New Two-Point Shot Contest Replaces Accuracy Competition
July 10, 2008 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, MA (July 10, 2008) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), has announced the participants for the 2008 Bud Light MLL All-Star Skills Competition, which will take place during halftime of the seventh annual MLL All-Star Game, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. This year's MLL All-Star Game will take place on Thursday, July 17 at 8:00 PM MT at Denver's INVESCO Field at Mile High.
The Bud Light Skills Competition consists of three events, the Fastest Shot Competition, the Two-point Competition, and the Freestyle Competition.
Bud Light has been an official sponsor of Major League Lacrosse since 2001. In 2007, Bud Light and Major League Lacrosse signed a two-year extension. In addition to their title sponsorship of the Bud Light All-Star Skills Challenge, Bud Light also serves as the Official Alcohol Beverage and non-alcohol Malt Beverage Sponsorof Major League Lacrosse, its 10 teams, the MLL All-Star Game and postseason, the Bud Light MLL MVP Award, the Bud Light Play of the Week, and as the jersey sponsor of the Washington Bayhawks.
New for 2008, a two-point shot contest will replace the Accuracy Competition. For this new event, contestants will have one minute to shoot a total of 15 balls from beyond the two-point arc. The balls will be placed in groups of three at five different locations around the arc. The first two balls in each group will count for one point; the third "money ball" will count double. Contestants will shoot at a target which will be placed in the net.
Rochester's John Grant Jr. and Philadelphia's Kyle Sweeney will be competing for the East, while San Francisco's Jake Byrne, and Denver's Benson Erwin represent the West.
In the Fastest Shot competition, a total of six players, three from each conference, will each get two attempts to shoot as hard as possible from a spot thirty feet in front the net. The speed of each shot will be determined by a radar gun positioned behind the net. Last season, Brian Langtry of the Denver Outlaws prevailed with a top speed of 104 miles per hour. Langtry will be back again this year to defend his title. Joining him from the West will be rookie Steven Brooks from the Chicago Machine, and Jeff Sonke, from the Outlaws. Competing for the Eastern Conference will be Washington's Kyle Dixon, Long Island's Chris Fiore, and Boston's Paul Rabil.
Every season, it's the Freestyle Competition that steals the show. Not only is it the most creative event, but the winner is also determined by fan reaction, so long as the player scores on the shot that he performs.
In 2006 and 2007, Boston's Mikey Powell dazzled the crowds with his acrobatics, winning the event each of those years. This year, there may be a little sibling rivalry involved, as Denver's Ryan Powell is also participating in the event. Long Island's Stephen Berger and Los Angeles' Chazz Woodson will also compete for the Eastern and Western Conference squads respectively. The 2008 MLL All-Star Game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 with Joe Beninati and Quint Kessenich calling the action.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 303-830-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Group tickets are available by phone by calling 303-Outlaws.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 10, 2008
- Grant Elected to Participate in All-Star Skills Competition - Dallas Rattlers
- New Two-Point Shot Contest Replaces Accuracy Competition - MLL
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