Sports in brief . . .

Photo correction
    In the Wednesday, Jan. 9th issue of The Star Herald a basketball photo was misidentified. The girls’ varsity basketball athlete for Easton should have read Brooke Lunney, not Ashley Nickerson.     We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Maine Winter Sports Center announcements
    On Sunday, Jan. 27th the New Sweden Ski Dag, an eight km classic race will be held at New Sweden School trails. For more information, contact Ernie Easter at eeaster@mlti.org.
    From now through March, ski free Wednesdays will be offered at Big Rock from 4 to 9 p.m. Evenings will include free skiing, a free half hour lesson and $10 rentals. For more information, visit www.bigrockmaine.com.
Quoggy Jo ski lessons
    Quoggy Jo Ski Center will offer free lift tickets and half-price rentals to area elementary students on certain Saturdays. Ski lessons will be offered at no cost, and hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Jan. 26 for all Fort Fairfield, Easton and Mars Hill students; and Jan. 26 for all Caribou and Washburn students.
    For more information, call 764-3248 or 764-3016.
Take it outside
    The Maine Department of Conservation and the Maine Recreation and Park Association are hosting a series of outdoor recreation events this winter under the banner of Governor Baldacci’s Take It Outside initiative. The first program will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Aroostook State Park.
    Activities on offer will include cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sliding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and natural history exploration. There will be complimentary hot beverages and a warming hut. Registration is $5 per person and closes on Thursday, Jan. 17.
Adult ski nights offered
    The Maine Winter Sports Center has announced plans to offer adult ski nights in Presque Isle, Caribou and Fort Kent throughout the winter. The one-hour sessions will include an introduction to the sport of cross country skiing, basic technique and training tips, and will be conducted by an MWSC coach. The sessions are free, and skiers of all ability levels are encouraged to attend.
    The schedule is as follows: Tuesdays at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 15th; Wednesdays at the Caribou High School Ski Center in Caribou from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 16th, and; Thursdays at the 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 10th. The programs will continue until the snow melts.
    For more information about this program, please contact Mark Shea at (207) 227-7465 or mark@mainewsc.org.
PIHS athlete of the week
    The Varsity Club and Big Cheese Pizza congratulate Adam Kingsbury and Erika McKay for being selected athletes of the week for the week of Jan. 2 to the 5th.
    In games against Caribou and Central, Kingsbury averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game to lead the boys’ varsity basketball team.
    McKay had strong finishes in recent alpine skiing events at Mount Farlagne.
UMPI events
    The following sport event will take place at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
    On Friday, Jan. 25 there will be a law enforcement versus students basketball game in Wieden gymnasium at 7 p.m. Criminal justice students will take on local and state police officers. Admission is $3.
    Climbing nights will be offered now through May at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Climbing nights will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 4th, Mar. 3rd, Apr. 7th and May 5th. No experience is required. Please wear something comfortable to move in (no shorts permitted). There is no cost for members. $10 fee for non-members. Contact Amanda Morin for more information at Amanda.morin@umpi.maine.edu