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When it comes to big-league athletes produced by Kelowna sports teams, people usually think about the Western Hockey League’s Rockets and NHLers Josh Gorges, Shea Weber Duncan Keith, Leon Draisaitl and Island-products Jamie Benn and Tyson Barrie.

The rise of women’s rugby has been a breakthrough storyline in the tradition-laden sport. Veteran Barbara Mervin has been there every step of the way for it.

NHL development camps, held annually around the first week of July, are the entry-level auditions for pro hockey.

It’s usually the Royals and Rockets of the Western Hockey League, or maybe the Rebels and Sun in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ junior football, that people think about in terms of Victoria-Kelowna sporting rivalries.

The Langley Events Centre, known for its striking use of wood beams, is a go-to hive of athletic activity and hosts everything from the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ high school basketball championships annually to Trinity Western basketball and volleyball games in U Sports.

Portland Timbers U-23 defeated the Victoria Highlanders 4-1 on Sunday in Oregon. Midfielder Sho Goto, who has scored five of the last six Victoria goals, counted the Highlanders’ lone goal.

It is a fine line. It turned out to be Michael Saunders, Rich Harden and Nick Pivetta from the Island and Brett Lawrie, Larry Walker, Justin Morneau, Jeff Francis, Adam Loewen, Ryan Dempster and James Paxton from the rest of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

You’ve got to be quick on your cleats in summer collegiate ball. Not only on the diamond, but in the dugout and management offices. Players come in and out like bees around a hive.

SEATTLE 5 L.A. ANGELS 3 ANAHEIM, California — The last time the Mariners visited Angel Stadium on a sunny Sunday, Edwin Diaz and the Seattle bullpen turned a six-run lead in the ninth inning into an agonizing defeat.

Victoria Highlanders were blasted 7-1 Saturday by Lane United in Eugene, Oregon. Victoria fell to 3-6 in the Premier Development League Northwest Division soccer tables, while Lane United moved to 3-5-4.