West Seattle, Washington
04 Thursday
Congratulations to the West Seattle High School Wildcats softball team for another strong season, which ended tonight. The team, coached by Kyler Tsukada, made it to the district tournament again this year but lost their opening game, 9-4, vs. Renton’s Liberty High School, played at Juanita HS in Kirkland. The Wildcats finish the year 11-11.
(2023 photo by David Hutchinson)
One more look ahead before the weekend ends … next Sunday (May 19) brings the West Seattle 5K to Alki! It’s the season’s first big 5K, presented by the West Seattle High School PTSA to raise money for WSHS. The morning starts with Alki and Harbor Avenues closing to vehicle traffic around 8 am, then:
8:30-9:15 am: Day-of-event registration
9:10 am: Pre-race warm-up
9:30 am: 5K Run/Walk starts
8:30 to 11:30 am: Visit our sponsor booths and enjoy student music
You can register online right now, or register in person at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) the day before the WS5K (noon-5 pm Saturday, May 18). The start/finish line next Sunday is near 61st/Alki. See you there!
Thanks to Chief Sealth International High School athletic director Ernest Policarpio for sending the announcement and photos:
Congratulations to the Chief Sealth and West Seattle 2024 Washington Athletic Club /101 Club award winners:
Chief Sealth
Isaac Martinez, Ocean Freeman, Jeylen Pham, Breanna Tran, Jennie Brown, and Joy Ohta (Not Present) (Also in the pic: AD Ernest Policarpio and Assistant Principal Isaisha Perry)
West Seattle
Carmen Cruz, Kamil Ignacio, Sole Norman, Bo Gionet, Matthew Henning, and Gibson Aguilar
The WAC & 101 Club Awards honor 3 boys and 3 girls from each school who have athletic & academic achievements.
(WSB photos)
The West Seattle High School Wildcats are the Metro League champions for the second time in three years! They won the title game against Ballard 7-1 tonight at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. WSHS was ahead 2-0 after the first inning and never looked back.
(#11, TJ Buehring)
A few more innings went by before West Seattle started piling on the runs by methodically advancing after getting on base – a single here, an RBI there, a stolen base here.
(#7, Caden Fahy)
Miles Chandler was the winning pitcher. Head coach Dylan Mclauchlin‘s Wildcats had already secured a spot in the state tournament, which starts Tuesday.
When their next game is set, it’ll appear on this bracket.
SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The next game is set – next Saturday (May 18), 1 pm, vs. Peninsula, at Edmonds-Woodway HS. It’s a potential doubleheader, as it’s a must-win game, with the winner advancing to another game that afternoon.
(WSB photos. Above, #9, senior Caitlin Gordon)
Metro League tournament play wrapped up tonight for the West Seattle High School softball team, after two games – one victory, one loss. In their first game of the afternoon, the Wildcats beat Seattle Prep, 12-5. Our photos are from the second game, a 15-5 loss to Lincoln.
(Above, #12, sophomore Mackenzie Curry Uzwack)
The Wildcats ended the tournament with sixth place. Now it’s on to the District 2 tournament, which starts Monday.
(Above, #13, freshman Violet Faull)
They’ll be playing on the eastside, at Juanita HS in Kirkland – first game, 6 pm Monday vs. Liberty.
(WSB photos)
One of the three local high-school teams that played Metro League postseason ballgames this afternoon and evening is still standing: The West Seattle High School softball team. Our photos are from the first of the two games they played today at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, an 11-1 win over Eastside Catholic. Above, Julia Herron at the plate – she hit a triple today. Below, Tangerine Zurek threw a complete game, giving up only five hits and one run.
A few hours later, the Wildcats lost to Roosevelt, 14-0. WSHS’s next game is at 3:30 pm Friday vs. the loser of tonight’s Blanchet-Prep game.
Also in softball today, Chief Sealth International High School lost a must-win game vs. Holy Names at NCSWAC this afternoon, 15-0.
Chief Sealth’s baseball team also came to the end of its road at the Metro tournament today, losing to Blanchet 2-0 at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.
Ford Rains pitched the complete game, giving up 2 runs on only 1 hits and 1 walk. The Seahawks almost rallied in the final inning – Mason Filitaula drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and made it to third.
But a double play ended the game.
P.S. The WSHS baseball team is off until Saturday, when it plays Ballard for the Metro championship, also at Steve Cox (1321 SW 102nd), at 7 pm.
