Celebrate Hockey Weekend Across America

KEARNEY The Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League announced Wednesday that they are teaming up with USA Hockey to help celebrate "Hockey Weekend Across America." The celebration of hockey in the United States begins February 15th and ends on Sunday, February 17th.

In conjunction with this event, the Storm will be hosting the Omaha Lancers Friday the 15th presented by Hilltop Mall. Any fan who wears a hockey jersey to the game will receive free admission. The Kearney Youth Hockey Association will be holding an exhibition during the first intermission of Friday night's contest.

On Saturday the 16th, USA Hockey is encouraging fans to take part in "Bring a Friend to the Rink" day. The Storm will host Indiana in a game presented by US Bank. The Kearney Youth Hockey Association will be selling "Chuck-a-Pucks" at the game to raise money for the development of younger players in the area. To conclude the weekend, the Tri-City Storm and Optimist Youth Ice Hockey Association are coming together to present a FREE hockey instructional event. This event will be held at the FirsTier Event Center from 3- 4:30 p.m. The Tri-City Jr. Storm and the Tri-City Storm will be on hand giving hockey tips and instructions. In addition, Tri-City Storm head coach Bliss Littler will be demonstrating the basics of the game with a Hockey 101 session. Fans of all ages and skill-levels are welcome and encouraged to participate in a variety of fun, on-ice hockey activities.

For more information, please contact the Tri-City Storm at (308) 338-8809.

* WRESTLING

NET2 to broadcast UNO-UNI match on Feb. 21

LINCOLN As the No. 2-ranked team in the NCAA Division II, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Mavericks wrestlers will host the Northern Iowa Panthers from Division I at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 on NET2.

Broadcast from UNO's Lee and Helene Sapp Fieldhouse, the mat action will be called by Torri Pantaleon, with color commentary provided by Pat Kelly III.

* BASKETBALL

Girls state championships to be broadcast on NET

LINCOLN The best girls' basketball teams in Nebraska invade Lincoln to battle it out for the state championships in six different classes with the finals telecast live from the Bob Devaney Sports Center on March 1, on NET1 and in high-definition on NET-HD.

The "NSAA Girls State High School Basketball Championships" will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Class C-1 finals. The day-long coverage continues with the Class D-1 championship game at 11:30 a.m. and the Class B title game at 1:30 p.m.

The matchups continue at 5 p.m. with the championship game for Class C-2, followed at 7 p.m. by the Class A final. The Class D-2 championship game concludes the day's action at 9 p.m.

The "NSAA State Girls State High School Basketball Championships" will also be webcast live on NET's Web site (netNebraska.org). All that is needed is access to the Internet and a free Windows Media Player program. Webcasting of the series is a free service of NET.

Kearney Blowout registration extended

The Kearney Booster Club has extended the registration deadline for the 14th Annual Kearney Blowout youth basketball tournament to Feb. 27.

The 192-team Blowout on March 15-16 is open to third through ninth grade boys and girls teams. All teams are guaranteed three games with medals awarded to the top half of the teams in each bracket. Games are officiated by certified officials.

Games are played at the UNK Health & Sports Center, Kearney High School, Kearney Catholic High School and Sunrise Middle School. For more information, contact Doug Koster at doug@misterbasketball.com, or call (308)-237-4012.

UNK women No. 7in the North Central Region

KEARNEY - Nebraska-Kearney remains seventh in the third edition of the North Central Region rankings.

The regional rankings, which come out every Wednesday, determine the 64-team NCAA Tournament field. The top eight schools in Division II's eight regions make up the tournament. Like last season, the Elite Eight will be played in Kearney (March 26, 27 & 29).

The only change in the North Central this week is Concordia-St. Paul and Fort Lewis changing spots.The Golden Bears are now third and the Skyhawks fourth.

The Lopers (20-5, 13-2 RMAC) sit behind Minnesota State (17-6, 3-5 NCC), a squad that has lost four of its last five.

* SOFTBALL

CNGSA Scorpion tryouts set for Feb. 23

Due to the number of athletes wanting to play Scorpions Softball, CNGSA has added another team to the 14U, 12U, and 10U age groups.This means there will now be two Scorpions teams in these age groups.

The try outs will be Feb. 23 in the gym at Walnut Middle School in Grand Island. Tryouts for 14U will be from 9-10:45 a.m. followed by 12U from 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. and 10U from 1- 2:45 p.m.

Players should bring a glove to play catch with and tennis shoes. Players are encouraged to bring a bat and helmet if they have one. There will be bats and helmets available to those players who do not have them. More information on team costs and anticipated game schedules will be provided at the tryouts. Parents/players with questions regarding the 14U tryout or a conflict with the time should contact Kevin Trosper at: kevintrosper@cngsa.org or 308-380-5920. Parents/players with questions regarding the 12U or 10U tryouts or a conflict with the time should contact Mario Aguilar at: marioaguilar@cngsa.org or 308-384-9241.

The Central Nebraska Girls Softball Association (CNGSA) is proud to announce that they were recently selected to host the Class B 10 and Under State Softball Tournament. This tournament will be July 4-6 at the Fonner Park Softball Complex.

* TENNIS

UNK teams picked to finish second in RMAC

KEARNEY The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams have each been picked to finish second in the RMAC preseason coaches poll.

The poll and preseason team, voted on by the league's head coaches, was released Wednesday.

On the men's side, UNK received 13 points and one first place vote to come in behind rival Metro State (six points; six first place votes).

Mesa State, with seven points and five first place votes, was picked to win the women's race. UNK tallied 14 points and two first place votes.

UNK placed second in the RMAC last year and then lost in the semifinals to Western New Mexico.

Individually, senior William Jacome and sophomores Kristin Messbarger and Katie-Mary Outhwaite were named to the RMAC preseason team.