Local Sports Events Archives

Firebirds goaltender Nikke Kokko named to AHL’s All-Rookie Team

April 16, 2025 12:56 PM Kenji Ito

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) Firebirds goaltender Nikke Kokko has been named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team. A strong first impression. Introducing the 2024-25 AHL All-Rookie Team🗣️G: Nikke KokkoD: Luca CagnoniD: Tristan LuneauF: Justin HryckowianF: Ville KoivunenF: Bradly Nadeau📝: https://t.co/OMVfhDDYNj | #AHLAwards🏆️ pic.twitter.com/VX2V8AJha8— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 16, 2025 Kokko is the third Firebird in

Student Athlete of the Week – Ava Campbell

April 15, 2025 6:00 PM Kenji Ito

Xavier Saints beach volleyball player Ava Campbell is this week’s student athlete of the week. The last name Campbell here at Xavier Prep is well known. There’s Mark Campbell, who is the president of the school and the father of Ava Campbell, who is a beach volleyball star. Ava wouldn’t be the person she is

First-ever local high school hockey team Xavier Prep embracing opportunity

April 14, 2025 10:09 PM Blake Arthur

Xavier Prep announced their new hockey team at the end of the March. The Saints are making history as the first local high school team in the Coachella Valley. Xavier Prep becomes the first high school here in the desert to have a hockey program. I got to catch up with Saints Athletic Director Andrew

Firebirds fall to Gulls 4-3 in overtime in third to last game of the regular season

April 13, 2025 11:59 PM Kenji Ito

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds lost to the San Diego Gulls 4-3 in overtime on Sunday at Acrisure Arena. The Firebirds wasted no time in the opening period and got out to a 2-0 lead by Ben Meyers and Jagger Firkus. firebirds strike first!! 1-0 us 😊 pic.twitter.com/lUozVkXHnT— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds)

Jani Nyman’s two-goal night lifts Firebirds to a 4-2 win over Condors

April 12, 2025 11:54 PM Kenji Ito

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the Bakersfield Condors 4-2 on Saturday at Acrisure Arena. The Condors opened the scoring with a goal from Ronnie Attard, but the Firebirds responded right back with four unanswered goals by Jani Nyman, Cale Fleury, and Jagger Firkus. WELCOME BACK JANI!! pic.twitter.com/K9QUQhv9Vl— Coachella Valley Firebirds

Masters tournament generating excitement among local golf courses

April 10, 2025 5:16 PM Kenji Ito

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) It’s Masters week, and plenty of local golf courses have been impacted by the prestigious golf event held at Augusta National. Here in the valley, a few of the local golf courses have been positively impacted by the 89th Masters.At PGA West, the prestigious golf course took one of the most

Firebirds fall to Barracuda in overtime of potential playoff preview

April 9, 2025 10:35 PM Blake Arthur

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds lost to the San Jose Barracuda 1-0 in overtime on Wednesday at Acrisure Arena. The game featured plenty of fights and penalties. The Firebirds and Barracuda have a bit of a rivalry brewing, one we could see in the first round of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Student Athlete of the Week – Kieffer Brown

April 8, 2025 6:00 PM Kenji Ito

Xavier Prep boys tennis player Kieffer Brown is this week’s student-athlete of the week. Kiefer Brown has been one of the many great tennis players to come out of Xavier Prep, and what makes him truly special is the work ethic he puts both on and off the court. “His dedication to practice every day,”

Palm Desert boys golf wins Champions Invitational for second straight year

April 8, 2025 5:45 PM Blake Arthur

Palm Desert boys golf proved they can play, winning the Champions Invitational for the second straight year. The 54-hole tournament featured some of the best teams in California, played at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs. PDHS junior star Luke Ringkamp led the Aztecs, shooting 18-under par for the tournament. He took the individual

Firebirds clinch Calder Cup playoff berth for third straight season

April 6, 2025 8:19 PM Kenji Ito

Thousand Palms, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds clinched a playoff berth for a third straight season. 🧨🔥@Firebirds | #CalderCup pic.twitter.com/1p1asU9WSJ— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 7, 2025 The Firebirds just needed the Bakersfield Condors vs Tucson Roadrunners game to finalize to punch their ticket to the postseason. Sunday’s @TheAHL #PlayoffPrimer is here:🧮→ https://t.co/8ovnQKG3u6 |

