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SPORTS: Gymnastics champ ‘Finley the Fearless’ seeking sponsorship
December 27, 2019 7:40 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Sponsorship for youth sports is a fairly common thing. But you’re probably used to hearing about it in the context of businesses sponsoring teams.

Tonight, meet an individual athlete seeking sponsorship. She’s a West Seattle 9-year-old who’s in the early stage of a promising gymnastics career, already training long hours every day, and piling up state championships. She’s Finley Young, aka “Finley the Fearless” (that’s her Instagram handle). Finley’s mom Jennifer explains, “Our daughter is desperate to continue with her elite gymnastics career. She is seeking a local sponsor to help her with expenses.” She lists Finley’s achievements on this flyer:

Here’s Finley in action, at a recent meet:

Jennifer explains that the costs of competing at the elite level of gymnastics can be up to $10,000 a year. Travel is the greatest cost; Junior Olympic-level coaching and competition fees are next. Gym fees, regulation leotards, summer training camp – it all adds up. So Finley is seeking sponsorship. She incidentally has a role model in the family – older sister Tessa also has won state and regional championships.

However, their mom says, Tessa isn’t interested in long-term training at the elite level; Finley is.

So what’s in it for a sponsor? For one, it’s tax-deductible, through a booster club. And as with other kinds of youth-sports sponsorship, there’s exposure, and gratitude. Contact info is on Finley’s flyer, above or here (PDF).

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VIDEO: No rainout for West Seattle Runner’s Christmas Light Run
December 22, 2019 7:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photos and video)

It’s a holiday tradition, so the return of the rain didn’t deter dozens from being part of the annual Christmas Light Run this evening, taking off from West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) shortly after 6 pm.

This year’s biggest challenge, as proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell explained pre-run, was redesigning the route a bit, since the highlight of previous years, West Seattle Lights, is no more:

One of the sights they added is the revived Gai Family display. Post-run, the McConnells were hosting everyone for cookies and hot chocolate at the shop. Besides free weekly runs – featured in our West Seattle Event Calendar – they also have a special event the day after Christmas, the next Info Night for their free couch-to-half-marathon Get Fit West Seattle training program – be at the shop 7(2743 California SW) pm December 26th to find out more.

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SEEN OVER WEST SEATTLE: The military jet for Seahawks pre-game flyby
December 22, 2019 4:47 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Jamie Kinney for the photo! That’s the C-17 Globemaster seen over West Seattle this afternoon on its way to a Seahawks pre-game fly-by. It was from the 62nd Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the South Sound.

P.S. One non-aviation-related Seahawks note – next Sunday’s home game vs. the 49ers has been moved from an afternoon start to evening start – 5:20 pm kickoff.

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Valkyries soccer team to play for city championship
December 17, 2019 3:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Congratulations to the West Seattle Valkyries! Michelle Waters sent the photo and word that the U19 girls team has made it into the final match of the Seattle Youth Soccer Association citywide-championship tournament after an undefeated season. “Most of these girls have known each other since grade school,” she adds, but this is their last year to play together as many are graduating. “I’d like to recognize all the hard work these ladies have put in” – and their coach Stefan Persson, who Michelle says is in his final year after 10 years as his daughter is graduating too. The team opens tournament play 10 am Saturday (December 21st) at Ingraham High School.

P.S. We featured the Valkyries five years ago when they were part of a national-TV show after getting a surprise visit from soccer star (and now Sportsperson of the Year) Megan Rapinoe!

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Road Runners headed to nationals again
December 11, 2019 11:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo)

We caught up with the West Seattle Road Runners cross-country-running team earlier this week at Hiawatha as they got ready for a big training session. Once again this year, the Road Runners will be represented at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in a big way – 19 of them are going to Madison, Wisconsin, for this weekend’s competition. The runners are in the 7/8 and 9/10 age brackets. The Road Runners’ recent achievements include first-ever age-group team titles in regional competitions last month. The program became an official USATF-sanctioned club in 2017 and has been represented at nationals every year. Another achievement: This past September, the Road Runners hosted the first-ever West Seattle Rust Buster meet.

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SPORTS: Chief Sealth IHS girls’ wrestling team hosts 1st tournament
December 4, 2019 11:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos)

Big night for the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ wrestling team – they hosted a tournament for the first time. Visiting schools included Lakeside, Nathan Hale, and Ingraham, whose Melissa Rosas wrestled Sealth’s Joanne Ly in the match we photographed:

Girls’ wrestling is a fast-growing sport, according to the parent who tipped us to the tournament (thanks!). The Sealth girls’ regular season runs through the end of January – see the schedule here.

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YOUTH SPORTS: Signup time for West Seattle Little League
December 2, 2019 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Another reason to think spring! West Seattle Little League has announced that it’s signup time:

Welcome to the 2020 WSLL Spring Season! Registration is now open!

We are excited to have new families join and existing families return. Little League players can be girls & boys between the ages 4-12. The season runs from May – June & kids get a lot of playing time (best value in sports)!

Check out westseattlelittleleague.com for more information including scholarship opportunities. Get in the game!

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BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth IHS hosts season-opening jamboree
November 30, 2019 1:53 pm
|    Comments Off on BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth IHS hosts season-opening jamboree
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

1:53 PM: Ready for basketball? Chief Sealth International High School is hosting an eight-team jamboree through about 5 pm. We were there for the opening game this past hour, Sealth vs. Vashon Island HS. The Seahawks led most of the way, but Vashon tied it up in the late going and won 17-15 on a shot at the buzzer. Here’s the schedule (PDF) for the afternoon; Sealth plays again at 4:30 pm in the closing game, vs. Sultan HS.

ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Photos – above, Sealth #23, senior Sean Brown; below, Sealth #22, sophomore Taien Jackson:

Returning as head coach, Colin Slingsby:

Sealth’s first full game of the season is 7 pm Tuesday (December 3rd) at Garfield; their first home game is two weeks later, 7:30 pm December 17th vs. Ballard.

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YOUTH SPORTS: Southwest Lacrosse Club signup time!
November 30, 2019 11:59 am
|    Comments Off on YOUTH SPORTS: Southwest Lacrosse Club signup time!
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo from 2018)

In the chilly almost-winter sunshine, here’s a reason to dream about spring: Registration time for Southwest Lacrosse Club (WSB sponsor)! Teams play a March-to-June season, with preseason practices starting in February – twice weekly, with games on Saturday, except for high-school-age players, whose practices and games are on weekdays. The girls’ program has 3rd/4th-grade and 5th/6th-grade teams; the boys’ program has 3rd/4th grade, 5th/6th grade, 7th/8th grade, and high school. Also, there’s a co-ed, non-contact, K-2 program on Sundays in April and May. You can register online at swlacrosseclub.org. The registration link for all ages is here; scholarships are available.

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SPORTS: Chief Sealth International High School’s fall celebration
November 22, 2019 9:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

Chief Sealth International High School celebrated a memorable fall sports season this week. Among the highlights, the Sealth slowpitch-softball team made it to the state tournament. But Wednesday night’s celebration banquet actually began with a big moment for a spring-sports star:

Seahawks pitcher Nestor German ceremonially signed his letter of intent to attend Seattle University. Sealth athletic director and baseball coach Ernest Policarpio called him one of the “hardest-working kids” he has known in his 15 years at the school. Nestor offered words of gratitude for his coaches, family, and Seattle U offering “this opportunity at the next level.”

Also in the spotlight – the fall sports’ Seahawk Award winners:

The awards honor work ethic and “being a total team player.” Each athlete received the award from their coach(es). In order of presentation – Carmen Yoshitomi, girls’ soccer coached by Mike Rillo:

Volleyball, Eve Elmore, coached by Dez Johnson:

Slowpitch, Leslie Rivas, coached by Alex Alicea:

Football, Zach Cunningham, coached by Ted Rodriguez:

Girls’ swimming, Lola Taylor, coached by Stephanie Hunt:

Cross-country, Cedric Gackenbach, coached by Alexia Ramos and John Ramos:

Golf, Koen Shaw, coached by George Cano:

Along with the awards, coaches offered brief summaries of season highlights, and there was a lot of gratitude to go around – for assistants, trainers, school administration, parents, and warm words from the AD for athletics secretary Debbie Taylor. Some of the coaches’ recaps provided reminders of how hard the students work to achieve in athletics as well as in classwork. Swim coach Hunt, in her first year, noted that the girls practice before school – 6:30 am, two days a week. “It takes a lot of heart, a lot of guts, and they’ve come in every day with a smile.” She also noted that one of their divers, Maggie Schiltz, competed at state. Football coach Rodriguez said 17 of his 26 players received all-league honors, and declared Policarpio “best athletic director in the district.”

Next up – winter sports, starting with the boys’ basketball jamboree one week from tomorrow.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Local athletes sign to play Division 1 college soccer
November 14, 2019 6:32 pm
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! Local athletes sign to play Division 1 college soccer
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Congratulations to two local high-school soccer players who signed letters of intent this week:


The family of West Seattle resident Cece Crosby, who plays for Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, sent the photo and announcement:

Cece Crosby will be attending San Jose State University to play D1 soccer on an athletic scholarship. She sighed her national letter of intent Wednesday. Her parents are Curt and Kandie Trenary.

And West Seattle High School announced Lilli Bedell‘s signing via Twitter:

Both girls’ current teams went into postseason play this year.

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FOLLOWUP: Eddie Martin gets his World Marathon Majors medal and gives his life-saving gift
November 11, 2019 8:59 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

(Photos courtesy Eddie Martin, shown above after the NYC Marathon)

Back in September, we introduced you to Eddie Martin, a West Seattle runner who was about to complete the feat of running in all six World Marathon Majors.

In the past eight days, he’s not only done that, he’s also presented a gift that he promised as a way to pay forward his good fortune – since his NYC run was in part thanks to winning a drawing – and as a tribute to a friend who survived a brush with death.

First – he ran the New York City Marathon on November 3rd, following the 2006 Chicago Marathon, 2007 Boston Marathon, 2012 Berlin Marathon, 2015 Tokyo Marathon, and 2019 London Marathon. Here’s his report:

I finished the New York Marathon (November 3rd) and completed the 6-star journey! It was an absolutely incredible experience finishing the Marathon Majors. Pure joy crossing the finish line.

A few highlights:

The crowds throughout the course were the best I have ever experienced in any marathon. People from all over the world were screaming and cheering the entire way.

I finished in 3 hours, 5 minutes, and 44 seconds. I qualified for the Boston Marathon, but I will not be running it again anytime soon – I need a break!

The energy and excitement among the 53,000+ runners at the start of the race in Staten Island was powerful. Crossing the Verrazano Bridge into Brooklyn at the beginning of the race was one of my favorite moments. I also really enjoyed the finish in Central Park.

The Marathon Majors asked me to do a video interview the day prior to the race (as part of the lucky 6 who were picked to run). They ended up interviewing my wife, Carina, and me in Central Park for the “Marathon Live” show. Here is a link (our interview is around 12 minutes in)

My wife, kids and I stayed in Williamsburg in Brooklyn. We really enjoyed exploring Brooklyn. My mom and stepdad stayed in another place in the Brooklyn area. We all did some sightseeing after the race. We visited the American Museum of Natural History, 911 memorial, Times Square, Brooklyn, Battery Park, Financial District, and rode the Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty.

Incredible trip and adventure. My daughters had a lot of fun and were impressed with the massive size of New York (particularly Manhattan).

Now, the life-saving gift. As explained in our September story, Eddie works for a company that makes automatic external defibrillators. After an AED helped save the life of a good friend earlier this year, he resolved to give a gift in gratitude by donating one. At the time we spoke in September, he and his friend hadn’t decided on a recipient yet. They chose a church in Bremerton – where the friend lives – and presented it this past Saturday:

Carina, Estela, Vivian and I met my friend, first responders, community leaders and family/friends Saturday for a small ceremony at Seaside Church in Bremerton. Everyone talked through the extraordinary sequence of events that led to my friend surviving his sudden cardiac arrest. The first responders and nurse were recognized and then we donated the AED to be placed at Seaside Church. Great day!

