West Seattle, Washington
17 Wednesday
On Wednesday, you have a rare chance to see professional ultimate in West Seattle! From the Seattle Cascades:
Come to West Seattle Stadium on July 31st and see the Cascades take on Melbourne Ellipsis from AUSTRALIA! This is a benefit game for DiscNW Tier 206 Tour, and we’ll be collecting donations at the gate: recommended $15 adult, $5 youth. 100% collected will go to DiscNW. Gates open at 6:15 pm for a 6:45 pm game.
The Seattle Cascades are a professional ultimate team that competes in the West Division of the American Ultimate Disc League. Our home stadium is Memorial Stadium, in the heart of Seattle, right under the Space Needle. Our home games run April-August on weekends.
In addition to a women’s roster and open roster (all genders), we have a mixed roster that includes a set ratio of women’s and men’s division players. We play in three Cup games in July-August, including a MUST SEE international match with Melbourne Ellipsis from Australia!
Last pro disc team to play here that we recall was the now-defunct Seattle Rainmakers, which played home games at Southwest Athletic Complex in 2013.
Next round of Da Grind is on: https://t.co/U6hq1wZBAQ pic.twitter.com/83YQIqegd7
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 27, 2019
We’re at Alki Beach, where you have one more chance – around 2 pm – to watch outrigger canoes start a round of racing as part of the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s 2019 “Da Grind.” The club and crews have tents on the sand just east of the Alki boardwalk (which is filled with Alki Art Fair booths – separate report on that soon).
The second round of racing is out on the long course right now, and the 2 pm-ish racing will be on the short course, with awards around 3:30 pm. More photos later!
(WSB photo from 2018 ‘Da Grind’)
Continuing our ongoing previews of what’s ahead here in the heart of summer, there’s another reason to be at Alki next Saturday: The Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s annual “Da Grind” races will be on for most of the day. Most of the racing is on a 12-mile course to Blake Island and back, but a four-mile course is used for the last round of the day. The schedule’s on the races’ official website, with racing starting at 9:30 am and lasting until awards are presented around 3:30 pm.
9:41 AM: The first of today’s big events is on! The Float Dodger 5K has left Hiawatha, headed down California SW on the parade route. The West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor)-presented 5K, benefiting West Seattle Helpline, was on hiatus last year, but back this year as an opening act for the West Seattle Grand Parade. After leaving the Hiawatha track, the runners “dodged” the Rotary Club “wheel” float in the street and then headed south. Awaiting them back at Hiawatha: Root-beer floats.
9:49 AM: Above, that’s our video of everyone leaving the start line. Below, runners as they arrived in The Junction:
At left, West Seattle Runner proprietors Lori McConnell and Tim McConnell ran the race in addition to presenting it:
And we can hear the announcement of the first runners arriving back at Hiawatha! Results later – plus more of the pre-race fun, including the costume contest.
ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Results for the 300+ timed runners are here.
For three nights later this month, incoming third through eighth graders can practice basketball skills and drills with some of the state’s best players – the West Seattle High School girls! $100 for three nights, 5:30-8 pm July 29-31. To sign up (or if you have a question), email (updated) Taylor.DarnellWSHSGB@hotmail.com and/or meedschris@yahoo.com.
Cbief Sealth International High School is seeking a new golf coach. From Debbie Taylor with the CSIHS Athletic Department:
Longtime Golf Coach Davie Hendrix retired at the end of the 2019 school year.
This is a golden opportunity for our community area golfers to lend their talents mentoring the Chief Sealth Golf Team.
Hendrix coached golf at Sealth for more than 20 years.
(WSB photo, August 2018)
That was the scene off Alki Point last August as Rose Filer became the latest swimmer to complete the Amy Hiland Swim between Bremerton and Alki Point, named for the woman who was first to do it, 60 years ago. Northwest Open Water Swimming Association president Andrew Malinak sends word the next attempt is planned for later this month:
Our first Amy Hiland Swim (Bremerton-Alki) swim of the summer is set for Saturday, 20 July 2019, and the whole crew is local.
Stephanie Zimmerman has been training at Alki for the past two years. She will be supported from the boat by Rose Filer (31 Aug 2018) and Amanda Winans (date set for September). The swim will be officiated by Lauren Boilini (26 Aug 2017).
Splash time at the Turner Joy in Bremerton is 8:30 am; anticipated finish is 2 pm at Alki Light. Tracking will be (here).
Zimmerman and Filer were among the panelists at an event we covered back in March featuring female open-water swimmers telling their stories. If successful, Zimmerman will be the sixth to complete this swim since Hiland herself (the others are listed on the NOWSA website).
Two days, two consecutive West Seattle Little League district championships! Tonight, the 9-10-11 (11’s) won, and they’re on the way to the state tournament in Woodinville starting July 13th; the 10’s, whose district championship we reported last night, are in state competition in Gig Harbor, which starts tomorrow. Also this weekend, WSLL’s Kathy Powers tells WSB, “Our 12 year old team will compete in the District 7 tournament which will be held at our own Bar-S field starting tomorrow. We invite the community down to the field to enjoy some baseball!” Here’s the bracket; Bar-S is at 64th SW and Admiral Way on Alki Point.
An exciting day of 4th of July baseball! Congratulations to the West Seattle Little League‘s 8-9-10 (10U) All-Stars, who won the District 7 championship today in SeaTac and are headed for the state tournament. They won by beating Renton twice. In the photo, sent by Courtney:
From L to R: Jaxton Daily, Kye Ritzman, Coach Chris Kraynek, Cole Williamson, Andrew Nguyen, Ayla Moore (front), Eli Slatkin, Head Coach Mike Fahy, Henry Timmons, Ben Grimes, Coach Mike Timmons, Asher Straus, Mateo Garcia, Samuel Kraynek, Owen Fahy, Waylon Ryan
(WSB photo, West Seattle Golf Course as seen from SW Genesee)
This year, the 4th of July has an added attraction in West Seattle – a golf championship! Here’s the announcement we received:
The 85th Seattle Amateur Championship, one of the Northwest’s top amateur tournaments, will be played July 2-4 at Seattle’s three municipal golf courses. More than 80 players, representing clubs from across the state and 18 colleges and universities will contend in the unique three-day three-course event hosted by Seattle Parks and Premier Golf.
The first round will begin at Jackson Park on July 2nd, followed by a second round July 3rd at Jefferson Park. (For first and second round tee times and more tournament information see the Seattle Amateur website).
After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 54 players and ties who will advance to the final day of play on July 4th at West Seattle Golf Course. Pairings will be regrouped for the final day. Tee times will begin between 7:30 am and 9:00 am. Spectators are encouraged to attend.
The Seattle Amateur Championship is open to all golfers, male and female, with a USGA handicap index of 4.9 or less. Seven past Seattle Amateur champions are competing this year including former Mariners pitcher Erik Hanson, former University of Washington golfer Erik Olson, and longtime West Seattle Golf Club member Larry Daniels. The tournament prize fund of $6,030 will be awarded to the top 30 players.
The main entrance to the golf course is on the south side of the parking lot shared with West Seattle Stadium, off the east side of 35th SW just south of Avalon Way.
(Photo courtesy WSHS)
School’s out for summer! On this last day of classes for Seattle Public Schools, if you have a rising 5th through 9th grader in the house and your summer’s not all booked up yet, West Seattle High School volleyball coach Abby West sends this reminder:
Last call to register your young athletes (girls and boys!!) for West Seattle’s Annual Volleyball Camp! July 22nd-25th 9 am- 1 pm. The cost is $150. Please email abby.west1@gmail.com to register. Registration deadline is July 10th.
5:36 PM: A former JV girls-basketball coach at West Seattle High School is charged with “communicating with a minor for immoral purposes” via online messaging. Seattle Public Schools tells WSB the former coach, 28-year-old Michael D. Gutierrez, was fired in February, 10 days after the school learned about the allegations. Here’s what the charging document alleges:
The defendant engaged a student-athlete he coached in (in)appropriate sexual communication in electronic communication and in person. The defendant kissed the girl and also grabbed, or spanked her bottom on a number of occasions.
The probable-cause document on file says an assistant principal discovered two students, now both 17, having been “inappropriately contacted” via social media. One victim said Gutierrez had been contacting her via Snapchat since 2017, with remarks including saying he wanted to stay in a hotel with her and wanted to have kids with her. Then, she told police, he invited her to come practice at the gym several times last summer, saying other students would be there, but she turned out to be the only one. This past January, she said, he asked her to come into an office for a “grade review” but instead touched her and tried to get her to kiss him.
Here’s the statement we obtained late today from Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson:
When SPS learned of the allegations of inappropriate comments and behavior by an adult hourly coach, we immediately contacted Seattle Police on Feb. 15, 2019.
That same day, SPS released the adult from all coaching responsibilities until the outcome of an internal investigation was completed.
On February 25, 2019 (the Monday after mid-winter break), SPS terminated the individual’s employment. The individual was a part-time coach. The individual was not a teacher, counselor, etc.
Court records show the charge was filed against Gutierrez this past Monday. It was first reported by KIRO TV this afternoon (thanks to the reader who pointed that out via the WSB Community Forum so we could research and confirm). The court documents also say Gutierrez has no criminal record. He is not in custody but the charging documents say that if he does not appear for arraignment, scheduled for July 1st, an arrest warrant will be issued.
ADDED 7:43 PM: WSHS principal Brian Vance has just sent email to families about this, and a parent forwarded it to us. Here’s what he wrote:
From Zach Jones, West Seattle Baseball president:
Wanted to shout out all our West Seattle PONY league champions from this year’s season:
Pinto (7-8)- Wildwood Market:
Mustang (9-10)- Mountain To Sound Outfitters:
Bronco (11-12)- Alki Lumber:
P.S. WS Baseball is still signing up 6- through 10-year-olds for Summer Crush baseball – more on that here!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
When the Seattle Public Schools citywide volleyball playoffs ended in the Chief Sealth International High School gym about an hour ago, the trophy was in the hands of the team from next door – the Denny International Middle School Dolphins. They triumphed over Whitman MS (from Ballard) in three sets, coming back to win the second and third after losing the first.
Denny finished second in the regular season, behind McClure MS, which lost to Whitman in the tournament’s opening game first thing this morning. Denny beat Eagle Staff MS in the second game, setting up the championship. Spirited fan turnout!
It was a tough match – Whitman only won the first set by two, 25-23, after fighting back from a sizable deficit to Denny. Denny took the second set by eight, 25-17. Whitman took the early lead in the third set; Denny came back quickly, but Whitman wasn’t giving up, and tied things up at 8-8. Denny took the lead after that, and never looked back, with the final tally 15-11.
Denny wins! Third set 15-11. Hard-fought match by all. pic.twitter.com/caR3fVsKoK
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 8, 2019
The Denny volleyball team is coached by longtime math teacher Gary Lai. Principal Jeff Clark was at courtside and told us he’s proud of the players and Coach Lai.
The West Seattle Soccer Club – an all-volunteer-led organization serving more than 2,000 kids and families – wants to be sure you know that they’re now signing up players for the fall season. Here are details on the programs they offer. A few reasons to not procrastinate:
*Returning 2018 Fall players registering by June 30, 2019 will be given priority placement on their former teams.
*Players registering after June 30, 2019 will be placed in the general pool and assigned to a team on a space-available basis only
*Our program may reach capacity before the scheduled close of registration. If you plan to participate with us this fall, we urge you to register early!
Full registration info is on the WSSC website.
Got kid(s) in the family who would be interested in “low-key” summer baseball? Lisa sends word that West Seattle Crush signups are happening:
Summer Crush League registration is open!
-Pinto (6/7/8) and Mustang (9/10) age groups
-Low-key, weeknight only games in July/August
-No scheduled practices
-Great for extra reps and learning new positions
-Big rosters to accommodate vacations, etc.
The report and photo are from proud mom Cori Roed:
Nicole Roed (Chief Sealth ’15) just graduated with a degree in exercise science from Cal Lutheran University and was named 1st Team All-American for Water Polo 2019.
So far this summer, Cori adds, Nicole is “currently coaching swim and water polo at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club and looking for a job in the sports sciences.”
She is now a three-time All-American! She helped lead her team to its first national-championship tournament appearance in a decade.
Bryson‘s mom Mel sent that photo, reporting that he “had a fun time fishing for the first time at the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club event this morning.” This was the annual free fishing pond at Seacrest, presented each year by the WSSC for kids up to 14:
(WSB photos from here)
The morning started off foggy, but spirits under the tent were bright:
The club provides the gear and gets the temporary pond stocked with more than 200 trout for the occasion.
By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
West Seattle High School‘s boys-basketball team, coming off a season that put them in the state tournament, met their new head coach today.
Dan Kriley has been hired as successor to Keffrey Fazio, who announced last month that he’s leaving WSHS after 10 years, headed for a college-coaching gig.
Kriley brings college experience – and pro – to his new job. His three-decades-plus resume includes coaching positions at Seattle University, Pierce College, and Tacoma Community College, as well as Ballard High School, and professional coaching overseas. He’s lived in West Seattle for more than a decade and a half and has been coaching a community program here too. “I’m a big fan of the (WSHS) program and how it’s progressed with Coach Keff,” Kriley told us. Then came news of the opening, and community members asked Kriley if he’d be interested.
He was. And he’s excited to take over a program where “the foundation’s been built … a lot of great players are coming up in the community; my goal and aspiration is to build a fence around West Seattle, keep all the talent here on the island” with no reason to attend other schools. (That might eventually include his own 12-year-old son, a Holy Rosary student who plays basketball.)
Though next season is half a year away, Kriley is ready to get started. He said today’s meeting with players addressed “summer workouts” – the players are “going to be very fit” – as well as a tournament with a few other Metro League teams next week that should give him “an idea of where they’re at.”
And the players will start learning about his style. “Super-detailed and hard-nosed” are the first phrases Kriley uses when asked about that. “My teams have always been known for uptempo defense” and “very structured” offense.
With his longtime West Seattle roots, Kriley also hopes to increase community support for the program, “whether it’s coming out to games, or supporting our fundraisers.” He says he’s planning to be at WSHS “a number of years” and to “build this (team) into a state-championship contender.”
(Photo: 1iOpen Productions)
A West Seattleite who’s been an outstanding archer since childhood is taking aim at a spot on the national team. The update is from Tracy Nachtrieb:
West Seattle High School freshman Addy Nachtrieb competes in the United States Archery Team Trials (USAT) this weekend in Florida. Over three days of competition, May 31st to June 2nd, she will attempt to make the 2020 US Team.
She finished the 2018 season ranked 16th in the nation. She is the highest ranked 15-year-old female in USA Archery. The top three scoring females for the season will earn a position on Team USA. Learn more about her here and follow her social media to cheer her on!
We’ve published several updates on Addy’s achievements, going back to age 9.
(WSB photos)
A statewide award was a highlight of Wednesday night’s Chief Sealth International High School spring-sports banquet. Above, football standout Dontae McMillan received the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association‘s True Spirit Award, created three years ago in honor of an Eastern Washington student-athlete named Jace Malek. At Dontae’s left is Sealth athletic director Ernest Policarpio; at his right is Pat McCarthy, WIAA executive board president, and on the other side of the photo, WIAA executive director Mike Colbrese. Dontae is headed to Weber State in the fall. Also college-bound, a Sealth student-athlete whose signing was celebrated at the banquet:
Basketball player Nohea Morrison is headed to Missouri Valley College. Other awards included Seahawk honors for:
Benie Bahati, girls’ track
Dontae McMillan, boys’ track
Sabrina Burgess-Garrett, fastpitch softball
Jake Webster, boys’ soccer
Shelzy Juta, tennis
Thang Huynh, baseball
Plus recognition of:
2019 Metro Baseball 1st Team All-League Catcher Jesse Brown
2019 Metro Baseball 2nd Team All-League Pitcher Nestor German
And a very special coach was also among the night’s honorees:
At right with AD Policarpio is Sealth soccer coach Ron Johnson, retiring after 25 years at the school. Congratulations to all!
That downtown baseball team breaking your heart? The Highline Bears (WSB sponsor) are ready to win you over.
(Photo courtesy Highline Bears)
The summer collegiate-baseball team has 24 home games at Mel Olson Stadium in nearby Steve Cox Memorial Park this season, starting Saturday night, and they’re hoping to open the season with their first-ever sellout. From the team’s announcement:
The Bears aren’t just your normal baseball game; they make sure that every person who enters the ballpark has a night they will never forget. From the music over the PA system, between-inning contests, give-aways, games, and races, the Bears take a baseball game and turn it into a circus. The first batter of the Bears season will actually be a fan (18 or older) who is chosen at random through a raffle before the game. The Bears will have a fan batter of the night two times a month during non- league games.
