Year In Review 2017 by Albert Lea Tribune

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 | D SECTION

YEAR IN REVIEW

MAYO ANNOUNCEMENT, AREA RESPONSE TOPS YEAR IN NEWS By Albert Lea Tribune

Some years it is hard to choose what’s the biggest story of the year. Other years, there’s no question. 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 with nine honorable mentions. This year, there was a major natural disaster, turmoil in Freeborn County leadership, the sentencing in a murder trial and the death of a prominent Albert Lea leader. However, what stuck out to us most at the Tribune was a story that became public in June and is still ongoing today. The announcement by Mayo Clinic Health System to transfer most inpatient services to its Austin campus as well as the ongoing response from the community in the aftermath has brought regional and national publicity once more to our community. In the end, here is how the news of 2017 stacked up:

Marchers chanted and displayed signs in August as they walked through a portion of downtown Rochester. SAM WILMES/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

In June, Mayo Clinic Health System announced plans to move most inpatient services over time to its Austin campus. That includes major surgeries requiring hospitalization, overnight hospitalization and intensive care unit stays for illness and injuries, along with childbirth. Emergency room, primary and specialty care, pregnancy care and lab, pharmacy and other services will remain available at both locations, and the inpatient behavioral health unit, also known as the psychiatric services unit, will move to Albert Lea. The hospital system said the changes were necessary as it faces staffing shortages, rising costs and declining reimbursements for its services. More than 700 people attended a tension-filled public meeting later that month in the Albert Lea High School auditorium to find out more about the

planned transition and to voice their frustrations with the decision. Bobbie Gostout, vice president of Mayo Clinic and leader of Mayo Clinic Health System at the time, drew ire from the crowd when she compared traveling 23 miles — the distance between Albert Lea and Austin — for childbirth services to traveling the same distance to buy ice cream. The statement became an initial quote blasted by a group of residents who formed the grassroots Save Our Hospital group, who have a goal to keep a fullservice, acute-care hospital in Albert Lea. As Mayo began moving forward with its plans, the residents began meeting weekly, filling the Albert Lea American Legion every Sunday night, as well as meeting multiple times throughout the week. It brought together residents of all ages, backgrounds and political leanings. They organized protests, both in Albert Lea and Rochester to voice their cause, and raised more than $100,000 — some of it

Mayo Clinic Health System announces consolidation plans for Albert Lea, Austin hospitals; grassroots group of residents to keep a full-service hospital in Albert Lea fight back

going to put up billboards on Interstates 35 and 90 about their cause. They reached out to newspapers, state and federal legislators, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton to share their stories and ask for help. The effort gained support from Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, multiple DFL candidates for governor, as well as the senior advocacy organization AARP. It has been featured in multiple Associated Press articles and in the national political journalism organization Politico. Despite the effort, Mayo officials have said they plan to move forward with their plan — and with no intention to sell the hospital to another provider Meanwhile, the Save Our Hospital group, the city of Albert Lea and Freeborn County paid to have an outside health care consultant conduct a study on whether a fullservice hospital could be profitable in Albert Lea, of which the study found it could be. The entities are reaching

This flagpole at Bob Hanson Park was bent during the March 6 tornado in Clarks Grove. SARAH STULTZ/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

The panel for a June public forum was made up of, from left, Bobbie Gostout, vice president of Mayo Clinic and leader of Mayo Clinic Health System; Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin; Chad Adams, Albert Lea city manager; and Chris Shoff, Freeborn County District 4 commissioner. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE out to possible second providers and other options for health care services. While these discussions are taking place, the transition of Mayo services has already begun. The intensive care unit moved to Austin in October, and inpatient

surgeries are slated to move in January. The behavioral health Earliest tornadoes center is expected to move on record in state touch from Austin to Albert Lea in down south of Wells 2019, and labor and delivery and in Clarks Grove services will be the last to The evening of March 6 relocate to Austin in late 2019 or early 2020. CONTINUED

