sCapital News Friday, September 6, 2013
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CAPITAL NEWS
SPORTS
Moras in TV fight show
KEVIN PARNELL/CAPITAL NEWS
KELOWNA tennis player Lily-Ana Kreutzer had a good showing recently at the Canadian Junior Outdoor U-16 Championships in Toronto.
▼ TENNIS
Kreutzer focused on her sport Kevin Parnell STAFF REPORTER
Growing up in Kelowna, Lily-Ana Kreutzer was active in several sports, playing soccer as well as other activities popular amongst athletic kids. But when she first grabbed a tennis racket at the age of six, something felt right. It wasn’t long before tennis was her main sport as she left the others behind to focus on the hard court. “I really liked tennis when I first tried it,” Kreutzer said before a recent training session at the Okanagan Mission Tennis Club. “I started when I was six and then I began tournaments around 11.
When I tried it I just loved it. Now it’s the only thing I do. It’s what I am focused on.” Now 15 and heading into Grade 11 at Okanagan Mission Secondary, Kruetzer is coming off her toughest tournament test yet as she played at the Under-16 Junior National Championships in Toronto at the end of August where she matched up against many of the top young female tennis players in Canada. The competition was stiff but Kreutzer was up to the challenge as she went 2-and-2 in four matches including wins over top players from Alberta and Quebec. “I thought I played well,” she said of the com-
petition—her first outdoor nationals. “It was really tough. I wasn’t sure I was going to win a match. It was exciting for me. “I like the tough competition,” she said. “It makes me want to play better. It gives me more confidence and shows me it’s possible to play as well as the girls that are ranked higher.” Coached by Holger Nierfeld, Kreutzer will use the result as a motivator as she gets set for another high school season as well as some more tournaments through the winter and spring. Nierfeld says the results in Toronto proves she is on the right track. “It was the first time
she went. We decided to go and see what happens. Getting two wins out of it…we’ll take that,” said Nierfeld, adding that Kreutzer has a wide range of talents. “She’s an allaround player. She can play at the base line or at the net.” With a couple more years of high school still to go as well as some more planned international tournaments, Kreutzer is moving forward in the sport, eventually hoping to turn her talent into a scholarship. “I think tennis gives me a good opportunity to get a scholarship, go to the US and play on a university team,” she said. kparnell@kelownacapnews.com
It’s another feather in the cap for Kelowna’s Toshido MMA Club and the chance of a lifetime for Sarah Moras, Toshido’s only competitive female fighter. Moras has been chosen to participate in the popular UFC/FOX production The Ultimate Fighter, the popular television show that pits up and coming MMA competitors against each other in an elimination contest. The show began on Wednesday and Moras was successful in her first bout, winning to make the cast and the final 16. It was a big win for Moras who will now have the chance to compete for a UFC contract, now that she is in the final 16. Toshido MMA has already produced UFC veteran Rory MacDonald and The Ultimate Fighter 15 semi-finalist Mike Hill and Moras is beginning to make a name for herself in the women’s side of the sport. “Toshido MMA is already known for producing world class male fighters like UFC Superstar Rory MacDonald,” said Toshido MMA head
coach David Lea. “But Sarah Moras is going to make some huge waves in the UFC on the female side. Her life as a fighter will never be the same. I couldn’t be more proud.” This is the first season that will feature female fighters, showcasing the top women fighters in the world at 135 lbs. In its 18th season, the Ultimate Fighter will feature 16 males and 16 females competing for a six-figure contact with the UFC and The Ultimate Fight title. Those who
make the cut will live and train under the same roof in the TUF house while being coached by arch-rivals – Current UFC Bantamweight Female Champion, Ronda Rousey and #1 Contender, Miesha Tate. “This is an exciting time for female MMA,” said Lea. “Many people in the industry didn’t think we would ever see women fighters in the UFC. Now that it is happening, the world will finally see the incredible skills these women fighters possess.”
CONTRIBUTED
KELOWNA mixed martial artist Sarah Moras is into the final 16 of the TV show the Ultimate Fighter.
▼ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Owls host Graham in gridiron action B.C. high school football’s 2013 exhibition season continues this Friday in Kelowna as the KSS Owls play host to GW Graham from Chilliwack. Kick off at the Apple Bowl is 5 p.m. Last weekend, the Owls dropped a close 29-
28 contest to the Edmonton Harry Ainlay Titans. In other action Friday, the Rutland Voodoos will visit Salmon Arm in the first pre-season test for both programs. The Mt. Boucherie Bears, who went unbeaten in Okanagan league
play last season, will visit Vancouver College on Friday afternoon. The Okanagan AAA regular season begins Sept. 20. In Okanagan AA action, the OKM Huskies will visit Kamloops Valleyview on Friday.