 2. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

the heated election, a ray of Jared Dawson, of the Manhope came forward in Sep- chester area, to open suntember when a Minnesota flower fields. man named Johnny Olson partnered with his cousin, CONTINUED

9

Sunflower fields open north of Albert Lea, bring hope and sunshine to residents

Amidst the sadness that came in 2020 from the deaths of several area youth, along with the COVID-19 pandemic and

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

PHILLIP OR MARK MORREIM 71610 263rd St • Albert Lea Office (507) 826-3449 Cell (507) 383-6550

George Lundstrom D.D.S.

209 N. 9th Ave. • Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-377-1659 “Excellence is Our Chosen Path”

Members of the Albert Lea Police Department, including Public Safety Director JD Carlson, left, kneel during the Justice for George Floyd Rally in June in Albert Lea. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Page 4 | year in review | wednesday, december 30, 2020 Olson, who is also known as Johnny Fish, started his first sunflower field on an old farm he bought from an elderly man and his wife who moved into an assisted living center. The man had a green thumb for growing flowers, and as a way to thank the man and to be a good steward, Olson decided to grow some sunflowers on the property.

He cleared the land of old trees, fences and other structures and planted the flowers.

One day after the flowers were grown and blooming, someone stopped and took pictures, and the effort took off from there.

He expanded from one to two fields, and this year — in his fifth year — he planted 12 fields, each dedicated to a group of people such as caregivers, grandparents or people who are sick or hurting.

The field near Manchester was planted on Dawson’s property and was dedicated to honor the children in the community who had died this year and in recent years, along with their families.

The fields, like in other parts of the state, grew in popularity and saw visits Crosses, flowers and other items could be seen near the site where a missing Albert Lea 18-year-old was found along the edge of Fountain Lake. from hundreds of people Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune both locally and from out of the area during the time they were open.

Many said the fields brought comfort and peace during what was an otherwise difficult year. Pictures of people in front of the sunflowers popped up all over social media when the fields were open, and they resurfaced again during the holiday season on the front of many Christmas cards.

10

Marketplace Foods closes; developer calls for turning building into high-end apartments.

After being on the west side of Albert Lea since 2014, Marketplace Foods in February announced it was closing in March to make way for renovations for a new development.

Owner Jim Baldus, who also owns Jim’s MarketPlace in Austin, had leased the space in Albert Lea and said he hoped to reopen the store at the same location at a later time once renovations were completed.

When the time came to close, however, it didn’t appear the store would be reopening, and residents on that side of town adjusted to shopping elsewhere. It had been a long time without a grocery store in western Albert Lea. Before Marketplace Foods, there was Nelson’s Market Place and Nelson’s County Market.

Details about potential development at the site surfaced in September when developers came in front of the Albert Lea City Council to talk about a possible project and to gain some political assurances to move forward with the purchase of the property.

The plan calls for a 50unit complex with one- and two-bedroom higher-level units. The building would also include amenities such as an exercise area and gathering space for tenants and would likely include the option for indoor parking.

In the future, if things go well, the developers said, there could be opportunities to do more.

In November the Albert Lea City Council approved a new tax-increment finance district and plan for redevelopment of the building

A sunflower field in rural Albert Lea opened in September for people to visit and take pictures near Manchester. The field, started by Johnny Olson and on the property of his cousin Jared Dawson was dedicated to families in the local community who have lost children to accidents or illnesses.

Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Lilly Steele, Nataleigh Nelson, Michaela Nelson and Issabelle Steele pose at the Fish Sunflower field near Manchester in September. Provided into market rate units.

The redevelopment TIF district will allow the developers to use the increment of new tax dollars for a set number of years to pay down the overall cost of the project without impacting existing taxes.

At that time, construction was anticipated to start in May 2021 with substantial

completion in December 2022.

Honorable mentions: 1. Albert Lea sees changes in local leadership.

City Manager David Todd resigns in May, and after a search for a new city

Mickey Nelson of Clarks Grove was joined by many family, friends and community members on his final half mile after walking 100 miles. Nelson’s fundraiser raised over $100,000 towards the Salvation Army Northern Division. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Marketplace Foods owner Jim Baldus confirmed in February that the store would close in March. A developer has brought forth plans to change the building into market-rate apartments. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune manager, the Albert Lea City Council hires Ian Rigg. Susie Petersen retires as executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Holly Karsjens is hired to fill her position.

Assistant City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos resigns from his position in Albert Lea for a new position in Oregon.

2. Riverland Community College completes $10.1 million in renovations, including bringing the transportation career fields offered through the college under one roof, adding and modernizing classroom and lab spaces, demolishing an obsolete building, incorporating a truck driving range, among others.

3. Work begins at the house adjacent to the popular Itasca Rock Garden northwest of Edgewater Park in Albert Lea after the Kohler Foundation purchased the property the year prior to restore the rock gardens.

Riverland Community College President Adenuga Atewologun speaks during a ceremony in the new lower level student commons area at the Albert Lea campus. Sarah Stultz/ Albert Lea Tribune

4. Despite the pandemic, several new businesses opened this year, including The Funky Zebras, EJ’s Mercantile, Lush Salon and B-Lo Zero Sno Cones. Work was also done for new buildings for Rihm Kenworth and the new Albert Lea Veterans Affairs clinic. The former Elks Lodge was renovated for Peterson, Kolker, Haedt & Benda Ltd. 5. Clarks Grove man Mickey Nelson raises over

$100,000 for the Salvation Army after pledging to walk 100 miles in an effort to raise money for the organization.

6. Motor Inn Co. and Chevrolet of Albert Lea announced in August they have merged. They are now known as Wuerflein Chevrolet Buick GMC and Wuerflein Honda.

7. Bridge Avenue reconstruction begins, will continue in 2021.

wednesday, december 30, 2020 | year in review | Page 5

a.l. boys basketball success tops year in sporting news

By Albert Lea Tribune

2020 has thrown the sporting world into a frenzy. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, there have been cancellations and postponements of professional, collegiate and high school leagues across the globe.

While the negatives of the year might stick out further than the positives, there was still plenty to be celebrated in the sports world.

Here is a list of the top local sports stories from 2020:

1

Albert Lea boys basketball puts together one of its best seasons in two decades

The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team had been building toward a special season for multiple years.

With much work put in during the offseason and hard work throughout the regular season, the Tigers ultimately put together its best season since 2004-05.

Led by numerous seniors, the team accomplished much of what they set out to do at the beginning of the year.

The Tigers finished the season 13-13, the first time they have been .500 or above since 2004, and they defeated rival Austin for the first time since 2005.

Austin was also ranked in the top 10 at the time of the game.

Despite stumbling into the Section 1AAA tournament on a three-game losing streak, Albert Lea dominated its first two opponents in the tournament and were scheduled to square off against Austin in the section championship for their first trip to state in over 15 years.

However, the final game of the section tournament was canceled due to the pandemic and started what would be a fivemonth long break of high school sports in the state.

Despite the season ending in an inconclusive way, the basketball team takes pride in a season well played.

The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team played in one of it’s best seasons in over two decades in the 2019-20 season. The team finished the season with a 13-13 record, a victory over rival Austin and a trip to the Section 1AAA tournament championship. Their season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelly Henrickson/For the Albert Lea Tribune

has disrupted the everyday lives of everyone across the globe. The high school sporting world was no exception.

From the beginning of March until the end of August, high school sports in Minnesota were put on hold.

The final full season allowed to be played was wrestling, leaving boy and girls basketball and boys and girls hockey without a sense of finality to their seasons.

After the cancellations of the remainders of the winter seasons, it was decided there would be no spring seasons at all. The decision to cancel the seasons left high school seniors involved in baseball, softball, boys and girls COVID-19 golf, boys and girls track pandemic shuts down and field, and boys tennis without a final season. sports across the After a summer away state and country There is no doubt that from sports, the Minnethe COVID-19 pandemic sota State High School

2

NRHEG sophomore Ralph Roesler was defeated in the opening round of the Class A state wrestling tournament. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

League was still on the fence about allowing all sports to return to play in the fall.