A house at 105 First Ave. SW in Clarks Grove was badly damaged from downed tree limbs in March after a severe storm came through the area. The storm was later confirmed an EF1 tornado. SARAH STULTZ/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

PAGE D2 | YEAR IN REVIEW | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 down 30 trees and damaged daughter, claimed selfseveral RVs. Pihls Park is defense in Brown’s death. on Rice Lake in Faribault Following the six-hour hearing, Brown’s family County south of Wells. and friends said they were pleased with the sentence, though they thought Easter deserved more time. Brownsdale man Easter filed an appeal sentenced for murder at Myre-Big Island State Dec. 13 with the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Park, files an appeal More than a year after the shooting death of Spencer Daniel Brown at Myre-Big Emmons native Island State Park, David Michael Easter of Brownsdale killed in Pearl Harbor was sentenced to more than World War II attack 25 years in prison in Sep- identified, brought tember in Brown’s death. home Easter is expected to More than 75 years after serve at least 17 years of the attack on Pearl Harbor that sentence in prison, on Dec. 7, 1941, an Emmons with 8 1/2 on supervised soldier killed aboard the released, pending good be- USS Oklahoma that day was havior, after a jury found identified. him guilty of second-degree Up until earlier this year, murder in April. the family of Glaydon IverAuthorities said Easter son, 24, had been told that shot Brown, 23, twice in the their son was presumed head through a locked car dead following the attack, that was in reverse. though his remains had not While issuing the sen- been found. tence, Freeborn County Thanks to efforts of a District Court Judge Steven certified genealogist, who Schwab said the murder ap- had been hired to find relapeared to be an “execution,” tives of soldiers lost on the describing it as “disturb- USS Oklahoma, Iverson’s ing” and “tragic.” remains were identified, Easter, who was at the and family began preparapark with his wife, Karla tions to bring his body from Easter, and their young Hawaii to Minnesota. Numerous veterans and law enforcement agencies worked to bring Iverson home to his final resting place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Emmons Memorial Day weekend, starting at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with a U.S. Navy escort. Iverson received planeside military honors and was then escorted by the Minnesota State Patrol, American Legion Riders, Patriot Riders and Patriot Guard members to the Freeborn County line, where the escort was joined by local law enforcement. The procession went through downtown Albert Lea, including a stop in front of the Albert Lea American Legion for a short ceremony, onto U.S. Highway 69, through Emmons and ending at Mittlestadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills. Iverson was ultimately laid to rest next to his parents at the Emmons cemetery. The procession brought A flag in honor of Glaydon Iverson is presented to his hundreds of residents out oldest nephew, Gary Iverson, May 27 during his funeral to line the streets and pay service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Emmons. COLLEEN HARRISON/ their respects to the soldier ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE who gave his life. Many also

became a date that many Clarks Grove residents will not forget any time soon. That night, a tornado, classified as an EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, damaged several residences and businesses. The tornado reached wind speeds of 100 to 110 mph and was on the ground for 12.3 miles, according to the National Weather Service. It began southwest of Clarks Grove at 5:38 p.m. and traveled through the western part of the city before moving northeast through portions of Geneva and through northern Freeborn County. It lifted in Steele County at 5:51 p.m. At its max, the tornado was 300 yards wide, the Weather Service stated. Though it was initially thought that the tornado was the earliest in state history, the Weather Service announced later that month that a tornado that had torn through Pihls Park campground about 30 minutes earlier the same day as the one in Clarks Grove actually broke the record. That tornado traveled 11 miles (about 18 kilometers) northeast before landing at Pihls Park, where it took

David Easter speaks with defense attorney Michael Ryan during court proceedings Sept. 15 in Freeborn County District Court. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE attended the subsequent visitation and funeral service at Emmons Lutheran Church.

