Sports in brief . . .

Athlete of the week
    The Varsity Club and Big Cheese Pizza are pleased to congratulate Keisha Ward and Lucas Richards for begin selected athletes of the week for the week of March 17-22. Ward led the girls’ volleyball team to the championships round of 2008 Aroostook Volleyball Championships. Richards assisted the boys’ volleyball team in taking the 2008 Aroostook Volleyball Championship. Middle school basketball tournament
    The Aroostook County YBOA girls’ teams will host a boys’ and girls’ middle school basketball tournament on Sunday, Apr. 6 and Sunday, Apr. 13 at the Caribou Recreation and Parks Department. There will be two divisions: grades five and six and seven and eight. Entry fee for a team is $175 to benefit the YBOA teams. For more information, contact Dave DeMerchant at 764-0597 (day) or 764-2398 (evening).
Track and field officials
    The Maine Association of Track and Field will conduct a track and field officials clinic on Sunday, April 6 at the Town Council Chambers, Orono Town Office, 59 Main Street, Orono. Registration is at 12:30 p.m., and the clinic will go from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
    The clinic is for anyone interested in officiating track and field at the youth, high school or college level. Track coaches and track parents who want to learn more about the rules are welcome to attend. Please contact Mary Cady at 866-5674 or marycady@maine.edu if you plan to attend.
Soccer officials
    The Northern Maine Board of Approved Soccer Officials will hold its annual clinic for prospective soccer officials at the New Sweden Elementary School in New Sweden with Bob Stedt as the clinician. The first meeting will be held today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The meeting dates for the remainder of the course will be determined by those attending.
    Clinics will also be held in the Houlton area and the St. John Valley if there is any apparent interest. Any person 18 years of age or older who is interested in officiating the game of soccer and becoming involved is encouraged to attend. There will be a $35 fee.
    For more information, contact Bob Stedt at 896-5501 or rstedt@maine.rr.com.
Nordic Heritage Center announcements
    On Saturday, March 29 NHC will host a Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be free ski rentals, ski games, a barbeque lunch, ski tours and a campfire with s’mores.
    On Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., the Maine Winter Sports Center and Mojo’s will host an adult ski clinic. The clinic offers multiple instructors to cater to all levels of skiers. On Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. adults are invited to a group ski. For more information, visit the NHSC website at www.nordicheritagecenter.org.
Aroostook Football League
    The AFL will host “Touchdown,” its sixth annual variety show, on Saturday, Apr. 12 at 7 p.m. All proceeds will support the purchase of equipment for the new middle school program. Tickets are available from Stu Wyckoff at 764-7651, Dick Engels at 764-2928 and Vince Sirois at 316-7370. The cost of admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under.
Maine Winter Sports Center
    The Madawaska Valley ski sprints will take place on Sunday, April 6. For more information, visit www.fourseasonstrails.org.
    The MWSC season-end celebration has been re-scheduled to Friday, April 11 with details to be arranged.
    Mojo’s is organizing a mountain biking trip to Moab, U.T. from April 12 to 19. To reserve a spot, or for more information, call Melanie Stewart at 760-9500.
Ten star all star basketball camp
    Applications are now being evaluated for the Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 10 to 19. There is also a camp for boys and girls ages six to 18 of all skill levels. For a free brochure, please call 704-373-0873.