West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
Two local youth sports leagues have asked us to remind you that it’s signup time:
WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB: 650 players and 100 coaches already have signed up for the Spring 2014 “World Cup” season of WSSC – but there’s still room in U-6 through U-11; signups continue until March 1st, and the season runs from early April through early June. Here’s where to go to sign up.
WEST SEATTLE BASEBALL: It’s priority registration until Wednesday (February 19th):
Time is running out to register for the 2014 baseball season with West Seattle Baseball. There are still open spots in all divisions, 5 years old up to 14 years old. The following divisions are open for registration.
Shetland (ages 5-6)
Pinto (ages 7-8)
Mustang (ages 9-10)
Bronco (ages 11-12)
Pony (ages 13-14)Registration is available online at the West Seattle Baseball site.
Congratulations to head coach Keffrey Fazio and the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team on a second consecutive season with postseason play. Their final report is just in:
The West Seattle High School boys basketball season came to an end on Saturday night, falling to Seattle Prep 63-59 in an overtime thriller.
The WSHS boys were one game from making the 3A Regional playoffs, which consists of the top 16 teams in the state.
The Wildcats have now gone to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, and this year made it to the district tournament.
This season was a true journey for the team as they battled through adversity and achieved great things on and off the court.
The future is bright for the Wildcat boys, as the youth in the program has great potential and will be training hard in the off season to get back to the post season.
Lots of postseason sports updates this weekend – see them all in our sports-coverage archives here (reverse chronological order).
One more update on local student athletes in this weekend’s postseason high-school-sports events – a swimming update from Trisha Montemayor:
Chief Sealth participated in the Boys 3A Sea-King District 2 Swim Championships this weekend. Preliminaries were held (Friday) and finals (Saturday). Chief Sealth had two relays participate in finals, finishing 11th in both and dropping 5 seconds of time in each relay. Boys in the relays were Carlos Montemayor, John Woefel, Eliot Nichols and Michael Stewart. Michael Stewart also swam finals in the 50 free and 100 free, qualifying for state in the 100 free with a time of 49:18 and finishing 8th overall. Carlos Montemayor swam the 100 back final, finishing 2nd in a time of 52.84. He will swim both the 100 fly and 100 back at State. Boys 3A State championships are Friday, February 21 at 6:15 at King County Aquatic Center for preliminaries and Saturday, February 22 at 6:30 for finals.
The aquatic center is in Federal Way.
More high-school-sports postseason news: Thanks to Lynn Ogdon-Perrine for sharing the photo and update after four Chief Sealth International High School wrestlers who won in the Metro League tournament last week competed regionally on Saturday. From left, freshman Nathan Perrine, sophomore Daron Comacho, junior Greg Tauti, and sophomore Orlando Lopez. At regionals, Daron placed second at 195 pounds and Greg placed fourth at 285, so they will represent Sealth in statewide competition at the Tacoma Dome next Friday and Saturday.
Also victorious in Saturday postseason basketball: The Seattle Lutheran High School boys-varsity team, with an 86-55 win over, and at, Orcas in their first playoff game of the year; here’s the scoring breakdown published at SeattleTimes.com (WSB partner). Next game is at Auburn Adventist on Wednesday night (February 19th). Thanks to Seana for the photo!
(UPDATED 11:59 PM with full story – lead paragraph was original, brief 8:34 pm report)
(Final seconds of the game – WSB Instagram video)
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
Lights flickered in the gym but stayed on and so did the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team, pulling out a nailbiter postseason win 34-33 over visiting Eastside Catholic.
The Wildcats’ #12 Lydia Giomi scored West Seattle’s first two points while singlehandedly racking up almost half the team’s total, finishing with 15 points before fouling out with about seven seconds left in the game.
Big win tonight in the West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team’s postseason – they beat Holy Names Academy at HNA, 40-39. Head coach Sonya Elliott tells WSB her team’s next game is expected to be Saturday night at home; opponent TBA.
ADDED 10:35 PM: More from WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who covered the game on Capitol Hill:
Proud parents of players on the Metro Sound Division champion West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team made that sign to cheer them on as they started postseason play at Cleveland High School tonight. The home team won, 66-44; the game got off to a fast-paced, physical start.
It was within reach for the Wildcats until the third, when Cleveland went to a full-court press.
The third also saw foul trouble for Lydia Giomi, leading scorer for West Seattle with 15. Charli Elliott, who had 8 points, went out with a nosebleed.
Second-highest scorer for the Wildcats was Lexi Ioane with 13. Head coach Sonya Elliott (below center, with assistant varsity coach Ashley Ioane at right) says their next game will be Thursday.
She’s expecting to get word by morning of who they’ll play and where; we’ll update this story when that info’s in.
2:09 PM: From Coach Elliott – they’ll play at 7 pm Thursday at Holy Names Academy on Capitol Hill, vs. HNA (728 21st Ave. E.).
Congratulations to the West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team on their division championship! Head Coach Sonya Elliott sent the photo and an update as they begin postseason play:
The West Seattle Girls Basketball team had a special visit from Lisa Skvarla [pictured with the team] of Lee’s Martial Arts Academy, where the girls were empowered with life skills and self-defense techniques. Varsity finished the regular season as Metro Sound Division Champions and begin their playoff run tonight at 7:00 pm at Cleveland in the Metro League Tournament.
The Wildcats were division champs last year too.
It’s postseason time for high-school basketball, and WSHS shares news of a win:
The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team knocked out the favored Lakeside Lions Monday night in the first round of the Metro Tournament. The Wildcats lost to Lakeside earlier in the year, and this time the Cats went on the road to win with the final score of 65-58.
The Wildcats were powered by senior Deandre Love, who finished with team-high 29 points (13-14 FT). Also playing well for the Cats were seniors Ruslan Burduzha, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Malachi Cain, who added 12 points.
West Seattle travels to Bainbridge Island on Wednesday to play in the second round of the Metro Tournament. The game will start at 7 pm.
Depending on the outcome at Bainbridge, WSHS will play either Thursday or Friday night for final seeding into the SEA King district tournament.
From Roxhill Elementary School, Chellie Lafayette shares reports and photos from “two cool events”:
We had the pleasure of welcoming two of the U of W women’s basketball players, who came to teach our 3rd-5th graders about basketball and Girls and Women in Sports Week. Kassia Fortier and Mathilde Gilling (top photo) were the student athletes that joined us.
And on wheels …
We also have a primary grade morning sports group that is run by a Coach Across America volunteer from the U of W, Steven Truong. This week he brought in coaches from Skate Like a Girl. I am excited to extend this partnership in the future.
News at YOUR school? Share it here!
(Our earlier coverage of West Seattleites heading to the parade, including via Water Taxi, is here)
(Part of a downtown crowd estimated at 700,000! Photo by David Christensen)
11:00 AM: It’s 11 am – time to start parade coverage. Regional TV is streaming as well as broadcasting; we start with links:
Live broadcast: KING5.com
Live broadcast: KIROTV.com
Live tweets/chat: SeattleTimes.com
Photos, etc., to come! (added) Mark Tabbutt shared this pre-parade-crowd video recorded while bicycling to work:
Remember that road closures/bus reroutes have kicked in downtown, so if you’re not at the parade or watching it, still a good idea to stay put until it’s all over.
11:12 AM: We’re listening to KING’s stream, and the parade has not yet started – the team HAS arrived at the staging area, though. And the fans there were just singing “We Are the Champions.”
11:30 AM: Still hasn’t started. But we have an update from Seattle Public Schools: 13,523 students absent today – that’s 1 in 4, and about five times yesterday’s absences. 565 teachers are out, about 1 in 5, and about double the usual rate.
11:54 AM: Parade has finally begun. This traffic cam downtown has a good view:
12:43 PM: Three high-ranking politicians suggest a Seahawk should join their profession:
Cantwell, @Mayor_Ed_Murray & @kcexec launch a new campaign: #Sherman4Prez. #Celebrate48 pic.twitter.com/RqzFLIBQWH
— Sen. Maria Cantwell (@CantwellPress) February 5, 2014
Seattle Police are estimating 700,000 people downtown for this – more than double the original expectation.
1 PM: One of the sweetest scenes so far, via TV helicopter extreme zoom:
Check out all the @Skittles around @MoneyLynch during #12parade Watch KIRO 7 now. Online here: http://t.co/BY6gViEEKh pic.twitter.com/CScnlzFFLS
— Casey McNerthney (@mcnerthney) February 5, 2014
(added) Ground version of the view, from Larry Murante:
1:22 PM: Tweeted by West Seattleite Kim Sharpe Jones:
#LOB #celebrate48 pic.twitter.com/8J3oHzSdUm
— Kim Jones (@seattlekim) February 5, 2014
2:03 PM: The parade’s almost over. (The 747 flyover just happened!) We’re adding photos – check back!
