West Seattle, Washington
26 Thursday
(WSB photos)
The sun appeared in time for this evening’s big crosstown competition in boys’ soccer, Chief Sealth International High School (blue) hosting West Seattle High School (white) at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
Head Coach Shaun Spencer‘s Wildcats came into the match undefeated and finished it that way, shutting out interim Head Coach Cade Cooke‘s Seahawks 2-0. Oliver Miller (sophomore, #18) and Judah Director (senior, #11) had the goals for WSHS.
Both teams play their next matches on Wednesday (March 26) – WSHS hosting Seattle Academy at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th SW and SW Myrtle), Chief Sealth visiting Franklin at 5 pm.
Notice something missing along the west stretch of Admiral Way? Paul Twibell sent the explanation:
The Cougulance is gone.
For over a decade, the Cougar Ambulance, “The Cougulance,” has held a spot in the 59th block of Admiral Way. Yesterday I sold it to a couple that lives in Pullman. It has been a staple at WSU during football season. It has been on Billboards, banners, news reports, and commercials. Twice it has appeared on ESPN’s Gameday.
(2020 screengrab from ESPN – West Point was a reference to an unrelated location)
It will have many more years of tailgating with its new owners.
Many of you loved it, some of you hated it, a few of you damaged it, a couple of you tried to have it towed. Thank you to all of you who appreciated it, and saw it as a West Seattle landmark. To the rest… whatever.
GO COUGS!
Paul Twibell
Take a swing at something in the West Seattle HS Baseball Silent Auction – dozens of items from gift cards to golf to art – and you just might hit it out of the park! Here’s the auction announcement we were asked to share with you:
The West Seattle High School Baseball Silent Auction is now open, and bidding is live!
The auction is open to the public, so anyone can participate and support the WSHS Baseball program. Take a look at the great items available and place your bids today to help support our student-athletes. Everything from $30 Mariners tickets on the 100 level to amazing support from local businesses and families!
Bidding closes at 8:00 pm on March 28, 2026 (next Saturday).
You do not need to attend the event to participate or win. Winning bidders will be contacted (within 48 hours) after the auction closes to arrange pickup or shipping (shipping available for most items).
Every bid helps fund important needs for the program, including uniforms, equipment, training resources, and player development opportunities.
Browse the auction and start bidding today.
Thank you for supporting West Seattle High School Baseball and our student-athletes!
Their season is under way, too, and you can cheer the Wildcats at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – this week they host Garfield at 7 pm Monday and Cleveland at 2:30 pm Wednesday.
West Seattle’s soccer clubs Rhodies FC and Junction FC will finally have a full lineup of beverage offerings during their matches at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. You can congratulate them and preview their upcoming seasons at a party one week from today – here’s the announcement we received:
Junction & Rhodies FC Fans Have A Reason to Celebrate!
After three years of advocacy, Seattle Parks and Recreation approved all 10 of Sunday match days for Junction & Rhodies FC to include a beer garden. This approval, alongside previous permissions for food trucks, PA system use, and scoreboard use allows the Clubs to offer a more social, community-centered atmosphere for fans and families.
To anchor the experience in local flavor, the Club has partnered with Future Primitive Brewing. The beer garden will feature a selection of canned beverages throughout the season, with a wine partner expected to join soon.
This milestone will be celebrated alongside the Club’s official 2026 kit launch at a kickoff party:
– When: Saturday, March 28, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
– Where: Ounces Taproom & Beer GardenThe first 50 registered attendees will receive a complimentary pint of Future Primitive beer, courtesy of our event sponsor, Ounces Taproom. Ounces is an all-ages venue, we encourage the whole family to come out, meet the coaches and players, and see this year’s new jerseys and merch.
With these long-awaited approvals in place, Junction & Rhodies FC’s Sunday matches are set to offer an expanded and engaging experience for all West Seattle fans!
Both clubs start their season May 10, with matches at home.
Among the spring high-school sports that get going this month is water polo, and the West Seattle girls’ club – which welcomes swimmers from any high school – is ready for another year, starting with their third annual Tread-a-Thon fundraiser – here’s what team supporters sent for us to share with you:
Now that the Super Bowl and the Olympics are over, fear not! West Seattle Girls Water Polo season is starting! The team started practices on Monday, March 2nd and will be having their annual fundraiser on Saturday, Marcj 7th, 3:30-5:10 pm at Southwest Pool. Players will tread water for 100 minutes without touching the bottom or sides of the pool and without using flotation devices. They will quickly pivot to competition, with their first game away at Ingraham HS on March 18th after they warm up during the Jamboree on March 14th.The girls formed this team two years ago and had a successful inaugural season after gaining permission from the league to play, but no funds were provided by the school or district for the team. Last year, the team placed 7th in state while all the teams in the district had to manage a 30% increase in pool rental fees. This year, the league has increased the number of home games each team hosts by 50%, so more water polo, but more expenses. Donations will fund scholarships, pay for pool-rental time, league fees, and equipment.
Girls from any high school are welcome to join the team. Head Coach Steve McKinnon and Assistant Coach Cam Rantz are ready to quickly bring new players to proficiency. Practices will be 2 mornings per week before school with home games on Thursday evening. Practices started this week and the season runs through late May with 12 players, including our first player from Vashon Island High School.
For more information, email wshswaterpolo@gmail.com.
Donations gratefully accepted at this link: https://paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@2
WSB was there three years ago when then-aspiring water-polo club founders made their pitch to our area’s then-School Board Director Leslie Harris, a big step toward making the club-creation dream come true.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
There was a lot to celebrate at Chief Sealth International High School on Wednesday night, as student-athletes, coaches, and family members gathered for the school’s winter sports awards banquet.
Honorees included not one but two state wrestling champions, two all-league basketball players, and several other deserving award winners from across the various winter sports.
The evening began with a dinner in the Sealth IHS / Denny International Middle School galleria area:
Sealth principal Hope Perry welcomed guests and thanked everyone for attending and supporting the student-athletes:
CSIHS athletic director Ernest Policarpio (aka “Coach P”) kicked off the awards ceremony with some brief remarks and staff shout-outs:
Policarpio recognized Sealth parent Chatrice Young (at left, below) for stepping in to lead the “CheerHawks” cheerleading squad for a couple of months until a new head coach was found: That new coach is Dejanna Rhodes (at right):
Young thanked the Sealth staff for the support and pledged to help Rhodes however she can. Rhodes thanked Young for her efforts, and expressed excitement to lead the CheerHawks.
Policarpio brought all of his coaches to the front of the galleria, and passed the microphone around for updates about all of the winter sports.
As we reported last week, it was a particularly epic season for Sealth’s boys and girls wrestling teams, with coach Maurice Dolberry (six-time Metro League coach of the year, including this season) at the helm:
Both the boys and girls teams were conference champions and district champions, with 17 total state qualifiers as follows:
Boys
120lbs Senior Stevens Nguyen (2nd in Metro, 4th in Districts)
120lbs Senior Lucas Jones (Metro Champ, 3rd in Districts)
126lbs Senior Jonnathen Seng (Metro Champ, District Champ)
132lb Junior Xander Gomez (Metro Champ and District Champ)
138lb Junior Jumpy Kamili (2nd in Metro and District Champ)
144lb Sophomore Seneca Nguyen (3rd in Metro, 2nd in Districts)
144lb Sophomore Abdi Abdi (Metro Champ, 3rd in Districts)
150lb Senior Vlad Ponce Ramos (2nd in Metro, 3rd in Districts)
190lbs Senior Jessie Gilmore (Metro Champ and District Champ)
215lb Junior Eli Policarpio (Metro Champ and District Champ)
285lb Senior Shane Allen Tino (2nd in Metro and 4th in Districts)
285lb Junior Yusuf Donzo (Metro Champ and District Champ)
Girls
110lbs sophomore Nicole Ork (Metro and District Champ)
120lbs Senior Petra Sheppard (Metro and District Champ)
140lbs Senior Lucy Self (Metro and District Champ)
145lbs Senior Lanu Amituanai (Metro and District Champ)
155lb Senior Nyko Herndon (Metro and District Champ)
Dolberry noted that the boys went undefeated in conference and won 17 dual meets, and notched Sealth’s first known win over O’Dea High School in any sport, on O’Dea’s home floor by a convincing score of 70-12.
