Burien's Knopp set to fight April 27
Halquist Productions will be returning to the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA for CageSport XXIV, which has quickly become the hottest MMA ticket in the Northwest. At the top of the card will be Burien's Brent Knopp (4-0) defending his middleweight title for the first time against CJ Marsh (2-2). In the co-main event, current bantamweight champion, Brandon Hempleman, will also be defending his title for the first time when he takes on Cory Vom Baur (6-2).
Tickets for CageSport XXIV, set for Saturday, April 27th, are still available and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Emerald Queen Casino box office. Doors will open at 6:00 PM with the first fight scheduled for 7:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets early as tickets for CageSport XXIII in February were sold out a week in advance for the 2000 seat showroom.
“We’re really excited about presenting two CageSport title fights in one night. This show is building off momentum from previous shows and it’s very exciting to see CageSport growing the way it’s growing. I really encourage fans to purchase tickets early as we are experiencing extremely fast ticket sales,” said promoter, Brian Halquist, about upcoming CageSport XXIV.
Middleweight champion Brent “Mankill” Knopp has quickly established himself as the top middleweight in the region. Knopp won the vacant title in February when he defeated Darrio Mobley for the second time in a rematch from when they first faced each other at CageSport XX last year. None of the opponents that Knopp has come across in his professional career have lasted more than two rounds in the ring with the former University of Washington reserve defensive lineman; all going down via TKO/KO.
It’s been no surprise that the Burien native, Knopp, has been as successful as he has been. He trains out of Matt Hume’s AMC Pankration, one of the most respected MMA gyms and coaches in the Northwest located in Kirkland, WA. Along with the undefeated professional record of 4-0, Knopp also went 24-2 in the amateurs.
Highline offers spring soccer
Registration for Highline youth spring soccer is open to players from 5-12 years old (U6 – U13) and the cost is $85 for all players. Player registrations will be accepted based on available space.
Players are asked to register in the age group they would play in fall 2013.An age chart is available on the website for further clarity,www.highlinesoccerclub.com. The registration system will require you to register on age based on birthdate. If a child wishes to “play up”, please notify us atinfo.highlinesc@gmail.com and we’ll make the adjustment.
Registration includes a Highline Soccer Club training jersey for each player to keep. Pinnies will be used for training sessions and games.
The 6-game season will begin on Sunday, April 21 and conclude on Sunday, June 2. (No games will be played on Memorial Day weekend, May 26). All Games will be played on Sunday afternoons (noon -5pm). The spring soccer program also includes technical training once a week through our relationship with Highline Premier FC. Training sessions begin the week before games, week of April 15, and end the week of May 20 (no training the week including Memorial Day).
If you have further questions or suggestions concerning any aspect of our soccer programs please visit our website,www.highlinesoccerclub.com, or email our team at info.highlinesc@gmail.com.
T-Birds ousted in overtime
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds, 3-2, in overtime of Game 7 Wednesday night in Kelowna to win the first round Western Hockey League playoff series four game to three.
Luke Lockhart scored with seven seconds left in the third period to tie the game and send it to overtime. Lockhart got the puck in the low slot and beat Kelowna goalie Jordon Cooke high for the goal. Seth Swenson and Roberts Lipsbergs had the assists on the tying goal. Goalie Brandon Glover was on the bench for an extra attacker when the goal was scored.
Tyson Baillie won it at 5:10 of overtime to give the Rockets the win. It was Baillie's third goal of the game. Madison Bowey and Justin Kirkland had the assists on the game-winning goal.
This was the fifth game of the series that went to overtime. The T-Birds won the first three games of the series in overtime. Kelowna won Game 6 and Game 7 in overtime.
Kelowna advances to the second round of the playoffs and will face the Kamloops Blazers. The T-Birds season is over.
Kelowna outshot Seattle 12-6 in a scoreless first period.
Seattle (3-4) struck first at 9:04 of the second period. The puck came to Evan Wardley at the right point. Wardley put a wrist shot on goal with traffic in front of Kelowna goalie Jordon Cooke. Wardley's shot beat Cooke to give the T-Birds a 1-0 lead.
Kelowna (4-3) tied the game 13 seconds after Seattle's goal. Baillie got the goal from the low right circle. Cody Fowlie and Riley Stadel had the assists.
The Rockets outshot the T-Birds 12-9 in the second period and led 24-15 in total shots after two periods.
Ballie scored at 13:09 of the third period just after a Rockets power play ended to put his team in front 2-1. Ryan Olsen and Damon Severson had the assists.
Kelowna outshot Seattle 35-26 in the game.
Glover stopped 32 of 35 shots in the loss and his playoff record was 3-4.
Cooke made 24 of 26 saves in the win and his playoff record is 4-3.
Baseball teams set to open
The Seattle Mariners and their Class AAA farm team, the Tacoma Rainiers, will be opening their home seasons this week.
Seattle hosts the Houston Astros for a 7:10 p.m. home opener at Safeco Field on Monday, April 8 and the Rainiers' home opener at Cheney Stadium opens at 7 p.m. Friday, April 12 against the Salt Lake Çity Bees.