3:16 PM: Lots more photos – this is from Doug Branch, in the midst of the downtown crowd:
More from Larry Murante:
Adding more!
Two updates so far tonight on the Seahawks‘ victory parade planned downtown Wednesday – first, the city has just sent these details:
A welcome home Victory Celebration Parade is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 5.
The parade will begin just south of Seattle Center at Denny Way and travel south down 4th Avenue past Westlake Park and finish at the north entrance of CenturyLink Field, see a map of the route (here).
Participants include Seahawks Players, Head Coach Pete Carroll, Coaching Staff, Seahawks Executives, Sea Gals, Blitz and the Blue Thunder drumline. In addition, Governor Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray will join the parade.
Seattle Police Department will close 4th Avenue at 10:30 a.m. and will reopen 4th Avenue as soon as possible. Fans are encouraged to gather early as big crowds are expected downtown and transportation delays are likely. There will be limited parking availability at CenturyLink Field. Fans should also try to carpool and utilize public transportation and dress warmly as the forecast calls for cold temperatures.
The City is deploying additional resources to ensure public safety and continuity of City services. Additional information about transportation options will be available midday on Tuesday, February 4.
Residents are encouraged to carpool or take transit to the victory parade. Parking will be limited and traffic is likely to be slow. For more information about the events on Wednesday, please visit Seahawks.com, where further details are available.
(We checked the Seahawks website but as of 9:30 pm, the item there had even less information, not more, but maybe it’s in the works.
Second – Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) has just announced it’s offering free parking to anyone who’s taking the Water Taxi to the rally. We asked King County Department of Transportation this morning if they might add runs; we’re still waiting for the answer. If not, here’s the regular schedule – the last morning run from West Seattle is usually 8:45 am, with downtime until the 3:45 pm run from downtown to WS. We’ll have updates on bus schedules too, once those are out. We’re collecting all this information on the WSB Super Bowl page, which will stay up and running until the party’s over.
43-8 – Seahawks are the champions!
7:16 PM: The Junction is full of folks celebrating – horns honking, jubilant shouts of “WOO-HOO” and “SEA-HAWKS,” 12th-Man flags waving – here’s a bit of Instagram video from California/Edmunds:
And of course, fireworks everywhere right after the game – heading north from Gatewood, we saw some 4th of July-quality. Celebration photos? Share ’em!
7:55 PM: The Seahawks have announced that the victory parade back here at home will be at 11 am Wednesday (February 5th). Route and other details to be announced. Meantime, another scene from The Junction:
More video shortly – while we were there, one group of exhilarated fans was marching back and forth across the Walk-All-Ways intersection.
8:17 PM: Update – the victory-parade route is in this story from our partners at The Seattle Times. And here’s our video from the celebration in The Junction:
More to come – including the video/photos we’re getting via e-mail – thanks!
9:31 PM: The crowd continued to grow – here’s video from Larry Murante showing a “SEA-HAWKS” chant in the intersection:
And a photo from Capt. Daniel Schwartz:
ADDED MONDAY: More intersection-celebration video, from Clove Burt:
(WSB photo by Tracy Record)
In this afternoon’s sunshine, with Super Bowl kickoff soon, the 12th Man flag flies beneath the Stars and Stripes at Alki Lumber. We featured the flag last month – but just in time for the big game, there’s something new beneath it:
(Photo courtesy Alki Lumber)
Alki Lumber owner Jim Sweeney died on Super Bowl Sunday two years ago; as of this week, there’s new landscaping and a memorial plaque beneath the flagpole. Matthew Pedersen, who shared the plaque photo, wrote:
It is only fitting that the memorial was completed just days before the Seahawks play in Super Bowl XLVIII. Jim Sweeney will always be remembered for his kindness, generosity, business savvy and advice.
We miss you, Jim!
Friday was a big night for high-school sports, starting with swimming – last dual meet of the year for Chief Sealth International High School, as Trisha Montemayor reports:
Chief Sealth hosted West Seattle, winning the meet. It was Senior Night for Sealth, recognizing the following seniors: Carlos Montemayor, Michael Stewart, John Woefel, Chris Rodriquez, Anthony George, Danica Langaynor, Kenaia Neumann, Rachel Varney and Katy Carter.
Here are the results:
(If you can’t see the embedded document above, view it as PDF by clicking here.) Metro League competition is Friday-Saturday, February 7-8; Trisha notes, “Chief Sealth will be will be well-represented at this meet.”