Firebirds fall to Silver Knights 4-1 in their final meeting of the regular season

April 5, 2025 11:52 PM Kenji Ito

Thousand Palms, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds lost to the Henderson Silver Knights 4-1 on Saturday at Lee’s Family Forum. Scoreless in the first, the Silver Knights opened the scoring with two unanswered goals by Kai Uchacz and Dysin Mayo. Ryan Winterton put the Firebirds back within reach to end the second frame. wints finds

Local resident Laurie Lober completes half marathon in all 50 states

April 4, 2025 3:44 PM Blake Arthur

Laurie Lober, a 64-year-old local resident, completed a half marathon in all 50 states last Fall. Sports Director Blake Arthur met with Lober at her home to find out more about her journey. Laurie Lober has 50 of these medals – 50 states, 50 half marathons. It’s a journey that began in 2015, but a

Firebirds defeat Silver Knights 3-1 to get back in the win column

April 4, 2025 11:14 PM Kenji Ito

Thousand Palms, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 3-1 on Friday at Lee’s Family Forum. The Silver Knights opened the scoring with a goal from Jonas Rondbjerg, but the Firebirds responded quickly with two goals by Nikolas Brouillard. tied game! pic.twitter.com/7AvvdjgAH4— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) April 5, 2025 2-1 THANKS

Local PGA Tour Champions tournament seeking new title sponsor after GRAIL opts out

April 3, 2025 4:50 PM Blake Arthur

The Galleri Classic is no more, at least in name. GRAIL, a healthcare company based out of Northern California, decided to opt out of their contract as title sponsor after three years with the tournament. The PGA Tour Champions event in Rancho Mirage is now seeking a new title sponsor to hopefully keep the tournament

Firebirds fall to Eagles 3-1 in their final meeting of the regular season

April 2, 2025 11:18 PM Kenji Ito

Thousand Palms, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds lost 3-1 to the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday at Acrisure Arena. The Eagles scored two unanswered goals in the first and second periods by Jayson Megna and Devante Stephens. It wasn’t until the final frame of play for the Firebirds to get on the board. In only

Student Athlete of the Week – Julian Cansino

April 1, 2025 6:00 PM Kenji Ito

Indio middle blocker Julian Cansino is this week’s student-athlete of the week. “Julian has always been super mature with us,” head coach Meagan Nolasco said. “He works hard. He’s a good leader on campus, at the school, and I think he brings all of that knowledge and leadership that he has at the school and

Firebirds shutout Wolves 4-0 to sweep the weekend series

March 30, 2025 10:59 PM Kenji Ito

Thousand Palms, Calif. (KESQ) The Coachella Valley Firebirds shutout the Chicago Wolves 4-0 on Sunday at Allstate Arena. In the first period, Ben Meyers scored his 22nd goal of the season to put the Firebirds in front by one. BIRDS STRIKE FIRST pic.twitter.com/ZfArdHRm84— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) March 30, 2025 The Firebirds wasted no time

FILA Easter Bowl wraps up its 57th year at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

March 30, 2025 11:45 PM Kenji Ito

Indian Wells, Calif. (KESQ) The FILA Easter Bowl wrapped up its 57th year at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The Easter Bowl is one of the world’s most prestigious junior tennis tournaments. Some of the biggest stars, like Taylor Fritz, Francis Tiafoe, and Emma Navarro, competed in the Easter Bowl as juniors. This tournament featured

First alternate Steve Allan wins 3rd annual Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage

March 30, 2025 3:29 PM Blake Arthur

What a week for the Australian Steve Allan. Allan wasn’t supposed to be in the field but found out a week before tournament play that he would be replacing Steve Stricker as the first alternate. Stricker withdrew from the tournament due to an ongoing back injury. What a week for Steve Allan! The Australian replaced

Steven Allan leads at 10-under after second round of Galleri Classic

March 29, 2025 11:18 PM Kenji Ito

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) The 51-year old Austrailian Steve Allan leads at 10-under after two rounds of the third annual Galleri Classic presented by Spotlight 29 Casino. The 50-year old American Tag Ridings was in front for most of the round. Ridings was boogey-free and fired nine birdies on the scorecard. Coming onto 18, Allan