West Seattle, Washington
02 Thursday
Big win for Chief Sealth International High School tonight, but the Seahawks didn’t really run away with it until the last quarter of their 40-24 victory over Ballard at Southwest Athletic Complex. Among those cheering in the stands, members of the Sealth Class of 1968, celebrating their 50-year reunion:
The game started in sunshine, and head coach Ted Rodriguez had reason for a sunny outlook right from the start.
Sealth star #8 Dontae McMillan got his first TD with 7:36 to go in the first quarter. With a two-point conversion, the Seahawks led 8-0, and that held until midway through the second quarter, when the Beavers kicked a field goal. It was 8-3 but not for long.
The teams swapped possession shortly thereafter, with Sealth #6 Jalonie McMillan recovering the ball on a fumbled punt, followed by a Ballard interception, and then a safety adding two points for Sealth, bringing the Seahawks’ lead to 10-3 – until the Beavers had a huge TD run with 2:42 to go in the first half, tying the score 10-10.
The Seahawks answered fast with their own big TD run and went into halftime ahead 16-10.
Ballard briefly took the lead with 3:51 left in the third quarter, 17-16. How briefly? Sealth’s Dontae McMillan scored a TD on the kick return. With the two-point conversion, Sealth was up 24-17 and never looked back. They added two more TD-plus-two sets, starting with this one:
Another Sealth TD. With 2-pt conversion, now 32-17 CSIHS over Ballard with 8:10 left in the game. pic.twitter.com/qRJVlee7NI
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 29, 2018
And at just under 7 minutes left in the game, the next 6-plus-2 widened the Sealth lead to 40-17. Ballard managed a TD with :22 left but it was too little, too late, and the Seahawks finished with the 40-24 triumph.
That brings Chief Sealth to 3-2 and puts them atop the Metro League‘s Sound Division. Next Friday at 7 pm, they’re on the road, playing Lakeside at Northwest Athletic Complex.
The photo and report are from West Seattle High School music director Ethan Thomas:
The West Seattle High School Band participated in the 66th Annual Husky Band Day at the University of Washington vs Arizona State football game on Saturday, 9/22. They participated alongside over 2,500 students representing 32 High Schools from across the state as well as the 200+ member Husky Marching Band. They combined to perform during halftime and played 5 songs, including the Husky Fight Song “Bow Down To Washington.” Two students from each high school were featured in an Honor Band as they performed “Believer” by the band Imagine Dragons. The Honor Band Students from West Seattle High School were Emma Laplante on Clarinet and Lola Demurger on Alto Saxophone. Also featured were two members of the WSHS drumline, Nate Wuethrich and Adam Chin, for a combined performance with the Husky Drumline.
You may notice in the picture that several of our students do not have uniforms. Due to the growth of the music program at WSHS in the past few years, we are in need of additional uniforms. We will be raising money over the next few months to purchase more uniforms to support the continued growth of our program. Visit the WSHS music department website at www.wshsmusic.org to find out more.
Another Sunday with perfect running weather, as the Orca Half saw hundreds of runners heading from Lincoln Park to Don Armeni Boat Ramp. Busy morning there – lots of boat trailers as salmon season continues, plus a harbor seal resting nearby:
No orca sightings in the water, but “Mike” the inflatable killer whale was on hand, on land:
Local advocacy group The Whale Trail benefits from part of the Orca Half’s proceeds, and executive director Donna Sandstrom was there to talk with runners and passersby:
This is the third year for the Orca Half in West Seattle. Results are here – Nathan Ennis was top male and overall finisher, in 1:16, while Jessica Kosloski was first female finisher, in 1:29.
Another round of congratulations for West Seattle 7-year-old Colton Fukano, after the Washington State BMX Championships earlier this month. The photo and report are from Colton’s proud mom Shawnda Fukano:
Colton Fukano earned 1st place in the state for the 7-year-old expert division. In August, Colton won his 30th race, which moved him up from “intermediate” to the “expert” class. Colton rides for Sonic BMX, which practices at the North Seatac BMX track, and is sponsored by Sprocketts Recycled Bicycles in Magnolia. Colton is in second grade at Genesee Hill Elementary.