Don’t forget to save your appetite for the ballpark as the Bears concession stand provides some of the best value you’ll find at a baseball game. With affordable prices, the concession stand offers all beef 1⁄4 lb hot dogs, Seattle Dogs, Ivar’s Clam Chowder, loaded baked potatoes, pulled-pork sandwiches, loaded nachos, and even a pulled-pork sundae.
The Highline Bears are giving-a-way magnet schedules to the first 250 fans through the gates just like the Mariners do. The unofficial Mayor of White Center will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and Shorewood Elementary choir will be singing the national anthem.
Adult tickets are $8 or $5, youth/seniors $5, kids 8 and under free with a paying adult. You can get yours in advance of your trip to the ballpark (1321 SW 102nd) for Saturday’s 7:10 pm game vs. the Laces – the highest ticket price at $8 for adults, youth and seniors are $5 and kids 8 and under are always free with a paying adult. Just go here!
(WSB photos)
One year ago, we reported on the Southwest Titans lacrosse program for girls, just getting its start. Now they’ve wrapped up another season – with a winning record! – and want to get a jump on inviting new participants next year. They shared this update on their program and the sport in general:
Lacrosse for the last decade or so has been regarded as the fastest-growing sport in North America. A sport that’s mostly known for being played on the East Coast has exploded across the US. From 2001 to 2017, participation in the sport more than tripled, from roughly 250,000 players nationwide to well over 825,000. Specifically for girls from ages 5-14, participation more than doubled from 81,000 to nearly 164,000, and the Southwest Titans Girls Program helped contribute to those growth figures in 2018!
We started with a 10U program with 14 girls on the team from ages 7 – 10. After a successful inaugural season, we grew to a program of 26, fielding a 10U and 12U team for 2019, still with every girl coming from West Seattle (primarily Genesee Hill Elementary). For next year in 2020, we have hopes of expanding to having a team for girls as young as 5 and as old as 15. And our reach goal for a few years from now would be looking at potentially starting a high-school club program for the girls in 2022, so we are setting our sights on recruiting as much as we can, in preparation.
We start registration in late fall (November) and our optional preseason practices start up in February. Our preseason work is an hour long, up to 2x a week. Our official season begins in March for all our teams and wraps up the first weekend in June. We play games all across the county and really aim to build community, with carpools and snacks together after games. We offer scholarships for registration, have equipment rentals, and can/will provide equipment for any girl that needs it (no matter the reason). We practiced during the season this year at Pathfinder K-8 in Pigeon Point and played most home games at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center and will likely do the same in 2020.
8U (Grade K-2 or ages 5 to no older than 9 on 8/31/2020)
10U (Grades 3/4 or ages 8 to no older than 11 on 8/31/2020)
12U (Grades 5/6 or ages 10 to no older than 13 on 8/31/2020)
14U (Grades 7/8 or ages 11 to no older than 15 on 8/31/2020)
Girls’ lacrosse differs from the boys in that the girls’ game is more about finesse and speed. Girls have to use their stick skills and speed to get through traffic and stick checks from defenders but don’t have to worry about anyone lowering their shoulder to lay a hit. Girls are also taught to play defense a little more thoughtfully and with precision to avoid being yellow-carded for unsafe play; unlike the padded boys, girls can’t run in front of a shot or pass or use their body to impede a player or the ball. Both are amazing sports to watch/play but are night and day in how things unfold on the field.
Many women that played lacrosse also grew up playing soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter before lacrosse in the spring. We appreciate and strongly encourage multi-sport athletes in our program, as we know we could not be as successful as we have been without the athletic background our girls have. The transferability of skills and concepts helps develop a well-rounded athlete and really strengthens their “Sports IQ.”
That growth at the youth level over the years has led to a wave of competitive collegiate club programs being seen across the west coast. And as those club teams become more successful, more colleges are rewarded with NCAA-sanctioned Women’s Lacrosse teams.
We are a recreational program that is focused on just getting girls in the area to try something new (and hopefully fall in love with it). However, the expansion collegiately matters as it helps feed the growth cycle with players graduating and then transitioning to coaching and/or founding new teams so opportunities continue to arise for kids that are looking to play, no matter their age or desired level of competitiveness.
The photos in this story include the 3rd/4th-grade and 5th/6th-grade girls teams with the Titans; we caught up with them last week at the Pathfinder field on Pigeon Point. Find out more about the team, registration, season schedules, and more by going here.
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