(WSB photos)
#42 Sabin Tomlinson jumped exuberantly as he finished rounding the bases following a two-run sixth-inning homer that helped power the West Seattle HS Wildcats to a 4-0 Metro League Tournament semifinal win tonight.
The win over Seattle Prep at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center sends WSHS not only to the Metro championship game but also to the state tournament. #17 Matthew Henning got the complete-game shutout win, yielding only five hits and two walks while amassing four strikeouts.
The Wildcats’ two other RBIs tonight were by #2 Bobby Trigg and #5 Matthew Hazlegrove. WSHS, under head coach Dylan Mclauchlin, will play the championship game, also at Steve Cox, at 7 pm Saturday (May 11), versus the winner of the other semifinal game – under way right now – between Eastside Catholic and Ballard.
(March photo courtesy WSHS Water Polo)
In this first year of the West Seattle HS water-polo team – created as a club sport after students worked to make it happen – a clinic is planned to teach prospective players. Here’s the announcement:
WEST SEATTLE GIRLS WATER POLO TEAM will host their first Clinic & Open House for middle/high school age girls on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 3:00 – 4:30 pm. Learn and play alongside the high-school girls’ team players, under the direction of Coach Truly Dorland. Find out what this growing sport is all about and jget a chance to learn the basics.
6th through 12th grade girls are invited to attend. This is an educational event open to all middle school and high school-age girls. A $20 suggested (but not required) donation is encouraged on the day of the event to help defray pool costs.
Registration required in advance of the event. Please contact WSWP to receive a link to register. wshswaterpolo@gmail.com
You can support WSWP now – join the WSWP Online Auctions and bid on gift cards and other offerings from community businesses. Different offerings every week. All auction proceeds go to support WSWP’s season and community education opportunities.
Register for the Auction Site at paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@3
See next items up for bid at paybee.io/@wswaterpolo@2
Local high-school baseball and softball teams play postseason games this week:
BASEBALL: Postseason play is already under way. West Seattle HS (16-5) plays Seattle Prep at 4 pm tomorrow (Monday), Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center (1321 SW 102nd), after a 2-1 postseason win over Lincoln on Saturday … Chief Sealth IHS (12-12) plays Bishop Blanchet at 4 pm Wednesday, also at Steve Cox Memorial Park, after a 7-0 postseason win over Roosevelt on Friday.
SOFTBALL: The first postseason games are this week – CSIHS (6-12) plays Rainier Beach at 4 pm Tuesday, WSHS (9-8) plays Eastside Catholic at 1:30 pm Wednesday, both at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
Tomorrow night, you can join West Seattle Runner and Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (both WSB sponsors) for a group run and spotlight on two upcoming running (etc.) events they’re both involved with (and hoping you will be too). From LWPT proprietor Mark Bouma:
Our team at Lake Washington Physical Therapy would like to highlight key events in the West Seattle community that we are supporting over the next few months!
Together with West Seattle Runner, we are once again a supporting sponsor of Float Dodger 5k and Loop The Lupe! To highlight these two community events, join us at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) ahead of their Wednesday night group run on May 1 at 6:15 pm. We will lead the group through a proper race warm-up; there will be race registration discounts, and raffles available for a free Runeasi Running Evaluation at LWPT and WS Runner swag. Stop by West Seattle Runner on May 1st to learn more about these events and mingle with other runners in the community! BONUS: Root Beer Floats will be served after the group run! Here is more info about each of these events:
·Float Dodger 5k: July 20
(WSB photo, 2023 Float Dodger 5K)
Scheduled for July 20, 2024, the annual Float Dodger 5k (presented by WSR) is a highlight of the West Seattle summer calendar, coinciding with the West Seattle Grand Parade. The run starts and ends at Hiawatha Playfield. Waiting at the finish line will be your very own Root Beer Float to enjoy why you grab a seat to watch the West Seattle Grand Parade! LWPT has supported this event for the past three years and all funds raised go directly to the West Seattle Food Bank. For more details and to register, visit Float Dodger 5k.
·Loop the Lupe: June 8
Loop the Lupe is set for June 8, 2024. This obstacle course and fun run, held at Walt Hundley Playfield, features activities for everyone. The variety of events include the Elite Wave Obstacle Course, Family Obstacle Course, 5k Fun Run, Senior Saunter, and Youth Dash. The LWPT team will be at the event to provide a warm-up for racers and to cheer on participants as they near the finish line. LWPT has supported this event for the last 4 years and all funds support the social outreach programs of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Learn more and sign up at Loop the Lupe.
One more note:
Junction FC Official Physical Therapy Provider
West Seattle has our very own USL2 soccer team — Junction FC! When you are at the matches, you’ll see LWPT on the sidelines helping the athletes perform at their best. We have put together a comprehensive injury prevention and performance program that will take Junction FC from preseason through the playoffs. Our team will be utilizing GPS player movement data during training and throughout matches to ensure that the players are performing at their peak. There are many top local college players on the roster who will be playing home matches at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex starting May 19! You can find more information, purchase tickets, and view their season schedule at Junction FC.
Stay tuned for additional partnerships and events coming up later in the Summer and Fall! For more information about our clinic and to book an appointment online, click here. We are located at: 1309 Harbor Ave SW, Suite A, 206-906-9207.
(November 2023 WSB ohoto)
While we’re talking about camps: Following up a season with the first trip to the state tournament in more than 40 years, the West Seattle High School team is raising money by leading two camps in June – here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle High School volleyball team is hosting 2 volleyball camps in June for middle-school-age players. Proceeds support West Seattle High School volleyball.
Camp #1: Girls Volleyball Camp
June 4-6 from 4:15 PM – 6:45 PM each day
Grades 5 through 8
Registration includes West Seattle Volleyball T-shirt
Location – West Seattle High SchoolCamp #2: Boys Volleyball Camp
June 11-13 from 4:15 PM – 6:45 PM each day
Grades 5 through 8
Registration includes West Seattle Volleyball T-shirt
Location – West Seattle High SchoolAny questions can be directed to westseattlevolleyballteam@gmail.com
Here’s the flyer with QR codes for signing up.
Reminders about two big Sunday events on West Seattle streets in the next three weeks:
(Course map, from Emerald City Ride website)
EMERALD CITY RIDE ON MAY 5: One week until the Cascade Bicycle Club‘s ride across the westbound West Seattle Bridge and around the peninsula. It starts and finishes in SODO and gets going at 7 am next Sunday, May 5. Registration is still open. (The bridge’s westbound lanes will be closed to traffic 5:30-9:30 am that morning; the eastbound lanes will not be affected.)
(WSB file photo)
WEST SEATTLE 5K ON MAY 19: You also still have time to sign up for the peninsula’s first big 5K of the season, three weeks from today. The run/walk coordinated by the West Seattle High School PTSA starts (9:30 am) and finishes on Alki Avenue near the Bathhouse, out and back along the waterfront. Proceeds go toward programs supporting WSHS students. Be sure to sign up by May 12th – fees go up in the last week before the race. (The WS5K also involves a road closure – Alki/Harbor Avenues, 8 am to ~11 am on race morning.)
(WSB photo, Saturday)
As previewed here, the Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association held its first community meeting on Saturday, at By and By Skate Shop. We dropped in briefly and counted about 20 people there.
(Photo courtesy MJAWA)
The group’s focus is adding an “all-wheels area” to the south end of Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW) when the park’s expansion to the north is built. So what happens next after this gathering? We asked MJAWA’s Matthew Lee Johnston:
Community input now gets internalized by the design team, who will be working on three alternatives based on the feedback they’ve gathered from the community. We got over 100 responses to the online survey, with over 76% of the responses coming from West Seattle, which Grindline says was their most successful survey they’ve facilitated! The three alternatives will be presented by the team at the Morgan Junction Community Festival, where we will be gathering input and feedback on those design concepts.
The festival will be at Morgan Junction Park on Saturday, June 15.
Though Seattle Parks paused the plan to set up pickleball courts on a Lincoln Park slab that once held tennis courts, its final fate has yet to be announced. Last night, before giving the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners a presentation about Parks’ “Pickleball and Tennis Vision,” deputy superintendent Andy Sheffer said they were “on the cusp of a decision” about it. Superintendent AP Diaz also promised that “more information on Lincoln Park is coming.” But that was all meant mostly to make sure those in attendance who were interested in LP – the subject of several public comments at the meeting’s start – knew it would not be specifically addressed in the presentation. Here’s what was:
Parks officials said that pickleball is growing, and while they said their presentation did not include “solutions” for addressing the need, they promised it would lay out a “path to find solutions.” That path includes designating four “hubs” around the city, two each for pickleball and tennis. Locations were listed for three, but not for the south pickleball hub (which would be for the area including West Seattle, though not necessarily in West Seattle):
Here’s how a hub would work:
No prospective sites for the “south” hub were mentioned; early in the presentation, this slide showed where dedicated pickleball and tennis courts are located in the city now:
You can see the full slide deck here. There was a heavy emphasis on encouraging use of pickleball rackets using noise-reduction technology, as part of the “vision,” to address persistent concerns about the sport’s noise; the Parks officials also promised to improve communication, in part by setting up online and in-person groups.