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Kehr dies after battle with cancer

The Albert Lea community mourned the loss of one its biggest advocates in late November with the death of longtime business leader and chamber executive director Randy Kehr. Kehr had lived in Albert Lea since 1996 with his wife, Ellen, and had served as the executive director at the chamber since 2007. He had served in numerous other capacities, including in leadership of the Blue Zones Project in Albert Lea and the United Way of Freeborn County, among others. He was a member of the Minnesota Commission on

Judicial Selection, where he made recommendations for new judges in the state, and helped mentor an estimated hundreds of people through the Leadership Albert LeaFreeborn County program, which helped people learn about their area’s resources, strengths and weaknesses and encouraged people to

CONTINUED

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Kehr, left, and District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks testify about the Fountain Lake restoration project in front of a Senate committee at the Minnesota Capitol. SARAH STULTZ/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

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Glaydon Iverson is escorted to his final resting place May 27 at Oak Lawn Cemetery. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

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As we celebrate this new year, let’s remember to treat one another with kindness, love and understanding. We hope you’ll join us in the true spirit of the season with prayers of peace and goodwill toward all mankind.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 | YEAR IN REVIEW | PAGE D3

Chapel Con attendees in costume were easy to spot at the weekend event.

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Lou Ferrigno poses for a photo with fans in July during Chapel Con at Albert Lea City Arena. The convention featured over 100 vendors and artists from all around the country. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

Wishing you & your family a

Happy New Year Megan Amberly of Breathing Canvas & FX does Eugene Clark’s makeup during Chapel Con. In progress in the picture, eventually Clark would be fully done up like his character Big Daddy in the “Land of the Dead” movie. involved in their commu- the turbines into Iowa. nity in some way during Nearly 470 people remarks at his funeral. signed a petition expressing their opposition to the project in November, which was turned into the Freeborn County Board of Freeborn Wind Commissioners. Farm tries to move People in opposition have forward with project cited concerns regarding in Freeborn County; electromagnetic currents, residents vocal noise, light flicker and other in opposition Though the Freeborn Wind impacts of the turbines. Dan Litchfield, senior Farm was first announced several years ago, more manager of business dediscussion took place about velopment with Invenerthe farm this year than previ- gy, refuted those ill health ously, as many residents in effects, saying studies in the path of the project spoke Canada and the United States have not found that out in opposition. The project calls for a to be the case. Litchfield stated earlier 200-megawatt wind farm that would include 100 tur- this year that he and others bines south of Interstate with the company had hoped 90 between Albert Lea and to get all permits approved Austin in Freeborn County by the end of the year. Freeborn Wind Farm and near Northwood in Worth County. In Free- later in the year requested born County, specifically, the Minnesota Public Utilithe turbines are proposed ties Commission refer the to be in London, Shell Rock, permit application to the Hayward and Oakland Office of Administrative townships. The project is Hearings for a contested expected to be developed case. The developer is hoping by Invenergy, with Xcel Energy taking over the to move forward with the final permits in 2018. building and operations. Each turbine is expected to generate enough power for about 700 homes and is Area residents expected to generate $9,000 in local tax revenue each bring Chapel Con to Albert Lea; celebrities, year. The project was initially including Lou Ferrigno, supposed to be only in Free- come to town born County, but the develAfter months of planning, oper has since proposed lifelong comic book collecmoving more than half of tors Gilbert Johnson Jr. and

Randy Harig took a leap of faith in July to bring the first-ever pop culture convention of its kind, known as Chapel Con, to Albert Lea. The event at Albert Lea City Arena hosted celebrities and cosplayers from shows such as “The Walking Dead,” “Comic Book Men,” “Married with Children,” “Breaking Bad,” “Power Rangers,” “Land of the Dead” and “The Incredible Hulk.” It also featured over 100 vendors and artists from all around the country. The two men hoped the event would bring people to the community and immerse them in the culture of the area. They also hoped to provide an event for local residents to attend. We have heard that the men plan to bring the convention back a second year, and we look forward to seeing it grow more.

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Freeborn County chief deputy’s home destroyed by fire; community shows outpouring of support for family

Freeborn County is known to be a giving community, so it was no surprise to see the outpouring of support in the aftermath of a November fire in Clarks Grove at the home of Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office CONTINUED

Todd and Heather Earl said they have received message after message of people asking how they can help, and they don’t know how to thank everyone who has helped them after a November fire destroyed their home.

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PAGE D4 | YEAR IN REVIEW | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017

Debris covers the floor and the roof has gaping holes near The splash pad in Albert Lea the kitchen and living room area in what’s left of the Earl’s HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE house in mid-November. Starting the night of the Chief Deputy Todd Earl; his thankful their family was fire and continuing in the days after, the couple was wife, Heather; and their not injured. “It makes me sad, but in offered support from neighthree children. The family’s home was the big picture it doesn’t bors, friends, co-workers ultimately a total loss from matter,” Heather Earl said. and even strangers, who the Nov. 12 fire, though “We are blessed by God that have offered to help their family. the couple said they were our family is safe.”

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opened to the public in August after months of fundraising and construction. COLLEEN Immediately, friends offered housing, and another friend and co-worker started a GoFundMe page for the family, which had raised over $10,000 for the family in the week after the fire. There were others who collected clothes, gift cards, money, toys and stuffed animals for the children and who gave meals. “I have seen the best of Freeborn County that I ever have,” Todd Earl said. “I have been a cop for many years, and usually I see the worst. It’s brought back a lot of faith to me.”

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Albert Lea community comes together to raise money for splash pad; opens in August

After more than a year of fundraising, a small committee of residents and a group of community leaders celebrated the opening of the new Albert Lea splash pad in September. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was Sept. 26 at the site of the splash pad off of Fountain Street and north of the North Broadway parking lot. The ceremony was about a month after the splash pad became operational and opened to the public. Dozens of children and their parents could be seen most

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days at the site during the arrested for fourth-degree time it was open this year. DWI after police received a The committee raised report of a drunken driver $152,000 in money and in- near Brookside Park the kind donations to make the day before. project a reality. Kluever had worked for Some of the donations the position in the county made to the splash pad since 2007. He had previwere in honor of Sophie ously worked in Laramie County, Wyoming, Stultz, an 8-year-old and as director of Albert Lea girl who was killed when education for a proshe was struck by gram that offers a car while riding education programs her bicycle in July to court-ordered 2016 at the interoffenders. section of Eighth In the interim, Street and Frank John Freeborn County Hall Drive. Recorder Kelly CalKluever The group continlahan became acting ues to raise funds for a few county administrator as remaining items, including the search for Kluever’s garbage and recycling re- replacement began to ceptacles, an irrigation unfold. system, a memorial garden At one point, the county for Sophie Stultz, lighting, had narrowed a list of canbenches and spotlights for didates down to seven from the donor wall. outside of the community, most of who came to the community Aug. 7 and 8. Three of the seven finalists had resigned in the Freeborn last year from other poCounty Administrator sitions, and one faced alJohn Kluever resigns legations of gender-based after DWI arrest; Court discrimination. Services Director Tom The county ultimately opened the spot up to interJensen hired as new nal candidates at the end of admin This year was a whirl- August, of which five people wind for the Freeborn applied. County administrator posiIn September, the Board tion after the resignation of of Commissioners hired former Administrator John Court Services Director Kluever in May for driving Tom Jensen, an Albert Lea while intoxicated in Albert native, who had worked Lea. for the county since 1997 Kluever was reportedly in other capacities.

