STOCKHOLM, Maine – Russell Courier of Stockholm is one of five men selected by the U.S. Biathlon Association to participate in the December Biathlon World Cups.

Courier is the first Aroostook County athlete to progress from the Maine Winter Sports Center youth program in Fort Kent all the way to the World Cup level. He joins Tim Burke, Jay Hakkinen, Lowell Bailey and Jeremy Teela.

Four women were also picked for the world team. They are Haley Johnson, Laura Spector and sisters Lanny and Tracy Barnes.

The Biathlon World Cup season opens Dec. 3 in Ostersund, Sweden, then moves to Hochfilzen, Austria, which is hosting two World Cups.