It was deemed that boys and girls soccer, girls swim and dive, boys and girls cross country and girls tennis would be allowed to play, while football and volleyball would put their seasons on hold and resume in the spring.

However, midway through the fall season, the league reversed its decision and allowed football and volleyball to play condensed seasons. The decision left many teams scrambling to throw together a sixweek season in a short amount of time.

While football and volleyball continued into November, the other fall sports ended their seasons with section tournaments, but no state tournaments were held.

Toward the end of the football and volleyball seasons, many schools were transitioning back to distance learning and were unable to compete in the final weeks of their respective seasons. The football season was canceled with a week left to play and the volleyball seasons ended before the section tournaments could even get started.

The abrupt end to the fall seasons led to the beginning of the winter

Albert Lea freshman Aivin Wasmoen was the only Tiger to make it to the state wrestling tournament in 2020. Wasmoen lost his opening-round match and came up short in his wrestleback. Tyler Julson/For the Albert Lea Tribune seasons being delayed championship in 2005. until the start of the new Dunn replaced previous year. head coach Corey Black, who had led the Tigers to a 6-31 record in four years at the helm.

Dunn’s first year with Albert Lea hires the team was blurred by new football coach shutdowns, In May the Albert Lea COVID-19 football team announced which allowed the team to the hiring of new head only play three games of football coach, Paul Dunn. its six-game schedule and Dunn came in after ended their season without being the head coach at a section playoff game.

Springfield High School for 18 seasons, compiling a record of 125-72 during Area wrestlers his time there. He coached Springfield to four state earn trips to state tournament appearances, tournaments one of which led to a state If there is one thing that

3

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remains a constant every year, it’s area schools sending numerous wrestlers to the Minnesota and Iowa State wrestling tournaments, and 2020 was no different.

Freshman Aivin Wasmoen was the lone wrestler from Albert Lea to earn a trip to the state meet. Wasmoen lost his first match and came up short in his wrestleback to end his tournament run.

United South Central junior Bryce Sonnek and NRHEG sophomore CONTINUED

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Page 6 | year in review | wednesday, december 30, 2020

Lake Mills junior Elijah Wagner competes on the second day of the Iowa state wrestling tournament held in Des Moines. Lory Groe/For the Albert Lea Tribune Ralph Roesler also made the trip to the Xcel Energy Center to compete in the tournament.

Both Sonnek and Roesler drew the No. 7 seed in their respective weight classes and were defeated in the first round. Neither earned a wrestleback. All three will surely be gunning for another chance at state again in 2021.

In Iowa, not only did Northwood-Kensett and Lake Mills see individual successes, the Bulldogs also sent the entire team to the state tournament for the state duals for the fifth consecutive year.

The Bulldogs finished in fifth place as a team, defeating Denver and Woodbury Central after being beaten by Logan-Magnolia in the opening round.

Three Bulldogs also made it to the state tournament as individuals, Dalton Thorson, Casey Hanson and Elijah Wagner.

Wagner placed fifth and Hanson placed fourth, while Thorson missed getting onto the podium.

Northwood-Kensett senior Gideon Rollene came in seventh place at 220 pounds.

5

Lake Mills boys’ basketball team makes state tournament

The Lake Mills boys’ basketball team played a stellar season in the 201920 school year.

The Bulldogs finished the season 23-3 and earned the No. 1 seed heading into the state tournament.

The Bulldogs dominated through most of the season and defeated multiple opponents by double digits.

6

Area basketball players score their 1,000th point

Three basketball players in the area scored their 1,000th point in 2020.

Albert Lea senior Sam Skarstad and NRHEG sophomore Sophie Stork scored their 1,000th point toward the end of the 201920 season, while Lake Mills senior Dashawn Linnen scored his 1,000th point at the beginning of the 202021 season.