No timeline was mentioned for the next update.
(Photos courtesy CSIHS Athletics)
Tonight is Senior Night for Chief Sealth International High School‘s baseball team, playing Cleveland at 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). The players in the photo above are seniors Noah Tewolde, Gavin Brown, and Isaac Martinez, and as CSIHS athletic director Ernest Policarpio recounts below, the team scored this year’s “Best in the West” crosstown-rivalry win over West Seattle High School on Friday night:
Both teams were strong on the mound on Friday, but Chief Sealth defeated West Seattle Varsity Wildcats 2-1.
Isaac Martinez started on the bump for Chief Sealth. The starting pitcher gave up four hits and one run over five innings, striking out six and walking five. Nevin Pivar threw two innings of no-run ball for Chief Sealth in reliefl he gave up three hits, walking two.
Miles Chandler led things off on the hill for West Seattle, He gave up four hits and two runs over six innings, striking out 10 and walking three.
Chief Sealth got on the board in the first inning after Teo Perala singled, scoring one run. Clay Pecore singled, which helped West Seattle tie the game at one in the top of the second.
Chief Sealth didn’t take the lead until later in the game. The game was tied at one in the bottom of the sixth when Miles Chandler induced Marko Woefle to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored.
Teo Perala and Marko Woefle each drove in one run for Chief Sealth; Brady Murphy went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Chief Sealth.
West Seattle’s Matthew Hazlegrove made the most of his chances at the plate; he led the team with three hits in four at bats. Clay Pecore went 2-for-3 at the plate as the infielder led the team with one run batted in.
Four weeks from today, you can start your Sunday with a scenic run/walk along Alki during this year’s West Seattle 5K run/walk on Alki, May 19. This will be the 15th anniversary of the first West Seattle 5K, in 2009. If you’re not registered for this year yet, today’s a great day to do it – here’s where to go. The West Seattle 5K is coordinated by the West Seattle High School PTSA, and funds a variety of programs. If you can’t get out on the course on May 19, you can still donate. Find out how and see the race-day schedule on the registration page. (WSB is the WS5K media sponsor again this year.)
In a little over a month, West Seattle’s new soccer club Junction FC starts its first season at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex – first match is on Sunday, May 19, 2 pm vs. Capital FC. Today, three updates from Junction FC:
The Decks Are Open!
Seating capacity for Junction FC’s inaugural season has increased! Tickets are now open in all areas of the stadium, including the upper half of the stands. Those tickets are offered at a price of just $12.50 per match, or $100 for season tickets. Get yours now at wsjunctionfc.club/tickets.
Jerseys Unveiled
They’re finally here! Junction FC’s inaugural jerseys are ready for their debut. Like what you see? You can purchase the jerseys NOW at Junction FC’s Online Team Shop.
Community Partnerships
We are blown away by the response for the club in the community. Junction FC is proud to partner with the West Seattle YMCA and Cascadia Produce, which provide us options to serve our community in a greater way! Junction FC will be providing 100 free match tickets to the YMCA for each home match. Details will be released in the next few weeks.
What’s Next
Our team roster has been finalized! Follow us to follow along with player announcements, news, and more. You can also find us this Sunday at Jet City Labs in the Junction for a merchandise pop-up event. Come say hi!
It’s been just four months since the announcement of Junction FC, a “pre-pro” club that will play in USL League Two. See the season schedule here.
The West Seattle-based Washington Baseball Academy is celebrating big success for one of its teams – here’s the report and photo we received to share with you:
This past weekend the 12U team from the Washington Baseball Academy and their families headed to Puyallup to compete in the JR #42 Tournament.
The tournament had teams in all divisions and teams from as far away as Alaska. The crew from West Seattle competed in the 12U Monarch division and got runner up in the Silver bracket. Each member of the team also is currently playing in West Seattle Little League or West Seattle Baseball. Next weekend, the team will be traveling to Tacoma to compete in the PINK OUT THE NW Tournament.
Coaches: Dale Ross and Peter Tarabochia
Players and Coaches:
Ben Datz
Ben Tarabochia
Calvin Carlson
Duncan McKinney
Gavin Ross
Jason Moran
Riley Landa
Lachlan Gosztola
Sidney Stauffer
Cameron Widman
Garek Wadden
Manny Barajas
(Clarification: ‘All-wheels area’ is proposed for south part of the park, as shown at last MoCA meeting)
As we’ve reported previously, an all-wheels area is now on the drawing board for skating and more at expanding Morgan Junction Park, and you have two upcoming chances to get involved – first, a community meeting and survey just announced by the Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association:
Join us for a Community Meeting at By and By Skate Shop – 4502 California Ave SW, April 27th at 10:00 AM.
The Morgan Junction All Wheels Association has invited Grindline Skateparks to design a brand-new All-Wheels Area in Morgan Junction, West Seattle. To make sure the design is the best it can be, we want to hear from our local community. (Click here) to take our online survey for the skate dot. Survey closes on April 26th.
The All-Wheels Association also will be represented at this Wednesday’s quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association – 7 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s lower-level community room (7141 California SW) and online (attendance link is in the agenda). MoCA also is scheduled to get a status report from Seattle Parks, whose next action at the site is to clean up the soil (contamination is left over from the dry cleaner that used to be there).
Sunday, May 19, is the day for this year’s West Seattle 5K run/walk on Alki – a spring tradition dating back to 2009 – and you can register now if you haven’t already. The season’s first big 5K is coordinated by the West Seattle High School PTSA, which provides the profits to fund a variety of programs, including a staffed Saturday Study Hall, classroom-supply needs, and student-led initiatives. In addition to general registration options, this year, for a second year, the West Seattle 5K will offer a friendly grade-level competition among WSHS students. The grade with the most registrants gets out of homeroom early for a special treat and gets a cash contribution ($250) to their grade-level ASB. Also, the “Sleep In” – just donate and skip the running/walking! – and “sponsor a student runner” options are available to all. Go here to see the registration options and race-day schedule, and to sign up! P.S. Community sponsors are on board too, including us (media sponsor since the first year).
Story and photos by Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
While Division I athletics are a rare sight in West Seattle, the University of Washington beach-volleyball team and other top-ranked squads from across the country have come together for back-to-back weekend tournaments at Alki Beach.
Despite the cool, overcast weather in the low-50s this afternoon, the signs of spring — and volleyballs — were in the air, as scores of fans rallied around the beach to watch the Huskies (the 13th-ranked team in the country) take on #12 Arizona State and #2 Stanford.
In the Huskies’ first game of the day, pairs of two players battled across three sand courts in sets played to 21 points, while UW fans and visiting families donned team gear, jackets, and sweaters and gathered in chairs and on the steps leading down to the beach.
“Let’s go!” players shouted as they rallied for points against Arizona State. (The Huskies won, 3-2.)
With UW a ~20-minute drive away from West Seattle, top-level college sports rarely make an appearance in this part of the city, but since the NCAA officially sanctioned beach volleyball as a championship sport in the 2015-16 season, Alki has become a perennial home for the Huskies’ beach volleyball team.
After a set of Pac-12 North games wraps up this weekend, with UW additionally slated to play #7 California and unranked Oregon on Saturday (here’s the schedule), the Huskies will be back again next weekend for the Alki Beach Invitational.
Quick message this morning from the HSA Select soccer program:
Registration for HSA Select tryouts for the 2024-2025 soccer year is now open! Visit the tryouts page on our site to find out more about tryouts and our programs for youth U11 and older.
HSA Select is a competitive soccer program that serves young soccer players who are interested in receiving high-quality training, competitive league play within a structure that encourages multi-sport athletes and other activities outside of year-round soccer.
Depending on the player’s birth year, tryouts will be in early May or mid-May.
For the next three days, our area’s only running-focused store, West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) is celebrating its 14th anniversary. Here’s what’s in store – a sale and more:
We are celebrating and thanking the wonderful community of West Seattle for all their generous support and encouragement over the past 14 years. This means we are offering 10% off footwear and 15% off apparel and accessories. For the folks already in our Customer Loyalty Program, you will enjoy 15% off footwear and 20% off apparel and accessories. We also have several events throughout the weekend:
Friday, April 5th, 6:15 pm – Brooks-sponsored Group Run: Come and run in a pair of Brooks shoes and run whatever distance you would like! Afterward, we will host The Potholes, who will play a live show back at the shop. We will have beverages and snacks for this social event.
Saturday, April 6th, 8 am – Group Run with donuts and chocolate milk afterward. Sponsored by Superfeet, and they will be giving away a pair of semi-custom inserts valued at $150.
Sunday, April 7th, 10 am – Runner Relay Event: Join in for fun, silly running-related tasks and come back to the shop afterward for beverages and snacks
Meet at West Seattle Runner for all events!
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