The UMaine women’s basketball team has been working diligently during the preseason. Tonight, the Bears have a chance to show what they’ve learned.

UMaine takes on Istrobanka Lokomotiva, a club team from the Slovak Republic, in a 7:30 p.m. exhibition game at Alfond Arena in Orono.

“After all the preparation, this is our first test,” Versyp said. “It gives us an opportunity to see where our extreme weaknesses are and hopefully where our strengths are.”

With 12 players healthy and eligible, Versyp has a lot to consider in terms of her personnel and their capabilities.

“[Wednesday night] really isn’t about winning and losing,” Versyp said. “We’ve really got to throw some people out there and see how they perform in certain situations.”

Versyp plans ‘chalk talk’ sessions

Fans of the UMaine women’s basketball team who would like to better understand the Black Bear program are invited to take a “Timeout with Coach Versyp” beginning Nov. 12.

Versyp, in conjunction with the Friends of Maine Women’s Basketball, will present a series of dinner and chalk talk sessions designed to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the program.

“It will give people kind of an inside scoop with us,” said Versyp, who will hold the sessions at the Holiday Inn on Main Street in Bangor at 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 12, Dec. 9, Jan. 13 and Feb. 10.

The first hour will consist of a buffet dinner, while the second hour will include a strategy and film session headed by Versyp. The cost is $25 for each dinner and chalk talk, but a season package is available for $90.

Interested people also can forego the dinner and attend the strategy session for $10.

“It’s just to give people an understanding maybe how we scout a team, how we do strategy, practice planning, explaining X’s and O’s, how we edit film, a variety of topics,” Versyp said.

Selected UMaine players and assistant coaches will assist with the presentations.

For more information, call the UMaine women’s basketball office at 581-1107. Reservations must be made three business days in advance of the gatherings.

Spector wins first college title

Waterville’s Abby Spector won her first collegiate individual title Tuesday at the Pine Needles Invitational. The tournament was hosted by North Carolina State University and was played at the Pine Needles Resort in Southern Pines, N.C.

Spector rolled in a 10-foot putt for par on the final hole to beat North Carolina teammate Meghan Adams.

Spector had rounds of 76, 70 and 72 for a 54-hole total of 6-over par 218 on the par-71, 6,017-yard layout.

“It’s great. I was so worried that I wouldn’t win one before I graduated,” said Spector, a senior.

Spector and her North Carolina teammates also won the team title in the 11-team field.

Spector is the six-time winner of the Women’s Maine State Golf Association Championship. While proud of those titles, she said Tuesday’s win was bigger.

“It’s because these are great players and they come from all over the country and the world.”

Hoops for Heart

The University of Maine-Fort Kent men and women basketball teams will play exhibitions games on Nov. 9 to benefit the university’s athletic programs and the Northern Maine Medical Center.

The proceeds will be divided evenly between UMFK and for the hospital’s purchase of new cardiac monitors.

“Part of the thrust of this year’s athletic program at UMFK is to reach out and re-establish our connection with the community,” Jim Graffam, UMFK athletic director and men’s basketball coach, said.

The benefit will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Lady Bengals taking on Northern Maine Technical College.

The men’s teams from the schools will play at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students.

Unity’s Rudolph 8th at nationals

Unity College cross country runner Eric Rudolph recently placed eighth at the USCAA National Cross Country Championships in Dallas.

The freshman from Ellsworth ran the 8-kilometer course in a time of 31 minutes, 9 seconds. Kenyan native Joel Maiyo won the race in a time of 28:35.

Staier receives President’s Award

Farmington’s Adam Staier was honored Sunday for being the first recipient of the President’s Award at the Maine Running Hall of Fame induction ceremony held in Waterville.

Staier, a freshman at Mansfield (Pa.) University, captained the Mt. Blue cross country and track and field teams his junior and senior years at the school.

He was honored for his performances in racewalking. Staier received six All-American awards and was invited to compete at the Milrose Games at Madison Square Gardin in New York City.

Staier’s time of 6:01.48 in the 1,600 racewalk is the national high school record.

Take a kid to the game

The University of Maine will host the NCAA football’s annual Take a Kid to the Game program at its game with Delaware on Saturday beginning at noon.

The program allows adults to take up to two kids, ages 16 and under to the game at a cost of $5 each with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.

“We are excited to be participating in the NCAA Take a Kid to the Game initiative,” Paul Bubb, the university’s interim athletic director said.

Tickets can be purchased at university’s ticket office on the day of the game. To contact the ticket office call 581-2327 or 1-800-756-8326.