Each of these athletes has worked hard to etch their names in the history books at their respective schools. While Skarstad has graduated, both Stork and Linnen continue to build upon their totals, as they climb the leaderboards at their respective schools.

7

Albert Lea Anglers compete in national fishing championship

Six Albert Lea Anglers earned their right to compete in the High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship in June this year.

Three teams of two, Griffin Thompson and Thomas Lundell, Will Utpadel and Caden Stevens, and Ian Latham and Jaeger Larson, all earned their spots in the national championship by qualifying at various tournaments throughout the summer.

Held in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the tournament had many prizes up for grabs.

Stevens and Utpadel were the top finishing team with a total weight of 9 pounds, 1 ounce, landing them in 31st place overall. Thompson and Lundell came in 62nd place with a weight of 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and Latham and Larson came in 154th with a total weight of 6 pounds, 5 ounces.

Nearly 300 teams from across the country competed in the tournament.

The Lake Mills boys’ basketball team made the 2019-20 state basketball tournament with a season record of 23-3. The Bulldogs lost the opening-round game to Wapsie Valley 49-45. Lory Groe/For the Albert Lea Tribune

8

Lindsey Kozelsky swims in Hungary

2020 started in a rough way for Albert Lea graduate Lindsey (Horejsi) Kozelsky. Not only was her senior season at the University of Minnesota taken away from her due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 2020 Summer Olympic Games were put on hold.

Kozelsky was devastated to learn she wouldn’t be able to compete in the NCAA national championships but was determined to make the best of the situation.

Kozlesky ended up swimming in the International Swimming League in Budapest, Hungary. She swam for the DC Trident team and said it was great to be back in the water swimming competitively for the first time since February.

Kozelsky still has hopes of making the 2021 Olympic team as well, using her international experience to her advantage.

9

Albert Lea volleyball wins first game in three years

The Albert Lea volleyball team came into the 2020-21 season just grateful to be back on the court. After the back-andforth on the decision to even play the season, the Tigers were ready to hit the ground running when the MSHSL gave them the green light.

The Tigers played well to open their season and gave them enough momentum to topple Austin in their fourth match of

Will Utpadel and Caden Stevens stand with their fish that earned them a spot in the High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship. The team came in 31st place at the tournament with a total weight of 9 pounds, 1 ounce.

Provided

The Albert Lea volleyball team won its first game in over three years in the shortened 2020-21 season. The victory came over Austin in the fourth game of the season. The Tiger’s last win came in 2017 on the road against Minneapolis Henry. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune the season. It was the first victory by the Tigers in over three years.

The previous victory came on Oct. 13, 2017, in a tournament game over Minneapolis Henry.

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N-K volleyball wears ribbons to honor fallen classmate

The Northwood-Kensett volleyball team dedicated

United South Central junior Bryce Sonnek made it to the Minnesota state wrestling tournament for the second consecutive year in 2020. Sonnek lost his opening match and failed to earn a wrestleback. Tyler julson/Albert Lea Tribune

its season to the memory of Cassidy Stehn, who would have been a senior in 2020-21.

Stehn, who died as a result of a car accident in 2012, has remained in the hearts of her classmates and has a lasting impact on them to this day.

The team wore purple and blue ribbons, Stehn’s favorite colors, on their shoes for every game.

Honorable mentions:

1. Albert Lean Andy Peterson wins Shortstop Tournament.

After playing in the annual Shortstop Tournament for over 20 years, Peterson grabbed his first victory in the tournament over Chris Baas.

2. Ed Stalker inducted into Legion Baseball Hall of Fame.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Stalker coached the Albert Lea American Legion baseball team from 1971 to 1978 and again for one season in 1984. The team won the District 1 championship in 1977 and 1978, when it also finished third and fifth respectively in the state tournaments.

Stalker’s son, Mark Stalker, accepted the award on behalf of his late father.

Albert Lea graduate Lindsey (Horejsi) Kozelsky joined the International Swimming League and swam for the DC United in Budapest, Hungary. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune