TACOMA’S VAN GARDEREN LOOKING STRONG IN TOUR DE FRANCE
Following the 11th stage of the Tour de France, Tacoma native Tejay Van Garderen is sitting in seventh position, the highest of any United States cyclist. The 21-stage Tour de France concludes on July 27. The 25 year old is a member of the international BMC Racing Team.
This season is proving to be the best yet for Van Garderen who finished second in the Tour of Oman, third in the Volta a Catalunya and sixth at the Tour of the Basque Country. There are 10 events remaining on the 2014 UCI World Tour.
CAGESPORT 31 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SET FOR EQC JULY 19
The Northwest’s most intimidating MMA fighter, Brent “Mankill” Knopp (5-0), is stepping back into the cage July 19 for CageSport 31, looking to defend his middleweight title for the second time, taking on Idaho’s Will Noland (8-4). Knopp and Noland have emerged as the top two middleweights in the Northwest and Noland will get his first crack at the West Coast’s premier MMA middleweight title.
Tickets for CageSport 31 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma are on sale and can be purchased at the EQC box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Prices start at $35 and fans are encouraged to get their tickets early as CageSport has exploded in popularity regularly selling-out the 1500 seat EQC showroom.
At CageSport 30, a title eliminator match between Alfonso Gonzales and Jared Torgeson took place with the winner, Alfonso Gonzales, getting the opportunity to fight Brent Knopp for the middleweight title in July. After defeating Torgeson, Gonzales took a fight with Legacy promotions thus taking him out of consideration for the July middleweight title fight.
Replacing Torgeson is Idaho’s Will Noland who will be making his CageSport debut. Noland has won six of his last seven fights and has all the momentum he can ask for riding into his match-up against the CageSport middleweight champion.
Brent Knopps’s fight moniker, Mankill, has been backed up and proven throughout his five CageSport appearances. All five of Knopp’s wins have come via TKO/knockout usually being ended by devastating hammer fists that his opponents are still figuring how to defend. Knopp’s most recent fight may have been his most memorable yet, taking on StrikeForce veteran, Cory Devela, in a fight that featured two sluggers using every ounce of energy. Midway through the fourth round, Knopp prevailed, getting the TKO victory and the first sense that he has the potential to become a national MMA star.
Nine undercard fights are also scheduled throughout the night, featuring the West Coast’s best up and coming professional MMA fighters. Doors for CageSport 31 open at 6 PM with the first fight scheduled for 7 PM.
TACOMA VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALS NEEDED
The Tacoma-Pierce County Volleyball Officials Board is in need of individuals who are interested in officiating middle school, junior high, senior high, college, and recreation department volleyball matches throughout Pierce County. A comprehensive training program, starting August 21st, is offered for all new officials and the opportunities to advance in the organization are extensive.
For students, retirees, or former athletes looking to re-connect with a sport, officiating high school and middle school sports is also an excellent way to earn some extra income and provide a great service to the teams. Registration is due no later than July 21st so time is running out.
For additional information on becoming a volleyball official, please visit http://www.tpcvob.com or contact Marc Blau at (253) 677-2872 or mhblau@comcast.net.