West Seattle, Washington
05 Friday
A marathon weekend and a big finish has given a team of local softball players and coaches something to celebrate after their team’s first season took them to the USSSA C state tournament. Thanks to Claire for sending the photo and report:
The Washington Fastpitch Academy‘s inaugural 10U season ended with the team winning second place after 10 hard-fought games over two days.
Saturday morning started with a great win; however, a close loss landed them in the losers’ bracket. The girls didn’t give up, playing two more games Saturday to get them an 8 AM win-or-get-eliminated game Sunday morning.
Sunday, game after game, those girls played through hail, hard rain, drying the ball inbetween every pitch, to end up beating the undefeated number one team of the tournament to play in the final game
WFA 10U is comprised of girls from both West Seattle Little League and Southwest Little League, playing some hard Fastpitch ball led by coaches Tony Colagrossi and Will Wharton.
These girls never gave up, never got down, and really entertained. You can see many of these girls in the West Seattle Little League 10U All-Stars this summer.
The games were played Saturday and Sunday in Olympia.
Both days this weekend, West Seattle Baseball invites you to come watch tournament action, free, at the Pee Wee fields in lower Riverview. And if you have a prospective player in the household – WS Baseball is accepting signups for its Summer CRUSH league through June 23rd. Here’s the invitation:
(West Seattle Baseball photo)
Summer CRUSH is West Seattle Baseball´s fun summer league that combines some of the organizational elements of the spring league with more of the fun, summery vibe from sandlot-style baseball with your friends. It is also an opportunity for players to take advantage of more reps, plus try new positions and new facets of the game in a fun, low-stress situation. There generally are no practices and the baseball feels more like sandlot games or scrimmages. Again our focus is on having fun and playing more baseball.
CRUSH is divided into three divisions, 8U, 10U, and 12U. 8U is scheduled to play Mondays and Wednesdays. 10U is scheduled to play Tuesdays and Thursdays. 12U schedule details are still being determined but most likely be twice a week on weeknights.
Team rosters are built with summer vacations in mind. Larger rosters can sometimes mean that the batting order gets long, more often, however, it prevents teams being too short-handed to realistically play when multiple players are out of town on family trips. Again, games are scheduled only for weeknights, leaving weekends completely free.
Registration fee for CRUSH is $125, cost includes a ballcap and team jersey for each player. The CRUSH season will begin the week of July 10 and run for 6 weeks ending on August 17.
West Seattle Baseball is a 100% volunteer-run, non-profit youth baseball league. Our goal is to provide comprehensive baseball programming which appeals to kids of all levels of enthusiasm and ability. The league prides itself on being a fun and enjoyable program that our players, their families, and their coaches want to participate in again each succeeding season. To find more information about West Seattle Baseball, visit westseattlebaseball.com.
And again, the signup link is here.
2:20 PM: Last week, Seattle Parks said work would finally begin today on the turf-replacement project at Hiawatha Playfield, so we went over to see whether that had indeed happened. The photo above is what we found – no sign of anything yet, and the field remains wide open. FieldTurf USA won the contract with a $1.4 million bid after the city had scratched the first round of bids (which the same company won for a similar price). Parks says the work should be complete in September – assuming it does start soon. Meantime, the Hiawatha Community Center and Play Area projects have yet to go out to bid, so construction is still a ways off. (Parks says the Hiawatha wading pool WILL be open this year, though – first day June 29.)
4:28 PM: Commenter Junctioneer says a segment of fencing at the field’s south end is new. We’ll be checking back tomorrow to see if we find crews there then.
By Sunday, the sunshine is expected to return, along with 70ish temperatures. Perfect day to try a kayak! Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) invites you to Seacrest on Sunday for a test paddle – here’s the announcement:
(Photo courtesy Mountain to Sound Outfitters)
On Sunday, June 11th, from 10 am-1 pm, Mountain to Sound Outfitters is stoked to host Eddyline Kayaks at Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor Avenue SW) for our annual Eddyline Kayaks Test Paddle.
If you are interested in exploring our beautiful waterways via kayak, this is the event to talk to industry experts and try some of the best locally made kayaks in the world.
Pre-registration is required. Registration fees apply to any kayak or SUP purchase.
The registration link has more information about the event and the kayaks.
That’s the start of the largest of five events comprising Loop the ‘Lupe today at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point, steps away from Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose social-service community work benefits from its proceeds. Those runners were off on the Family Wave of Loop the ‘Lupe’s 5K obstacle course; below, the smaller group for this year’s new addition, an Elite Wave with two extra obstacles for those seeking even more of a challenge – a barrel crawl and teeter-totters:
The other events were the 5K Fun Run, Senior Saunter, and Youth Dash – but since Loop the ‘Lupe is the only local 5K offering obstacles, they’re the main attraction:
Organizer Brian Callanan said registration passed 700 people, the biggest Loop the ‘Lupe in its seven-year history. Lots of community business participation, too, such as Hannah from HIIT Lab leading the pre-race warmup:
West Seattle School of Rock provided student musicians to keep the event rocking:
WSB was a community co-sponsor of the event, as were other local businesses including WSB sponsors Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle, West Seattle Runner, and Verity Credit Union.
Another preview of what’s up as June approaches: In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, the second annual Delridge Disc-O ultimate tournament for middle- and high-school players is happening next Sunday:
Delridge Disc-O
Ultimate Mixed Hat Tournament
Sunday, June 4th | Delridge Playfield SouthMiddle School – 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
High School – 2 pm – 5 pmThe second Delridge Disc-O Hat Tournament has been announced! Join us for this one-day Mixed Hat Tournament. We will have separate Middle School and High School divisions. All levels of ultimate players are welcome, from West Seattle as well as anyone willing to drive to our “island.” This is a great opportunity to meet other players and pick up some skills as you see them on the field.
A Hat Tournament is where players will be “randomly” placed on teams, and the team plays several games against the other teams at the tournament. Teams will be constructed so that there will be roughly even skills and gender ratios.
Please email questions to wshsfrisbee@gmail,com, or check out our website westsideultimate.org for any FAQs.
When you register at DiscNW, you can choose the fee ($0, $10, $20) that fits best with your current financial situation. All proceeds will benefit DiscNW’s Youth Development Fund.
Middle School Players will be 11-15 years old and High School Players will be 14-19 years old on June 4th. The registration asks for experience and what types of teams players may have played with, and this will help with balancing the teams.
On the day of the tournament, players should bring a white jersey/shirt, a dark jersey/shirt, non-metal cleats or other shoes to play on turf, and a water bottle, a great attitude, and optionally a snack. We will be providing some water to refill water bottles and some fruit.
Just in from Everett, the West Seattle High School baseball team finished another strong season as the #4 3A team in the state. For the second day in a row, they lost by just one run – today’s final was O’Dea 8, WSHS 7.
Just in from Everett – West Seattle High School fell short in the state 3A baseball semifinals, with a 5-4 loss to Lincoln. That means the Wildcats will play for third place tomorrow morning, also at Everett Memorial Stadium at 10 am, vs. either O’Dea or Lake Washington, depending on the outcome of today’s other semifinal game. This was the second consecutive year that WSHS reached the state semifinals.
Just last Tuesday, Claiborne Bell of Seattle Sorbets and Distinguished Foods Kitchen was at a podium accepting the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s Westsider of the Year award; today, he was on the field at Steve Cox Memorial Park, as the Chamber faced the West Seattle Junction Association in a softball game dubbed “The Battle for West Seattle.” We just dropped in for a few minutes before breaking news called us away. Among other starters, Phil Tavel was on the mound for WSJA:
And from the Chamber’s winning team, Mark Bouma of Lake Washington Physical Therapy – West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
(We previewed both rosters here.) As previously noted, the game was a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank; we’ll be checking on how that turned out. The numbers we do know (thanks to Karla from WSFB): The Chamber won in 10 innings, 13-11.
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
11:33 AM: By start time this morning, 1,172 people had registered to run and/or walk in the first West Seattle 5K since 2019. Here’s our video of all of them heading out from the start line at 61st/Alki:
(WSB photos and video from here)
Not only was the turnout heartening to the West Seattle PTSA, organizers Athena Frederick and Kelley O’Connor were proud of the other support that’s helping make this an important fundraiser to help WSHS and its students – such as the most local-business sponsorship support ever.
They explained that, for example, the proceeds help ensure “Saturday School” – extra support for students who need it – continues. Now, the top finishers – Matthew Lawrence, 15, was the first to cross the finish line, in 16:55:
Megan Heuer, 41, was the first female runner to finish (as she was in 2017), in 18:16:
All the results are here. Other participants ranged from preschoolers to seniors – race announcer Fred Northup (pictured below with daughter Zola, “a future WSHS student”) noted a 76-year-old woman running the WS5K today to celebrate her birthday.
A big focus for organizers this year was even more school involvement than the past. Even the WSHS Cheer Team was represented.
ADDED 2:37 PM: Here are acknowledgments from the race organizers, with more of our photos interspersed:
Wow, we did it! Bringing this race back post-Covid was a labor of love but thanks to all the organizers in years before us, it was doable! Thanks to all of you, today’s West Seattle 5k was a great success! A big “thank you” to all of our volunteers and sponsors, and the 1,172 runners and walkers who participated! We raised $34,000 for for the West Seattle High School PTSA and students and teachers and staff! The PTSA covers educational programming like Saturday School, Teachers Mini-grants and more!
Yours Truly, 2023 Race Co-Directors – Kelley O’Connor and Athena Frederick
Special shout out to volunteers:
Lori Sherick and Amy Huey for helping get the word out at all the schools and to help when we were overwhelmed and needed a quick errand made, or a document crafted!
Amy Doll for coordinating the supplies, kids, teachers and staff!
Erik Bell at Bell Fortina for countless hours coming up with our graphics and all the artwork for our shirt design, posters, banner, yard signs, clean up and so much more. And, then to come out and take pictures of runners and families. We so appreciate YOU and all you do for our community in capturing pictures of an events like this.
Dana Margolis @ The Little Gym for help securing sponsorships and prizes – you rock!
Renee Phelps and all the NHS students from West Seattle High School for putting out signage, stuffing bags and working the event!
WSHS PTSA Board members – especially Gina, Holly, Chau, and Heather!!
Lyndsay Aykens and Owen Reese for coordinating our Event Day Volunteers!
James Powell for your love of the sport!
Lori Sherick and Chris OClaire and their FUN Committee (WSHS 5k student led committee) – Bree, William, Esta, Sam, Lilly, Elliott,
Adult Course Monitors – thanks for stepping in this year to have our backs
Lyle at Get Me Registered for all the tech support!!
Alki businesses and residents – thanks for sharing this special beach for the morning so we could hold this fundaiser to make our local West Seattle High School the best it can be for our students and teachers!
Our 70+ volunteers!We doubled our best sponsorship year, raising 20k in funds from our local businesses. That 20K covered the cost of putting on the race.
All our amazing Sponsors:
Portage Bay Cafe
School of Rock West Seattle
Sea Pines Physical Therapy
Dragonfly Pilates who warmed us up
West Seattle Realty
West Seattle Blog who got the word out about the event
Fred from Northup Fundraising for all his great emcee skills today!! Special thanks for reading every finisher’s name, nice touch!
Clif Bar for keeping us fueled on energy bars and bloks!
West Seattle Runner for hosting our packet pickup and top finishers all a new pair of running shoes!
BracePoint Law
Schoeb Chiropractic
We Sweat
Susi Musi Realtor
Dream Dinners
West Seattle Foot & Ankle
Alki Annie realtor
Club Pilates on Mercer Island
Swifty Printing
The Hill Team – Zack and Jody Realtors
Sports Medicine NW
Tram’s Salon
Hotwire Coffee
Ventana Construction
Niederberger Construction
WebCami for all our website needs and many rounds to bring the website back from 2019!!
Cometa Playschool
The Little Gym of West Seattle – yay Teacher Dana
The Fang Law Firm
PCC Community Market
Metropolitan Market
Carmilia’s Boutique
Mission Cantina
West Wings
West Side Music Academy
Alki Kayak Tours
Colburn Law
The first WS5K was on May 31, 2009 (here’s our coverage). P.S. The next community-benefit 5K in West Seattle is the Float Dodger 5K, which West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) will present again July 22nd – before the West Seattle Grand Parade – as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank; you can register here right now!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Grueling but ultimately thrilling day for the West Seattle High School baseball team. After winning their first two games in the state 3A tournament – both played today – they’re in the final four. As noted earlier, Matthew Henning pitched a no-hitter in the morning victory over Stadium High School from Tacoma, 4-0, and then Miles Gosztola (#13, below) allowed just one run for the win in the afternoon quarterfinal game vs. Edmonds-Woodway, 3-1.
Hitting stars for the second game were Bobby Trigg (#2, below) and Sabin Tomlinson, both going 2 for 3, plus Caden Fahy, who had 2 RBI while going 1 for 3.
Both of today’s games were at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where WSHS plays its home games. For the final rounds of the state tournament, head coach Dylan Mclauchlin and team head to Everett Memorial Stadium, playing Lincoln (also from Seattle Public Schools) at 10 am Friday (May 26th). The other two teams in the semifinals are Lake Washington and O’Dea. If they win Friday, the Wildcats will play for the championship at 4 pm Saturday. (Here’s the full tournament bracket.)
(WSB photo)
Lucia, Shelyenne, and Lilly are helping with packet pickup for tomorrow’s West Seattle 5K – if you’ve registered, you have until 5 pm to go get yours at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) and avoid the pre-race crush tomorrow. Might be a record-setting turnout, according to Athena from the West Seattle High School PTSA, who sent this photo earlier:
(Photo sent by Athena)
The WSHS PTSA presents and benefits from the WS5K, which has more than 1,000 runners and walkers signed up so far. It starts at 61st/Alki at 9:30 am tomorrow; late registration/packet pickup is on site starting at 8:30 am. Alki/Harbor Avenues will be closed for the WS5K starting at 8 am, and that’s why “road closed” signs are already staged along side streets.
12:15 PM: The West Seattle High School baseball team will play its second state-tournament game later today after winning the first one. Matthew Henning threw a no-hitter as the Wildcats shut out Tacoma’s Stadium HS, 4-0 at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. That’s also where they’ll play game two against the winner of a 1 pm game between Edmonds-Woodway and Southridge. We’ll add the time/opponent when that info’s available (it should also appear here).
3:34 PM: The Wildcats will play Edmonds-Woodway, who just scored a come-from-behind win over Southridge (from the Tri-Cities) at NCSWAC. We don’t yet know the start time.
4:09 PM: That game is now under way, scoreless in top of the 2nd per the GameChanger app (we’ll be headed back to the stadium shortly). Miles Gosztola is starting on the mound for WSHS.
5:53 PM: WSHS won that game, 3-1, and heads to the state semifinals. Full story separately, later.
Shown after a practice earlier this week are some of the players you’ll see at this Sunday’s “Battle for West Seattle” softball game between the West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. We asked for their rosters – the grids below are what they sent. First, WSJA:
Next, the Chamber:
Proceeds from the game go to the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank (whose coverage area includes south WS). They’ll be playing at 12:05 pm Sunday (May 21st) at Mel Olson Stadium in Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd), and you can buy tickets right now online – just go here.
P.S. Shortly after publishing this, we received the Chamber’s announcement of one business’s extra boost:
Mission Cantina Seattle is MATCHING all ticket sales for the Battle for West Seattle, so get your tickets now to support the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank! Tickets are $12 — even if you can’t attend the game, you can still support our local food banks by purchasing a ticket.
The fun doesn’t stop there – get a Battle for West Seattle ticket to take 10% Off Your Mission Cantina Seattle Tab! Bring your digital ticket for the Battle for West Seattle into Mission Cantina for 10% off your bill from now until June 30th.
Mission Cantina is at 2325 California SW.
Plenty to cheer for in the West Seattle High School athletic program this year. Cheer itself is a sport – and the team is looking for a co-coach! Coach Nadine Nguyen asked us to share the announcement:
West Seattle High School Coed Cheer Team is looking for a New Coach to join their award-winning cheer team.
He/She will assist in coaching student athletes in competitive cheer techniques to prepare them for events and competitions. Preferably with stunting and competition experience.
If interested, please contact Coach Nadine Nguyen at nmnguyen@seattleschools.org
Another spring sports update – this time from the West Seattle High School golf program, which has two updates:
On Monday, May 15th, the West Seattle Girls Golf Team competed at the District Tournament at the Riverbend Golf Course in Kent. Harmony Pham, Hailey Vaughey, Tallulah Williams, Sadie Stover, and Abbie Cunliffe represented West Seattle High School. We placed 8th overall, only 17 strokes from qualifying the entire team to State.
We did have two West Seattle golfers qualify as individuals for the State Tournament. Senior Harmony Pham (above) shot a score of 83 at Girls Districts and top 5 finish in the individual category. Junior Simon Vance (below) shot a 78 at Boys Districts, which was previously held back in October.
The State Tournament will be held on May 23rd and 24th in Olympia.
Congratulations to all the girls and boys who competed in the District Championship Tournament, and to Harmony and Simon for making it to the High School Golf State Tournament!
ALSO: If you are interested in playing golf for the West Seattle High Golf Team for the (corrected) 2023-2024 season, please contact Coach Joel at wshsgolfteam@outlook.com.
Our season runs from September to the end of October. We have both varsity and junior varsity teams. Tryouts are in August.
(WSB photo. #8, Carmen Cruz; #12, yelling, Mackenzie Curry Uzwack; catcher Caitlin Gordon; #26, Alice Herron)
So close! West Seattle High School‘s softball season ended tonight, but not before a thrilling comeback attempt. At Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, the Wildcats lost to Lake Washington 9-7 in the district tournament. At one point they were down 6-1 – and then they battled back to take the lead, 7-6, with a three-run homer by Kaila Ignacio a big factor in that. But the Kangaroos weren’t done yet, and scored three runs in the seventh to take the win. West Seattle finishes the season with a 13-7 record.
Congratulations to an area soccer team that just won a state championship and is headed for regionals. James Craig sent the report and photos:
HSA Select G04/05 are GU19 Division 1 CHAMPIONS of the Washington Youth Soccer Presidents Cup!!
The ladies from HSA Select (team made up of high-school players living in West Seattle/Burien areas) blasted through the State Presidents Cup winning six straight games on the way. Throughout the tournament they scored 16 goals, and only allowed one against. The championship game was on Sunday (May 14), where they soundly defeated the Whatcom Rangers 4-0.
The G04/05s have now qualified for the Far West Regionals in Boise, June 16-20, representing Washington State as the Girls U19 Presidents Cup entry.
High-school sports postseason updates:
BASEBALL: West Seattle High School finished the Metro League tournament last night with second place after a 5-2 loss to Lincoln at Steve Cox Memorial Park. The Wildcats, now 20-3, have led the league all season and now head to the state championships. We’re awaiting word of their first game; the tournament starts Tuesday, and the matchups will be posted here.
SOFTBALL: After their final two games at the Metro League softball tournament, WSHS took sixth place and is moving on to districts. Friday at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, the Wildcats beat Lincoln 12-2 and then lost to Bishop Blanchet 7-6. WSHS’s first district game is Tuesday at NCSWAC, 5:30 pm vs. Lake Washington.
(Photo courtesy Rain City Ropeworks)
Five local jump-rope athletes from West Seattle-based Rain City Ropeworks are headed to the world championships! Here’s the announcement we received today:
The American Jump Rope Federation announced the US National Team for 2023. Among the team representing the US (with more than 30 other countries from around the world) are five local teenagers from the Rain City Ropeworks team: Calla Freeman, Madeleine Garrison, Riley Hill, Halle Morgan, and Ava Wheatley. The girls will be competing in two Team Double Dutch categories. Riley and Madeline will also be competing in the Individual Freestyle category.
The event will have 3,000 participants and will mark the first time the event will be held in Colorado Springs, CO. The event will be a combination of the World Championships, as well as the International Open Tournament and the Junior World Championships, held July 16-23, 2023.
Rain City Ropeworks is led by Rene Bibaud, a 5-time world rope-jumping champion and Cirque du Soleil performer. Rene believes everyone should have access to the joy of jumping rope. “A jump rope is portable, inexpensive, and can be done virtually anywhere – making it an incredibly equitable and fun activity!” said Rene.
Rene’s goal is to share her passion for jumping rope with the community through her after-school programs, summer camps, workshops & classes and the Rain City Ropeworks jump rope team. The team is a performance and competition team based in West Seattle. Team members range from 8-18 and perform at special events, halftime shows, festivals, school assemblies, and compete in local, regional, national, and international tournaments. Rain City Ropeworks will be performing at this year’s 50th anniversary Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival.
Another local event in which RCR is participating – this Saturday, they’re having a fundraising sale as part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, as noted in our benefit/fundraiser sale list – on the WSCGSD map, they’re Sale #251. (Demonstrations promised, too!)
The Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks’ baseball season is over. Playing Seattle Prep at Steve Cox Memorial Park this evening, they fell behind 5-0 in the first inning and couldn’t make a comeback. Final score was 6-1.
All afternoon and evening, Metro League softball-tournament contenders have been on the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, including both local teams.
(WSB photo, between innings at WSHS-Ballard game)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: The Wildcats blew out Ingraham in their first game of the day, at mid-afternoon, 19-0. That sent them forward to play Ballard tonight. WSHS lost that game 5-3, but gets one more try to stay in the postseason, with a 1:30 pm game Friday (May 12) vs. Lincoln, also at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle).
CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: Lincoln is who brought the Seahawks’ season to an end this afternoon, 15-10. Chief Sealth finishes the year with a 10-8 record.
(WSB photos)
With their 20th win, the West Seattle High School baseball team also secured a spot in the state tournament. The Wildcats shut out O’Dea tonight, 4-0 at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, and play Lincoln for the Metro League championship on Saturday night. WSHS pitcher Matthew Henning pitched the complete game, allowing only two hits:
Wildcat Bobby Trigg was first to score a run for WSHS, with a second-inning homer.
They’ll be back at Steve Cox (1321 SW 102nd, White Center) to go for the league title Saturday night, 7 pm.
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