PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB

Huge night for West Seattle High School quarterback Carlos Patino (above) as the Wildcats scored their first football win of the season, 54-14 over Lincoln last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. Patino threw for 7 touchdowns and ran one in too.; the defense scored a safety and Grady Scheff caught an interception. Justice Nguyen caught three touchdowns while Scheff and Cohen Cicero caught two each. Here’s Scheff running past Lincoln defenders after catching a pass from Patino to score a touchdown on the opening drive:

Big night for the fans too:

Here’s Nguyen preparing to catch a pass from Patino before taking it into the endzone:

Below, Nguyen breaks a tackle on his way to his second touchdown

Kian Deeds, kicking an extra point.

Cicero catches a pass for a touchdown:

Cicero and Patino, celebrating a touchdown in the second quarter:

The Cheer Team had a spirited night:

Dylan Seaborn-Diaz rushing in the fourth quarter.

And Patino throwing his seventh touchdown of the game:

The Wildcats are home again next week, 7 pm Friday (September 25) vs. Roosevelt at NCSWAC,

More than 100 golfers arrived at West Seattle Golf Course just after sunrise this morning for the first-ever West Seattle YMCA Golf Tournament, raising money to ensure more community members can access programs to help them live healthy lives.

They started with a “mega-putt,” where a prize awaited the golfer who got the closest to a hole in the center of the putting green:

But before that, they paused in observance of today’s 25th anniversary of 9/11, listening to former NFL player and current Y executive Greg Lewis talk about the spirit of service that arose in the wake of the attacks, and is carried on by organizations like the Y with the help of supporters like those participating in the tournament:

About six hours later, they gathered for lunch and awards:

And they were joined by guest speaker City Councilmember Rob Saka:

He extolled the virtues of the Y and presented a proclamation:

The Y presented the golf tournament with sponsorship support from Nucor (which like the Y is also a WSB sponsor):

West Seattle/Fauntleroy branch executive Cleveland King – above right with Nucor’s Seattle general manager Mark Davis – said the proceeds will support a wide variety of the people the Y assists, from domestic-violence survivors to students who need life-saving swim lessons, and more.

Quick youth-sports announcement: West Seattle Lacrosse is looking for coaches – high-school girls assistant coach, high-school boys head and assistant coaches, 3rd/4th grade girls’ coach. Contact westseattlelax@gmail.com with any questions and/or interestl

West Seattle Little League‘s 11U Softball All-Stars won their historic softball championship on Saturday 25+ miles away in Gig Harbor – so many hometown fans didn’t get to be there to cheer for them – but this afternoon at Bar-S, the players and their supporters got to make up for that. The players were introduced during a break in play in the state tournament WSLL is currenly hosting. Then they unveiled their championship banner in its spot along the banners from WSLL’s two baseball state championships:

And before the brief celebration wrapped up, the group shot:

Proud parents, grandparents, coaches, etc. were there to record the moment:

Among them was District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, whose daughter Maeve is on the championship team. As noted in our West Seattle Grand Parade coverage two Saturdays ago, he walked in the parade with the team, handing out LOVE SOFTBALL stickers to spectators.

SIDE NOTE: Though WSLL doesn’t have a team in the state tournament it’s hosting for a younger group of players, it’s fun to watch and you’re welcome to come claim a spot on the bleachers this week – here’s the bracket with teams and times.

(Photos courtesy West Seattle Little League)

Congratulations to the 11U Softball All-Stars of West Seattle Little League, who became state champions on Saturday, also earning a place in WSLL history as the league’s first state champs in softball. Here’s the report sent to us to share with you:

West Seattle Little League (WSLL) is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone as our 11U All-Star Softball team captured the 2026 Washington State Championship title on Saturday.

After losing its opening game, WSLL battled through the consolation bracket, earning a spot back in the championship game. The team defeated opponents by a combined score of 55-10, going 6-1 in the state tournament, playing seven games in seven days. They defeated the same team that handed them their first loss, not once, but twice, to claim the state title.

This championship marks a historic achievement for WSLL softball. The league launched its softball program in 2022, making this the program’s first-ever state championship. It is also just the third state title in WSLL history, joining the league’s 2017 11U Baseball State Championship and 2018 12U Baseball State Championship.

WSLL sent three All-Star teams to compete in the state tournament this season – 11U Softball: state champions; 11U Baseball: third place; and 12U Baseball: finished with a 2–2 record.

WSLL is also proud to host the Washington State 8/9/10 Softball Tournament at Bar-S Playfield (6425 SW Admiral Way) now through August 1. Stop by to watch some great Little League softball [schedule here], or volunteer to help make the tournament a success. To get involved, email info@westseattlelittleleague.com.

The WSLL team won the championship in Gig Harbor with a 4-1 victory over Magnolia/Northeast Seattle.

West Seattle Baseball has two announcements for players and families – first, they’re launching Bigfoot Baseball Camp; second, Coach Ballgame is returning to the Pee Wee Fields. Here’s info about both!

Bigfoot Baseball Camp Brings a New Kind of Summer Ball to West Seattle

Bigfoot Baseball Camp is officially launching this August in partnership with West Seattle Baseball, offering young players a week-long, confidence‑building baseball experience led by former Stanford and professional player Sean Flikke. Running August 10–14 at the West Seattle Pee Wee Baseball Fields, the camp blends high‑quality instruction with character development, teamwork, and the joyful spirit of Sandlot baseball — creating a summer environment where players ages 5–12 can grow their skills, strengthen their mindset, and fall even more in love with the game.

Learn more here; register here.

Coach Ballgame is back at the Pee Wee Fields on August 30

The National Sandlot Tour is a throwback to the Old School Neighborhood baseball game. Kids will learn the basic skills of the game in a no-pressure environment and have an outrageous amount of fun. Each kid will get a nickname, hear inspirational stories of Baseball legends, and build character by learning what being a ball player is all about.

Register here.

For more information about either program and questions, please reach out to communications@westseattlebaseball.com

If you’ve never been – the Pee Wee Fields are in Riverview.

Their seasons are over but West Seattle Junction FC and Rhodies FC players’ community involvement continues – part of it is this upcoming weeklong summer camp:

Looking for a fun and active way to spend the last weeks of summer? Join Junction FC & Rhodies FC Summer Soccer Camp at Delridge Playfields from August 3–7, running daily from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.

Players will enjoy a full week of skill development, small-sided games, fun competitions, and confidence-building activities led by Junction FC & Rhodies FC coaches and players. Camp is open to players of all skill levels and is designed to help every athlete improve while having a great time.

*August 3–7
*9:00 AM–2:00 PM
*Delridge Playfields

Register today and finish your summer on the pitch with Junction FC & Rhodies FC!

A big game is just hours away for the West Seattle Little League All-Star Baseball 11U team – one of the teams that WSLL tells us have had a successful summer! Here’s the update shared by the league:

Each summer, West Seattle Little League’s All-Star teams compete against other Little League programs from across Washington. Teams begin tournament play at the district level, with the opportunity to advance to the state, regional, and even national tournaments. Players are selected to represent West Seattle Little League based on their skill, sportsmanship, hard work, and character and we’re incredibly proud of all they accomplished this season!

District Tournament Results

Softball

· 10U – 4th Place
· 11U – District Champions
· 12U – 2nd Place

Baseball

· 10U – 3rd Place
· 11U – District Champions
· 12U – District Champions

State Tournament Games

Exciting news happening right now! Our Baseball 11U team is currently competing in the state tournament. If you’re looking to support some talented local players, head to Lynndale Park (18927 72nd Ave. W., Lynnwood) today for their 4:00 p.m. game. A win sends them to the state championship game on Friday, July 17, at 6:00 p.m.

Next up, our Softball 11U team heads to Gig Harbor and our Baseball 12U team travels to Walla Walla for their state tournaments, both taking place July 18–25.

Congratulations to all of our All-Star players, coaches, and families on an outstanding tournament season so far. Good luck at state—we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way! You can follow the state tournament brackets here https://littleleaguewash.org/state-tournaments/2026-state-softball-baseball-tournament-brackets/.

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Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby is one of dozens of community organizations you’ll see in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade – and when they roll by, you can applaud them for one of their team’s success at nationals! Here’s an update from the SSR:

(Photo by Lydia Brewer Photography)
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Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby’s Rebels come back from Chicago with silver medals after winning second place at the Junior Roller Derby Championships this past weekend (July 11-12). The finale game was tied in the last few seconds before 1st place Des Moines Derby Brats pulled ahead to win by just three points, 139-136.

What’s next? SSR skaters from all teams will skate in the West Seattle Grand Parade to help recruit the next generation of players for New Skater Clinics this September (Sign up link here). And tryouts for next season’s Rebels and Rivals teams are coming in late September/early October.

(WSB photo from 2023)

Thanks to Mike for the tip! Three years after graduating from West Seattle High School, Miles Gosztola has been drafted by Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers chose the left-handed pitcher in the draft’s eighth round, according to this report from the University of Oregon, where he’s been playing and studying. After transferring from Gonzaga, Gosztola joined the Ducks’ starting rotation and had a 3.61 earned-run average in 62+ innings. He has two weeks to decide whether to give the majors a shot or continue with his college career.

Interested in – or already playing – tennis? The Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club asked us to share this opportunity with you:

(Pictured left to right are Youth Coaches and Tennis Pros: Mason, Nick, Siggy, Caerwyn, Clara, Honora)

If you’re looking to start or refine tennis skills, or meet other tennis players, look no further! Top-notch Adult and Youth/Junior Tennis instruction is available in West Seattle (no more driving across the Bridge!) Caerwyn Evans, Founder & Tennis Pro of WynTennis Academy, and his coaching staff (Siggy Menzel & Josh Bailin) will be at “The Arb” through August 31st. Arbor Heights Swim & Tennis Club is fortunate to have partnered with WynTennis to bring their dynamic and fun squad to the PNW. Caerwyn was recently awarded the Manager of the Year for Coachella Valley and he is excited to be teaching in the northwest to escape the desert heat. Classes are open to non-members! Additional info and registration can be found here.

