(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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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.”

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.

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).

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.

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.

The West Seattle High School Wildcats‘ division-winning season ended with an 8-7 extra-innings win following a late rally by Bishop Blanchet. Thanks once again to Greg Slader for photos and the recap:

Sam Hellinger (5 innings, 7k, 2 ER) pitched the Wildcats into a 6-2 lead through five innings over the Spartans, only to see it evaporate and to trail 6-7 in the sixth inning. The boys rallied to tie the game, and then freshman Jamie Maples #19 (photo above; 4.1 innings, 3K, no runs) pitched to extend the game into extra innings. Spencer Elder #3 (photo below) was rather disruptive on the base paths, as he was on base every time he was up to bat (2-2, double, RBI, 3 walks, 2 runs).

After Spencer walked to load the bases in the tenth inning, West Seattle finally won as Sam walked with the bases loaded. The Wildcats are Metro Sound division #1 as the playoffs begin next Monday @ Hiawatha vs. the Mountain Division #4 team.

Big win for the division-leading Chief Sealth International HS Seahawks softball team at Riverview Playfield in Highland Park on Friday afternoon – 11-2 over West Seattle High School. Next game for Sealth is 4 pm Monday, hosting Bainbridge at Southwest Athletic Complex; next game for the Wildcats is also at 4 pm Monday, vs. Bishop Blanchet at Riverview.

A come-from-behind win on Friday for the West Seattle High School Wildcats – Greg Slader again shares photos and the summary (thank you!):

The Seahawks started strong, scoring four runs in the first two innings. West Seattle toughened up as freshman Jamie Maples #19 (photo below) pitched middle relief to hold off Chief Sealth:

The offense perked up when Spencer Elder led off with a double, Sam Hellinger drove him in, and Jimmy Mai added a few RBIs for the 7-4 lead. Sam Hellinger closed the game, as West Seattle is finishing the season strong. Last game of the season is Monday @ Hiawatha, 3:30 vs. Bishop Blanchet.

Sealth, meantime, will host Bainbridge at 4 pm Monday (SW Athletic Complex).

Hard-fought game Wednesday afternoon at Southwest Athletic Complex, but West Seattle High School clinched the Metro championship with the eventual win over Chief Sealth International HS, reports Greg Slader:

The stands were full as the Wildcats traveled across town to face the Seahawks. Chief Sealth had a 3-2 lead through four innings before Andy Snook (top photo) took the mound to shut them down. West Seattle rallied to tie 3-3 heading into the seventh inning, and then Spencer Elder decided to steal some bases. Sam Hellinger drove him in with a shot into the six hole, 4-3:

A stolen base, a hit and suicide squeeze, as Sam scored to give West Seattle a 5-3 lead. The Seahawks will get another chance on Friday, 3:30 pm @ Hiawatha.

It wasn’t just a cross-town clash at Southwest Athletic Complex today, actually, but a contest between the #1 and #2 softball teams in the Metro Sound Division – Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School, respectively. Sealth (in black) pulled off the win, 3-2.

The two local schools are scheduled to play again later this week, 4 pm Friday at Riverview Park – before that, Sealth hosts Rainier Beach tomorrow at 4 at SWAC, while WSHS has an off-day.

West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team played Franklin on Tuesday afternoon to make up for the game rained out last Friday. Greg Slader shares the photos and recap:

11-2 was the score of the game and is also West Seattle’s record in Metro League play. Three games left in the Season and they have the inside track to Metro Sound Division first place. In today’s makeup game with the Quakers, TK Snow #18 (top photo) pitched 4 & 2/3 innings holding Franklin to two runs on five hits. Spencer Elder made a rare appearance on the mound to close it out. The team hit well, with RBI doubles by Tim Adams, Spencer Elder, Sam Hellinger and Cameron Slader. Next game is Wednesday @ Chief Sealth, 3:30 pm.

That’s Tim Adams #24 catching a fly ball with the WS softball team plays on the other field in the background. (Unfortunately, we don’t have the score on that game, nor do our partners at The Times. But the schedule shows they play Sealth today, too!)

Spring sports got another dose of spring sunshine today – the state’s #2-ranked varsity soccer team, the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks, hosted their division rivals Ingraham on this sunny Tuesday, and came away with a 3-1 win.

Our partners at The Seattle Times published the scoring summary here. Sealth’s next game is at home too – 4 pm Friday, hosting Eastside Catholic.

An extra-innings loss on Monday for West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team – 4-3. The summary and photos are courtesy of Greg Slader (thank you!):

In a battle of aces, West Seattle found themselves down 0-3 in the sixth inning when Cameron Slader #6 (top photo) hit an RBI double into the gap. Morgan McCullough #3 followed with another hit as the varsity team tied Eastside Catholic through seven innings 3-3. But Eastside was able to score in the top of the eighth inning to hand West Seattle their second league loss on the season. Sam Hellinger pitched Seven innings for a no decision, