West Seattle, Washington
30 Thursday
That’s Herman Meyer, who you might see around West Seattle tomorrow attempting an intense atyletic feat. Herman’s friend Riley Nachtrieb tells the story:
West Seattle High School senior Herman Meyer (17 years old) is attempting to complete a solo Ironman around West Seattle on Saturday, September 25th. This is an unorganized event.
Not only is he doing his first Ironman triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run), he is doing it alone, competing only with himself.
Herman will be attempting this as a personal endeavor. It is purely driven by his determination to finish the 140.3 miles. He says, “I talked about it with a friend and I thought it would be fun to do. I have always wanted to do something like it, so I committed.”
He’s going to start the swim at 8 am near the Alki Bathhouse. Around one and a half hours later, he will be transitioning to his bike, riding loops around West Seattle until he reaches the 112-mile mark at his house- This will be around seven and a half hours later. From there, he will continue onto his 26.2 mile run. If everything goes according to plan, he will finish his solo Ironman around 12 am.
Herman will be accompanied by friends and family for safety, support, and pacing. West Seattle High School friends will be following on paddle boards; His parents, Kathrine and Wesley Meyer, will be following on bikes; And WSHS alum Riley Nachtrieb, who attempted to run the first 140mi Olympic Discovery Trail FKT, will be running with him.
On Saturday, if you see a person swimming alongside paddle boards, a cyclist wearing a pink helmet, or a couple people running on Alki at zero dark thirty, that is Herman! The public is always welcomed to show support publicly and virtually throughout this amazing effort.
On Saturday, you can follow along live on Instagram: @hermanasaurus_rex and @rileyknachtrieb.
Third- through eighth-grade basketball player in your household? The West Seattle Reign (WSB sponsor) is registering players for a new league. Here’s the announcement:
In addition to our travel teams, we are hosting an in-club basketball league during the Fall and Spring seasons!
Registration is open to all athletes 3rd grade to Middle School and all skill levels. All teams are co-ed.
Fall 2021 – 10/19/21 to 12/18/2021
Spring 2022 – February–JuneThere will be 8 weeks of play with one practice and one game per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) times TBD.
More information can be found on our website: westseattlereign.com
1:14 PM: For those who are asking: Still looking for official confirmation but this is one of those things on which we can make an educated guess: Seahawks pregame flyover.
@westseattleblog @KING5Seattle We’ve been getting a bit of an airshow over in West Seattle for the last 30min or so. pic.twitter.com/QvZOiZH8lR
— Chris (@bensoncSEA) September 19, 2021
1:26 PM: A reporter covering the game verifies the flyover.
Just before the thunderstorms arrived, the first of two days for this year’s Orca Half half-marathon in West Seattle wrapped up. The early-morning rain had stopped by the time runners got going early this morning, leaving in waves from the starting line at Lincoln Park.
At mid-morning, sunbreaks greeted finishers at the west end of Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
Organizers expected about 600 runners today – and 350 tomorrow. Some traveled a long way to run along the scenic West Seattle shore – while at the finish line, we heard names called out with hometowns including Moses Lake and Lacey. (Some from even further away – the oldest finisher today was 73-year-old Ann Fowble from Grove City, Ohio!)
Full results are here; Rachel Brown was first to finish, in 1:21:28. The first Orca Half was in 2016.
P.S. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail tells WSB that it continues to be a beneficiary of the Orca Half:
The Whale Trail has been a beneficiary of the Orca Half since it was first held in 2016. This year other beneficiaries include Long Live the Kings and United Indians of All Tribes.
One key feature of the race is that participants run for individual orcas, whose lD number and life history is printed on their race bibs. It’s been a wonderful way to connect people to J, K and L pods and the issues they face. This year for the first time, more orcas were added to the list of orcas than were removed from it.
5:09 PM: A crash dispatched as “vehicle vs. motorcycle” is reported at 16th/Sullivan [map]. The rider is reported to be “sitting up.” The initial SFD and SPD response is enough to affect traffic there for a while, so avoid the area.
5:24 PM: No serious injuries, we’re told at the scene. 16th is blocked at Thistle but police say they expect to clear the scene soon.
(WSB photo, Chief Sealth with the rotating trophy after last March’s victory)
Each year, West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School – which otherwise play in different Metro League divisions – face each other in a football game known as the Huling Bowl. (If you’re a relatively new arrival, here’s the backstory.) This year, the Huling Bowl is happening twice – once last March during the delayed, shortened high-school football season, once here in the near-fall – and it’s happening tomorrow night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). The 2-0 Wildcats, coached by Jeff Scott, are the home team this year; the 0-1 Seahawks, coached by Daron Camacho, are going for their fifth consecutive Huling Bowl win. Kickoff is at 7 pm; spectators are welcome but note there’s an admission charge – $7 adults, $4 kids/seniors.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: As reported separately, the game has been canceled, though there’s talk of rescheduling at a later date.
(WSB photo from Don Armeni during 2018 Orca Half)
Heads up for this weekend: The annual Orca Half half-marathon is happening in West Seattle, and hundreds of runners plan to participate. To be specific, organizers tell us, about 600 on Saturday, and about 350 on Sunday..The Orca Half course starts at Lincoln Park and ends at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. We confirmed with race organizers that no road or lane closures are planned – runners are supposed to stay on the sidewalk/trail. Runners will start in waves at 7:30 am; the course will close at 1 pm.
Two wins in a row now for the West Seattle High School Wildcats. Tonight they traveled to Bellingham and scored another lopsided win, 34-6. Next Friday night, they’re the home team for this season’s Huling Bowl game against Chief Sealth International High School, 7 pm Friday (September 17th) at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
(WSB photos)
What was scheduled to be the first home game of the season for the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks turned out to be their first game after a COVID cancellation last week. The Clover Park High School Warriors visited from Pierce County and left Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex with the win, 13-7. CP kept Sealth off the scoreboard until #4, sophomore quarterback Issac Martinez (top photo), scored the Seahawks’ one and only touchdown a minute into the second half. #3, junior Daniel Cortes, kicked for the extra point. CP did all its scoring – 13 points – in the first half, but that’s all the Warriors needed for the win. Sealth got close twice in the second half, though:
#22, senior linebacker senior Marcus Tupua (above), picked up a Clover Park fumble and ran it from midfield to inside the 5, but the Seahawks couldn’t score and turned it over on downs, which is how their last near-score ended.
In the fourth quarter, #33, junior defensive back Grayson Leui-Steele (above), picked
up a CP fumble inside the 5-yard line, but again, Sealth lost possession on downs.
Tonight’s game kicked off the second season for head coach (and Sealth alum) Daron Camacho:
Next week is the annual cross-peninsula matchup between Chief Sealth and West Seattle HS, 7 pm Friday at SWAC. Sealth will be going for a fifth consecutive Huling Bowl win.
On September 25th at Riverview Playfield, you’re invited to play dodgeball for a cause – saving children’s lives. The organizer is Dennis Williams Jr., who explains:
The inspiration for this fundraiser is our 5-year-old son Isaac. He was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk Neuroblastoma at 18 months old. He spent the next 15 months being treated by Seattle Children’s Hospital for a disease that had a 50% mortality rate. Without the innovation and improvements in treatment protocols, especially with immunotherapy, who knows what the outcome would have been. We are eternally indebted to Seattle Children’s and every child who comes behind Isaac. Only 4% of government funding goes to pediatric cancer research, so we have to do more to increase the odds of success for our kids. They are the most important thing on earth.
Teams are still being recruited for the tournament – this flyer has information, and the tournament’s fundraising page explains how to set up a team. You can simply donate at that same link. Spectators will be welcome on the day of the tournament too – 11 am to 3 pm September 25th, with vendors, food trucks, and a DJ, lower fields at Riverview (7226 12th SW).
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Fall high-school football returned with a roar at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex tonight. The West Seattle High School Wildcats kept the Sammamish Redhawks from taking flight, 55-6.
#8, junior Mason Kallinger, accounted for three of the Wildcats’ eight touchdowns. Two were the work of #6, senior Jaxton Helmstetler:
Also with a touchdown apiece, #3, sophomore Bo Gionet:
#7, senior Will Godwin:
And #22, freshman Terryus Smith:
Head coach Jeff Scott is back this year, after leading WSHS to a division title during the short, late season last school year:
Tonight, WSHS opened the scoring with 5:54 to go in the first quarter, which ended with the Wildcats ahead 16-0. They more than doubled that to 36-0 by halftime. “Wildcats are RED-hot,” chanted the Cheer Squad, and the team certainly was.
After three quarters, they were up 49-0. Sammamish finally got on the board with a big TD run by #25 Ty Webster early in the fourth quarter, but that was it for the Redhawks’ scoring.
NEXT WEEK: WSHS is scheduled to play on the road at Bellingham, 8 pm next Friday (September 10th).
Youth sports are back this year and one local organization is advertising on WSB to get the word out about its upcoming tryouts and season. New sponsors get the opportunity to tell you what they do – here’s what the West Seattle Reign wants you to know:
We are a small but mighty organization of passionate athletes and youth advocates. We work hard to provide a great athletic experience as well as creating a well-rounded athlete on and off the court. Our participants love the focus on fundamentals and individual as well as team growth. We often get feedback that they are happy that we are able and willing to provide a comfortable, flexible, and safe environment for their youth athletes to play volleyball and basketball in this time of uncertainty.
The West Seattle Reign is currently recruiting for 5-6th grade, 7-8th grade, and 16U boys’ and girls’ competitive basketball teams. Tryouts for 5th-8th grade are September 8th and 10th from 6-7:30 pm and tryouts for 16U are September 8th and 10th from 7:30-9 pm – both are at Westside School in Arbor Heights.
The Reign is also NOW registering athletes for our volleyball co-ed skills academy sessions. The sessions will run from September 6th through October 16, with outdoor practices at the Alki Beach volleyball area and indoor practices at the Salvation Army Center on 16th SW.
Outdoor practices for 10-12U will be Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 pm and Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 pm with the 3-18U group on Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 pm and Thursdays 4:30-5:30 pm. Indoors, the 10-12U and 13-18U are Saturdays 4-6 pm.
You can find more information on our website – westseattlereign.com, or call 206-717-3885.
We thank West Seattle Reign for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Slogging through the mud was just one of the challenges for participants in Seattle’s only 5K obstacle course, part of Loop the ‘Lupe, four fun fundraising events in one, today at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point. There was also some jumping to be done:
And climbing:
Things got a little tangled too:
Participants started in waves:
See the results here. Something else unique to Loop the ‘Lupe, coordinated again this year by race director Brian Callanan – a Senior Saunter walk; here’s how today’s began:
Loop the ‘Lupe also featured a 5K Fun Run and a Kids’ Dash (though as shown in our course-start video above, plenty of kids participated in the obstacle course). Whether you were running, walking, or obstacle-dodging, there was music, from the West Seattle School of Rock:
The Kennedy Catholic High School Band made an appearance too:
WSB was a community co-sponsor of Loop the ‘Lupe, as were a long list of local businesses and organizations, including some of our sponsors – Verity Credit Union, which was handing out “boogie bots”:
And Lake Washington Physical Therapy‘s new West Seattle location, led by Mark and Laura Bouma:
Sponsors and participants were all helping raise money for the social work done by Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Thanks to Alison for sending the photo and announcement about a celebration tomorrow:
Local Delridge pickleball players initiated a grant to get additional semi-permanent pickleball nets, and utilize Neighborhood Matching Funds to purchase the nets.
They’re here! And now we want to share the nets and encourage members of our West Seattle neighborhood to discover pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport. Meet local players, play a little, meet your community at our pickleball play event. All are welcome!
Saturday, August 28, 12 noon to 4 PM at the Delridge pickleball courts, 4501 Delridge Way SW.
Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is a 501c3 working to grow pickleball venues indoors and out, and enable pickleball play for persons of all ages and abilities in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Join us! We have so much more work to do.
If you’re not familiar with the sport, the USA Pickleball Association explains that it “combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong,” and notes that it was invented here in the Puget Sound area, on Bainbridge Island,
Sunday, the four-events-in-one Loop the ‘Lupe – an obstacle course, 5K run/walk, youth dash, and Senior Saunter – is back, and it’s not too late to be part of it. We asked race director Brian Callanan for updates – he had four:
REGISTRATION STILL OPEN! But – “There’s a $5 price increase that kicks in on Saturday, so get signed up soon – here. People aged 3 to 83 have registered this year, along with several top finishers from the Alki Beach Sunset Run. So, plenty of fun for people of all ages and elite athletes, too! School of Rock is providing live music, food and drinks are available, and we’re featuring a beer garden courtesy of Georgetown Brewing.”
PACKET PICKUP: Don’t wait till Sunday – get your T-shirt, bib, and swag bag during the packet-pickup event on Saturday, 3-5 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor).
GET VACCINATED, GET A DISCOUNT! Brian says, “Through a partnership with Bird’s Eye Medical and the WA Dept. of Health, we’re offering COVID vaccinations onsite. bit.ly/Loop_Vaccination is the link for people to register (though we’re taking walkups, too). Pfizer and Moderna shots will be offered. Immunocompromised people can get their booster, but boosters are not available to the general public, as of yet. OLG is working on a second clinic within the next few weeks to make sure everyone who gets the vaccine gets their second shot. We’re offering a half-off race entry fee discount to anyone who registers for a vaccine; send confirmation of your appointment to loopthelupe@gmail.com.”
MASK REMINDERS: “The state recommends that fully vaccinated individuals wear a mask in crowded outdoor public places if 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. If you are not fully vaccinated, you are required to wear a mask. While we will do our best to space out participants in waves during the event, please consider your safety and other participants, too.”
Again, you can register for Loop the ‘Lupe here; the four events are explained here (with start times between 11 am and 1 pm),. It’s all happening at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th and Myrtle) this Sunday. (WSB is a community co-sponsor.)
Thanks to Jerry Simmons for the photo from the starting line of tonight’s Alki Beach Sunset Run. As previewed here Friday, the 5K returned this year, two years after its debut. Not much of a sunset tonight, given the cloud cover, but pleasant weather for running. Racers headed out from the promenade toward Duwamish Head and back. Results will eventually turn up here.
P.S. Next big run along West Seattle’s shore is the Orca Half on September 18 and 19.
ADDED SUNDAY: The results (link above) are online now and show 400+ finishers, plus the wide age range of participants – youngest 7, oldest 77!
(WSB photos)
That “hammer cage” is one reason the 2021 USA National Masters Throws Championships are being held at West Seattle Stadium this weekend – meet director George Mathews explains the stadium is one of very few venues around the country where multiple throwing events can happen concurrently. (His Seattle Masters Athletic Club built the cage 20+ years ago.) Today is the first day of the two-day championships, with pentathlon competition – hammer, shot put, discus, javelin, and weight throws. Masters athletes in these sports range in age from 25 into the 100s.
And if that all looks challenging – Mathews – himself a repeat national and world champion – tells us tomorrow’s competition includes the ultraweight throws – up to 300 pounds:
Mathews says spectators are allowed, but they’re adhering to strict COVID-safety protocol – screening plus vaccination proof required for entry.
Tomorrow’s throwing is scheduled to start around 8 am.
The oldest athletes registered to participate this year, by the way, are in the 90-to-94 age range. There are nine people in their 80s. This is the first time the championships are happening here since 2018. (P.S. Thanks to the texter who tipped us about this weekend’s event!)
(WSB photos)
After a pandemic year off, the Great Cross-Suund Race returned to the waters off Alki this morning, with 32 entries taking on the seven-mile course to Blakely Rock and back. With the blast of an air horn, they started at 9 am off the east end of the promenade.