If anyone is interested in trying out BMX, check out Peninsula Indoor BMX in Port Orchard. They have new rider clinics and free loaner bikes and helmets. Colton and his dad take the ferry there to practice in the winter when the outdoor tracks are too muddy.
Shawnda first told us about Colton’s achievements two years ago, when his first trip to the state championships
One more high-school-football score to mention: The Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks won their second consecutive game last night. Coming off their Huling Bowl victory a week earlier, Sealth defeated Cleveland at Memorial Stadium downtown, 34-6. Next week, CSIHS plays their homecoming game vs. Ballard at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 5 pm Friday (September 28th).
(WSB photos)
9:37 PM: The game has just ended on a rainy night at Southwest Athletic Complex, and the visiting Nathan Hale HS Raiders go home with the win over the West Seattle High School Wildcats, 28-11. Details and photos to come.
ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: #50 Mighty Gionet got WSHS on the board first with a field goal at 3:13 to go in the first quarter, which ended with the Wildcats up 3-0. Then the second quarter got off to a roaring start with both teams getting touchdowns in its first half-minute.
#6 Colin Roman ran in the TD on a pass from #2 Cyrus Storlie. That was the last scoring the Wildcats did, though they went into halftime with the 11-8 lead.
The Raiders regained the lead with 7:51 to go in the third quarter, 15-11, and then added another TD less than three minutes later. With one more at 4:51 to go in the game, that left the final score 28-11 Hale.
NEXT: WSHS (0-4) will be back home at SWAC for a 7 pm game on Friday, October 5th, vs. Ingraham.
(WSB photos. #11, Tyler Donlan)
A night to remember for the West Seattle High School volleyball team, first win of the season in a home match against Bainbridge High School.
(#2, Raven Anderson)
The visiting Spartans took the first game 25-16 but then the Wildcats won the match by taking the next three, 25-8, 29-27, and 25-23. The last two were especially hard-fought by first-year head coach Abby West‘s players.
Next up for the Wildcats, they’re at home again Tuesday night, 7 pm varsity, vs. Skyline. Here’s the season schedule.
Big difference in the weather between today and the originally scheduled date – three weeks ago – for the Cosmo 7K on Alki. The long sleeves on some runners were a giveaway. Today – cool and occasionally rainy; three weeks ago, warm and smoky, and the wildfire smoke led to the postponement decision.
Even this furry onlooker had a jacket:
Some participants ran the full 7K; others ran or walked a 5K version of the course. First female finisher overall, registered for the 5K, was Carrie Vanderveer, in 26:09:
Twenty seconds behind her was the first female 7K finisher, Dawn Parlinski, in 26:29:
First male finisher, registered for the 5K, was Neel Salukhe, in 24:00:
First and second male 7K finishers are both in our photo below:
That’s Corey Elliott, finishing in 25:56, six seconds ahead of Woody Sobey, who ran the 7K in 26:02. This was the second year that the Cosmo races were run in West Seattle, replacing the Alki Beach Run previously organized by Northwest Hope and Healing, now a Cosmo beneficiary.
P.S. Next big run in West Seattle – the sold-out Orca Half next Sunday (September 23rd), from Lincoln Park to Don Armeni Boat Ramp. No road closures planned.
Tomorrow night is the next home game for the West Seattle High School volleyball team, and head coach Abby West sends advance word of special events in connection with four upcoming games:
West Seattle High School Volleyball is excited to announce the following events in conjunction with their home games this year! They would love to have more people from the community come to the games and are looking forward to using these events to also help their community! Admission is FREE TO ALL!
September 17th vs Bainbridge High School (JV & JVC at 4:30, Varsity at 6:00 pm) — Middle School Night: All volleyball players and enthusiasts affiliated with feeder programs in the West Seattle area (Madison, Pathfinder, Hiawatha, Westside School, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Rosary, etc.) are invited to attend a night honoring the programs that function as the foundation to ours by teaching the fundamentals of the sport, creating interest, and fueling passion!
October 3rd vs Ballard High School (JV & JVC at 5:30, Varsity at 7:00 pm) — Cans for Kills Night: A canned food drive. In hopes of giving back to the community, the West Seattle Volleyball teams are asking everyone to come out to the volleyball games and bring a few non-perishable foods to donate!
October 17th vs Cleveland High School (JV & JVC at 5:30, Varsity at 7:00 pm) – Volley for a Cure: Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Donation boxes available to be donated to Komen for a Cure (a national Breast Cancer research program)!
October 24th vs Rainier Beach (JV & JVC at 5:30, Varsity at 7:00 pm) – Senior Night: a night honoring the graduating seniors in our program!
Again, those are all home games, so they’re all in the gym at WSHS (3000 California SW – the gym is on the south side of campus, off the parking lot).
Those “no parking” signs along Duwamish Head reminded us to remind you: Alki Avenue SW will be closed for a while Sunday morning for the Cosmo 7K, rescheduled because of last month’s wildfire smoke. It’s a 7K run and 5K walk/run, starting at 9:30 am from Alki Bathhouse, followed by a 10:30 am kids’ run (10 and under); last-minute registration will open at 8 am. Part of the proceeds benefit Northwest Hope and Healing.
Final: Chief Sealth 29, West Seattle 14. Seahawks keep #hulingbowl trophy for 2nd year. pic.twitter.com/CZ85I7OQ32
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 15, 2018
10:15 PM: We’re at Southwest Athletic Complex, where Chief Sealth International High School has just topped West Seattle High School in the annual Huling Bowl football game. Final score: CSIHS 29, WSHS 14. Much more to come.
ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: The exuberance that Sealth displayed after the win had permeated the whole night. The Seahawks were the home team, though SWAC is both teams’ home field. Both schools’ bands and cheerleaders were there; the Sealth band marched in pre-game:
The Sealth band marches in (the WSHS band is in the stands) pic.twitter.com/4o1BnSwKDx
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 15, 2018
Sealth waved the flag – that’s #32, Elias Orbino:
Principal Aida Fraser-Hammer was at the grill for the pre-game cookout:
Now, on to the football. West Seattle’s offense didn’t really awaken until the fourth quarter. Until then, it was almost all about Sealth star #8, Dontae McMillan, starting with his first TD at 4:02 to go in the first quarter:
He scored three of the four Sealth TD’s; his twin brother, #6 Jalonie McMillan, had the other, right before halftime (bringing that score to 20-0):
A safety with 8:43 to go in the third quarter concluded Sealth’s scoring. Then in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats started a comeback.
West Seattle #6 Colin Roman got them on the boards with 11:08 to go in the game; six minutes later, the Wildcats scored again, but though they tried mightily to keep it going, that’s where it stopped, 29-14. The two schools’ athletic directors, WSHS’s Corey Sorenson and CSIHS’s Ernest Policarpio, had been watching from the sidelines with the trophy:
Then it was time to celebrate:
Chief Sealth’s second consecutive win follows two years (2015, 2016) for West Seattle – the Seahawks have won both years since head coach Ted Rodriguez took over.
If you’re new, the Huling Bowl backstory is here. Steve Huling (CSIHS Class of 1965), who we interviewed for that story in 2012, was at the game last night, as were hundreds of fans from both school communities.
NEXT UP: Sealth (1-2) plays Cleveland at Memorial Stadium downtown next Friday night (September 21st), 7:45 pm; WSHS (0-3) is at home at SWAC that night vs. Nathan Hale, 7 pm.
We’ve shared news of many kinds of school fundraisers – but this is the first time we can recall one involving mattresses. It’s set for this Saturday (September 15th) at West Seattle High School, 10 am-5 pm. The WS Booster Club is running the sale to raise money for WSHS Athletics, in partnership with a fundraising company that specializes in this, and you will be able to shop for new, name-brand mattresses, every size (even custom) and type – even motorized adjustable bed frames; delivery and you-haul options, cash/check/credit/layaway. The school’s at 3000 California SW.
The next 2 Sunday mornings bring big running events – one of which will close the streets:
COSMO 7K ON SEPTEMBER 16: This run benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing was postponed from last month because of wildfire smoke. It starts at the Alki Bathhouse at 9:30 am on September 16th and will close Alki Avenue for a while. Registration info is here.
ORCA HALF ON SEPTEMBER 23: This half-marathon benefiting The Whale Trail happens in “the parking lane, sidewalks, and on the Alki Trail,” starting at Lincoln Park and concluding at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. According to the Orca Half website, registration is closed because they’ve maxed out. The runners will start in waves between 8 and 9 am on September 23rd and the course will close at 1 pm.
(Added: WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
9:36 PM: Just over at Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood: Visiting from Tumwater, Black Hills HS beat Chief Sealth International High School, 41-13. Details and photos later.
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: Most of the first quarter was all about the defense, including key tackling by Sealth’s #22 Jesse Brown:
But Black Hills got on the board with a TD at 1:57 to go in the first quarter and went unanswered up to a 20-0 score shortly after the second half started. Midway into the third quarter, Sealth got on the board:
Sealth's first TD. Now Black Hills 20, Chief Sealth 6, 6:15 to go in 3rd Q. pic.twitter.com/NccQUxSyTt
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 9, 2018
The Seahawks’ other TD was also in the third quarter, by #8 Dontae McMillan, not long after he had to come out for a short time after being down on the field:
Not only is #8 McMillan back in for Sealth, he just ran in the Seahawks' 2nd TD. Black Hills 27, Chief Sealth 13 with 2:40 left in 3rd Q. pic.twitter.com/ZHRjAn6nRV
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 9, 2018
Black Hills, however, was not done scoring, and won 41-14. Next week is the annual Huling Bowl matchup between the Seahawks and the West Seattle High School Wildcats – whose head coach Jeff Scott previewed Sealth from the stands at tonight’s game – 7 pm Friday (September 14th) at SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
9:52 PM: Not too much for the Wildcat Nation to cheer about tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex, where the West Seattle High School football home opener just ended in a 46-16 loss to North Creek. We’ll add toplines and photos later tonight. Next Friday at 7, the Wildcats play cross-town rivals Chief Sealth International High School, also at SWAC, where the Seahawks face Black Hills tomorrow night.
ADDED SATURDAY: Sorry for the delay!
WSHS #6, Colin Roman, had both TDs. We caught the first one on video for Twitter.
First West Seattle TD, with 1:43 left in 1st half, extra-pt kick good, now 18-7 North Creek. pic.twitter.com/YljGjxaWTg
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 8, 2018
As shown there and below, #2, Cyrus Storlie, had a busy night of throwing.
But North Creek had a ground game as well as an air game, and that made the difference, though the WSHS defense did a good job keeping them in check in the first quarter – the Jaguars’ first TD wasn’t until the quarter had just over 2 minutes left to go.
New uniforms for the players, by the way, as well as a new head coach – this was Jeff Scott‘s home debut:
Rain began to fall in the second quarter and continued fairly steadily for a while. Quarter-by-quarter scores: 6-0 NC after the first, 18-7 NC at halftime, 34-16 NC after the third.
Congratulations to Chief Sealth International High School for receiving a $5,000 grant from the Mariners. Sealth athletic director and head baseball coach Ernest Policarpio sent the photo and word of the grant, saying the money is going toward new uniforms and equipment. CSIHS is one of 10 baseball/softball programs around the state getting Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grants this year.
The West Seattle Soccer Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a party at Southwest Athletic Complex on Saturday (September 8th), and you’re invited to be there for all or part of it, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm. From the WSSC Board:
If you ever played, coached, supported, served as a referee, or as a league administrator, we urge you to visit the field and celebrate this great milestone with us! Please share this invitation and help us spread the word!
There will be U9 and U10 jamboree games throughout the day, food, music, and soccer activities for players of all ages. We’re excited to announce that WSSC’s founder Joe Smith and Seattle Sounders FC and USMNT player Jordan Morris will be in attendance.
The WSSC will be selling merchandise, including mini soccer balls, youth hoodies, and our brand-new scarves. Proceeds from our sale will fund this event and support WSSC programs and players.
We encourage you to stop by to enjoy the fun — and we would LOVE to see and photograph your players in their new uniforms.
See you on Saturday!
SWAC is at 2801 SW Thistle.
Last weekend, we noted that the state-champion West Seattle Little League 12-year-old All-Stars were to be honored before tonight’s Mariners game. #13 Miles Gosztola‘s mom Brooke Gosztola sent the photo and tells us how it went:
West Seattle’s 12-year-old Little League back-to-back state champs were recognized at tonight’s Mariners’ game. The boys were honored by gathering several M’s players’ autographs during batting practice and were named individually on the field prior to the game alongside the state and regional championship 12’s girls from Kirkland! Thanks to the M’s for hosting a night the boys won’t forget!
The M’s, by the way, won tonight’s game, 5-2 over Baltimore.
(July photo by Barry J. White)
A little over a month after winning the state championship, the West Seattle Little League 12-year-old All-Stars have another moment in the spotlight: They will be co-throwers of the ceremonial first pitch at Wednesday’s Mariners/Orioles game at Safeco Field. According to the media highlight list for the upcoming homestand, the first pitch for the 7:10 pm game will spotlight the WSLL boys along with the girls of the Kirkland Little League Softball team who also won their state championship.
One more score from last night: West Seattle High School opened the football season in Lacey, visiting North Thurston HS. Per the Metro League scoreboard, they won the game, 48-16 over the Wildcats, whose new head coach Jeff Scott was making his debut. The Wildcats are home at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) next Friday night, 7 pm September 7th, vs. North Creek HS (from Bothell).
9:50 PM: Final score minutes ago at Southwest Athletic Complex – 72-20, Kennedy Catholic High School over Chief Sealth International High School in the football season’s opener.
ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: For the Seahawks, #8, senior Dontae McMillan, was the brightest spot of the game:
He scored all three of Sealth’s touchdowns. For the Lancers, 10 of their 11 touchdowns were on passes by #7, sophomore Sam Huard. The Seattle Times reports that tied the state record. 9 were in the first half.
The second half was delayed by what in effect was an extended halftime, starting when a Kennedy player went down with seconds left in the first half. The stadium remained in a concerned hush while the player was tended to by not only team staff but also Seattle Fire Engine 37 medics but eventually was able to get back up and walk off the field.
The Seahawks had the early lead after scoring the game’s first TD and point-after kick, until the Lancers’ second TD and two-point conversion midway through the first quarter. Halftime score was 59-13.
Next week, Chief Sealth – led again this year by head coach Ted Rodriguez – plays on Saturday night (September 8th) at SWAC, vs. Black Hills (from Tumwater).
(Photo courtesy Andrew Malinak)
3:09 PM: After about four and a half hours of swimming – starting at about 10:30 this morning off Bremerton – 25-year-old West Seattleite Rose Filer is getting close to Alki Point. She’s on what the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association calls the Amy Hiland Swim, named for the first person to complete it. It’s only been completed by a handful in the half-century-plus since, and Rose is the latest (backstory here). You can see live tracking here; we’re off to Alki Point to see if we can catch up with her at the finish.
(WSB photos/video from here down)
3:45 PM: She did it! 5 hours, 12 minutes, 30 seconds.
5:24 PM: Added a few photos above, and here’s the congratulatory champagne:
It’s been two years since Erika Norris became the first person to complete the swim since Hiland herself. With today’s swim, Rose Filer was the fourth person to do it since then – see the list here.
Our area’s two biggest high schools both have football games Friday night. Chief Sealth International HS is home at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm, vs. Kennedy Catholic High School. Meantime, West Seattle HS is on the road, with a time change – 8 pm Friday at North Thurston HS (600 College St. NE, Lacey).
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