His friend’s survival was also made possible by fast action from a nurse who lives nearby, and she too was at the ceremony. Kitsap Sun reporter Josh Farley tells the story here, covering Saturday’s event. As noted in that story, the AED will also be available to people who use a Bremerton park that’s next to the church.

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No, those weren’t gunshots. Congratulations, Sounders FC!
November 10, 2019 2:22 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

2:22 PM: Lots of 911 calls for suspected gunshots. No, those were fireworks – Sounders FC just won the Major League Soccer championship.

7:00 PM: If you want to join the celebration downtown, here’s early info from a postgame media advisory:

Media and fans should be advised that Sounders FC is set to hold its MLS Cup Champions Parade and Rally …on Tuesday, November 12. The event will follow roughly the same path as 2016’s celebration, with the Parade element departing from Westlake Park at 12:00 p.m. PT, followed by the Rally portion at Seattle Center at roughly 1:30 p.m. PT.

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FOOTBALL: WSHS, Chief Sealth seasons conclude
November 9, 2019 5:44 pm
|    Comments Off on FOOTBALL: WSHS, Chief Sealth seasons conclude
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Football season’s over for West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School. WSHS beat Evergreen last night at Southwest Athletic Complex, 38-12, for the Wildcats’ second consecutive win, ending the season at 3-7. CSIHS lost at Newport on Thursday, 56-27, ending with a 5-5 record.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Louisa Boren STEM K-8 seventh-graders in Ultimate playoffs after undefeated season
November 9, 2019 3:31 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Those are the members of the 7th-grade Ultimate Frisbee team from Louisa Boren STEM K-8, who made the playoffs after going undefeated in the regular season. The photo and report are from L’Nayim:

They have worked incredibly hard as a team over the past few months, practicing twice a week, and playing 1-2 games each weekend.

Our coach is the amazing “Mr. Des,” our illustrious History, Art, Soccer coach and UF coach. He is kind and inspires kindness in all his players. Without him, UF would not happen at STEM.

Back Row (L-R): Jack, Dominick, Bryson, Kana, Cedar, Cyrus, Cory, Manny, Coach Travis DesAutels
Front Row (L-R): Lukas, Jane, Fern, Bella, Seth, Noble

They lost their first playoff game today 8-7 but will play again next weekend and are in contention for 3rd place.

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SOCCER: West Seattle High School girls’ season ends
November 7, 2019 7:13 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos. Above, #3 Lilli Bedell)

7:13 PM: As the Metro League tournament continued at Southwest Athletic Complex, the West Seattle High School girls’ season came to an end tonight with a 1-0 loss to Holy Names.

The Wildcats’ opponents scored a goal at 52 minutes, and that was it.

(#9 Daniella Colberg)

8:41 PM: Photos added.

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SOCCER: West Seattle High School girls play again Thursday
November 6, 2019 9:04 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos from Tuesday’s match. Above, #21 Mary Frampton)

The West Seattle High School girls’ soccer team has one more chance to keep their stellar season going. After a 5-0 loss to Roosevelt last night, they play tomorrow for Metro League 4th place.

(Above, #1, goalkeeper Lexi Foster)

Their opponent tomorrow is Holy Names, who the Wildcats beat a week ago.

(Above, #3 Lilli Bedell)

Winner of tomorrow’s match (5 pm Thursday at Southwest Athletic Complex) plays Saturday in a so-called “pigtail” match with either Mercer Island or Bellevue for one last spot at state.

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Southwest Lacrosse Club: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!
November 5, 2019 10:21 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Today we welcome the Southwest Lacrosse Club as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what the Titans would like you to know:

Founded in 2008, .the Southwest Lacrosse Club is dedicated to the promotion, organization and development of lacrosse in the south end. Our mission is to teach lacrosse fundamentals and good sportsmanship, while emphasizing the importance of discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness. Players of all skill levels have the opportunity to develop their game, and we will prepare each athlete for the next level of play.

Lacrosse is one of the world’s oldest sports, with its roots coming from indigenous peoples of North America, including what’s now the Northeast U.S. and Southeast Canada. It is now the fastest-growing youth sport in the U.S. Lacrosse is a mashup of hockey, soccer, and football. It’s fast, dynamic, physical, and exciting to watch. For athletes playing soccer or football in the Fall, Lacrosse is the perfect complementary Spring sport. The Southwest Lacrosse Club serves the general areas of West Seattle, Burien, Normandy Park, Seatac, Des Moines, Tukwila, Renton, and Federal Way. Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming season:

Season: March – May 2020.

Grades, fees, practices, games:

K-2 – $80 – Practice Sundays in April/May

3/4 – $175 – 2x/week – Weekends

5/6 – $275 – 2x/week – Weekends

7/8 – $325 – 2x/week – Weekends

HS – $450 – 2-3x/week – 2x/week

Early-registration discount is available through November 15th.

1. Register with US Lacrosse ($30)

2. Register with Southwest Lacrosse Club

3. Enjoy the season! – pre-season practices begin in February.

We thank the Southwest Lacrosse Club 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.

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SOCCER: West Seattle High School girls to play for Metro League 3rd place
November 2, 2019 11:52 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos)

At Southwest Athletic Complex tonight, the West Seattle High School girls’ soccer team fought hard but couldn’t outrun Seattle Prep, losing their Metro League semi-final match 2-0.

(#3, Lilli Bedell)

(#8, Isabella Colberg)

Head coach Andres Lara Rodriguez‘s team still has a shot at going to state – they’re back at SWAC to play for Metro League third place Tuesday night at 7 pm against Roosevelt, also shut out tonight.

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PLAYOFFS: Metro League semifinals tonight for WSHS girls’ soccer
November 2, 2019 10:44 am
|    Comments Off on PLAYOFFS: Metro League semifinals tonight for WSHS girls’ soccer
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Along with other options for tonight, you can see a soccer playoff match right here in West Seattle. The WSHS girls play Seattle Prep in the Metro League semifinals at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm. The winner not only goes to the championship game but also is guaranteed a spot at the state tournament. Both teams are 12-3; the Wildcats, coached by Andres Lara Rodriguez, are undefeated in league play.

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FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth’s high-scoring victory
November 2, 2019 12:26 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Chief Sealth International High School senior Bishop Jackson (#11, above) scored five of the touchdowns that carried the Seahawks to their highest point total of the season in a 55-34 win at Nathan Hale. Two of his TD’s followed Hale’s only first-half scoring, one that briefly gave the Raiders a 6-0 lead. Sealth had the lead at the half, 14-6, and started expanding on that in the second half with #22 Jesse Brown‘s TD following a faked punt.

#4 Quinn Killham was next with a Sealth TD:

Later, punctuating Jackson TD’s, #79 Randy Johnson added one:

Hale tried a comeback in the 4th quarter but never got close.

Head coach Ted Rodriguez‘s team is now 5-4. They play at Newport (in Bellevue) next Thursday, 7 pm.

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SOFTBALL: Chief Sealth IHS’s state-tournament debut ends on 1st day
November 1, 2019 7:33 pm
|    Comments Off on SOFTBALL: Chief Sealth IHS’s state-tournament debut ends on 1st day
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Tough day for the Metro League-champion Chief Sealth International High School slowpitch team in their first trip to the state tournament. They lost their opening game to Washougal, 13-8, and the subsequent consolation-bracket game to Prairie, 18-9. Head coach Alex Alicea‘s team made it to state with the distinction of having been the first Seahawks in 8 years to play for a league championship.

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SOFTBALL: Chief Sealth International High School slowpitch team starts state-tournament play Friday
October 31, 2019 1:48 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(October 15th WSB photo)

We reported two weeks ago on the Chief Sealth International High School slowpitch-softball team winning the Metro League championship. Tomorrow (Friday, November 1st) they open play in the state 2A/3A tournament in Yakima. They’ll play Washougal at noon, with a second game at 4 pm depending on the results of that one. The two-day tournament at Gateway Sports Complex concludes with the championship and 3rd/4th-place games at 2 pm Saturday.

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