West Seattle, Washington
26 Tuesday
Texter noted military aircraft in the area. Looks like it’s for Military Appreciation Day at the Sounders FC match vs. Salt Lake, 2 pm, with pregame ceremonies scheduled to include U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from Whidbey Island’s VAQ-129 Squadron.
In 3A state-tournament play at Memorial Stadium downtown, a quarterfinals match was the end of the line for the West Seattle High School boys-soccer team on Friday night. Gig Harbor left with the win, 3-1. According to the Tides‘ Twitter feed, the Wildcats‘ lone goal was scored with 1:30 to go.
The spring postseason continues for high-school athletes, and the district track and field championships are set today and Saturday at Southwest Athletic Complex. Thanks to Kristin for sharing Chief Sealth International High School track coach Lorna Considine‘s announcement of the CSIHS participants:
Please congratulate the following students who have advanced to the District Track Meet this Friday and Saturday at SWAC: Mia Hyde, Eve Elmore, Imani Carey, Chloe Myers, Jessica Nelson, Quinn Wiley, Keyaira Corbray, Jasmine Smith, Elijah Jackson, Brandyn Gibson.
Also congratulations to:
2017 METRO CHAMPION QUINN WILEY in the 300 Meter Hurdles
2017 METRO CHAMPION ELIJAH JACKSON in the Long Jump and High Jump
SWAC is at 2801 SW Thistle, across the street from CSIHS.
(WSB photos and video by Randall Hauk. Above, Kyle Seager donating books for the Sanislo library)
Exciting end to the school day for students (and staff!) at Sanislo Elementary on Wednesday. Sanislo was one of four schools in the region chosen by the Seattle Mariners for the 20th annual DREAM Team Assemblies. More photos and video ahead: Read More
Last August, we brought you the story of Colton Fukano, who at age 4 – before starting kindergarten – had just won a state BMX championship. This week, we have an update on Colton’s bicycle-racing achievements, again from proud mom Shawnda Fukano:
Race season has started again for 5-year-old Colton Fukano, a kindergartener at Genesee Hill Elemenatary and member of team Sonic BMX. This past weekend he took 1st place at the Fraser Valley National Race in Chilliwack, British Columbia, where he raced against the top intermediate five-year-olds from Western Canada. We want to say thank you to Coach Jamie Stenson and Michael Benson, owner of Sprocketts Recycled Bicycles in Magnolia, for sponsoring the team. If any kids are interested in trying out BMX, check out the North SeaTac BMX track’s summer camps. West Seattle Cyclery in the Alaska Junction can help you get anything you might need to get started!
Colton’s been a BMX rider since he was 3; his backstory is in the August report.
(Thanks to Sara for the photo!)
The West Seattle High School boys-soccer team has advanced to the next round of the state playoffs with a 2-1 win last night over previously unbeaten Stadium HS – via a double-overtime goal. Later this week, the Wildcats play Gig Harbor; as of early this morning, the time/site were not yet listed on the bracket page.
Congratulations to the athletes of West Seattle High School‘s track-and-field program for their achievements at the Metro championships this week. The report is from head coach Will Harrison:
The Metro League Championships were held this past Wednesday and Friday at Southwest Athletic Complex, featuring the 17 largest Seattle-Area schools. The West Seattle squad walked away from the Metro championships with 3 individual Metro titles and 2 school records.
The West Seattle boys team placed 5th at the Metro championships. West Seattle junior Cass Elliott swept Metro titles in the 110m high hurdles (15.47 seconds) and 300m intermediate hurdles (39.82; video below).
He has maintained his No. 1 state ranking in the latter event since early this season. This feat was made even more astonishing considering that inbetween racing to his 2 titles, with very short recovery, he placed 3rd in the 400-meter dash in 49.62 seconds to better his own school record. This is the 3rd time Elliott achieved a school record this season, having set the previous 400 record of 49.84 on April 20th, as well as the javelin-throw record of 151 ft at the Nike Eason Invite on April 22nd. In all, Elliott contributed 26 of West Seattle’s 49.5 points at Metros.
Senior Abdullahi Ali continued a breakthrough year, placing 5th in the 100-meter hurdles (4 points, 15.87 seconds) as well as 9th in the 300-meter hurdles (43.5 seconds), advancing to districts in both events.
The 4 x 100 meter relay team of freshman Kahlel Kelley, senior Miles Hairston, sophomore Lucas Bower, and sophomore Rylee Farrison picked up a 7th-place finish, and 2 points, with a time of 45.22 seconds. Farrison also placed 7th in the 400 final (51.58) for another 2 points.
(Joe Kirk-Woodbury took 4th in the discus and 5th in the shot put at the Metro Championships)West Seattle throwers came up big at the Championships. Senior Caden Snodgrass placed 3rd in the discus throw and 8th in the shot put, and junior Joe Kirk-Woodbury took 4th in discus throw and 5th in shot put. In all, Snodgrass and Kirk-Woodbury contributed 17.5 points for West Seattle. Both athletes advanced to the Districts.
(Cunliffe setting the all-time Washington sophomore class record at the Pasco Invite back in April)
On the girls’ side, West Seattle placed 10th, led by sophomore Chloe Cunliffe. Cunliffe, who has maintained the No. 1 state ranking since early April, won a Metro League title in the girls pole vault with a jump of 12 feet, 3 inches. At Metros, she also competed in long jump, placing 5th with a jump of 16 feet, 9.25 inches. This is Cunliffe’s first season of high-school track.
(In the hunt for a Metro Title, Grace Sarver set West Seattle’s school record in the 300 meter hurdles)Sophomore Grace Sarver, also in her first year of high school track, raced to 6th in the girls’ 100-meter hurdles final (17.22 seconds) and 3th in the 300-meter hurdles final (47.94 seconds). Her prelim time of 47.70 seconds broke Kris Tollefson‘s old school record of 48.73 seconds from 2012.
Junior Symmone Davis raced to a 7th place finish in the 100 meter hurdles (18.10 in finals, 17.45 in prelims).
Two girls’ relay teams advanced to Districts – the 4 x 200 meter relay squad of Davis, sophomore Bellie Suttora, junior Sierrah Bettin, and freshman Marissa Rackner placed 9th in 1:52.40 seconds; the 4 x 400 meter relay team of Sarver, Rackner, Bettin, and junior Gabrielle Rackner placed 10th in 4:25.70 seconds
(A happy team at the end of the meet)Full results are here. West Seattle HS will be in action next at the District Meet on Friday, May 19th, at Southwest Athletic Complex.
If you’ve been procrastinating about signing up for this year’s West Seattle 5K run/walk – time’s running out. Online registration ends on Thursday (May 18th); after that, you’ll have to sign up during packet pickups at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) next Saturday, or right before the race. It starts from 61st SW/Alki SW at the beach on Sunday, May 21st, at 9:20 am. WSB is a sponsor again this year, as we’ve been every year since the first WS5K in 2009. You can sign up right now by going here, and that also guarantees you a T-shirt with the cool new logo (note that kids 6 and under are free, but no T-shirt), and get ready for a fun morning at the beach, benefiting West Seattle High School!
Congratulations, Wildcats! The photo, video, and report are from Jason Woycke:
The West Seattle High School boys’ soccer beat O’Dea on Saturday to go to the Metro semifinals. The win also guarantees them a spot in state playoffs. After 90 minutes, the score was 2-2. They played overtime before ending the game with penalty kicks. Sam Carballo had a couple saves and Noah Woycke scored the final PK that sent the team into a frenzied celebration:
WSHS is scheduled to play Garfield in the semifinals on Tuesday night at Interbay – see the bracket here.
Thanks to Matt Prevost for the photo and news that the Madison Middle School boys-soccer team is having a great season. Latest win was on Saturday vs. Aki Kurose, at Garfield High School.
The boys go for their sixth victory vs. Whitman at 9:30 am next Saturday (May 13th) at Rainier Beach HS, which is also where they play crosstown rivals Denny at 11 am May 20th.
More youth-soccer tryouts are coming up – starting in one week! Here’s the announcement:
The Highline Soccer Association is pleased to announce that our HSA Select program, which we started Fall 2015 to provide our youth players the opportunity to stay within our association and play at a higher level, has been a great success. This program is designed to fill the gap between our recreational programs (West Seattle Soccer Club and Highline Soccer Club) and our premier program (Highline Premier FC) with regards to competitive level, time commitment, and cost.
Due to this success, we are expanding the number of teams from 6 last fall to 9 teams this fall, and we have secured quality coaches for each level. Due to last year’s registration changes, our teams will be formed by what year the players were born. The age groups for our select teams this fall will be those boys and girls born in years 2004, 2005, 2006 ,and 2007, and boys born in 2003.