Finishing first, 50 minutes and 42 seconds later, was the same pair as the previous Great Cross-Sound Race in 2019 – Evan Jacobs and Tyler Peterson. They also set the race record 15 years ago – 49:44 in 2006.
The race is organized by the Sound Rowers and Paddlers open-water club. They kept time from a spot on the boardwalk near the Alki Bathhouse, same area that racers launched from, and returned to.
Full results will be online later.
(WSB photo, 2019 Alki Beach Sunset Run)
A new late-summer waterfront 5K debuted in West Seattle in 2019, the Alki Beach Sunset Run. Months later, the pandemic began, so there was no second annual Alki Beach Sunset Run in 2020 – but it’s happening this year, 6 pm tomorrow (Saturday, August 21st). As with the first one, this will start near the Alki Bathhouse, with the route on a combination of street and trail space, but the race organizers tell us there will be no road closures. They’re offering three levels of participation – with swag, without swag, or virtual (you run or walk a 5K of your choice and log your results). The 5K will start in “waves” again this year as it did in 2019 – first one at 6 pm, last one at 7 pm.
(WSB file photo)
After skipping a year because of the pandemic, the Great Cross-Sound Race, to/from Alki is back this Saturday (August 21st). The Sound Rowers and Paddlers club organizes the race from Alki to Blakely Rock off Bainbridge, and back (seven miles). The course is far enough offshore that you’ll need binoculars to watch the start and finish, but the organizers and spectators are usually along the promenade by Alki Bathhouse. Racing begins around 9 am. The course record – which has stood for 15 years – is 49:44.
School starts for many local students three weeks from today and we’re continuing to publish back-to-school announcements. Today – an invitation for Chief Sealth International High School students to sign up for fall sports, which get going even before classes begin:
Sports tryouts and practices begin soon. Sports Registration is open.
All registration is completed online. More detailed instructions on how to register, and coaches’ email (Sports Offered Tab), can be found here.
Sports offered and start dates are as follows:
August 18, 2021
Football
August 23, 2021
Girls’ Volleyball
Girls’ Slowpitch Softball
Girls’ Soccer
Girls’ Swim & Dive
Co-ed Cross Country
Co-ed GolfJoining a fall sport is a great way for new students to meet classmates before school begins!
If your school has an announcement, now or at any time during the year, please email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Seattle Lutheran High School invites you to meet the Saints’ new volleyball coach tonight. Here’s the announcement:
Saints Athletics is pleased to announce our new volleyball head coach for the 2021-2022 season, Dylan Lavis.
Coach Lavis grew up playing the game on the beaches of California. He is a former high school and college volleyball player. He has coached high school and club volleyball, as well as played professionally in Europe. He is a graduate of Humboldt State with a degree in Business Administration.
Coach Lavis lives in West Seattle and is excited to be at Seattle Lutheran, and he hopes to be able to build a strong program at Seattle Lutheran High School with a love and excitement for the game.
There will be a Meet & Greet for Coach Lavis on Tuesday (tonight), from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, in the Seattle Lutheran gymnasium. We invite the West Seattle community to welcome Coach Lavis and his fiancée Saraya to our Saints community.
The SLHS gym is at 4100 SW Genesee.
The return of Loop the ‘Lupe – four events in one! – is a little over three weeks away. You can choose between Seattle’s only obstacle-course event, the 5K fun run, the Senior Saunter, and/or the Kids’ Dash, all at Walt Hundley Playfield on Sunday, August 29th. The obstacle course features seven obstacles on a distance-certified 1K “loop.”
If you’re not already registered, there are five good reasons to do it today: Registration fees for the obstacle course and 5K are discounted $5 through tonight – then tomorrow the fee goes up. Loop the ‘Lupe, with community co-sponsors including WSB, raises money, explains race director Brian Callanan, for “the social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which operates a safe parking lot for homeless neighbors, coordinates voter registration and racial justice education, holds an annual Day of Service benefitting various organizations in the region, and much more.” It all stretches across the morning and afternoon on August 29th, also including live music, food, drinks, and a beer garden.
To register, go here!
| 33 COMMENTS