Lanu Amituanai (in the middle of the photo below, in the flowers, with her extended family) was state champion in the 2A 145lb bracket, and was the first female state champ from Seattle Public Schools. At state, she pinned every opponent including the final match, and during the season defeated eight other state placewinners.
Eli Policarpio (second from left below, with his family including proud dad Coach P) was state champion in the 2A 215lb bracket, and set a Metro Conference record with a 53-1 season. He “tech-falled” through the state tournament until the final, where he was injured but still finished and won.
Sealth was the first Metro Conference team to have two state wrestling champions in one year. Also at state, Lucy Self took 3rd place at 140lb and Yusuf Donzo took 6th at 285lb.
In basketball, the Seahawks had two all-league players this past season, including Alysse Bland, pictured here with coach Will Pablo:
And Adnaan Mohamed, pictured with coach Ja’Lyn Combs:
Pablo noted that the girls’ season started strong, then hit rough patches with injuries, with the team playing some games with only 1-2 subs, but that the team finished strong with a couple of playoff wins. Combs said the boys team won six games and has 7 returning players next year, and has a goal to double their wins next season and make it to state.
Notes from other sports:
Sealth also honored 9 athletes with “Jersey Mike’s Player of the Week” awards, announced by coach Kyler Gaither. From left to right below they were Elizabeth Andrews (bowling), Isabella Dilley (gymnastics), Harper Gilbert (cheer), Dez Masters (wrestling), Calvin Washington (basketball), Xander Gomez (wrestling) and Dajah Johnson (basketball). Not pictured: David Bye III (swimming) and Triana Tuia (flag football):
Next up were the presentation of the “2026 Seahawk Awards,” honoring exemplary student-athletes and leaders. Pictured from left to right below, they were Cole Peloza (swimming), Clair Chao (bowling), Harlee Wahl (flag football), Naomi Kindem (gymnastics), Alysse Bland (basketball), Judah Doucettperry (basketball), Nyko Herndon (wrestling), Jessie Gilmore (wrestling). Not pictured: Bella Rhodes (cheer):
To close out the awards presentation, Sealth’s cheer squad gave a rousing performance before the crowd broke up into individual per-sport meetups for each team:
Spring is near and so are baseball and softball. You can support West Seattle Little League and its hundreds of players via this year’s silent auction. Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
West Seattle Little League’s Silent Auction
Step up to the plate for West Seattle Little League’s Silent Auction Your bids help keep our fields safe, our equipment ready, and our teams welcoming for every kid who wants to play.
Every item you win supports youth baseball and softball — from uniforms and gear to field maintenance and training. Thank you for backing our players, their coaches, and the community that cheers them on.
West Seattle Little League proudly serves more than 800 local youth through our baseball and softball programs — including our new Softball Division and Challenger Program for children with additional needs.
We focus on sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and fun, right alongside teaching baseball and softball fundamentals.
Our league is 100% volunteer-operated, and thanks to the generous support of sponsors and donors, our Board of Directors can continue improving the experience for every player and family we serve.
Your contributions directly support our mission by helping us:
-Continuously enhance and maintain the Bar-S fields to the highest standards.
-Provide scholarships and equipment to ensure every child can play.
-Support our mentorship programs and community events.
-Cover team gear, field rentals, and league expenses.
-Fund important capital improvement projects that keep WSLL growing strong.
You can browse and bid here, through Saturday, March 14.
Thanks to the team at Row West – the new indoor-rowing studio in The Junction – for letting us know about this achievement:
Row West head coach Susan Gehrke broke TWO world records (last) weekend, one that had stood since 2014, in qualifying rounds for the World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships!
General manager Nicole Pierson adds:
The 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships, presented by Concept2, began on February 21st with Heats in the 1 minute and 1000m events. Racing from their homes or clubs around the world, competitors were all connected virtually through Concept2 indoor rowing machines. Susan Gehrke, rowing in Lightweight category for Women 75-79, set new age category world records in both events (pending official confirmation from Concept 2:
-1 minute row 280 meters (previous world record 262 meters set in 2025)
-1000m row: 4:05.5 (previous world record 4:09.2 set in 2014)
Row West opened earlier this winter at 4740 44th SW.
Last weekend, we noted that two Chief Sealth International High School wrestlers won state championships. Sealth athletic director Ernest Policarpio says that’s just part of the team’s triumphs toward season’s end, and sent full details with photos:
It was a great finish for the boys and girls wrestling team of Chief Sealth.
The girls won their 7th consecutive Metro Title and their 2nd District 2 Title, bringing 5 girls to the Tacoma Dome.
The boys won their first Dual Meet Championship in over 30 years, going 16-0 in Metro Duals. Their 2nd 2A Team Metro Title and 2nd District 2 Championship.
Coach Maurice Dolberry won 2026 2A Metro Coach of the Year, Xander Gomez and Eli Policarpio won 2026 most outstanding wrestler of the year for the Metro League,
The wrestlers below qualified for the state tournament
120lbs Senior Stevens Nguyen (2nd in Metro, 4th in Districts)
120lbs Senior Lucas Jones (Metro Champ, 3rd in Districts)
126lbs Senior Jonnathen Seng (Metro Champ, District Champ)
132lb Junior Xander Gomez (Metro Champ and District Champ)
138lb Junior Jumpy Kamili (2nd in Metro and District Champ)
144lb Sophomore Seneca Nguyen (3rd in Metro, 2nd in Districts)
144lb Sophomore Abdi Abdi (Metro Champ, 3rd in Districts)
150lb Senior Vlad Ponce Ramos (2nd in Metro, 3rd in Districts)
190lbs Senior Jessie Gilmore (Metro Champ and District Champ)
215lb Junior Eli Policarpio (Metro Champ and District Champ)
285lb Senior Shane Allen Tino (2nd in Metro and 4th in Districts)
285lb Junior Yusuf Donzo (Metro Champ and District Champ)Girls
110lbs sophomore Nicole Ork (Metro and District Champ)
120lbs Senior Petra Sheppard (Metro and District Champ)
140lbs Senior Lucy Self (Metro and District Champ)
145lbs Senior Lanu Amituanai (Metro and District Champ)
155lb Senior Nyko Herndon (Metro and District Champ)4 wrestlers placed at the State Tournament:
Lanu Amituanai won the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 2A 145lb bracket and became the 1st Seattle Public Schools female State Champion!
Eli Policarpio won the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 2A 215lb bracket. 2nd State Champion in Sealth history and 5th State Champ in the Metro League.
Lucy Self took 3rd in State at 140lb and Yusuf Donzo took 6th in State at 285lb.
Two Chief Sealth International High School wrestlers are coming home from this weekend’s state tournament at the Tacoma Dome with championships! Eli Policarpio won the boys’ 2A 215 class by 9-8 decision over Theo Stevens of North Kitsap; Lanu Arnituanai won the girls’ 2A 145 class by fall (at 3:39) over Emily Gomez, also from North Kitsap. Both of those champion Sealth wrestlers took 5th at state last year. Two other CSIHS wrestlers made it to the state semifinals – Lucy Self in girls’ 2A 140, Yusuf Donzo in boys’ 2A 285. Congratulations to the wrestlers and coach Maurice Dolberry!
More local high-school swimmers headed for state, starting tomorrow! Here’s the announcement about West Seattle High School athletes:
Congrats to the West Seattle Boys Swim & Dive team – after a nearly undefeated dual meet season, the Wildcats recently finished 4th overall at the Metro League Championships, where they were also awarded the team Sportsmanship Award.
Thirteen Wildcats made Districts cuts during the season, 11 of whom competed at 3A Sea-King District Championships last weekend: Nate Boehmer, Enzo Conte, Luca Conte, Mason Duffy, Brisan Hruska, Casey Laplante, Lars Norman, Jeremy O’Keefe, Mac Rysemus, Ben Wrenholt, Tom Wrenholt.
Of this group, 10 athletes are headed to State this upcoming weekend, qualifying to compete in all three relays: 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay, as well as select individual events: Tom Wrenholt (500 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle), Ben Wrenholt (200 IM), and Mason Duffy (100 Fly, 100 Back).
Congrats to the whole Wildcat Boys Swim & Dive team and their amazing coaches — Karen Boehmer (Head Coach), Logan Rysemus & Ryan O’Donnell — on an awesome season, and good luck, State swimmers!
State competition is at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
Also looking ahead to the state championships, Chief Sealth International High School swimmers! Here’s the update we received to share with you:
Chief Sealth Boys Swim & Dive had an outstanding performance at the Sea-King District Championships this past weekend!
The team finished 3rd overall with 160 points, competing against schools from across the district. Our swimmers posted 21 personal records throughout the weekend, demonstrating the hard work and dedication they’ve put in all season.
Most exciting, we’re sending athletes to the State Championships:
• Two individual events qualified for state. (Theo Franzen)• Our 400 Free Relay team secured their spot with a thrilling 0.54-second victory over Renton in the final event. (Cole Peloza, Theo Franzen, August Truman, Dominic Melanese, David Ohta, and Nico Balducci)
Thank you to all our swimmers, families, and supporters. Best of luck to our state qualifiers as they prepare for the championship meet this Friday!
The championships are happening at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
Championship season isn’t over yet for winter high-school sports. We have word today of another local athlete who’s competing at state – here’s the announcement:
West Seattle resident and O’Dea High School junior Marcelo Slye is headed to the 3A State Diving Championship this Friday, February 20th. The competition will take place at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
Marcelo earned his spot at state after an impressive second-place finish at the WIAA Metro League Competition last week. His strong performance secured his advancement to the state-level competition and capped off a standout season.
Remarkably, Marcelo only began diving two years ago, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Giovanni. In a short time, he has developed into one of the top competitors in the region.
Teammates, coaches, and the entire O’Dea community are proud of Marcelo’s accomplishments. Special recognition goes to Coach Chris Sellers for his dedication and commitment to supporting student-athletes both in and out of the pool.
Best of luck to Marcelo and Coach Sellers as they represent O’Dea on the state stage.
Just a few months before the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, the Mariners won the Divisional Championship. Now this year’s season is in sight, with the M’s playing their first spring-training game in Arizona in six days. It’s also time to snap up a regular-season ticket deal that also benefits the West Seattle High School baseball team, if you haven’t already. Here’s the reminder:
West Seattle Day at T-Mobile Park – Support WSHS BaseballJoin all of West Seattle at T-Mobile park as the Mariners take on the Mets June 2nd at 6:40 pm. These are the best tickets in town at only $30 for lower level and $20 for the upper level!
Proceeds help support West Seattle High School Baseball and our opportunity to play at T-Mobile Park!
Each year, only 20 high school programs across the region are invited to participate in the Mariners Baseball Classic, an opportunity that allows student-athletes to play on an MLB field. West Seattle was one of the first schools ever included — and staying in the Classic is something our players must earn every year.
That’s where West Seattle Day at T-Mobile Park comes in.
The WSHS Baseball program is hosting a Mariners ticket fundraiser for the Mariners vs. New York Mets on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:40 PM. Ticket sales directly fund the program and secure West Seattle’s spot in the Mariners Baseball Classic which is free for the whole community to attend.
100 Level: $30 | 300 Level: $20
Can’t attend? Tickets can be gifted or donated to local organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, community centers, and youth baseball/softball programs (like WSLL and WSBB) — spreading the love and the game across West Seattle.
Let’s fill the stands in blue, cheer loud, and show the Mariners what West Seattle support looks like.
*Buy tickets here: WSHS Baseball – M’s Ticket Sales Fundraiser
*Share the link with friends, family, and coworkersSee you at T-Mobile Park.
While the region’s attention focused on football these past several hours, we have news from the two local teams playing what much of the rest of the world knows as football – West Seattle Junction FC and West Seattle Rhodies FC. Their full schedules for this season are now out, as announced by the teams’ owners.
The season starts at home – Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – with a doubleheader, both teams playing, on May 10th. Details on the Junction FC season are here; details on the Rhodies FC season are here. The schedule announcements also mean single-match tickets are on sale.
11:29 AM: It’s on – the Seahawks‘ Super Bowl victory parade (starting half an hour later than planned)! If you’re not there, you can watch here. Pics and updates to come.
11:51 AM: The vehicles are finally on 4th Avenue.
12:08 PM: Ground-level sights from Ian:
The parade is over, where it began – the 4th/Washington camera shows the crowd dispersing. But it’s just arriving in the heart of downtown – the Seahawks Dancers and Blue Thunder leading the way.
12:35 PM: After an hour, the parade is now passing through the north end of the route, as shown by the 4th/Virginia traffic cam, a few blocks south of the announced end at 4th/Cedar.
1:12 PM: It’s officially over. Next season’s schedule isn’t out yet, but here are some hints.
1:37 PM: Thanks to Steven Rice for this pic of an offshore show during the parade:
ADDED: A view from Lora, toward the south end of the route:
And from a texter, at the train station near Lumen Field, one of many nostalgic jerseys:
Planning to take the West Seattle Water Taxi to get downtown for Wednesday’s Seahawks victory parade? Not only will the boat(s) keep filling up, heading out, heading back, and repeating as often as it takes to get everyone across the bay (and, afterward, back), the Water Taxi shuttle buses will add service too. A spokesperson tells WSB, “West Seattle Water Taxi Shuttle routes 773 and 775 will have extra service on Wednesday 2/11/2026 between 8 AM and 4 PM for the Seahawks Victory Parade, with additional buses departing about 15 minutes after normally scheduled trips, as well as extra service between 9:00 am and 10:30 am.” The shuttle buses are free but the Water Taxi itself is not, so you’re reminded to be ready for that. Metro also is running shuttles downtown and has updated its parade-day-transit post with info on that. (Reminder that we’ll have extra coverage tomorrow morning too with transit/traffic info including updates from the Water Taxi dock at Seacrest.)
(WSB reader photo from February 5, 2014, paradegoers catching C Line in Junction)
We’ll be out tomorrow morning reporting on paradegoers outbound from West Seattle but we ourselves probably won’t be joining the blue-and-green crush on the other side of the bay, so in the year-round WSB spirit of community collaboration, we’re hoping to get a pic from you and/or some of the West Seattle 12s who will be there too, as we did in 2014 (as shown here). It’s as much about the crowd than the players – see anybody with awesome gear (maybe even your crew)? Super sign? Text our hotline 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com when you can – thank you in advance and have fun!
More sports news before the night is out: Two more local students bowled in state competition today. At the girls’ 1A/2A championships, two Chief Sealth International High School bowlers were there as individual competitors. Of the 105 bowlers from all over the state, Sealth’s Claire Chao finished 33rd. with 838 pins in six gaes, while Sealth’s Elizabeth Andrews finished 43rd, with 818.
Got a youth-soccer player age 8 to 12 in the household? Here’s a free opportunity during next week’s mid-winter break!
Junction & Rhodies FC, FREE Mid-Winter Break Soccer Clinic
Looking for a fun, active way to spend mid-winter break? WS Junction & Rhodies FC, in conjunction with their project Open Goal, is excited to invite youth players ages 8–12 to a FREE Mid-Winter Break Soccer Clinic at Walt Hundley Field on February 19 and 20!
In partnership with the Northwest Soccer Foundation and King County Council District 8, this two-day clinic is all about keeping kids moving, building skills, and celebrating the joy of the game—no matter their experience level.
What to Expect
Age-appropriate coaching focused on fundamentals, confidence, and teamwork led by Club coaching staff.
-Skill stations, small-sided games, and plenty of touches on the ball
-Positive, inclusive environment led by experienced coaches
-Completely FREE to participateClinic Details
Who: Youth players ages 8–12
When: February 19 & 20
Where: Walt Hundley Field
Cost: Free
This free 2 -day clinic represents an important partnership with King County District 8 “Get Active, Stay Active” grant program. Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda noted, “I’m proud to support the Junction and Rhodies FC as they work toward expanding access to games and clinics for the young footballers of D8. This work is more important than ever as soccer fever descends upon our region with the World Cup coming in just a few months. We need more opportunities for our kiddos to get outside, get active and be in positive spaces to build community and lead healthy lives and this work does just that.”
Registration is required on the Club’s website event calendar: REGISTER HERE
If you’re a Seattle Public Schools student or staffer, and/or have one in your household, you’ve likely already seen this, but for those who have not, here’s the official SPS word on Wednesday:
Dear SPS Families,
Seattle is buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory! Moments like this bring our city together, spark pride across generations, and remind us of the power of shared experiences in our community.
As the city plans celebrations, including a victory parade planned for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m., we want families to know that Seattle Public Schools will remain open with the normal early-release Wednesday schedule.
Keeping schools open is an important part of maintaining stability, safety, and continuity for our students. For many families, schools provide not only learning, but also meals, transportation, specialized services, and trusted routines. Remaining open allows us to support students’ academic progress while ensuring essential services continue for those who rely on them.
Please note:
-Attendance policies will remain in effect, and parade attendance will not be considered an excused absence.
-Families should plan ahead for possible traffic or transit impacts, particularly near the parade route.
-Schools will continue instruction and student services.We encourage families to celebrate this historic moment in ways that work best for your household, while also helping us keep learning strong across the district.
Thank you for your partnership and support as we balance celebration with our shared commitment to students.
Go Hawks!
Fred Podesta
Chief Operations Officer
Seattle Public Schools
(Podesta was interim superintendent until Ben Shuldiner started work last week.) In 2014, according to our archived coverage, then-superintendent José Banda let individual principals decide whether to excuse students – but that was a change of heart after the original announcement that nobody would be excused.
(Reader photo, February 2014)
That was what it looked like at Seacrest as Seahawks victory parade-goers lined up to catch the West Seattle Water Taxi on February 5, 2014 – we had ongoing outbound travel coverage that day, as we will this Wednesday, plus reader pics from the 700,000+ parade crowd. Here’s what Metro says so far about Wednesday transit plans – relevant excerpts from their regional news release:
Get ready to celebrate with the Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawks by taking transit to be part of the festivities!
All of the regional transit agencies – Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries – will be working together to ensure that fans will be able to get to and from the parade route along Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle. …
Travel early, stay late
With hundreds of thousands of people expected downtown we expect demand to skyrocket on transit and at area parking garages – so we’re putting more service on the streets, the rails and the water to help. Many buses will also be on reroute so riders may need to transfer to bus shuttles or light rail to reach downtown destinations.
We encourage people, including those coming downtown for work, to please travel early and allow additional travel time. Patience will be your best teammate on Wednesday.
But before you go, please make a plan: Travel early and review your transit options and prepare to be flexible. And after the big event, fans are encouraged to spend some time downtown to spread out demand while transit works hard to carry everybody back home.
Transit can bring you to the events
Times have changed since the last Super Bowl parade in 2014. The Sound Transit Link 1 Line now stretches from Lynnwood to Federal Way and tens of thousands of people now can travel more quickly and easily to the celebration.
Sound Transit will be operating 1 Line trains every (6) six minutes from 5 a.m. through 6 p.m., and Sounder service will operate an additional four trips, with three trains on the S Line from Lakewood and Tacoma and one on the N Line from Everett.
Metro bus service, Seattle Streetcars, Kitsap Fast Ferries, and additional Water Taxi service will also bring more riders to downtown Seattle.
Parade, street closures will affect transit service
The City of Seattle plans to close several downtown streets early Wednesday before the parade begins on Fourth Avenue. King County Metro plans to reroute bus service starting around 5 a.m. and until the streets reopen after the parade. Many buses that usually travel through downtown will pick up and drop off riders at hubs north and south of downtown. East-west buses that usually cross Fourth Avenue also will be rerouted, meaning riders should plan to potentially walk or roll a few blocks to reach their destinations. Riders are encouraged to review these changes on Metro’s service advisories page.
Your best resource on how to use transit to get downtown will be from the transit system you use. Go to the website of your favorite mode of transport to get more information on transit to the parade. …
King County Metro
To keep service moving reliably, these key changes are planned:
Special shuttles: To keep riders moving within the Seattle downtown core, special north-south shuttles will operate, and riders are encouraged to use Link 1 Line trains in the transit tunnel to travel through the downtown core. More details and a map of Metro’s parade day shuttle will be posted online as soon as possible.
Metro, Sound Transit and Community Transit buses coming from the north plan to drop off riders at the north end of downtown Seattle. A planned hub at Mercer Street and Queen Anne Avenue will allow riders to connect to a Second Avenue circulator shuttle into the central business district. This shuttle will operate on the west side of the parade via Second and Third avenues and travel to and from Cherry Street. A second rider hub is planned at Boren Avenue and Pike Street and will connect riders to a shuttle that will operate on the east side of the parade route and travel on Boren Avenue to South Jackson Street.
Metro, Sound Transit and Pierce Transit buses coming from the Eastside and the south end plan to drop off riders near SODO and Stadium stations, where riders can board the 1 Line, walk or roll to the parade route, or take bus routes traveling farther north. Shuttle buses will be available north of South Jackson Street. A map of shuttle connections will be posted online.
East-west bus routes will be unable to cross the Fourth Avenue parade route and will be rerouted, with details posted on Metro’s Service Advisories web page prior to the event. …
King County Water Taxi: Additional Water Taxi sailings are planned on Wednesday to accommodate fans coming from Vashon and West Seattle, with a third vessel available if needed.
We’re checking for more specifics (here’s what they did in 2014, for example) and will add when/if available.
ADDED 12:22 PM: Metro spokesperson Al Sanders elaborates, “This will be a dynamic day and Marine will have staff and vessels ready to support and will be continually evaluating/adapting service as best they can. The decision on the third boat will be based on available space at pier 50 and volume of people in the moment. Marine will already be running more frequent service with our larger primary vessels. For awareness: Kitsap Transit will be also running additional service on multiple routes.” That’s one big change from 2014 – the Water Taxi’s downtown dock at Pier 50 is shared by more vessels, with the Kitsap Transit runs. The downtown dock was upgraded and reopened in 2019.
(First and last photos courtesy WSHS Softball)
Hours before the Seahawks took the field in California, members of the West Seattle High School softball team took the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. Their mission this morning: A skills clinic for younger players.
(This photo and next three by WSB’s Torin Record-Sand)
They taught two groups, separated by skill level and experience.
This is not only a mentoring opportunity – it’s a fundraiser; the entry fees go to the WSHS Booster Club to fund team needs that the school budget doesn’t cover.
The clinic has been held since 2021, originally the idea of WSHS player Kamil Ygnacio, now an alum, but her sister Kaila led today’s event with her team co-captain Kenzie (they’re at L and R below with head coach Kyler Tsukada):
The fastpitch varsity team has another fundraiser this week that’s open to all, a dine-out fundraiser Wednesday (February 11), 5-9 pm, at Chipotle in The Junction – the info and ordering code can be found in our calendar listing. The team’s 2026 season starts in March.
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