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Children flocked to the splash pad after its opening in August downtown. PROVIDED

Honorable mention for top news stories of the year in the area

• Retired United South Central educator John Degner was charged with multiple counts of child pornography possession and dissemination. Degner in December pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing child pornography. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17. • Albert Lea’s fitness establishments saw some major increases this year with the renovation of Anytime Fitness, the moving of Snap Fitness downtown and the building of the new CrossFit gym in the Northaire Industrial Park. • Freeborn County was named the first Purple Heart County in the state Sept. 19. • The Albert Lea City Council unanimously voted in May to install permanent stop signs at the intersection of Frank Hall Drive and Eighth Street, where 8-year-old Sophie Stultz was struck and killed July 2, 2016, while riding a bicycle. • Hy-Vee announced its plans in September to build a new distribution center in Austin. Albert Lea was the runner-up site. Hy-Vee has since announced the project will be delayed by several years. • The Wellington Estates apartment building was damaged by fire in August. The blaze reportedly started in the crawlspace on top of the second floor of the building. Water and smoke damage were sustained throughout the building. About 30 people lived in the apartment building. • Between 7,500 and 8,000 pigs perished in a fire southeast of Hartland in January. The fire reportedly started in a wall on the south side of the building near an office area. • The Albert Lea City Council in October approved the permit for a new wedding barn venue in Albert Lea at the former site of the Sons of Norway clubhouse. • A man was saved by first responders and family members after becoming stuck in a grain bin for almost two hours in eastern Freeborn County thanks to the use of grain rescue tubes and an auger.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 | YEAR IN REVIEW | PAGE D5

RETIREMENT OF TWO LOCAL LEGENDS LEADS THE YEAR IN SPORTING NEWS By Albert Lea Tribune

It has been a wild year in the sports world. We’ve seen the Astros win the World Series in an incredible sevengame series. We saw the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in a six-game series. The Warriors were able to dethrone Lebron and the Cavaliers as Kevin Durant grabbed his illusive first title. Finally, we saw the biggest comeback in Superbowl history, as the Patriots rallied from down 25 points to come back and beat the Falcons and Tom Brady all but cemented himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. 2017 also saw the passing of many sports legends. Boxer and subject of the film “Raging Bull,” Jake LaMotta, and eight-time MLB All-Star Roy Halladay were two of the biggest names to have passed throughout the year. In local sports, Albert Lea saw two legendary coaches, Larry Goodnature and Roy Nystrom, retire after a combined 83 years coaching in Albert Lea. Lake Mills senior Slade Sifuentes won his second consecutive state wrestling title and United South Central sophomore Blake Legred won his first. Albert Lea held its inaugural season of Lakers baseball over the summer. Both the NRHEG boys’ and girls’ basketball teams made the state tournament. The Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons football team had a monumental shift from last season, only losing two games in 2017. Two area girls’ basketball players reached the 1,000-point milestone during their senior years. Here are those stories, along with a few others, that make up the 2017 Year in Review:

Larry Goodnature retires after 38 years as a coach for the Albert Lea wrestling team.

After 13 years of being an assistant and 25 years as the head coach, Larry Goodnature decided to step down from his position as leader of the wrestling team. During his reign as head coach, Goodnature coached his teams to 10 conference titles and made the state tournament as a team seven times. He coached 136 state entrants, 67 of which were place winners and eight were state champions. His final record in dual meets was 546-166, making him the 10th winningest coach in Minnesota high school history. He was named Big

Nine Coach of the Year 10 times, Section Coach of the Year 14 times and Minnesota Coach of the Year three times. “This year, my wife, Mary, and I talked about it,” he said. “She wanted me to be done, but always left the final decision up to me. From the middle of November to the middle of March, I was gone. As a wrestling coach, you have to have a very understanding wife, and she has been more than that. So during the season, I decided this was going to be it.” Although he is officially retired, Goodnature is still a mainstay on the side of the mat, lending a helping hand to the current wrestling team.

Roy Nystrom retires after 45 years as head coach of the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team

After accepting the head coaching job for the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team in 1974, Roy Nystrom announced his retirement from the position in early March. During his tenure in Albert Lea, Nystrom racked up 612 of his 705 total wins. Upon retiring, he was ranked second in the state in total wins and third in the nation. He coached three Big Nine champion teams and three teams that made an appearance in the state tournament. “It’s been an enjoyable career — there’s no question,” Nystrom said. “I enjoyed the relationship with the kids. I also enjoyed the competitive part of coaching.” Nystrom said he still plans to attend all of the home games he can and will keep busy by attending all of his

Longtime Albert Lea wrestling coach Larry Goodnature announced his retirement from the position in late May. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

Then-United South Central sophomore Blake Legred won his first state wrestling championship in March. JARROD PETERSON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

run was never in doubt, pinning two of his opponents and winning in the championship final by a technical fall, 16-0. Sifuentes surely cemented himself as one of the best wrestlers and all-around athletes to walk the halls at Lake Mills. Roy Nystrom was recently honored at an Albert Lea hockey Sifuentes has since game. It was his first season in 45 years Nystrom was not on signed to wrestle for the sideline as head coach. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. grandchildren’s sporting events.

Sifuentes claims second state title

Legred wins first state title as sophomore

fall, 16-0, his semifinal match 7-0 and his championship final 3-0. Legred didn’t let up a single point throughout his entire run through the state tournament. He is attempting to make history this year as a junior. If Legred were to win another state title, he would become the first multiple-time champion in United South Central history. He is currently ranked No. 7 at 126 pounds.

Lakers play their first season in Blake Legred of Lake Mills senior Slade United South Central Albert Lea

Sifuentes captured his second consecutive wrestling state title in February. He dominated his way to the finals making it 110 straight victories. His second tournament

The summer of 2017 marked the inaugural season of the Albert Lea Lakers, a collegiate summer baseball team in the Pioneer League. The Lakers finished 11-19 in their first season, but despite their losing record, fans still came to the ballpark in droves to watch the team. Dave Mullenbach and Vern Rasmussen Sr. played major roles in getting the team started in Albert Lea and could be seen at every home game. The city recently voted in favor of the Lakers returning for their second season in the summer of 2018. The Lakers are slated to get the 2018 season underway with a home game on Lake Mills senior Slade Sifuentes picked up his second con- The Albert Lea Lakers played their first season in Albert Lea June 1. secutive state title victory in late February. LORY GROE/FOR over the summer. The city recently voted them back for a second year in 2018. TYLER JULSON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE THE ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE CONTINUED claimed the 1A state championship at 106 pounds. Legred won his first-round matchup by a major decision, 8-0. He won his quarterfinal match by technical

We Get It.

You are told you can’t complain because you didn’t go to the government meeting, the community occasion or you didn’t volunteer your time. Read about those happenings in the Albert Lea Tribune. We go to the events that you don’t have time for. Don’t miss a day or you will miss a lot. Automatic withdrawal payments start at $9.50/month. Call 507-373-3421 to subscribe.

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PAGE D6 | YEAR IN REVIEW | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017

for both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from NRHEG. The boys’ NRHEG boys’ and girls’ basketball team only lost two games in the regular season and teams make state kept sneaking out wins in tournament It was a successful year the section tournament to

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The NRHEG girls’ basketball team finished the season with a record of 27-6 and as consolation champions. JARROD PE-

The NRHEG boys’ basketball team won the consolation side of the state basketball bracket in March. JARROD PETERSON/

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reach the state playoffs. Three of its four games in the section tournament were won by a combined eight points, but nonetheless, they still advanced to state. The Panthers would lose in their firstround game, but they would go on to win the consolation bracket. The girl’s team lost four games throughout

the regular season and advanced through the section tournament with little to no trouble at all. Just like the boys’ team, the girls would lose in the first round of the state playoffs, but go on to win the consolation side of the bracket. Both teams are again off to a hot start in their 2017-18 seasons.

Alden-Conger/ Glenville-Emmons football has turnaround season, only lose two games

The Knights came off a 2016 season with a losing record of 4-5. After losing their first game of the regular season, it seemed like the team

might be doomed to repeat the shortcomings of the year before. However, the Knights turned their season around as they started blowing the majority of their opponents out of the water. They finished the rest of the regular season undefeated and went on to win their first-round playoff game, 41-14.

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The Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons football team went from a record of 4-5 in 2016, to a record of 8-2 in 2017. The only games the Knights lost were their first and last games of the season. TYLER JULSON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

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Two local basketball standouts reach the 1,000 point milestone

Both Laura Knudtson of Lake Mills and Rachel Rehnelt of Albert Lea reached a career milestone during their senior season in 2017-18. They both recorded the 1,000th point of their basketball careers. Knudtson reached the feat with her 13th point against Belmond-Klemme in the third game of the year. She received a framed photo collage commemorating the night. Although the Bulldogs are just 3-6 so far this year, Knudtson is a bright spot on the team and is now able to say she has done something not a lot of other players have. Rehnelt scored her 1,000th point during a home game against Rochester Century on Dec. 12. A small break was taken after she made the basket so she could be presented with balloons and given a round of applause from everyone in attendance. “It’s pretty cool,” she said. “It’s kind of something that I always wanted to accomplish.” Rehnelt also added that it is possible for her to become the Tigers all-time leading scorer before her high school career is over. Her head coach, Karol Hansen, credited Rehnelt’s accomplishments to her dedication, work ethic and offseason work. “Rachel’s been a gym rat since her sister’s been playing,” Hansen said. “I’m just really proud of Rachel and really proud that she reached that milestone.”

NRHEG volleyball team pulls off upset of the year beating Alden-Conger in section playoffs

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“The talent these guys have has always been there, they are just putting the pieces together now,” said head coach Chad Mattson. “Just a great unselfish bunch of kids that want to succeed. It’s been an exciting year. Hopefully we can keep rolling, these kids deserve it.” The Knights would lose their second playoff game to St. Clair, but the transformation this team made was a success in itself.

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In what was surely the

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 | YEAR IN REVIEW | PAGE D7 biggest upset of the fall season in the coverage area. The NRHEG volleyball team went into the No. 3-seed AldenConger’s home gym and upset the Knights in a five-set thriller. The Panthers would win the first set, seemingly stunning the Knights, 25-19. The Knights,

however, would find their footing and rally to win the second set, 25-15. NRHEG would pull away in a neck-and-neck third set, but the Knights answered right back with a fourth-set win. The winner would be decided in a fifth and final set. It was never really in doubt as the

Panthers won the final set handily, 15-8. NRHEG had only won nine of their 25 games coming into the section playoffs and they won their first-round match against Springfield to earn the opportunity to face off against Alden-Conger. Alden-Conger came

into the matchup with a The boys’ soccer team record of 22-4 and earned made a big push this season a first-round bye in the Albert Lea boys’ to improve upon their 4-11-2 section playoffs. soccer team advances The energy in the to section semifinals CONTINUED gym that night was tangible. Fans from both sides were on their feet with the student sections bringing another level of energy from the sidelines.

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Lake Mills senior Laura Knudtson scored her 1,000th career point in early December. She is pictured with her commemorative collage. PROVIDED

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Albert Lea senior Rachel Rehnelt scored her 1,000th career point in mid-December. She is the eighth Tiger to reach the milestone. SAM WILMES/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

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PAGE D8 | YEAR IN REVIEW | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 record of 2016. The Tigers were under new leadership in first-year head coach Zac Luther, who provided a big boost to the team, getting them back on a winning track. They more than doubled their win total from the previous year, going from just four to 10

total wins. The season included a near upset against the No. 2-ranked Austin Packers, a match in which the Tigers led by one goal for the majority of the first and second halves. Austin would tie and take the lead very late in the second half. Although the loss was a

heartbreaker, the team was showing definite signs of vast improvement. The Tigers advanced to the section semifinals with wins over Jordan and Marshall. They would fall in the semis to Worthington, but it was the first time they had made it that far in over five years.