Each team will compete in a minimum of two tournaments in addition to the fall season. Team practices would begin in June. Training for field players will be conducted by the coaches, who may also opt to hire trainers. A limited amount of goalkeeper training will also be provided. The HSA Select program is ideal for any player desiring more competition and higher-level training, but not wanting the full-year commitment. HSA Select teams will play in the North Puget Sound League, which is a select league covering the Seattle and Eastside areas. The cost per player will consist of a $400 program fee, and each new player will purchase their HSA Select uniform at around $100. There will also be an additional $100-$300 team fee, which will cover equipment, training and tournaments.
The tryout schedule is listed below, by birth year:
Valley Ridge is at 4644 S. 188th St. in SeaTac; the other two fields are in West Seattle – Delridge at 4501 Delridge Way SW; Walt Hundley at 6760 34th Ave SW. To register for the tryouts ($10), please click here to register and/or create your account. Questions? hsaselect@gmail.com
The sun showed up this afternoon for the only regular-season boys-soccer match of the year between West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School. The Wildcats got the win, 1-0. It would have been a bigger gap if not for the hard work of Sealth goalkeeper Levi Erdman:
That one Wildcats goal by Alex Coronado (#4, below) came after Erdman was knocked down – and he stayed down for a while, but got up and the game resumed.
You can see both goalkeepers in action in our short clip:
WSHS is now 6-2-5 overall; Sealth is 4-8-0. The Wildcats’ next game is at home (Walt Hundley Playfield, 34th SW/SW Myrtle) at 4 pm Wednesday vs. Lakeside; the Seahawks also have a 4 pm home game on Wednesday, at SWAC vs. Seattle Prep.
Soccer player(s) in the house? Highline Premier FC (WSB sponsor) continues tryouts for new age groups this week, starting tomorrow. Here’s the update from HPFC:
Highline Premier FC has had fantastic tryouts for all age groups up to this point and formed some solid teams for the 2017/18 season. Next up are those girls and boys born in 2006 and 2007 with tryouts set for Tuesday, April 25th; Wednesday, April 26th; and Friday, April 28th, @ Walt Hundley Playfield (Girls 5:45 – 7:15 pm and Boys 7:15 – 8:45 pm).
Also, because of strong demand, we are holding additional supplemental tryouts for our 2009 age group on Tuesday, April 25th, and Wednesday, April 26th, also @ Walt Hundley, from 5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Take this opportunity to register your child by clicking here and having them showcase their skills with some of the best talent in the surrounding area and receive some amazing coaching to boot. See you on the pitch!
Walt Hundley Playfield is in High Point, at 34th SW and SW Myrtle.
11:11 AM: Remember that brilliantly sunny day last April when the University of Washington Huskies played their first-ever home beach-volleyball match – at Alki? (If not, here’s our coverage.) We just noticed via Twitter that they’re doing it again today. Might be the last time, since they’ve just built beach-volleyball courts on the UW campus, and that’s where they won 5-0 on Saturday vs. Boise State (corrected), same team they’re playing at Alki today (scheduled to have just started, at 11). This is also the last game of the regular season.
12:45 PM: Stopped by for a couple quick pix. Fans are undaunted by the rain. Play-by-play continues on the team’s Twitter account.
3:45 PM: Huskies report another 5-0 win.
Just announced – a new benefit 5K to add to your summer schedule: 9 am June 10th at Lincoln Park, the first ever “Roll Hawks” 5K to raise money for the Chief Sealth International High School Cross-Country Team. Interested? You can register online by going here.
Going to run/walk the 5K at Loop the ‘Lupe on June 4th? Get ready with a free “couch to dash” training program announced by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) – starting next week. From WSR’s Lori McConnell:
Description:
• A P3|Running RRCA Certified coach-led group run from West Seattle Runner on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 pm and Saturdays at 8 am. There will be a schedule for those who will use a run/walk program and one for those who are running the whole way
• Along with a 6-week training schedule, there will be a Running 101 clinic that will cover injury prevention, running form, shoes and gear 101, and mental training.
When:
• April 24th-June 4th
• The Program starts from West Seattle Runner on Wednesday, April 26th. Meet your fellow participants and others from the Seattle running community!
This is a free program as part of our dedication to community service. All we ask is that you register or donate for Loop the ‘Lupe, as it supports programs that many benefit from on their quest to stay active.
Questions: Email lori@westseattlerunner.com
To register for the training program: Email lori@westseattlerunner.com
To find out more about custom coaching programs, go here.
West Seattle Runner is in The Admiral District at 2743 California SW. The June 4th Loop the ‘Lupe events are at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th SW/SW Myrtle).
Thanks to West Seattle High School track and field coach Will Harrison for the report on big successes at a major meet this weekend:
Heading into last weekend, West Seattle’s Chloe Cunliffe and Cass Elliott already held the No. 1 spot in their respective events in the 3A state track and field rankings. At the prestigious Pasco Invitational, featuring athletes from 98 schools and 3 states, hosted by Pasco High School on Saturday (April 15th), each pulled further ahead of the rest of the state.
(Cunliffe with coach Scott McCoy after winning the Pasco Invite Pole Vault competition)Cunliffe, a sophomore, cleared 12 feet, 9 inches in the Pole Vault to win the largest high school track and field competition in the state. She was the only competitor to clear 12 feet, then went on to clear 12’6″ and 12’9″. The next-best mark among all 3A competitors this season is senior Allyson Ely of Edmonds-Woodway at 12-0. Cunliffe’s mark, a school record, ranks 22nd nationally and 3rd among all sophomores in the country, according to athletic.net. Cunliffe also ran a leg on West Seattle’s 4 x 100 meter relay before entering the Pole Vault competition, along with Symmone Davis, Katherine Long, and Sierrah Bettin (52.42 seconds, current Metro League No. 7).
Elliott, a junior and last year’s state runner-up, ran 38.27 seconds to win the 300-meter hurdles on Saturday by nearly a full second.
The next-best mark among all 3A competitors this season is Marcus Williams of Lincoln at 39.68. The 300-meter hurdles was just one of five races for Elliott on Saturday. He also qualified for the finals of the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.51 seconds (current state No. 8) and placed 10th.
Sophomore Rylee Farrison placed 10th in the 400-meter dash in 51.67 seconds (Metro No. 7). Farrison and Elliott also ran legs on West Seattle’s 4 x 100 meter relay along with Kahlel Kelley and Miles Hairston that ran 45.07 seconds (Metro No. 3) and with Hairston, and Nick Branch to place 10th in the 4 x 400 meter relay in 3 minutes, 35.32 seconds (also current Metro No. 3, state No. 10). West Seattle is the defending Metro champ in that event.
(Photos by Ruby Athan)
Their debut last year made news here and far beyond – and this year, the all-girls West Seattle Little League team, the Peaches, are “back for season 2!” The report is from Pam Bigatel:
Our coach Sean Eley was able to draft all our girls onto the same team, (which was remarkable and miraculous!) and we have 12 girls playing in the West Seattle Little League Rookie League. Rookie League is the first division that allows kids to experiment with pitching during game play (vs. strictly coach pitch for younger players.)
We were thrilled to learn that there was a record number of girls who signed up for the league this year! There are awesome female players spread throughout the teams this spring. It’s been great to see all the families in the stands supporting this treasured part of our West Seattle community, and it’s thrilling to know that many families of girls have found their way into this local tradition.
(Coach Sean with the MVP from the Peaches’ first game of the season)
We’d love to have a ton of fans at our games this spring! All the West Seattle Little League schedules can be found online. The Peaches’ schedule:
Peaches vs. Sonic Boom! Friday, April 28, 5:30-7:30 PM at Bar-S
Peaches vs. Rainiers Tuesday, May 2, 5:30-7:30 PM at Delridge
Peaches vs. Chiefs Friday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 PM at Bar-S
Peaches vs. Sonic Boom! Monday, May 8, 5:30-7:30 PM at Delridge
Peaches vs. Chiefs Wednesday, May 17, 5:00-7:00 PM at Hiawatha
Peaches vs. Pilots Saturday, May 20, 5:00-7:00 PM at Alki Playfield
Peaches vs. Rainiers Tuesday, May 23, 5:30-7:30 PM at Delridge
Be part of history – the first-ever Loop the ‘Lupe event in West Seattle. Our Lady of Guadalupe is launching the obstacle course and 5K fun run/walk on June 4th at Walt Hundley Playfield (kitty-corner from the church and school, at 34th/Myrtle), and sponsoring WSB right now to help get the word out.
Not only will Loop the ‘Lupe include a 5K and an obstacle course, organizers add that the lineup for that day (start times here) also includes “a quarter-mile, flat, obstacle-free ‘Senior Saunter‘ for those aged 50+ and a ‘Youth Dash‘ for kids younger than 8.”
Loop the ‘Lupe is a benefit for the Walmesley Center at OLG, as explained on this page where you can donate to support the center even if you can’t be part of the June 4th event:
… the Walmesley Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (is) a valuable community resource that hosts numerous athletic events and social outreach programs that benefit all of our West Seattle neighbors, whether they’re members of the parish or not. The Walmesley Center has hosted more than 20,000 kids and families through its athletic programs since its opening. The Center is also the place where more than 3,000 people every year volunteer and take part in events like free community meals for seniors, blood drives, flu shots, and and presentations on social justice concerns.
Sign up for Loop the ‘Lupe by next Saturday (April 15th) and you get the early-registration rate, $25 – you can do it right now by going here.
P.S. Here’s the course map.
West Seattle High School baseball parent Sheree Fantz-Gut shares that photo with her report on the Wildcats’ latest win:
The WSHS Wildcats and the Cleveland HS Eagles completed completed a very WET and WINDY game yesterday at Hiawatha. WSHS 12, Cleveland HS 2.
Five players were definitely not enough to cover the mound after the game. It ended up taking almost the entire team to battle the wind!
WSHS goes for its third consecutive win on Monday, 4 pm at Hiawatha (2700 California SW), vs. Garfield.
Also happening this afternoon (weather permitting), West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team has a home game at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) vs. Roosevelt, 4 pm, after a win last night:
Thanks to Sheree Fantz-Gut for the photo of junior Anthony Coats on the mound, and the report that he pitched a complete game in the Wildcats’ 2-1 Thursday night win over Rainier Beach HS, the second WSHS win of the season. Here’s the schedule and season-so-far results.
She also reminds us that the team is selling $18 tickets to the June 24th Mariners vs. Astros evening game – here’s the flyer; e-mail WSHSMarinerstickets@gmail.com to buy yours.
Now even more local youth can play baseball! West Seattle Baseball shares this announcement:
West Seattle Baseball is proud to announce the formation of a new league, the Champions League™. The newest league in the PONY family is for youth with special needs.
We are excited to offer the first-of-its-kind baseball league for kids who would normally not have a chance to play ball. Participants can be between the ages of 4 and 23 years old or those who remain in a school setting, with special needs that would prevent them from playing in a traditional baseball or softball program.
Participants will be allowed to participate by the level of ability regardless of their age—either T- Ball or Coach Pitch. And we will be using the “Buddy” system in both levels of play. These buddies will assist their player catch, field, and throw; and as necessary, get around the bases. These buddies can be from our own West Seattle Baseball players (10 and older), family or community members.
For more information and to register, you can visit our Champions page here.
(Photo from Highline Bears’ opening night last year)
We know, you’re just getting into the mood for baseball, with the Mariners’ season now under way, and high-school teams playing too. Here’s more: The Highline Bears will be back this summer, and sent this announcement to let you know:
The local semi-pro Highline Bears baseball team announced that their opening game for the 2017 season will be Friday, June 2 in White Center, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.
The Bears – who were established in the fall of 2014 – are a summer collegiate baseball team that plays their games locally at Mel Olson Stadium, inside of Steve Cox Memorial Park, in White Center.
The Highline Bears are part of the Pacific International League (PIL) that features nationally recognized teams such as the Seattle Studs and Everett Merchants. In the Bears’ inaugural season, they successfully met their goal of bringing a high level of baseball back to our community. In doing so they broke every league attendance record, and co-founder/manager Todd Coughlin led the team to a winning record.
Going into their third season, the Bears have some very exciting things planned for fans.
“We have put a lot of energy into creating a better fan experience for our community, as well as having one of the most competitive schedules in our league,” General Manager Justin Moser said. “This season will include new between-inning games, special game night promotions, and a ton of giveaways.”
The Bears are known for their fun in-game experiences, offering in past seasons a pizza box race, truck tire inner tube race, and sleeping bag race, where kids run away from “Buntly” the Bears’ friendly mascot. Between innings, and throughout the games, Buntly runs through the stadium handing out t-shirts, candy for kids, and other fun prizes. The Bears also work closely with local non-profits offering ticket fundraisers and doing a 50/50 raffle every game where the proceeds benefit the non-profit of the night.
The team will have a minimum of 17 home games, and Moser is hoping to get to an extra one or two more dates set before the season starts.“I’d love to have 18 or 19 home games, we’ve been working closely with King County Parks to be able to have this be a great home for semi-pro baseball. It’s going to be an exciting season for everyone involved,” Justin added.
The Bears opening night will be against the NW Emeralds on Friday, June 2, at 7:05 p.m. Tickets to games are very affordable at only $5 for adults, with kids 12 & under FREE. Season tickets for the Bears are $70 for a single ticket and $130 for a pair, which includes a free Bears T-shirt.
For more information on the Highline Bears – and to purchase tickets online – go here.
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