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Thanks to David for the tip and photos showing work under way at the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex upper softball field. The project includes a new synthetic turf field and new fencing. Lighting is also planned next year for the field, with public comment ending tomorrow — more on that later.

We reached out to Seattle Public Schools Project Manager Conrad Plyler about what’s involved in the immediate project. He says it’s one of the last two fields districtwide to be replaced in a decade-long process of removing those that have crushed rock and a crumb rubber layer under the artificial turf. Plyler explained that field surfaces need to be replaced every 10-12 years, and beginning in 2016, SPS started using a cork and sand layer in lieu of the crumb rubber, which “gets everywhere” and can impact salmon. He says the cork and sand combo is also, “more resilient for head trauma.” The fields at Madison Middle School and next to the gym at West Seattle High School were the most recent large fields to be replaced in West Seattle in 2023.

Work on the softball field started on June 18th, with removal of the old surfaces and the rubber. The new field will have a 25 millimeter “elastic layer,” then the sand and cork, and finally the artificial turf. The work is being funded by two levies — the 2025 BEX VI and 2022 Buildings, Technology and Academics/Athletics levy (BTA V). Plyler says the contractor, FieldTurf, USA, will finish the work, “no later than the start of school,” though possibly as soon as the middle of August. The contractor is performing the work under a cooperative contract that includes concurrent work on the track and field at Roosevelt High School and the track at Ballard High School.

The turf project is just the start of work planned for the field over the next year. The softball field, which Plyler says is smaller than regulation and is frequently used for JV practice, has no lighting, so SPS plans to install 6 new 70’ poles at the field next summer. Early this year, old sodium halide lighting at the Athletic Complex stadium was replaced with LED lighting that limits “glare and spillage.” Plyler says the planned softball field lights “are identical to the lights just installed.”

Plyler says because the lights are new, and as a courtesy to neighbors, SPS is going through a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process that includes a draft environmental checklist finished this spring. That process allows neighbors and others to comment on any concerns they have about the new lights. Plyler says while the 70’ poles are tall, the LED fixtures allow light to be focused more narrowly on the playfield than shorter poles would, reducing spillage and the number of poles required. Once the comment period ends tomorrow at 5pm, the final SEPA checklist will be completed, and barring lengthy appeals, SPS will apply for city permits and install the lighting in the next round of summer levy projects.

SEPA checklist comments can be made by email to SEPAcomments@seattleschools.org – and there’s more information about this on SPS’s SEPA page; scroll down to the section for Interim or Non-School Sites.

Watch FIFA World Cup play and a West Seattle Junction FC match, all in one place, one night! Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:

Junction FC is hosting a FIFA World Cup Watch Party on Wednesday, July 1, at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, with gates opening at 4:30 PM and the watch party beginning at 5:00 PM. Fans can watch the world’s biggest tournament on multiple big-screen TVs in a fun, family-friendly outdoor setting with picnic tables, lawn blankets, and seating available. Guests are also welcome to bring their own camping chairs and enjoy food and refreshments while taking in the match.

The first 50 youth attendees will receive a FREE Panini World Cup Sticker Album, sticker packs, country flags, and World Cup goodie bags.

They will also have a full restock of our popular Red, White, & Blues third kits, inspired by the FIFA World Cup, West Seattle, and America’s 250th anniversary.

Following the watch party, Junction FC hosts Bigfoot FC under the lights with kickoff at 7:30 PM at Southwest Athletic Complex.

In the 5 pm match during the watch party, the USA men will face Bosnia-Herzegovina. The watch party is included in adult tickets for the match; kids 12 and under are free.

West Seattle has yet more champs! Zack Hill sent the update and photos after Rain City Ropeworks jump-rope athletes returned from national competition:

West Seattle-based jump-rope team Rain City Ropeworks, coached by former world champion jumper Rene Bibaud, just returned from the 2026 American Jump Rope National Championship in Buffalo, NY, and the team did great. Fifteen local athletes competed and several of them placed in the top 3 nationally. Additionally, 5 athletes were national age-group champions:

Double Dutch Pairs Freestyle (19+-year-old Female division): Calla Freeman, Riley Hill, Halle Morgan, Madeleine Garrison

Single Rope Speed Sprint (19+-year-old Male division): Kai Widmer

Thanks to everyone in the community who has supported the team this year. While this team has produced multiple national champion athletes, Rene coaches everyone from beginners to world-class performers. For anyone with kids interested in learning more about jump rope, Rene is teaching multiple camps this summer, including in West Seattle.