West Seattle, Washington
04 Thursday
2:29 PM: On the shore at Alki Point, swimmer Erika Norris hugged her dad Jim after she became the first person in more than half a century to swim from Bremerton to Alki Point. She finished the “Amy Hiland Swim” – named after the woman who did it in 1959 – moments ago. We first reported on Thursday about the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association‘s announcement of Norris’s 10.4-mile swim.
3:10 PM: NOWSA says Erika’s official time was 4:09:20; Amy Hiland’s 1959 time was an hour and a half longer, according to the coverage linked in the first paragraph.
ADDED 5:24 PM: Our video as Erika came ashore:
Some of the people who hiked out onto the rocky shore at low tide to watch:
Here’s what they saw as she approached, with the accompanying sailboat:
(That photo and the next one are by David Hutchinson.)
Even before this, Erika was an accomplished swimmer, as explained in the bio published when she was named to the New York University Hall of Fame last year.
One home game for a local team as high-school football season began Friday night:
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
At Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School hosted Washington HS (Pierce County), which went home with the win, 60-20. The Seahawks were being shut out 35-0 until the last four minutes of the first half, when suddenly #2, senior Chase McNelly, caught fire.
“They got the touchdown fever,” announcer Eddie Snead (a Sealth history teacher) proclaimed admiringly after McNelly’s two TDs sent the Seahawks into halftime down 44-13. They have a new, yet not-so-new head coach this year:
As announced in April, Luther Carr III is back. He has a very young team, just a handful of seniors to work with.
But there’s time.
Besides supporting the team, spectators tonight were supporting Denny-Sealth Performing Arts via fundraising concessions:
Next Friday night (September 9th), Sealth is on the road vs. Nathan Hale.
The West Seattle High School Wildcats varsity football team is 1-0 after its first game of the season. On the road tonight in Clark County, they defeated Washougal HS, 28-21. Next Friday, the Tom Burggraff-coached Wildcats will be home at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) vs. Ingraham
High-school football season starts tonight:
CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL HOME GAME: The Chief Sealth IHS Seahawks start their season with a home game vs. Washington HS (Pierce County), 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ON THE ROAD: At 7 pm, the West Seattle HS Wildcats will be in Clark County to play Washougal.
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ON THE ROAD: At 7 pm, the SLHS Saints will be in Whatcom County to play Lummi Nation.
AT WEST SEATTLE STADIUM: O’Dea plays five home games at WS Stadium this season, and hosts Lincoln HS at 7 tonight. (4435 35th SW)
(Photo courtesy Northwest Open Water Swimming Association)
Meet Erika Norris. The accomplished Seattle-residing swimmer is going to try this Sunday to become the second person to swim from Bremerton to Alki Point Lighthouse. Word of her plan comes from another area open-water swimmer, Andrew Malinak, who says the first person to do it was Amy Hiland in 1959. Erika, like Andrew, is a regular Alki Beach swimmer, “and is very familiar with the challenges posed by the cold water, weather, and currents in this part of Puget Sound,” he says, adding in his announcement that the plan for her attempt at the 10.4-mile crossing should go like this:
Erika will begin in Bremerton around 10 am, and expects to land at the low tide near 2 pm. She will be supported by two boats and a crew of four as she traverses the ferry lanes in Rich Passage and the main shipping channel off Alki Point. The swim will be sanctioned and recorded by the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association (NOWSA), a 501c3 non-profit promoting the sport of marathon swim in the Northwest.
NOWSA plans to track the swim here on Sunday. You can see the route here.
Today, we are happy to share another story about a West Seattleite with an amazing achievement! Proud mom Shawnda Fukano explains what her son has just accomplished:
While most kids were enjoying one of the final weekends of the summer, Colton Fukano was clinching the Washington State BMX Championships in the 5 & under category.
A West Seattleite and soon to be kindergartener at Genesee Hill Elementary, Colton began racing BMX this past January and quickly showed that he wasn’t your average 4-year-old on a bike. After finishing several races on top, he was picked up by the Sonic BMX Team, coached by Jamie Stenson and sponsored by Sprocketts Recycled Bicycles in Magnolia and Potter Racing Products. He headed into the state finals this weekend with four State Cup 1st place finishes during the season, and his 1st place finish on Sunday earned him the State #1 Plate.
Colton’s dad, Casey Fukano, started taking him to the North Seatac BMX Track for fun when he was three years old. Colton loved it, asking, “Can we go to the Sandy Park today?” all the time. During this past winter, when the weather was too bad to ride in Seatac, they tried out a BMX clinic at the Peninsula Indoor BMX track in Port Orchard, an easy ferry ride from Fauntleroy. Colton loved it, and he’s been racing ever since.
Colton would like to say THANK YOU to his coach Jamie, his team sponsors Sprocketts and Potter Racing Products, and Nikko Teriyaki in Jefferson Square for his favorite race-day meal: chicken teriyaki! And, he’d love to see more kids get involved in the sport of BMX, which is an Olympic sport (US won a gold and silver medal this year). The Seatac track is just a 20-minute drive from the Alaska Junction, so head over and have some fun!
Fall means back to school AND back to sports. West Seattle’s sports-consignment store, Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor), has recently remodeled to add more retail space and new fixtures so that more of their items are easier to browse and discover. The new fixtures were obtained from three regional Sports Authority stores that shut down – it’s enabled SGS to get more merchandise up off the floor and higher up for visibility as well as accessibility.
Also, Second Gear Sports has launched pickup and delivery service for large items, via their new wrapped vehicle that you might have seen around town.
SGS is at 6529 California SW and will be celebrating its third anniversary this fall.
Another achievement for young runner Miles Trius of West Seattle! From his family:
Miles completed his 5th half-marathon Sunday in Santa Rosa, California, beating his Seattle Half-Marathon time and coming in at 1:49:52.
This was his first race running without his dad, Navy Chief Ernesto Trius. Miles just turned 11 and will be entering 6th grade this week. Miles will be starting his training for his first marathon, The Santa Rosa Marathon next August. He will be raising money for his school and church, Our Lady of Guadalupe. He would like to give back to a community that has supported him through CYO Cross Country, Track, and Jog-athon. A special thank you to the Santa Rosa Marathon for supporting his running.
Miles’s family has kept us updated on his achievements for two years now – dating back to his Seattle Half-Marathon run at age 9.
Congratulations to Rachel Strauss! The photo and report are from the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club:
Rachel Strauss is the 2016 Club Champion of the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club. In the annual two-day tournament at West Seattle Golf Course held August 22 and 23, Rachel posted a low gross score of 167 to take the title for the second year in a row.
In defending her title, this marks the 18th time in 24 years that Rachel has won the West Seattle Women’s Club championship. She first won the title in 1992 and had a 6-year run from 1992 to 1997 as well as a 7-year run from 1999 to 2005.
Rachel is also the 2016 winner of the Greater Seattle Women’s Public Golf Association City Championship tournament held earlier this month at Willows Run Golf Course.
Rachel is a long time resident of West Seattle.
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
9:16 AM: “Today, you changed a woman’s life.” That’s the message Northwest Hope and Healing executive director Kristina Dahl gave hundreds of runners and walkers as they got ready to head out on this year’s Alki Beach 5K, which started at 9 am.
(WSB video/photos from here, unless otherwise credited)
The nonprofit helps breast- and gynecologic-cancer patients deal with their daily lives as they embark on the fight of their lives. They’re on the course right now – which means Alki/Harbor Avenues are closed for a while – and we’ll be updating.
9:32 AM: Runners of all ages (a 9-year-old finisher was just announced!) continue crossing the line. First was Devon Grove of Kirkland, 20, in 16:15:
(added, next 5 names/photos) Second finisher, Joseph Walker of Federal Way, 21, in 16:38:
Third finisher, John Serrano of Seattle, 17, in 16:54:
Now, the first three female finishers – 1st, Abigail Sargent of Seattle, 33, in 18:38:
2nd, Hailey Kettel of Edmonds, 20, in 19:22:
3rd, Alicia House of Seattle, 27, in 20:55:
10:37 AM: The Alki Beach 5K is officially over, and the waterfront road has just reopened.
ADDED SUNDAY EVENING: Our traditional “everyone leaving the starting line” video is now added near the top of the story. Here are a few more scenes from the Alki Beach 5K:
Robert Spears shared that view of the runners/walkers going in both directions along east Alki. Next – one of the youngest runners, if not THE youngest, who sported the handcrafted bib number “707 1/2”:
Another closer-to-the-ground runner even had a T-shirt:
It wouldn’t be a running event without Lori and Tim McConnell of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor):
And finally … Kristina Dahl from NWH&H wore her reasons for the run on her sleeve:
(Full results from today’s Alki Beach 5K can be found here.)
(WSB file photo)
One more reminder that hundreds of runners and walkers will take over Alki and Harbor Avenues tomorrow morning (Sunday, August 28th), raising money so that Northwest Hope and Healing can continue helping cancer patients. This year’s Alki Beach 5K starts at 61st and Alki at 9 am; if you’re not signed up already, last-minute registration starts by the Bathhouse at 8 am – “runners, walkers, strollers, and friendly leashed dogs are all welcome.” 8 am is also when the course will be closed to traffic, so if you’re going to be in the Alki area tomorrow but not participating, keep that in mind. Looks like perfect running weather – cloudy, not too cold, not too hot.
Two local youth-sports leagues have fundraisers this weekend:
WEST SEATTLE WILDCATS CLOTHING DRIVE AND SCRIMMAGES: Tomorrow at Southwest Athletic Complex, you’re invited to donate to a clothing drive benefiting West Seattle Wildcats Junior Football and Cheer – and to watch scrimmages, too.
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Wildcats)
So far, the Wildcats have collected more than 100 bags of textiles, but need help to hit their goal of 500 bags. Dropoff on Saturday will be in the northeast corner of the SWAC parking lot at 2801 SW Thistle, 11 am-4 pm.
Clothes for the Cause will pay by the pound. Acceptable items include clean clothing of any kind; PAIRED shoes; bath or kitchen towels, linens, blankets, backpacks/purses, drapery, belts, synthetic/leather; tablecloths, and stuffed animals. (No glass, breakables, electronics, pet beds, bed pillows, carpeting, uniforms, or hotel/hospital linens). Place items in tied garbage bags.
In the stadium, all are welcome to drop in for Wildcats scrimmages, 11 am-7 pm, admission free:
Football players and cheerleaders 6-14 years old in the Northwest Junior Football League including teams from Ballard, Eastside, Lake City, Interbay and a visiting team from Canada will match up for scrimmages.
SOUTHWEST LITTLE LEAGUE YARD SALE: You might already have seen this in the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section, where we offer free yard/garage-sale listings: Southwest Little League is raising money via a big yard sale in Arbor Heights this weekend. It’s set for 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday at 3522 SW 102nd. (They’re also accepting donations for the sale, as explained in the WSB Forums post.)
So the Seahawks didn’t get the win tonight. But local pro-football fans might consider something else as a point of pride: BC e-mailed us to point out that former West Seattle High School star Aaron Grymes, who signed earlier this year with the Philadelphia Eagles, had an interception tonight that made ESPN’s Top Ten plays. Before signing with the Eagles, Grymes spent three years in the Canadian Football League; he played college ball at Idaho. His big night tonight unfortunately ended with a shoulder injury (the Eagles beat the Steelers 17-0). But BC “wanted to share (Grymes’ big play) with West Seattle.”
P.S. Grymes and the Eagles are due to visit CenturyLink Field on Sunday, November 20th.
You don’t have to be a West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) member to get your kid(s) into the Y’s fall soccer league – here’s the announcement:
Take the fun outdoors! The Y soccer league provides players with skill-building activities in passing, dribbling, shooting, and defense. Appropriately-sized soccer balls and fields are used for each age group. We emphasize sportsmanship, skill building, participation, friendship, and fun. For ages 3 to 10.
Practices start the week of September 12 at High Point Fields. Games are on Saturdays, September 24 through November 12 at Roxhill Park or Lincoln Park. Facility Members $85, Community Participants $132.
Register in person at Member Services, or online here.
As the Summer Olympics get going, we have news of two West Seattle High School athletes’ achievements at the recent USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships – inculuding silver for Cass Elliott. Thanks to WSHS head track/field coach Will Harrison for the report:
West Seattle athlete Cass Elliott placed 2nd in the nation in the 400 meter hurdles (15-16 boys) at the USATF National Junior Olympics with a time of 53.36. Competing unattached, he advanced to the National meet in Sacramento, California after sweeping championship titles at the Junior Olympic Association and Regional meets in both 400 meter hurdles and the 400 meter dash. Elliott, who will be a junior at West Seattle next year, is the top returner in the 300 meter hurdles for the 3A State Championships.
Elliott’s West Seattle teammate, Joe Kirk-Woodbury, also advanced to the National Junior Olympic meet, placing 13th in the shot put (15-16 boys) with a mark of 42 ft, 4.66 in. Kirk-Woodbury , competing for High Voltage Track Club, was the shot put champion at the Association and Regional meets.
Here’s phone video of Elliott’s silver-medal success – very low-res but you can hear the cheers!
(Bird’s-eye view “schematic” of proposed tennis center)
Interested in the proposed Southwest Indoor Tennis Center? Find out what’s next on Monday (August 8th), 7 pm, at the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW). Following up on a meeting two months ago at which the “feasibility analysis” was presented, this time the “market analysis” will be made public. The tennis center is a community-led proposal that’s been in the works for four years (this FAQ has more backstory); supporters envision building a structure over the tennis courts that are on Seattle Public Schools-owned land west of Southwest Pool. Questions? Contact Lisa Corbin – llcorbin@gmail.com – the community member who’s been leading the project.
We know, too soon to let go of summer. You don’t have to – but for some things, you do have to think ahead. Like girls’ volleyball at Hiawatha Community Center, which is registering players right now. Here’s the announcement:
Girls will learn teamwork, sportsmanship and volleyball fundamentals leading into more advanced skills. Players may sign up at Hiawatha CC or email john.hasslinger@seattle.gov for more information. Practices will occur at Hiawatha Community Center while games will occur at various centrally located Community Centers. League play begins the week of September 19th and concludes on November 19th with a jamboree. $35 participant fee includes practices, games, and uniform. Sign up today!
They’re also looking for volunteer coaches and assistant coaches. Hiawatha is at 2700 California SW in The Admiral District.
P.S. The fall brochure for all of West Seattle’s city-run community centers is here.
Got one or more incoming third-through-ninth-graders in need of something to do this week? We have word that the Chief Sealth Soccer Skills day camp still has space available, tomorrow (Monday, July 25th) through Friday. It’s for girls and boys of all skill levels, 9 am-2 pm each day at Southwest Athletic Complex, across from Chief Sealth. Details are in the flyer
(Above, starting-line video, added Saturday night; below, video of runners moving from Hiawatha to the street, posted during the 5K)
9:53 AM: Before the West Seattle Grand Parade starts walking, rolling, and dancing down California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction, hundreds of Float Dodger 5K participants are on the run! The 5K presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) started from, and is finishing at, Hiawatha Playfield this year, and the runners are now returning from their trip down the parade route. Our video shows them heading off the field and onto California SW, where they “dodged” the West Seattle Hi-Yu “Around West Seattle” float.
8:19 PM: As WSR’s Tim O’Donnell noted in comments, it was the biggest Float Dodger 5K yet. The online results show more than 400 entries. Top three finishers:
Brett Winegar, 17:10
Megan Heuer, 17:41
John Serrano, 17:55
But the Float Dodger has always been about fun more than competition – from the actual dodging, which led to this swarm around the Hi-Yu float:
To the costumes and headgear:
WS Runner’s Tim McConnell (below with co-proprietor and wife Lori McConnell) switched up his costume this year – he was Han Solo:
This was the fifth year for the Float Dodger, which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and West Seattle Food Bank. It was followed by a beer garden at WSR.
Thanks to Mindy for the photo and report:
The West Seattle All-Stars [12U] won the NW Bronco Regional Tournament in Olympia this past weekend. They now move on to compete in Los Angeles on July 29th. We are very proud of our All Stars, who have been playing together for many years now.
In order from left to right, starting in the back: Coach Steve Zarnick, Cole Ransom, Ethan Zarnick, Aiden Waller, Will Cell, Lucas Gut, Nevin Bell, Coach Sean Ransom, Lukas Gerrard, Coach Tom Gut. Left to right, front: Nick Mariani, Joey Cutter, Bryce McFeely, Ethan Daquila, Owen Murray, Ethan Palisoc.
GO, WEST SEATTLE ALL STARS!!!!!
Thanks also to Sue for sending word of the big win. Good luck in L.A.!
More baseball champs to congratulate! From Steelheads coach Darrell Glover:
Just wanted to let you know the West Seattle Steelheads won the West Seattle Baseball U10 Mustang Tournament last Sunday with a 10-0 victory over the West Seattle Baseball All-Stars. It was a true battle of West Seattle.
Thanks to West Seattle High School boys’ basketball head coach Keffrey Fazio for the photo – today, he reports, was the final day of this year’s Wildcat Summer Basketball Camp, hosted by his program. And it was a big camp – “70 kids, grades 4th – 9th.” What’s next for WSHS basketball after this? we asked; Coach Fazio says the annual WSHS Alumni basketball game is Saturday at 1 pm.
Congratulations to West Seattle’s Evan Smith for winning two titles on the Junior Bowlers Tour! The photos and report are from proud mom Bri’Anna Smith:
Evan Smith, an incoming 9th grader at WSHS, won the Junior Bowlers Tour (JBT) Touring Players Championship last weekend in Las Vegas! She bowled various JBT events throughout the Pacific NW to qualify for the end of season event in Nevada.
Her 6th-place finish for the season awarded her the title of 2015-2016 Pacific NW Conference Handicap Division Rookie of the Year. No other bowler has ever won Rookie of the Year and the Touring Players Championship in the same year! She bowled 10 games on Saturday and finished the day in 8th place. The top 60% advance to Sunday. On Sunday, the tournament cuts to the top 10 bowlers after 5 more games. She ended in 4th place after that cut. The top 10 bowlers then bowl 8 games of match play and again cut to the top 4 for step ladder finals.
Evan went into the finals in 2nd place. She bowled two more games to win the whole tournament! She bowled a total of 25 games and earned a total of $2,155 in scholarship money over the course of the weekend. It was back to back wins for female bowlers, the Pacific NW, AND West Seattle Bowl! (Zoe Mahn, 2016 Vashon Island High School graduate, won the event last year.) The championship match will be available for viewing soon on YouTube at JBT900.
A BIG thank you to Coach Tom Favre at West Seattle Bowl for all of his time and support! We are proud of Evan and all of the hard work she puts into practice and picking up spares year-round! She has had a fantastic year earning scholarship money doing what she loves! To learn more about JBT, please visit: www.bowljbt.com.
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