Sports & Recreation

School Sports Physicals Available in Albert Lea

Submitted by David Springer, ABC 6 Assistant News Director

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012, 10:13am

School Sports Physicals Available in Albert Lea

The Mayo Clinic Health System, in Albert Lea, will again be offering free sports qualifying physicals to area school athletes grades 6th through 12th. The physicals are available on Thursday, May 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Health Reach campus, 1705 S.E. Broadway, Albert Lea.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Red-Shirting Kids

Submitted by Chris Kuball, Storm Tracker 6 Meteorologist

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012, 7:12am

The word is commonly associated with college athletics.

An athlete is red-shirted when they are held out of their sport for a year allowing them to grow and perform at a higher level by gaining an extra year to compete.

Now it’s become a trend with our children.

A psychologist tells us the trend of holding kids back to give them a competitive edge in athletics has been on the rise.

Dr. Jennifer White Baughan says the number of kids being held back has tripled since the 70s, "The question is what kind of balance. Do we have in this country on the actual value added that we are giving to our children when we are moving them ahead?"

Research does show, if a child is to be held back, the ideal time is kindergarten or 1st grade.

View Comments | Post a Comment

A Reason to Run: Tackling my First Hill Run

Submitted by Gordon Severson, ABC 6 News Reporter-Rochester

Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 5:10pm

A Reason to Run: Tackling my First Hill Run

Journal of a Distance Runner (Thursday April 26th 2012)

Hill Runs:

Have you ever tried to run up a hill? It’s not as easy as it looks.

At first, you think, “yeah, I can totally do this.”

After a few feet, you suddenly realize how steep you’re actually climbing.

I was surprised last week when my trainer told me to not only run up a 600 meter hill, but do it 7 times.

Let me tell you one things about hill runs, they stink.

They’re terrible.

But everyone tells me their worth it.

At first I thought, “you guys are crazy. No way in heck can this be worth it.”

I soon realized how beneficial they can be.

Just a few days ago I was handed a map of the marathon route.

On race day I’m set to encounter a handful of nasty looking monoliths of destruction.

My knees are trembling already.

View Comments | Post a Comment

A Reason to Run: Only 37 Training Days Left!

Submitted by Gordon Severson, ABC 6 News Reporter-Rochester

Friday, April 20th, 2012, 4:55pm

A Reason to Run: Only 37 Training Days Left!

Journal of a Marathon Runner: ( Friday April 20th)

After several weeks of training I finally came to one scary realization, in only 37 days I will have to run 26.2 miles!

Even though I’ve logged over 300 miles so far, it’s still an intimidating task.

26.2 miles, 26.2 miles. WOW!

In my long runs I am currently up to 20 miles each Sunday, but it’s that extra 6.2 that still escapes me.

Surprisingly, 20 miles is the most I’ll run until the race itself!

My trainer has forbidden me from running any further than my training schedule will allow.

For some reason, that baffles me. I was always taught that if you’re doing something you’ve never done before, you should try it out alone first.

That way you know what to expect before you run a race in front of thousands of spectators.

I’m told it will all work out in the end. I hope it does.

View Comments | Post a Comment

KAAL News Reporter Races to Beat Cancer

Submitted by Gordon Severson, ABC 6 News Reporter-Rochester

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012, 12:59pm

Cancer is a deadly disease that effects millions across the nation. In late 2011 it hit my family.

In November last year, my grandma was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

There was nothing I could do to make things better. In all my life I’ve never felt so helpless.

That’s why I decided to take a stand.

For the past few months I’ve been training to run my very first marathon attempting to raise money for cancer research.

So far I have met countless people with touching stories of perseverance and survival.

Coming this May I will share these stories as well as my own in a five part series titled “A Reason to Run.”

Stay tuned to ABC 6 News and kaaltv.com for updates on this ongoing series.

To join the cause visit this website and make your donation. Every little bit counts in this race to beat cancer!

View Comments | Post a Comment

Choose A Theme For This Year's 3rd Of July Parade

Submitted by Melanie Bloom, ABC 6 News Anchor

Thursday, March 29th, 2012, 11:34am

Choose A Theme For This Year's 3rd Of July Parade

Help decide a theme for this year's 3rd Of July Parade in Albert Lea. There are ten options to choose from. You have until April 6th to vote for your favorite.

The ideas include: