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Seattle Public Schools bringing back ‘mid-winter break’
May 23, 2013 12:06 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

After one year without it, it appears the one-week “mid-winter break” is returning to Seattle Public Schools next year. This year, what had been the “mid-winter break” week was bookended by three-day weekends. But a full week is back in the district’s announcement today of key dates for next year’s calendar – read on for the announcement published on the district website:

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Dozens of judges needed for WSHS senior projects: Can you help?
May 22, 2013 3:30 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Every graduating senior at West Seattle High School has to make a 10-minute oral presentation about the research for their senior project. And those presentations all need judges – with 58 spots remaining as of this afternoon. You can even sign up for two days, over the course of May 28, 29, 30, 31, and June 3 and 4, with presentations between 3 and 5 pm each day. “The latest trend in judging has been to listen with a friend or two and then go out for a nice supper afterwards. Think about it!” says teacher Rebecka McKinney – e-mail her if you might be able to help, ramckinney@seattleschools.org.

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Surprise! $5,000 grant for Sanislo librarian Craig Seasholes
May 21, 2013 12:21 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
The alert we received on Monday warned us not to tip off Sanislo Elementary librarian Craig Seasholes (right) that CenturyLink rep Sue Anderson (left) would be visiting the school with a surprise for him – a big $5,000 check as part of the CL/Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Teachers & Technology grant program. He’s one of 22 teachers to get one of the grants this year, and we’re told it’ll go toward iPads with educational apps and e-books. (Big spring for Mr. Seasholes and the Sanislo Library – you’ll recall they hosted Caroline Kennedy last month.)

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Know a future Chief Sealth ninth-grader? Special open house May 28
May 20, 2013 6:55 pm
|    Comments Off on Know a future Chief Sealth ninth-grader? Special open house May 28
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Everyone who’s going to be a Chief Sealth International High School ninth-grader next year is invited to an open house one week from tomorrow (Tuesday, May 28th). Athletic director Sam Reed says it’s a chance for incoming ninth-graders to find out about sports at Sealth – whether they’re already playing a sport, or “thinking about trying something” – read on for the official invitation:

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West Seattle HS chef Sarah Rosenthal makes ‘Cutting Edge’ top 3
May 20, 2013 3:38 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(May 8th WSB photo)
Big followup from West Seattle High School teacher Danielle Henry, two weeks after the “Cutting Edge” cooking competition came to campus – the WSHS winner is a national finalist!

Sarah Rosenthal is gearing up to take a trip to compete for the ultimate title of Top Teen Chef! We just got off the phone with the National Restaurant Association, and found out that Sarah was selected as one of the top three students in the entire U.S. (out of 63 students and 21 schools) to compete for the title and the opportunity to cook for the President and Vice-President at the White House. They announced her big win at the National Restaurant Association Conference this past weekend. I am so proud of Sarah and can’t wait to see her compete in the next round!!

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Middle College High School’s lease extended a second year
May 20, 2013 10:13 am
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 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(September 2012 WSB photo)
Middle College High School will be based at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Centerfor at least another year, reports teacher Alonzo Ybarra. This is the small high-school program focused on social justice and community engagement that lost its longtime home at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) and finally found space at the center for this school year; we last checked in with MCHS in September. Ybarra shared the news via a new blog-format website with updates about the school, which links to a letter with the district announcement. The website also notes that MCHS helped with the West Seattle Bee Garden, launched yesterday with a parade and festival (WSB coverage here), and that its 2013 graduation ceremony is set for June 11th.

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West Seattle 5K 2013: Fifth year for fun(draising) walk/run
May 19, 2013 10:12 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
Some of the runners and walkers in the fifth annual West Seattle 5K on Alki are still making their way to the finish line.

(Photo by Tracy Brigham – those are her boys in the PJs, the high-five cheering section!)
We have the official list of the top three finishers for both genders and their chip times:

Female

#858 – Kelley McKean, 35, 19:23
#617 – Adrienne Salzwedel, 29, 19:32
#937 – Roxanne Wegman, 25, 19:36

Male

#237 – Josh Fountain, 25, 16:44
#295 – Keefe Hanson, 20, 16:53
#900 – Wyatt Golding, 28, 17:00

America’s best grocery bagger, Andrew Borracchini of Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), was the celebrity starter – he posed for us pre-race with a celebrity WSHS alum, County Executive Dow Constantine:

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: More scenes from the 5K – starting with WSHS principal Ruth Medsker on the run!

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Congratulations, West Seattle Wildcats baseball! First time to the state’s Final Four
May 18, 2013 8:01 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:01 PM: After two victories in state tournament play this afternoon/evening in Mount Vernon, the West Seattle High School baseball team is off to the state semifinals next Friday in Pasco. They shut out Ferndale and then beat Bonney Lake. More to come!

ADDED 10:10 PM: Greg Slader, the WSHS parent who has shared game information and photos all year, sends more details along with photos, starting with this quote from assistant coach Brian Tupper:

“From the coaches’ perspective, these were the best team games we have played all year. Our focus was so good that we didn’t play uptight in either game something that has plagued West Seattle in the past at State. It was what we have been looking for all year, couldn’t have asked for it a better time for it. Two outstanding pitching performances by Sam Hellinger and Ben Wexler, superb team defense and team offensive execution. We had at least 6 sac(rifice) bunts in the 2 games, 3 sac(rifice) flies, and one perfectly executed squeeze play.

“First Team All-Metro freshman shortstop Morgan McCullough seemed to make every play in the field, collecting almost 10 putouts himself, starting a huge double play in the 7th of game two and then ending the game with a diving stop and stepping on second base 6 unassisted, he also ignited the offense getting on base 6 times out of his 9 plate appearances, finishing 4-7 with a triple and double, 5 runs scored, and 2 RBI’s.

“Metro League MVP Sam Hellinger had a no-hitter broken up in the 4th inning of game one and finished with a complete game 2-hit shutout with one walk and 10 strikeouts on 93 pitches.

“At the plate (above), he continued his hot hitting in the playoffs, extending his hitting streak to 21 games going 5-6 with 3 2B’s 5 RBI and 3 runs scored

“Wexler (above) threw a complete game 5-hitter, allowing 2 runs while striking out 2 on 76 pitches to help seal Westside’s victory and first trip to the State 3A Final Four in school history!”

Greg adds: “West Seattle will be traveling on Thursday morning over to Pasco to play Mount Si in the semifinals at 10 am on Friday, May 24th at Gesa Stadium. Winner to play for the 3A State Championship on Saturday at 4 pm.”

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Hope Lutheran Walk-A-Thon covers 1000+ laps and 330+ miles
May 18, 2013 6:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

 

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The sky was sunny and spirits were high on Thursday afternoon, as Hope Lutheran School students, parents and friends took to the streets of West Seattle for their 2nd Annual Walk-A-Thon to raise money for the school.

Hope Lutheran Principal Kristen Okabayashi offered this report:

Today was so much fun! Our top goal for the walkathon was to raise money for our new science curriculum we are implementing next year, but other smaller goals were to build community with our event, and also have an event that raises awareness of keeping your body active. Our students walked and/or ran anywhere from 1/3 mile for our 3 year olds, and up to over 3 miles for some of our middle school students. With a huge number of parents and grandparents helping out today, along with Seattle Lutheran High School’s band performing for all our participants, we had a blast and can’t wait for next year!

Students collected donations and per-lap “pledges” prior to the event, and volunteers also secured corporate donations in support of the cause. Preliminary results:

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Roxhill Elementary scholars get to walk to school – from the bus
May 17, 2013 11:30 am
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 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

This morning, Roxhill Elementary principal Sahnica Washington greeted scholars arriving by bus – two blocks north of campus! Here’s why: All month, Roxhill families have been part of “walking school buses” – and today was a chance for bus-transported scholars to join in too, with the help of Feet First and the state Transportation Department:

FF even brought along its famous giant Chicken (as in, “why did the chicken cross the road …”)

Crossing the road – and walking along it – will soon be even safer for kids headed toward Roxhill, which, as explained in the Feet First announcement, “is the recipient of a Safe Routes to School grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation. This grant will fund a new sidewalk on SW 30th immediately south of Roxbury, and improvements to the intersection of SW 30th Ave and SW Roxbury, due for construction in the summer of 2013.”

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After 4 years, city approves illuminated sign for Madison
May 16, 2013 8:01 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Four years after a review process began for a proposed illuminated sign at Madison Middle School, the city has announced a decision: The sign installation is approved, “with conditions.” Some neighbors had expressed concern after the 30-square-foot sign was first proposed in 2009 for the east facade of the school gym. Discussion here at that time indicated the money was coming from parent fundraising as well as from grants and gifts. After the proposal languished for three years, it resurfaced last June, with the city convening the committee formed to consider a requested “departure” from zoning, and now comes the decision. Today’s notice opens a two-week period for appeals, with the deadline May 29th; we’re asking the district about the project’s status.

ADDED 1:51 PM FRIDAY: District spokesperson Tom Redman replied today to our inquiry. He included background, some of which is redundant to our story above, but in the spirit of sharing everything the district said, his full reply is below:

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High-school sports: Three postseason losses; 1 game ahead
May 16, 2013 6:07 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Disappointing day on Wednesday for three local high-school sports teams:

SOCCER: In a first-round state-tournament match played at Snohomish High School last night Chief Sealth International High School lost to Glacier Peak, 2-1.

SOFTBALL: On Wednesday afternoon, district softball play resulted in defeats for two local teams:

4-1 was the final score in Chief Sealth’s game with Mercer Island, played at Lower Woodland, which is also where West Seattle High School‘s softball team played Interlake:

13-3 was the final score in that game, with the Wildcats on the lower end.

NEXT UP: The West Seattle HS baseball team awaits its first-round state-tournament game this Saturday, facing Ferndale at Dream Field in Mount Vernon at 1 pm.

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Mayor at Youngstown with city arts director Randy Engstrom to announce arts-funding partnership
May 14, 2013 2:06 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

2:06 PM: Former Youngstown Cultural Arts Center director Randy Engstrom [right, above] is back at the center right now for a big city announcement regarding arts education: New money for visual-arts and music education for all students in Seattle Public Schools. Engstrom points out that arts funding is a social-justice issue as well as an important underpinning for industry. The program, he says, aligns at the district level as part of the strategic plan, as well as working with principals of all schools, “so that by junior high we haven’t left any of our students behind.” The funding, he says, comes from higher-than-expected revenue from the city admission tax from venues including the new Seattle Great Wheel; 75 percent of those taxes are supposed to go to “arts-related programming.” (The family behind the big ferris wheel has representatives here too.) The implementation will begin with the Central Pathway, says Mayor McGinn, who’s part of the announcement here too: “Arts really define Seattle as a city, too … this is a very, very exciting day,” he said. Also part of the announcement: Carri Campbell, who is the school district’s program manager of Visual & Performing Arts, and says those arts will be increased “in every single school,” and assistant superintendent Michael Tolley.

2:16 PM: “Arts education is one of the academic assurances we put in place” with the switch to neighborhood schools a few years ago, Tolley points out. In Q/A, we asked how this will be rolled out; it’ll take six years, says Campbell, and the second pathway – after Central, where this will be inaugurated – hasn’t been determined yet, so we don’t know when it will get to West Seattle schools.

3:02 PM: The event’s over; the full news release is here.

P.S. One more note – the value of arts education was touted by a Youngstown veteran, professional breakdancer Sammy Tekle, who is now a teaching artist at Orca K-8, introduced by Engstrom:

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Got room for a student visiting West Seattle from afar?
May 13, 2013 8:41 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

From Pathfinder K-8 assistant principal Lisa Clayton:

Looking for an amazing summer adventure? Host a 5th/6th grade student from China. West Seattle will have a visit from 25 students from Chengdu, China and as the date is approaching fast, we are still in great need of host families. Students will arrive July 3rd and departure is set for July 14th. During the weekdays students will attend summer-camp classes at Pathfinder K-8 School, and on the weekends they are ready to play. All you need to be a host family is a desire to enrich your lives – and an extra bed.

To find out more, e-mail Clayton at lclayton@seattleschools.org.

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MAP flap: Superintendent says high schools can opt out of test
May 13, 2013 2:14 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A new development this afternoon in the controversy over the testing known as MAP: Seattle Public Schools superintendent José Banda has just announced that while he wants to keep it for next year, through 8th grade, high schools can opt out. Read on for his full statement:

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Dine out Tuesday to help West Seattle High School music
May 12, 2013 7:03 pm
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 |   How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

It’s been a big year for West Seattle High School‘s music program, especially the marching band, with two downtown parade appearances including St. Patrick’s Day, as shown in our video above. This Tuesday, you can help the program keep growing by having dinner at Abbondanza in Morgan Junction. WSHS’s first-year music teacher Ethan Thomas explains:

The West Seattle Rotary Club is hosting a dinner fundraiser at Abbondanza Pizzeria (6503 California Ave SW) to support the music program at WSHS.

Abbondanza will be donating 10% of their proceeds and Rotary Club volunteers will be waiting tables and donating their tips.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 14th, and come out and support our young musicians. The restaurant will be open from 5-9 pm.

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From campuses to creek: Salmon-release season in Fauntleroy
May 12, 2013 2:29 pm
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 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
The long run of beautiful spring weather has brought perfect conditions for hundreds of local students to visit the woods along Fauntleroy Creek. It’s the time of year when they release school-raised salmon fry during an intensive schedule organized by creek steward Judy Pickens. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was there on Friday as students from both Alki Elementary and West Seattle Elementary students visited within the span of an hour. Above, WSES teacher Kendall Paine showed students an insect, part of the ecosystem supporting this salmon creek.

Volunteers like Bud Schwinger (below) help the students get their fish into the creek, and show them how to spot the fry:

They’re transported to the creek from schools’ tanks in buckets:

After a short walk to the water’s edge, it’s into the water – volunteer Dennis Hinton (below) helped Alki fifth-grader Steven Huynh release fry:

Yes, you can see them if you look really closely – note the three fry in the foreground, released by a West Seattle ES student and ready to swim away:

Before Memorial Day, Judy and volunteers will have helped with 17 release visits. Then, come fall, it will be time to watch for salmon spawners further down the creek – last fall, you might recall, set a record (here’s our report, with photos by Nick, from mid-November).

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Chief Sealth soccer: State tournament play starts Wednesday; new summer camp announced
May 12, 2013 12:46 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Chief Sealth International High School‘s soccer team opens state-tournament play Wednesday – and looking ahead into the summer, the program is offering a new camp program for 3rd through 9th graders. Just announced:

Following a 3-0 win over Ingraham last Thursday in the Metro League tournament, the Chief Sealth International High School boys soccer team is headed back to the WIAA 3A State tournament for the 2nd straight season. Reigning 2-time Coach of the Year Ron Johnson will lead the Seahawks back to the tournament after their 2nd consecutive undefeated Metro Sound Division season and as one of the true favorites to fare well in this year’s tournament. The Seahawks, ranked in the top 5 in State all season long, will travel north to play Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, May 15th at 6 pm at Veterans Memorial Stadium (on the campus of Snohomish High School; map).

Chief Sealth Athletic Director Sam Reed would also like to announce a new opportunity for area youth to experience the Chief Sealth soccer culture first-hand, with the debut of the Chief Sealth Soccer Skills Camp. Modeled in part after the long-standing success of the Chief Sealth Boys Basketball Camp, now in its 16th year, this soccer camp will take place July 22-26th and is open to all kids entering grades 3rd-9th (Fall 2013 grade level). The camp will be directed by Reed and Johnson and will feature many of the boys and girls players that have built their respective program’s into regional powerhouses. Registration is now open!

Here’s the brochure/application for the new camp (PDF).

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High-school baseball postseason: West Seattle HS to state
May 11, 2013 11:09 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

A 2-1 win over Seattle Prep this afternoon gives West Seattle High School third place in the Metro League and a state tournament berth, reports Greg Slader, who also shares the photos:

West Seattle seems to prefer the hard road into the state tournament, After losing to Bainbridge island in round one. West Seattle needed to beat Ingraham, Eastside Catholic, and Seattle Prep to advance to the state tournament. Mission complete. Pitcher Rex Lakey (#17, top photo) surrendered only one run through five innings as the defense was solid. Down 0-1 in the sixth inning, Sam Hellinger hit a two-run home run. Andy Snook pitched the seventh inning as the defense (below, Morgan’s tag at second) stepped up and completed the victory 2-1.

State regional playoffs begin for West Seattle in Mount Vernon next Saturday.