Greg shared two photos, explaining:
Living on Manning Street is not fun this weekend …
So, we made a little adjustment …
Much better!
Lots of spirit around town – especially at schools. Our photo roundup starts at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor):
Big group photo outside the library at noontime. And yes, even SSCC president Gary Oertli is in 12 Mode:
Of course there was a flag – as you’ll see in our video:
Student Services team members who helped rally everyone included Christie Williams:
Other schools in Fan Mode – Alki Elementary (photo taken Thursday, since school’s out today):
(Thanks to Hominee for the photo)
Hope Lutheran School – this is also a Thursday photo but school IS in session today and we’re told it’s Blue Friday all the way:
(Thanks to Sally for the photo)
And from West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor), a tailgate party for the young fans:
(Thanks to WSMS for the photo)
Still adding to our Super Bowl page … if you have news of anything from Super Bowl viewing parties to special takeout deals for Sunday to businesses closing early (or all day) to Seahawks gear … let us know! we’re continuing to update through early Sunday. editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
(M/V Tillikum, aka Michael Robinson, with Seahawks-fan flags in September; photo by Paul Brannan)
Washington State Ferries is honorarily and temporarily renaming its vessels after Seahawks on Super Bowl Sunday, according to this news release. The big names go to the boats on the big routes, like Seattle-Bainbridge; for the three vessels currently on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, you will be traveling Sunday on:
M/V Issaquah: “M/V Russell Okung”
M/V Klahowya: “M/V Bruce Irvin”
M/V Tillikum: “M/V Michael Robinson”
(Full list here.) We will be adding this to the WSB West Seattle Super Bowl page – where we’re collecting a variety of Big Game-related info (and updating until game day – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!).
(Video by Craig Baerwaldt, added 4:07 pm)
West Seattle’s most famous flagpole now flies the blue 12th Man logo – in a big way:
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli and Patrick Sand for WSB)
Hundreds of people came to West Seattle Corporate Center, to see it go up:
Ex-Seahawks Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson and Robbie Tobeck raised it, with assistance from Paul McNicholas (below center), chief engineer for Development Services of America, which manages the building:
DSA is one of the West Seattle Corporate Center companies, along with the organizers of today’s mega-flag rally, Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) and Bartell Drugs. Yes, a Broncos fan tried to crash the party:
The hoopla also included what you might call a mini-bronco, but Dreamland Ponies had it decked out in Seahawks mode:
The 12th dogs were on hand too:
Some fans brought their own flags:
Oh by the way – about the scale of the “official” 1,500-square-foot flag (made by Flags A’Flying in Tacoma) – this gives you a bit better idea:
With the game three long days away, it was a moment to savor and remember:
A few more photos on the way – check back!
(West Seattle’s #10 Spenser Elder, Sealth’s #12 LJ Burns and #40 Evan Moe)
In the last scheduled game of the year between the boys-basketball teams from our area’s two biggest high schools, the home team won last night – West Seattle 69, Chief Sealth 56. The Wildcats’ #22 DeAndre Love led all scoring with 31 points:
More photos ahead:
New information about the West Seattle Cup soccer tournament that’s being planned for June 14-15, as reported here last week, described by organizer Terry Kegel as follows:
The West Seattle Cup aims to engage and build community by creating opportunities to play, teach, learn, and connect across generational and cultural differences. The free event will bring together teams of 448 elementary-age children and their parents representing different countries to participate in a World Cup-style tournament that celebrates soccer, culture, and community.
We’ve learned that for the West Seattle Cup to happen, more local businesses and organizations must sign up as sponsors by the end of this week. Choose one of two levels, $500/$100, and make a commitment online. Volunteers are urged to sign up ASAP too – here’s where you can do that (check out the wide variety of things you can help with, starting now!).
The Seahawks‘ trip to the Super Bowl isn’t just about sports. For local students, it’s about … writing! Last week, a local elementary teacher shared students’ thoughts on the now-legendary Richard Sherman interview. Now, teacher Kathy Saxon from Denny International Middle School shares the “persuasive essay” written by sixth-grade student Della (photo at right) – as a letter to Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, explaining why the Seahawks deserve to win. It came in as a scanned PDF so we’re publishing it in the reader window below (or, click here to download):
Thanks to Della and teacher Kathy for sharing! More West Seattle Super Bowl updates to come today. P.S. In case you missed it last night – here’s our story about what’s billed as the world’s largest 12th Man flag, going up in West Seattle Thursday (and you’re invited to be there).
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