Lake Mary, Fla. — Ron Smith, Director of USA Sports Tours & Events announces the rosters and coaches for the USA D-2 Men’s & Women’s Basketball Teams — Brazil Tour 2019. The teams are made up of invited NCAA Division II basketball players from throughout the United States. Team members have been recognized at the national, regional and conference levels.

Cassie Askvig and Coral Gillette are the two University of Mary women’s basketball players who were selected to play on the tour.

Cassie Askvig raked in many accolades during her junior year campaign. She was named NSIC Player of the Year, D2CCA First Team All Central-Region, and All American Honorable Mention by the Women’s Basketball Division II Bulletin. The Marauders 6-2 forward averaged 18 points per game and hauled down 9.3 rebounds per game while recording 2.3 assists/game and shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 46.4 percent from deep. She has nine double-doubles this season and has reached double figures in points in 22 of 24 games.

The Marauders’ sharpshooter, Coral Gillette, will be joining Askvig in Brazil. Gillette led the Northern Sun in three point field goals per game. The sophomore knocked down 2.5 per game while shooting 36 percent from deep.

“This is an outstanding group of basketball players that come from 10 different state and 12 different colleges and universities from across the United States,” Ron Smith said. “We feel that we have some of the best of the best representing NCAA Division II basketball from across the country. These players have been high achievers both on the court and in the classroom. They represent everything good that the NCAA Division II institutions have to offer.”

The USA D-2 Men’s & Women’s Basketball Teams will begin their Brazil Tour 2019 in Orlando, Florida on July 22. The tour runs from July 22-31. After team orientation on July 22 in Orlando, the team departs for Sao Paulo, Brazil. The USA D-2 Basketball Teams will play their first games on July 24 in the city of Sorocaba and their second set of games on July 25 in the city of Jundiai versus their U22 Club Team. Both cities are in the state of Sao Paulo. On Friday, July 26, the teams will fly to Rio de Janeiro. The teams will have time on Copacabana Beach, tour the world famous Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain. The teams will play on Saturday, July 27, and Monday, July 29, in Rio de Janeiro at the Botafogo Clube and Fluminense Clube. The team will depart Brazil on Wednesday, July 31, and return to the United States.

While in Brazil, the teams will experience educational, cultural and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school and sports club visits. They will be conducting a youth clinic while in the city of Jundiai.

— U-Mary athletics

Fargo to host North Dakota Senior Games in August

FARGO — Athletes from North Dakota and the surrounding states will meet in Fargo to compete in over 20 events during the three-day North Dakota Senior Games, August 15-17, 2019. Open to athletes age 50 and over, the games feature a variety of competitions, both team and individual, to showcase the benefits of making regular physical activity a lifelong pursuit.

The North Dakota Senior Games is open to participants from North Dakota as well as across the country as part of the National Senior Games Association. This multi-day, multi-sport event is devoted to individuals ages 50+ and gives them an opportunity to compete with others in their age group. Athletes can register at ndseniorgames.com before August 5, 2019.

“We’re incredibly excited to once again host the North Dakota Senior Games here in Fargo and give them the opportunity to qualify to participate on the National Stage,” Fargo Parks District Event Director Clay Whittlesey said. “We hope that this encourages people who are ages 50 and better to get out and get active. You’re never too old to be an athlete.”

“Promoting and maintaining an active recreational community is a central part of our North of Normal lifestyle,” Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau Director of Sports Kali Mork said. “Senior Games are loved across the nation and we’re excited to show the activity of North Dakota.”

The games offer something for practically every interest and ability. The current list of events includes Archery, Basketball, Badminton, Bowling, Cycling, Golf, Horseshoes, Pickleball, Racquetball, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track and Field, Power Walk, and 5k Road Race. With many events as well as registration based at Fargo’s Courts Plus Community Fitness, the full slate of events will take place at venues throughout the Fargo area.

Registration closes August 5. Paid registration for the athletes is required, and all events are free and open to the public to watch. For more information, visit ndseniorgames.com, or email sdambrosio@fargoparks.com.

To learn more, visit ndseniorgames.com or nsga.com for national games information.

— Fargo Parks District PR