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High-school baseball postseason: WSHS vs. Prep tomorrow
May 10, 2013 10:29 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Saturday morning baseball, anyone? It’ll be West Seattle High School vs. Seattle Prep at 11 am after the Wildcats’ win today. Team parent Greg Slader shares the report and photos:

The WSHS baseball team lost its opening-round game against Bainbridge Island. But an exciting come-from-behind game late Thursday night against Ingraham 11-7 led to Friday afternoon’s matchup against Eastside Catholic. Senior Sam Hellinger (photo above) pitched a complete game, holding the Crusaders to one run.

RBI hits by Graham French (photo above, driving in the tying run), Tim Adams, Sam Hellinger, and Morgan McCullough were enough offense to get West Seattle into the third-place Game on Saturday @ 11 am.

It was almost a crosstown matchup for tomorrow, but Chief Sealth International High School lost to Prep 4-1, tonight, and that set up Prep’s game tomorrow vs. WSHS, which is at Steve Cox Memorial Park field in White Center.

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West Seattle schools: This year’s Global Ambassadors visit Schmitz Park Elementary
May 10, 2013 9:57 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Schmitz Park Elementary principal Gerrit Kischner for the photo from this year’s Global Ambassador Day – here’s what it’s all about:

Once again, Schmitz Park students had the opportunity to meet and learn from international students from the University of Washington. Schmitz Park students spend every year bolstering their geographic knowledge through our Global Passport Program, and this event allows us to meet the real people who live in the countries we study. This year’s Global Ambassador Day included UW students from Brazil, Iceland, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Taiwan, France, and Italy. Our fifth graders hosted the event, demonstrating the culmination of the multiple experiences they have enjoyed. This event is conducted in cooperation and great support from the Foundation for International Understanding through Students.

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Denny principal Jeff Clark puts school pride to the test – colorfully
May 9, 2013 8:32 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

His blue blazer is legendary. But now – it’s blue hair, too, for Denny International Middle School‘s principal. Assistant principal Patricia Rangel shares the photo and explains:

At Denny International Middle School, home of the Denny Dolphins, school pride is taken quite seriously, and by none as much as by its principal, Jeff Clark. To encourage stellar attendance during the MSP State exams, Clark challenged students to improve their first-period attendance rates. If done, he dared the students, “I would be more than happy to dye my hair ‘Dolphin Blue.'” As more and more students rushed through the front doors to make it to class on time, more peroxide and blue Splat Hair dye was acquired to convert the normally gingered hair Clark into a Dolphin from head to toe. The inspiration came from a student who had experimented with the color herself and recommended the products he used.

Thursday, May 9th, marks the final official day of MSP testing at Denny. All three-grade levels will be putting their mathematical skills to test. By the end of today, all students will have been assessed in Reading and Math, while 7th graders will have been additional tested in Writing and 8th graders in Science. Over the last several years, Denny’s MSP results have proven increased student academic growth. The results of this year’s exams will not be released until August, but similar progress is expected, as is the further school pride it will fuel.

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High-school sports postseason: Softball, soccer, baseball updates
May 9, 2013 6:49 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports | WS miscellaneous

Postseason updates:

SOFTBALL: A 10-7 win over Seattle Prep on Wednesday for Chief Sealth International High School‘s softball team. That included 5 RBI from team captain Chloe Behar; here are the stats as published at SeattleTimes.com (WSB partner). … Holy Names beat West Seattle High School‘s softball team 18-0. … Today’s schedule, as published by The Times: Sealth plays Bainbridge and West Seattle plays Ingraham, both 3:30 pm games at Lower Woodland Park.

SOCCER: Tough loss for Sealth’s soccer team, ranked #1 in 3A going into their first postseason game:

The Seahawks lost to Lakeside in their Wednesday afternoon game at Interbay, 5-2, and will play Ingraham there at 5:30 pm today, while Lakeside faces Bainbridge tomorrow for the league championship.

BASEBALL: Today at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, West Seattle HS’s baseball team takes the field for the first time since a 13-0 Monday loss to Bainbridge. The Wildcats face Ingraham at 7:30 pm, after Sealth plays Nathan Hale there at 4:30 pm, per the schedule published by The Times.

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