West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
The cheers resounded from 1,000 miles away, but the end result was disappointment from San Bernardino to Seattle as Little League Northwest Regionals play opened with a 16-6 loss for the West Seattle Little League All-Stars. Barry J. White sent the photo from the local viewing party we mentioned here last night, reporting:
A large contingent of 60+ Westside fans watched from the Great American Diner. It wasn’t the result anyone hoped or expected, but the crowd was loud and enthusiastic throughout. Despite the 16-6 result after five innings, many expressed confidence the team would bounce back on Tuesday.
The state-champion WSLL players’ opponents today were the Idaho champs from Coeur d’Alene; here are the game stats. At 7 pm Tuesday, West Seattle will play either Alaska or Montana.
Want to join neighbors in rooting for the state-champion West Seattle Little League All-Stars as they start the next phase of their quest to get to the Little League World Series? A viewing party is planned, says Kathy Powers of WSLL:
We’d love to invite the community to join together and cheer for our West Seattle Little League boys at a viewing party at the Great American Diner and Bar. They have subscribed to ESPN+ and will be airing the games. If you can’t join the fun in person, you can always follow along with ESPN+ (7 day free trial right now for the app).
Great American is at 4752 California SW. WSLL’s first game is 4 pm Sunday, vs. Idaho – you’ll find the listing here. This is WSLL’s first trip to the regionals; the same team won the state championship as the 11-year-old All Stars last year, but that age group doesn’t go to regional competition. Meantime, the crowdfunding campaign to cover expenses continues here.
The report and photo are from proud mom Joelle Hammerstad:
West Seattle’s own Boden Hammerstad finished the 202-mile Seattle-to-Portland (STP) bike ride with his dad, David Hammerstad, last month. At just 10 years old, Boden is one of the youngest riders to finish the race. It was a long ride with temperatures in the 90s on both days of the race. Boden and his dad started out at the University of Washington on Saturday, July 14, and camped in Chehalis that night.
On Sunday, July 15, the final day of the ride, with less than 20 miles to go before the finish line, Boden took a spill, and had to get bandaged in the medic tent. (See the bandage on his arm.) He wasn’t deterred, though. He got right back up on his bike, and finished the final stretch — even passing adults along the way as he sped toward the finish line.
Boden is a rising fifth grader at Genesee Hill Elementary. He got the idea to ride the race last summer, and asked his dad to help him train to become a rider this year. He and his dad trained all spring and into the summer — going on rides sponsored by the Cascade Bicycle Club, as well as on their own. They participated in the Flying Wheels ride in June to practice for the big day. Boden’s hard work culminated in finishing the largest multi-day bike ride in the Pacific Northwest.
The state-champion West Seattle Little League All-Stars traveled today Southern California today to get ready for their first game at 4 pm Sunday in the Little League Northwest Regionals. The photo is from a team mom, Brooke Gosztola; she reports, “The team met bright and early (5:00 a.m.) at Sea-Tac Airport for their flight to So Cal. Regionals, here they come!”
P.S. As mentioned here Thursday, there’s a crowdfunding campaign to help cover expenses, if you would like to pitch in.
Thanks to West Seattle High School track and field head coach Will Harrison for the report:
Wanted to pass along some special summer accomplishments from some of our Wildcat Track athletes who continued their spring season into a special summer season:
JUNE
At the U20 USA Track and Field Junior Championships held in Bloomington, IN, June 15-17, state champions Cass Elliott and Chloe Cunliffe competed well. This meet is considered to be the most prestigious youth/junior meet in the country, in which many of the top competitors have just finished their freshman year in college, and in which the top 2 athletes in each event qualified to represent the US at the World Junior Championships in Tampere, Finland. Elliott, now graduated and UW-bound, wound up 4th in the 400-meter hurdles in a personal best 51.72, and was the top high school finisher. Senior-to-be Cunliffe, representing NW Pole Vault and Seattle Speed TC, wound up 6th in the pole vault with a vault of 13 feet, 3.5 inches, the second high-school finisher.
JULY
(Chloe Cunliffe setting the 17-18 Junior Olympic National Meet Record in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Tim Reilly)
At the USATF “Junior Olympic” regional in Bend, OR July 5th through 18th, Cunliffe cleared 14 feet even to equal the #1 jump for any high-school athlete in the nation in 2018. This mark also broke her own Washington state record. She would go on to capture the Junior Olympic National title in Greensboro, NC on July 27th for ages 17-18, in a meet record 13-11.
Also at the regional meet, senior-to be Rylee Farrison, representing Seattle Speed, ran a big personal best in the 400 meters, 50.12 seconds, to advance to the national finals. Now-graduated Joe Kirk-Woodbury (High Voltage TC), who placed 3rd at State this spring in the discus, qualified to the national finals in 3 events- shot put (45’10”), discus (143’8″), and hammer throw (157’2.5″). Elliott competed in the Junior Olympic National Meet and wound up 2nd in the 400-meter hurdles for the 3rd straight year, running in 52.13 seconds. All 3 athletes competed in the 17-18 age bracket.
The photo and report are from team manager Jenny Ancich:
The West Seattle HSA Select Girls’ U12 team won the Outpatient Physical Therapy Summer Challenge tournament held in Maple Valley July 27 -29. They were undefeated, winning their 3 regulation matches, then winning their semi-final, making it to the final match. It was a penalty-kick shootout, with HSA coming out on top! Many thanks to the girls for toughing it out in the heat, and to head coach Kevin Broveleit and assistant coach Brett Ho!
(Photos by Barry J. White)
4 PM: Just in from Sedro-Woolley – the West Seattle Little League All-Star 12s are state champions, beating Pacific (in their third faceoff) 8-4. Thanks again to Cami MacNamara for the updates, and thanks to Barry J. White for the photo above (added 4:13 pm). Barry adds, “The team now plays as Washington in the Northwest regional. Play begins next weekend in San Bernardino, CA.” More later!
ADDED 4:28 PM: The double play that ended the game:
Thanks for the video (by Stephen Foster)!
ADDED 8:32 PM: More photos/highlights from Barry J. White:
The teams and umpires arrayed for the national anthem.
Tristan Buehring is greeted at home following his three-run homer to right that capped a five-run second inning for Westside.
The players huddle before each at-bat to motivate for hits and runs. It seemed to work. West Seattle scored 60 runs in seven games to easily outpace the tournament field.
Eli Palmer got the start three days after a rough outing against the same Pacific side. He came through in the clutch today, pitching into the fifth inning and giving up three runs on six hits.
Caden Fahy steams to third following Palmer’s double in the bottom of the fifth.
Robbie Foisy reacts to his teammates in the dugout after a two-out double that scored Fahy and Palmer. It put Westside up 8-4 after Pacific had rallied to within a run.
Parker Eley jumps into the arms of Miles Gosztola after third baseman Bobby Trigg started a crisp 5-4-3 double play to end the game. Eley recorded the final five outs to pick up his second save in as many days.
Scenes of delirium on the infield.
Skillful play, camaraderie, and class won Westside a lot of new fans during their runs through the district and state tournaments. West Seattle can be proud of their first representative on the regional stage. Manager Mike Fahy and coaches Sean Eley and Brian Sherick have done a masterful job keeping the kids motivated and focused during their winning run.
And Kathy Powers, WSLL communications, wants to be sure you know the names of all the state-champ players:
Blake Taft, Bobby Trigg, Caden Fahy, Eli Palmer, Jake Daily, Joe Sherick, Matthew Hazlegrove, Matthew Henning, Miles Gosztola, Parker Eley, Robbie Foisy, Simon Vance, Tristan Buehring, Wyatt Glover
Regionals, she tells us, start one week from today – August 5th.
P.S. Thanks to Cami and Kathy for word that this is the first WSLL 12s (Majors) team to win a state championship. This team won the 11s championship last year but that age group does not move on to regional competition – this one does, and it’s a WSLL first.
(Junior doubles’ race. Photo courtesy Duwamish Rowing Club)
The Duwamish Rowing Club reports it was a beautiful day for their 3rd annual Dieter Hotz Regatta. Sarah Blum sent the report and photos from the July 21st event:
Entries from Eastside Prep, Lake Union and Lake Washington clubs rounded out the field with singles, doubles, coxed and coxless quads, plus coxed fours took off about every ten – fifteen minutes to race up the 1000-meter course to cheering crowds in the park overlooking the finish line. There were both youth and master’s races throughout the morning. Rowing on the Duwamish is alive and well!
It was a youth rower from Eastside Prep that took the coveted Boeing trophy for her race in a single scull.
Lake Union Crew took the overall points win for the Dieter Hotz trophy and a good time was had by all.
One of the most exciting races was the coxless quad race between Lake Union and DRC (Duwamish Rowing Club).
As the boats neared the finish line Lake Union was in the lead, the crowd was cheering on the DRC boat and in the sprint they passed the LUC boat by about 8 inches at the finish.
Anyone can learn to row. DRC had learn-to-row classes through June and one of the new rowers, Matt White, raced in the master’s four like a pro. Matt’s daughter is in the youth program at DRC.
Winners of the ECOSS trophy for 2018 was the Lake Union Crew:
The DRC is our area’s only rowing club, based in South Park but also serving West Seattle and other communities along and near the Duwamish River.
3:32 PM: The West Seattle Little League 12-year-old All-Stars bounced back with a victory in their must-win game at Sedro-Woolley, so they’re off to the state championship game tomorrow! The photo and report are from Barry J. White:
Scenes of joy in the Skagit as the West Seattle Little League All Stars hang on for a thrilling 7-6 win over Pacific to advance to the winner-take-all state championship game and a trip to regionals. The two teams meet for the third time in four days tomorrow at Tesarik Field in Sedro-Woolley. Regardless of tomorrow’s outcome, today’s game of spectacular defensive plays, hitting stars, and unlikely pitching heroes will live long in memory.
More later! Thanks also to Cami MacNamara for updates via Twitter, including the moment of victory and jubilation that followed:
West Seattle wins 7-6! Plays tomorrow for the title! @wslittleleague @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/KkeQ9w4Yrj
— Cami MacNamara (@webcami) July 28, 2018
ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Barry’s photos of game highlights:
A Pacific solo home run in the top of the first staked them to an early lead, which was quickly answered by a solo shot from Tristan Buehring in the bottom of the frame. The hit helped ignite offense in the early innings for Westside.
Miles Gosztola (L) worked four innings, allowing two runs and striking out nine. Multiple baserunners and long at-bats ran up his maximum pitch count earlier than desired, and he was replaced by a trio of relievers. Parker Eley (R) was pressed into service to work the the sixth, and he struck out the final hitter to end the game, stranding two runners in scoring position.
Manager Mike Fahy visits the mound to settle down his starter.
Second baseman Joe Sherick makes the defensive gem of the tournament with a diving catch of hot line drive, and from the seat of his pants nails the runner trying to return to second. Pacific had loaded the bases with no outs but came away empty.
Joy at home as Robbie Foisy ends a long at-bat with a solo home run in the fourth. Gosztola would follow with his own long ball later in the inning, giving Westside a 7-2 cushion. They would need all the runs to withstand a late Pacific rally.
UPDATE: As noted in comments, the championship game is at 2 pm Sunday.
8:45 PM: Thanks again to Barry J. White for the photo and report on today’s game in Sedro-Woolley:
It was equal parts relief and elation as the West Seattle All-Stars rallied for five runs in the fifth and held on for a 5-3 win over Sammamish to stay alive in the 2018 State Tournament in Sedro-Woolley. The win knocks Sammamish out and sets up a rematch with Pacific at 12:00 tomorrow at Tesarik Field. Westside needs to win to set up a winner-take-all game on Sunday.
Barry promises more later – so check back for additions!
ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: Game highlights as promised:
Westside turned to Matthew Henning to keep the season alive and he responded with a strong outing, pitching into the sixth inning as he surrendered two runs while striking out seven. Caden Fahy inherited a bases-loaded jam but limited the damage to pick up the save.
Miles Gosztola prepares to be mobbed by teammates at the plate after his one-out home run in the bottom of the fifth finally got Westside on the board and tied the score. Westside had stranded multiple runners in three of the previous innings.
Jake Daily watches his two-run home run, his second in the last two games, clear the left field fence. Eli Palmer would follow with a solo shot for the third homer of the inning.
The team takes a traditional postgame walk past the stands to salute its supporters.
Today, they are in the semifinals of the state tournament. On Wednesday, when they had an offday, the West Seattle Little League 12 All-Stars did volunteer work! Ben Palmer sent the photo and report:
Taking a break from state baseball tournament and helping at the local food bank. These kids are awesome!
Today at 4 in Sedro-Woolley, the team plays Pacific.
(Added: Photos by Barry J. White)
6:24 PM: Via the GameChanger app (thanks to Cami MacNamara for the tip!), the West Seattle Little League 12-year-old All-Stars have done it again, winning 5-1, over Sammamish, at the state tournament in Sedro-Woolley. Next game: Thursday afternoon, vs. the winner of the Pacific vs. Auburn game, which is set to start shortly.
9:49 PM: Thanks to Barry J. White for again sharing photos and a summary:
West Seattle Little League All-Stars continue to impress at the 2018 state tournament with an all-around display of power pitching, timely hitting, and solid defense.
(Above, Miles Gosztola slides into second after picking up the first of his two RBIs. He took the mound on his birthday and got the win while giving up one run on four hits and striking out eight.)
(Above, Blake Taft takes third on a passed ball and would later score the team’s final run on an infield hit.)
The team moves on to the semifinals on Thursday at 4:00 at Tesarik Field in Sedro-Woolley.
Thanks to proud mom Maija Wade for the photo and report on her son’s achievement:
Today at the BRI Seafair Triathlon Kids Long Course, 10 year old Marshall Wade of Gatewood Elementary School won 1st place in his age group, 1st among all male youth participants, and 3rd place overall.
The Kids Long Course includes a 100-yard swim, 2-mile bike ride, and 1-mile run.
This is Marshall’s second Seafair Triathlon and his first podium finish. After the event, Marshall said, “It was very fun and my goal is to have fun! … We as kids can do this!”
The event was held at Seward Park.
(Photos added 9:22 pm – by Barry J. White)
7:18 PM: Thanks again to Cami MacNamara for another report from Sedro-Woolley, where the West Seattle Little League All-Star 12s scored another big state-tournament win today, this time against Walla Walla, with the game called at 14-0 in the fifth inning. As shown on the official bracket, their next game is Tuesday, 4 pm vs. Sammamish.
9:22 PM: Thanks to Barry J. White for sending photos and a summary:
Miles Gosztola pitched three dominant innings, allowing no hits while striking out seven.
Robbie Foisy relieved him and pitched two hitless innings and striking out three.
Matthew Henning smacked a three-run homer as part of a six-run third inning that broke the game open. As they have throughout this run, the team helped itself with aggressive baserunning and sharp defense.
Jake Webster, one of two captains of the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer teams, is inviting younger players to a camp coming up July 30th-August 2nd, 9 am-2 pm each day:
This soccer camp is for children going into 3rd-9th grade and is great for a player of any skill level. The camp focuses on skill development, teamwork and leadership, as well as life values and traits. The Chief Sealth soccer camp is led by past and present players of both the boys’ and girls’ programs at Sealth and is a great opportunity for students segueing into Sealth to meet and bond with players and coaching staff at the varsity level. For the four days, the cost per child is $100 and includes a T-Shirt at the end of the camp.
Here’s the registration form (PDF)
(WSB photo by Leda Costa, from 2017 regatta)
Our area’s only rowing club invites you to its biggest annual event on Saturday! The Duwamish Rowing Club is hosting its third Dieter Hotz Rowing Regatta at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park, 8 am-2 pm:
All are invited to this free event which features singles, doubles, fours, and quads from Duwamish Rowing and small clubs in the area, e.g. Eastside Prep. Renton Rowing, Lake Stevens and more.
Races will include youth from all the clubs and masters (adults of all ages). Boats will launch from Duwamish Waterway Park at 10th and Elmgrove in South Park, and spectators can view the finish line of the 1000 meter races at 12th and Elmgrove.
Here’s a map to the park.
(Photo by Danny Ngan)
Thanks to Tanya Powers for this report on national-championship competition ahead for the Seattle Derby Brats‘ Galaxy Girls, a third of whom are from West Seattle:
They will be heading to Philadelphia to compete for Junior Roller Derby Association (JRDA) Championships this coming weekend, July 20th to the 22nd! They are currently ranked 2nd place in the country and have won championships the last 3 years.
2 skaters attend Chief Sealth: Brady aka Sophie Maskill and Anita Getcha aka Rosemary Alliston. 3 skaters attend West Seattle High School: Seven Skate Nine aka Morgayne Lawson, SchloMo aka Gaby Rose, and Fighty aka Mikki Dysart. It is Mikki’s last year with Seattle Derby Brats as she will be attending college at University of Pennsylvania next year.
Our coaches Patrice Davis and Erin Clark also have West Seattle roots. Our league was founded in West Seattle and is the largest league in the United States! Please wish them luck!!! More info about champs here. Streaming watch passes will be available here.
The West Seattle Little League players who’ve just won district championships are starting their quests to win state titles! The photo and update are from WSLL’s Kathy Powers:
Congratulations to West Seattle Little League 12’s for clinching the District 7 title this week. Pictured are players Blake Taft, Bobby Trigg, Caden Fahy, Eli Palmer, Jake Daily, Joe Sherick, Matthew Henning, Matthew Hazlegrove, Miles Gosztola, Parker Eley, Robbie Foisy, Simon Vance, TJ Buehring and Wyatt Glover, along with Manager Mike Fahy and Coaches Sean Eley and Brian Sherick.
Both the 11’s and 12’s will represent District 7 for the State title.
The 11’s will play their tournament at Pacwest fields in Seatac (14649 16th Ave S). Their first game is Sunday, July 15th (today!) at 12:30. Bracket link here.
The 12’s will play their tournament in Sedro-Woolley. Their first game will be Saturday July 21st at Noon. Bracket link here.
We invite the community to come cheer our players on!
10:22 PM: Thanks to Cami MacNamara for the photo and report from tonight’s championship game in the West Seattle Little League-hosted District 7 11/12 tournament at Bar-S: WSLL came from behind for the second game in a row and won the title, 6-5! They were down 5-3 but won the game with a big comeback inthe bottom of the sixth inning. Next up, the state tournament in Sedro-Woolley. The champs play the host team there, District 11, at noon on Saturday, July 21st.
10:52 PM: Added, a photo sent by Porter Hammer:
Porter explains that’s WSLL’s Bobby Trigg, “after hitting a triple, driving in 2 RBIs that tied the game in the bottom of the 6th (last) inning; then he came into score on a hit by the next batter to win the game.”
(WSB photos)
With a come-from-behind win at Bar-S Playfield tonight, the West Seattle Little League 11/12 All-Star team has made it into the championship game of the District 7 tournament. They were trailing 1-0 late in the game when Matthew Henning (seen below in an earlier at-bat) slugged a 2-run homer.
You’re invited to help pack the stands Thursday night at 6 when the WSLL team goes for the district title. (Bar-S is at 64th SW and SW Admiral Way.)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, Miles Gosztola pitching)
Just in from Bar-S – the West Seattle Little League 11/12 All-Stars win again! We stopped by for a few photos during this morning’s District 7 tournament game vs. Rainier.
(Bobby Trigg sliding)
Thanks to Cami MacNamara for sending the final score – 20-0, in four innings. WSLL plays again Tuesday at 6 pm. But there’s more baseball to come today – two other teams play at noon – as the tournament field continues narrowing .
(Jake Daily at bat)
You can see the brackets here. The championship game will be at 6 pm Thursday.
(2017 Float Dodger 5K photo courtesy Dave Vague)
After six years of serving as an opening act for the West Seattle Grand Parade, the Float Dodger 5K run/walk on the parade route is taking a break this year. After a tip from Marion, we went over to West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), organizers of the Float Dodger 5K. Tim McConnell told us a variety of factors led to the decision to skip this year – including a late start to fundraising – which is a vital component, given permit fees and other costs – plus other business/family projects. But as you’ll see on the Float Dodger website, they’re organizing a casual run pre-parade: “Please join West Seattle Runner for a casual group run the morning of the parade on July 21 at 9:30 am to run the parade route and watch the parade from the store afterward.” And they’re hoping to bring back the Float Dodger 5K in 2019.
Two announcements today from West Seattle Little League:
ALL-STAR TOURNAMENT STARTS SATURDAY: Bar-S Playfield will host the 12-year-olds’ All-Star Tournament, starting with WSLL’s game at 9 am Saturday. WSLL’s Kathy Powers adds, “Our own WSLL team won the State Championship last year so we are excited to kick off this tournament and host!” You’ll find the brackets on the WSLL website.
BATTING CAGE IMPROVEMENT: Just happened last week!
Richie Wallace, former ball player at WSLL [in photo with WSLL VP David Sazama], improved our batting cage last week for his Boy Scouts Eagle Project! The new cage not only looks great, but is now usable year around with a proper pitching mound and new sport turf that took care of previous drainage issues.
Thank you, Richie Wallace and Troop 274 of the BSA Mount Tahoma District.
Bar-S, home of WSLL, is at 6425 SW Admiral Way.
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