The University of Maine-Fort Kent has announced its Nordic ski team roster in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Coach Roy Michaud’s Bengals are gearing up for their season-opening meet, the Maine Nordic Division 5K Classic, scheduled Jan. 4 at the Carrabassett Valley Touring Center.

UMFK, which last season won Maine Reynolds Division overall title behind the women’s first-place finish, will compete this season in the Eastern Collegiate Ski Conference’s Maine Nordic Division.

The Bengals train at the 10th Mountain Ski Center. All meets are governed by the United States College Ski and Snowboard Association.

The women’s team features a significant amount of experience behind a group of eight seniors. Leading the way is Heather Hickey of Fort Kent, who was undefeated last season in helping UMFK win the Maine Reynolds Division title.

The Bengals also look to seniors Andrea Pelletier of Fort Kent, Susan Plissey of Presque Isle, Sue Ness of Calgary, Alberta, Heather MacDonald of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Angela Frost of Millertown, Newfoundland, Julie Cameron of Lower Sackville, New Brunswick, and Allie Corse-Scott of Mineville, Nova Scotia, for experience.

The women’s team also includes junior Candice Mercer of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, sophomore Lindsay Cyr of Fort Kent and freshman Amy Dionne of Madawaska.

The men’s squad is made up of four skiers, including junior Eamonn Harding of Brewer, who was UMFK’s most consistent skier last winter.

The team, which placed third in the conference a year ago, also includes sophomore Derek Pelletier of Eagle Lake and freshmen Noah Daigle of St. John and Anthony Druin of Turner.

The Bengals are working toward USCSSA regional qualifiers Feb. 23-24 in New Hampshire and the nationals, which are scheduled for March 2 at Black Mountain in Rumford.

Fry, Dean strong for UMF men

The University of Maine-Farmington men’s basketball team is front and center in the North Atlantic Conference this week.

The Beavers sit atop the NAC East Division standings with a 2-0 conference record, and they also have the current NAC player and rookie of the week on their roster.

The Beavers are 5-4 overall despite three losses in their last four games. Their conference wins came against Husson College of Bangor and Thomas College of Waterville.

Sean Fry, a senior forward from Jay, and Andrew Dean, a freshman guard from Gorham, were named the NAC’s player and rookie of the week, respectively, this week.

Fry had a career-high 35 points to go with 10 rebounds against Husson and 12 points in a loss to the University of Southern Maine. This is the second time this season he has been named player of the week. Fry is averaging 17.7 points and 8.4 rebound per game so far.

Dean had 11 points, six boards and three assists against Husson and followed that up with five points and three rebounds against USM. He’s averaging 7.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

The Beavers have also gotten strong starts to the season from Isaac Hutchinson, a senior forward from Oakland, and Matt St. John, a senior guard from Wayne.

Hutchinson is averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while St. John is scoring 10.9 points and grabbing 2.3 rebounds a game. Sophomore center Josh Tanguay of Gorham, the Beavers’ other starter, is averaging 3.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

UMF returns to action Jan. 4 after the holiday break.