 |
Youth
hockey players heading to nationals
by Jason Stone
TALK ABOUT A spring break experience.
Three Anthem youth hockey players are part of the Desert Youth
Hockey Association's Phoenix Firebirds team that is heading
to Rochester, N.Y., for the national championship tournament
this week.
Eighth graders Dylan McDonald, Chris Gartner and David Steffes
are on the Firebirds, a Tier I AAA 14 and Under team, that
won the region championship last week. The Firebirds became
the first AAA team at any age level from Arizona to make it
to nationals.
The tournament features 12 regional qualifiers from across
the country, who will play in four three team divisions during
round robin play, starting March 29.
"This is a big deal for our team as well as the hockey
community," said Laura McDonald, mother of Dylan. |
|
Fans
can follow the team's progress through the tournament at www.usahockey.com/2006
_nationals.
MOST STUDENTS
GET a chance to relax during Spring Break. But for a handful of
local high school teams, the time off only makes them busier.
If you're a prep sports nut, you're in luck this week. Sandra
Day O'Connor kicks off two weeks of baseball games with the Eagle
Invitational, a tournament featuring 25 teams from nine states.
The Eagles will play seven games over a nine day span.
The school is also hosting the SDO & DV Softball Festival
with Deer Valley. The two day softball tournament will be played
at both schools, but O'Connor is hosting the finals at 2 p.m.
March 25.
Volleyball fans who don't mind traveling might want to check out
the Mountain View Invitational in Marana March 24 and 25 as many
of the state's top 5A Division II teams will be on display. Boulder
Creek, an emerging team on the scene, will play seven round robin
matches in less than 24 hours, giving the team a good measuring
stick on its progress.
And track fans are in luck, too. The annual Chandler Rotary Tournament
is back for two more days of action March 24 and 25 at Chandler
High School.
LOCAL SOCCER
PLAYERS are hosting a golf tournament to raise money for field
improvements.
The Desert Foothills Soccer Club will host its second annual golf
fund raiser tournament May 2 at Dove Valley Ranch Golf Course
in Cave Creek. All proceeds from the event will be used for field
improvements to support youth player safety.
The shotgun style tournament will feature a best ball tournament
and prizes will be awarded for first , second or third place finishes.
There will also be awards for longest putt, longest drive and
closest to the pin.
Earnhardt Auto Centers will sponsor a hole in one opportunity
to win a 2006 car. Additionally, local businesses are also encouraged
to sponsor a hole for $175.
Admission is $100 per player, including green fees, cart and a
light dinner reception following the event.
To register, contact the Desert Foothills Soccer Club at dfacsoccer@hotmail.com,
or leave a message at (480) 488 8485 prior to April 16.
|
