A look back at the best local sports highlights of the year
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - 2025 was a memorable year for sports throughout the Coachella Valley.
At the start of the year, Sepp Straka at 25-under won by two shots at the American Express. Straka earned his third title in his PGA Tour career.
The busiest time of the year was March. At the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, fans witnessed two new champions. Jack Draper defeated Holger Rune in straight sets to earn his first ATP Masters 1000 title. In the women's singles draw, Mirra Andreeva defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets. Andreeva not only became the youngest winner in Indian Wells since Serena Williams in 1999, but won her first WTA 1000 title.
The city of Thermal hosted the next event in March for the inaugural Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix. Alex Palou finished ten seconds faster than Pato O'Ward and stood on top of the podium for the 13th time in his career.
The Galleri Classic at the Mission Hills Country Club capped off the third month of the year. Steve Allan at 15-under won by one shot and earned his first title on the PGA Tour Champions.
Both the Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix and the Galleri Classic won't return to the Coachella Valley in 2026.
In the month of May, the Coachella Valley Firebirds made it to the Calder Cup Playoffs for the third straight year, but lost in the second round to what would be the Calder Cup Champions, the Abbotsford Canucks.
Along with the Firebirds, the Rancho Mirage softball team made history. The Lady Rattlers became the first team to bring home a CIF-SS Championship title, not only to their program, but to the Coachella Valley. Rancho Mirage defeated Culver City 7-3 in Irvine at Deanna Manning Stadium.
In November, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Coachella Valley high schools all made it to the semi-final round of the CIF-SS playoffs.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage of sports across the Coachella Valley.
