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CONGRATULATIONS! Division championship time for Kennedy swimmers/divers

October 26, 2017 11:59 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

It’s division-championship time for high-school swimmers including the girls that West Seattleite Brent Lindblom e-mailed to tell us all about, in case you want to go cheer them on Friday and Saturday:

Though Kennedy Catholic High School is located in Burien, West Seattle has many students attending the school.

The Kennedy girls’ swim and dive team is heading to the WCD III 4A Swimming and Diving Championships being held at Curtis Aquatic Center (8805 40th St W, University Place).

Congratulations to the Lancer girls moving on to Division Championships:

Front: Madelline Kalenius, Lauren Hofford, Anita Shields, Catlin Mazzuca, Krista Markle, Shala Markle, Lynn Nguyen

Back: Jacqueline Southwell, Chloe Dahleen, Elena Stoll

Not pictured: Audrey Porter, Bronte Shirley

Swimming Prelims: Friday, October 27th
Warm-up: 3:30 pm
Meet Start: 4:30 pm

Swimming Finals: Saturday, October 28th
Warm-up: 3:30
Meet Start: 4:30

The top 7 fastest times/scores from each event (finals night only) will be allocated to the State meet.

If you’re going – there’s an admission charge for everyone except kids 5 and under. It’s cash only, $8 adults, $6 students with ASB ID and senior citizens, $4 elementary students.

CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle High School golfers’ success

Thanks to Anna Nguyen for photos and reports on two success stories from the West Seattle High School golf season. First, the girls:

(L-R, Berit Syltebo and Lauryn Nguyen)

Congratulations to the WSHS Girls Golf Team on their 3rd-place finish in the overall-team standings at this week’s 3A Metro League Tournament held at Jefferson Park Golf Course. Senior Berit Syltebo and Freshman Lauryn Nguyen qualified for the 3A Metro/King Co District tournament to be held next Spring. Nguyen posted a commanding 4-under par round to win the individual Medalist Honors, beating the field by 7 strokes in the 18-hole Metro League Tournament. Nguyen also captured 1st place during all of the regular season high-school matches. Her dominating performance earned her the WIAA Metro League Player of the Year title!

Here’s the entire team, in a tweeted photo:

Now, the report on the boys’ team:

(L-R, Cameron Smith and Alex Nguyen)

Two members of the WSHS Varsity boys’ golf team qualified for the 3A Metro/King Co District tournament after competing in the Metro League Golf Championship this week held at West Seattle Golf Course and Jefferson Park Golf Course. Senior Alex Nguyen and Junior Cameron Smith finished in the top 38 to earn a place to compete at Districts next Tuesday (10/24/2017) at Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent.

Both teams are coached by Velko Vitalich, who, as we reported back in June, has retired as WSHS baseball head coach but continued on with the golfers for one more year.

SPORTS: SW Lacrosse Club opens spring registration – starting girls’ team, too

October 21, 2017 2:38 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

SW Lacrosse Club currently plays its home games in Normandy Park but is the league for West Seattle and beyond, and has just opened registration for next spring. It was founded 20 years ago and continues to grow:

We emphasize skill development. We’re a great option for kids seeking something new. We promote fraternity (and sisterhood!). We host special events to connect when we are off the field. Our home field is Manhattan in Normandy Park. Our season runs March-May with Pre-season beginning in February. We offer scholarships so anyone can play.

This will be our inaugural season registering 3rd and 4th Grade girls. Girls’ Lacrosse is a dynamic field
sport different from the boys’ game. Like comparing softball to baseball, the girls’ game has its own
rules. It does not involve full-contact play. While there’s not a lot of girls’ teams in Seattle-at-large, we want to be part of growing something new! It’s great exercise, the skills parlay to any other field/court sport, and it’s a ton of fun! No experience is necessary because we have a Super Star Coach:

Introducing Ayesha Cochran:

Coach Ayesha played lacrosse throughout her childhood and into college in New York State. She has a passion for the sport that she is eager to share! Ayesha moved to Seattle for her career and has since felt a calling to “do her part to grow the game” after 3 years of rooting into our community. She feels a responsibility to teach the game that has brought her so much joy! Coach Ayesha welcomes athletic 3rd and 4th grade girls to the field who are ready for a new dynamic sport: Come out and give it a try!

With plans to grow our organization, we remain loyal to our history.

Our boys’ program is making great strides toward becoming a more competitive force to be reckoned with. Our high school team made it to the D2 playoffs in 2017 for the 2nd year in a row, and with the goal for a 3rd in 2018, we hope to continue the momentum across all our youth teams to advance players at the hands of our dedicated coaches. We are honored to announce that Mark Benedum, the original founder of our organization, is returning to coach for us again this year.

Go here to register. Questions? Contact Tanya at 206-730-6908 or tanyarosso (at) msn (dot) com.

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Playoffs next for Chief Sealth after homecoming victory over Bainbridge

October 20, 2017 9:49 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO/PHOTOS: Playoffs next for Chief Sealth after homecoming victory over Bainbridge
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

9:49 PM: That’s one of Chief Sealth International High School #8 Dontae McMillan‘s touchdowns tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex, where the Seahawks beat the Spartans of Bainbridge High School, 24-6. It was Sealth’s homecoming night and senior night, and we have lots of photos and details to come later tonight. This was also their last regular-season game of the year – ending with a 6-2 record – and it was announced that their first postseason game will be 5 pm next Friday at Memorial Stadium downtown vs. Seattle Prep. More to come!

ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: As announcer Eddie Snead (a 9th-grade social-studies teacher) put it, it was a fine defensive game. Both defenses dominated so much that the halftime score was only 6-6. And that was just two and a half minutes after Bainbridge got its only touchdown of the game. With seconds to go until halftime, they tried and failed to make a distant field goal – “way off,” Mr. Snead pronounced it. His announcing is a highlight of Sealth games but tonight he was really on a roll, so we stopped in for a photo:

During halftime, there was a pie-throwing contest – our video shows Ms. Parker from the independent living and hospitality program:

The cheerleaders of course performed – otherwise, it was a huddling-for-warmth kind of night, with a brisk wind in the stadium.

The band took the field:

We caught a bit of the “Munsters Theme” on video:

A few minutes into the third quarter, Mr. Snead observed that it had been a penalty-laden game, more than 80 yards worth for Sealth alone. “More flags than the United Nations!”

McMillan’s second TD (seen in the top video clip) broke the tie with 5:01 to go in the third quarter, giving Sealth a 12-6 lead.

#5 Diego Jackson got one with 10:18 left in the game – “no flags!” declared Mr. Snead jubilantly – and it was 18-6. Final Sealth TD was with just over a minute left, and that resulted in the final score, 24-6.

The game – which had started early, 5 pm, since it was homecoming night – was over, but not the festivities. Seniors were honored:

Head coach Ted Rodriguez read their names and their post-high-school plans. Then came the announcement of next week’s playoff game, and everyone headed out into the wind-chilled night.

FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth’s head coach Ted Rodriguez discovers post-retirement ‘adventure’ back on the field

(WSB photo: Coach Ted Rodriguez, last month)

By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

Tonight, Chief Sealth International High School head football coach Ted Rodriguez leads his players onto the field at Southwest Athletic Complex for their last regularly scheduled game of an already very successful season.

They’re 5-2. They have the Huling Bowl trophy for the first time in three years. Those are just part of this season’s highlights.

All this after Coach Rodriguez quietly took over the team at the start of the year. Along with leading Sealth’s football team, he’s also athletic director and house administrator next door at Denny International Middle School.

And he’s working after having come out of retirement – twice.

Read More

FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth IHS now 5-2 after home victory over Sammamish

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, #73 Nic Anderson)

Friday night at Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School took the lead over visiting Sammamish with 4:40 left in the first quarter, and, with rampaging offense and determined defense, kept it the rest of the game.

Diego Jackson got that first TD, and with a successful point-after kick, Sealth led 7-6, which is where things stood at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was just a little over a minute old when Chief Sealth #8 Dontae McMillan notched the Seahawks’ next TD. The Totems blocked the kick so that took the score to 13-6.

Sealth expanded the lead to 20-6 just before halftime. The third quarter – on a clear, chilly night in Westwood – went scoreless until Sammamish ran in a TD with 8:44 to go. No extra points, so that brought the score to Sealth 20, Sammamish 12. The Seahawks needed only a minute to answer with their next TD, run in by #11, Bishop Jackson.

Fourth quarter started with Sealth up 27-12. The game provided lots of opportunities to hear the Sealth band strike up the fight song, and the next one came less than one minute into the fourth, #11 again with the TD, widening the lead to 33-12.

Two more touchdowns before the game ended, last one with 4:02 to go, by #16 Chase Gaither, and with a two-point conversion, the final score was Chief Sealth 47, Sammamish 12.

The cheerleaders were not only rooting for a win, they were also rooting for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with special pink tops and a sidelines decoration in the shape of an awareness ribbon – a symbol spotted elsewhere, too:

Head coach Ted Rodriguez‘s team is now 5-2.

The Seahawks have one more regular-season game, homecoming next Friday (October 20th), 5 pm at SWAC vs. Bainbridge.

BASKETBALL: Sign-up time at West Seattle YMCA for 4-to-11-year-olds

October 11, 2017 9:31 am
|    Comments Off on BASKETBALL: Sign-up time at West Seattle YMCA for 4-to-11-year-olds
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From the West Seattle anad Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), it’s registration time for youth basketball! The announcement:

Hit the hardwoods with the folks who invented the game – the YMCA.

In this league for ages 4 to 11, your child will learn the fundamentals of basketball, sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy habits while practicing skills and having fun. We promise no getting cut and no bench warmers! YMCA youth sports encourage and promote healthy kids, families and communities by placing a priority on family involvement, healthy competition rather than rivalry, the value of participation over winning, team-building as well as individual development, a positive self-image and a sense of fair play and mutual respect for others. Parents are encouraged to be more than mere spectators, by contributing their time as volunteer coaches – as well as being their kid’s greatest fan.

Practice starts the week of November 27. Games begin January 6.

Registration is open now! Learn more and sign up here.

As you’ll see via that link, discount rates are available for another week and a half!

FOOTBALL: West Seattle HS hosts Nathan Hale for homecoming game

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Down 21-0 two-thirds of the way through the first quarter of Friday night’s homecoming game, West Seattle High School‘s varsity football team refused to give up.

Led by quarterback Anthony Coats (#8, above), who threw and threw and threw – and ran, too – the WSHS players battled back to a 21-all tie with visiting Nathan Hale before the second quarter was half over.

(#3, Leland Gropper)

After that, though, Hale managed to pile up another 20 unanswered points before halftime – and it was 41-21 at the half.

(WSHS head coach Marcis Fennell)

Neither team added points in the third quarter. In the fourth, the Wildcats got into comeback mode again, and made up half the gap with a field goal and TD – but that’s as far as they got, and the final score was 41-31.

Also at Southwest Athletic Complex: At halftime, the WSHS Marching Band put on a show:

Besides the full band, directed by Ethan Thomas, the drumline entertained, too:

Lots of pink on the field, because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

And though the weather was the worst it had been for a game night so far this year – windy and drizzly – the fans kept the energy level up too:

This was also the last home game of the year for the Wildcats, who are 0-6 so far the season. Next Friday (October 13th), they play in Renton, at Liberty High School, 7 pm.

FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth IHS wins at Ingraham HS

October 6, 2017 9:55 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

One football final score so far tonight – according to the Metro League website, it was a road win for Chief Sealth International High School tonight, 40-0 over Ingraham at Northwest Athletic Complex. The Seahawks are now 4-2. Next week, they play a home game vs. Sammamish at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm Friday, October 13th.

FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth hosts Franklin @ SWAC

September 29, 2017 11:51 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Big win for Chief Sealth International High School tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex, over visiting Franklin HS.

We got to the game at the start of the second quarter, by which time the Seahawks were ahead 19-8. The scoring for the rest of the game was all Sealth.

(Sealth #8, Dontae McMillan)

They had added 10 more points by halftime, 29-8. By the end of the third quarter, Sealth was up 44-8. And the fourth quarter went by without any change, so the final score was 44-8. That put the Seahawks’ record up to 3-2 under first-year head coach Ted Rodriguez.

The Quakers – with far fewer players on their roster – went home still looking for their first win.

Next week, Chief Sealth is on the road, playing Ingraham at NW Athletic Complex, 7 pm Friday (October 6th).

FOLLOWUP: Resurfaced West Seattle Stadium track ready to reopen

September 27, 2017 12:15 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

The newly resurfaced track at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW), closed since mid-summer, is ready to reopen. That’s what we found out from project manager Jay Rood, after calling him to check on its status. The million-dollar project was supposed to be done earlier this month but Rood says the recent rain delayed painting of stripes and other markings – its start had been delayed too, and that was attributed to the bidding process. Now the track and fencing are finished and he says they hope to have it reopened to the public by day’s end. The stadium, which is a Seattle Parks and Recreation Department facility, hasn’t been completely closed in recent weeks – some high-school football games have been played, but covering was in place over the track.

WEEKEND SCENE: West Seattle Soccer Club photo day

September 24, 2017 1:59 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

So we went to Hamilton Viewpoint Park at midday looking for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride motorcycles – and found West Seattle Soccer Club players instead, on the second of two Picture Days.

Great backdrop, and perfect weather. It’s a reminder that fall season is under way for WSSC at fields all over the peninsula.

P.S. As for the motorcycles – we learned at Hamilton Viewpoint that an advance scout showed up, discovered the photo event, and said they’d go somewhere else TBD. (A commenter on this morning’s lineup did catch a photo as some passed Weather Watch Park.)

UPDATE: 700+ run Orca Half Marathon 2017 along West Seattle’s shore

9:10 AM: Hundreds of runners have been leaving in waves over the past hour-plus for this year’s Orca Half Marathon, using a new course this year (as linked in our West Seattle Sunday lineup), starting near Colman Pool in Lincoln Park, looping through the park, then on toward the finish line at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. The run is benefiting The Whale Trail.

2 PM: Adding two more photos. Above, finishers at Don Armeni received medals. And they got a reminder of the reason for the run, courtesy of Mike, the inflatable orca, inspired by a Southern Resident Killer Whale of the same name (J-26):

Congratulations to the more than 700 runners, including longtime WSB readers Steph and Paul, who sent this selfie from the starting line:

Full results are here.

FOOTBALL: West Seattle hosts Cleveland

West Seattle High School‘s football team is still looking for its first 2017 win after losing to Cleveland tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex, 22-14. The game was scoreless until WSHS’s #80 Tom Nguyen scored the first TD with 9:05 left in the half.

WSHS held the 7-0 lead going into halftime, then doubled it with 7:24 to go in the third quarter after #84 Kahlel Kelley turned an interception into a TD:

Five minutes later, Cleveland’s #5 DJ Arns started changing the game, with his first of three touchdowns.

After Cleveland’s two-point conversion, it was Wildcats 14, Eagles 8. Arns got his next TD with just under 7 minutes to go in the game, bringing the score to 14-14. Cleveland stepped up its defense and another Arns TD, plus 2-pointer, with 3:19 left in the game, put the Eagles ahead 22-14, and that’s how it stayed to the end.

Next week, WSHS is on the road, playing Ballard at Memorial Stadium downtown, 5 pm Saturday, September 30th.

FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth’s afternoon game @ Lakeside

September 22, 2017 9:55 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Chief Sealth International High School played football on the road this afternoon at Lakeside. The Lions won, 9-0. Next week, the Seahawks (2-2) host Franklin HS at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm Friday (September 29th).

YOU CAN HELP: Join The Whale Trail in volunteering for Sunday’s Orca Half Marathon in West Seattle

September 20, 2017 9:58 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Join The Whale Trail in volunteering for Sunday’s Orca Half Marathon in West Seattle
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife | WS & Sports

orcarun1stbatch(WSB photo from 2016’s Orca Half)

We’ve been lucky enough to be able to share news, and photos/video, of recent orca sightings. Now, you can do something for the whales – by volunteering to help with the Orca Half Marathon next Sunday (September 24th):

Volunteers Needed!

Do you have a few hours to spare Sunday morning? Are you concerned about our endangered southern resident orcas and do you want to promote shore-based whale-watching? The Whale Trail needs your help!

The Orca Half Marathon will be held this Sunday 9/24 in West Seattle from 9 to 1. The Whale Trail is the charity partner for this event for the second year in a row.

The course follows the West Seattle shoreline, passing four Whale Trail sites along the way.

450 race participants are running for individual orcas. Race bibs are customized with the ID and life histories of specific whales!

Mike, the inflatable orca modeled after J-26, will greet runners, their friends and supporters at the finish line.

L-pod was in the area yesterday, making an early and unexpected return to our waters. Maybe they were checking out the course – or looking for Mike?

You Can Help! We need 10 to 15 volunteers to help to staff an aid station for the marathon (passing out water to runners).

Sign up NOW at the Orca Running website here, and be sure to tell them you’re with The Whale Trail! (Write it in the registration form.)

Once the marathon slots are filled, we also need help with Whale Trail activities, especially tending Mike. He eats a lot of inflatable salmon. ;)

Setup starts at 8:30 and we’ll close down at 1. Come for a few hours or stay all day!
Please email donna@thewhaletrail.org and let me know what hours you can be there.

The need to protect the southern resident orcas has never been more clear or urgent.

There are 77 individuals in the population – 7 fewer than this time last year.

If the current population trend continues or worsens, J, K and L pods could go extinct in less than 100 years (WDFW 2005)

Join us on Sunday and become part of the solution for the southern residents. Meet your neighbors, have fun, and maybe we’ll see some whales!

About The Whale Trail

The Whale Trail is a series of sites where the public may view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment. Our overarching goal is to ensure the southern resident orcas recover from the threat of extinction.

Through our current sites and signs, including two on every Washington State ferry, we reach more than 50 million people each year. The Whale Trail is currently adding new sites along the west coast, from California to British Columbia, throughout the southern resident orcas’ range and beyond.

The Whale Trail is led by a core team of partners that include NOAA Fisheries, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Seattle Aquarium, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and the Whale Museum. The Whale Trail BC is spearheaded by the BC Cetacean Sighting Network.

Many members of The Whale Trail teams met when they worked together to return Springer, the orphaned orca, to her pod. This summer we celebrated the 15th anniversary of Springer’s homecoming, coinciding with a confirmed sighting of her second calf!

The Whale Trail is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, headquartered in Seattle. Donna Sandstrom is its Founder and Executive Director.

FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth defeats West Seattle to win Huling Bowl for first time since 2014

10:17 PM: Fans rushed the field moments ago as, for the first time since 2014, Chief Sealth International High School defeated West Seattle High School and won the Huling Bowl, the annual fall faceoff between the cross-peninsula rivals. Tonight’s score at Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood: Sealth 52, West Seattle 24.

Though the rivalry has a long history, this year both teams have new head coaches – Ted Rodriguez for the Seahawks, Marcis Fennell for the Wildcats.

ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: In the first half, the game wasn’t as lopsided as the final score looked. West Seattle was in control in the early going, running up a 17-0 lead in the first eight minutes of the game.

WSHS quarterback Anthony Coats (above) did a lot of passing, but as the game went on, was repeatedly let down. Meantime, Sealth finally got onto the scoreboard with 3 minutes left in the first quarter, on a 62-yard touchdown run by Dontae McMillan.

A two-pointer followed, and the Seahawks continued their comeback, with a Diego Jackson TD bringing them to 17-14 by the last minute of the quarter. The Wildcats answered quickly with Coats throwing for a TD to #14 Lucas Bower, and the second quarter opened with WSHS up 24-14.

Those were West Seattle’s last points for the game, as Chief Sealth was in charge most of the way from there.

Midway through the second quarter, another Jackson TD brought the score to West Seattle 24, Chief Sealth 20. And with less than a minute to go in the half, another McMillan TD gave Sealth the lead for the first time, and they went into halftime ahead 28-24.

Three minutes into the second half, McMillan did it again. And toward the end of the third quarter, the Seahawks’ Jesse Brown got a TD.

That made it 40-24. And they just kept building to the final score of Sealth 52, WSHS 24, the Seahawks’ first Huling Bowl win in three years.

As always, the big game between the two local schools was about more than football – there were the fans:

And the mascots:

Merchandise sales and a pre-game barbecue, too.

This was the only time the two teams are scheduled to meet during the regular season. Next week, Sealth (2-1) plays at Lakeside, 3:30 pm Friday, September 22nd; that night, West Seattle (0-3) is home at SW Athletic Complex, 7 pm, hosting Cleveland.

SOCCER: Chief Sealth IHS girls host West Seattle HS

A week of crosstown competition between Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School teams continued this afternoon with soccer at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point. The Seahawks were the home team.

The visitors dominated the game, and the Wildcats went away with their first win (after two draws), 8-1.

West Seattle’s next match is 4:30 pm Thursday at Ingraham; Sealth’s next match is at home, also 4:30 pm Thursday, against Cleveland.

VOLLEYBALL: West Seattle HS hosts Chief Sealth IHS

September 11, 2017 10:55 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

This is a big week for crosstown matchups between West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School, and it started tonight with WSHS hosting CSIHS in volleyball.

Coach Staci Stringer‘s Wildcats opened double-digit leads in each game and won the best-of-five set in three straight.

The scores were 25-7, 25-11, and 25-8. Once WSHS (2-0) got the serve, they hung onto it long into each game; Coach Lorna Considine‘s Seahawks (0-2) had some rallies, but that wasn’t enough. The two teams will meet again, next time at Sealth, on October 4th.

LATER THIS WEEK: CSIHS will host WSHS in girls’ soccer Tuesday at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield, and WSHS hosts CSIHS in football at Southwest Athletic Conference at 7 pm Friday.

CELEBRATION: Sendoff set for retiring West Seattle HS baseball coach Velko Vitalich

September 10, 2017 2:10 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports


(Coach Velko Vitalich, photographed in June by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

Three months ago, we talked with longtime West Seattle High School baseball coach Velko Vitalich about his decision to retire from that role after more than 30 years. Now, a public celebration for the coach has been announced, and you’re invited. The announcement is from Bret Meaker:

It takes a dedicated person to give up their free time in order to teach and mentor kids. One man has faithfully and tirelessly spent three decades looking after the youth of West Seattle and we would like to recognize and honor him for it.

After 30 years of coaching generations of youth at West Seattle High School, Coach Velko Vitalich is retiring. Please come help us send him off in style. We will be having a celebration at the West Seattle Golf Course on Saturday, September 23rd, at 5 pm. Players, parents, teachers and students are encouraged to attend. We will be serving a BBQ dinner and a no-host bar is available. Attendees are encouraged to bring pictures, stories, and memories to share.

There will be a $20 charge per person to cover the cost of the food and rental. All RSVPs needs to be made by 9/18 at RSVP4Velko@gmail.com

If you are unable to attend, but would like to share a memory about the coach, please send the stories to RSVP4Velko@gmail.com and we will make sure he gets it.

SOCCER: West Seattle HS girls’ home opener vs. Marysville Getchell

September 9, 2017 8:56 pm
|    Comments Off on SOCCER: West Seattle HS girls’ home opener vs. Marysville Getchell
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos)

Tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex, the West Seattle High School girls’ soccer team had their first home match of the season, vs. Marysville Getchell HS. Final score, 1-1, which means the Wildcats are 0-2-0 on the season after tying Eastside Catholic 2-2 on Thursday.

You’ll recall that WSHS has a new head coach, Todd Veenhuizen, announced back in June. The team’s next match is Tuesday afternoon vs. crosstown rivals Chief Sealth International High School (0-1), 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point (34th/Myrtle).

CONGRATULATIONS! 6-year-old BMX champ Colton Fukano’s latest achievements

Just before going back to school this past week, as a first-grader at Genesee Hill Elementary, 6-year-old Colton Fukano concluded his latest season of riding as a BMX (bicycle motocross) champ. Proud mom Shawnda Fukano shared the photo and update:

Colton Fukano wrapped up the Washington State BMX season Labor Day weekend at the State Championship Finals in Richland as the #1 rider in the 6-year-old intermediate class. Riders earn points for the their top four finishes during the season plus how they place at the finals.

Colton went into the finals with five 1st-place finishes as a 5-year-old, but since his birthday was right before the finals ,he raced in the 6-year-old category at the finals. His 3rd-place finish at the finals kept him at the top of the points. Colton rides for the Sonic BMX team, coached by Jamie Stenson and sponsored by Sprocketts Recycled Bicycles in Magnolia. Here is the video of Colton’s last race:

Despite having just turned 6, Colton has been racing for almost two years.

FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth IHS home opener vs. Decatur

(UPDATED MONDAY with information on injured players)

ORIGINAL FRIDAY NIGHT REPORT: A somber end to tonight’s Southwest Athletic Complex football game between Chief Sealth International High School and Decatur HS (visiting from Federal Way) – two Sealth players were taken away by ambulance. While several players were down for several minutes at a time at various points in the game, including one toward the end, emergency responders weren’t brought in until the game was over; we were driving out of the stadium lot when we noticed SFD units arriving, so we turned around and went back to see what we could find out. All we know so far is that the two players were transported by private (AMR) ambulance rather than SFD medic unit because both were conscious, indicating their injuries were not believed to be major. We hope to be able to find out later how they are doing.

Meantime, the rest of the game story is after the jump:

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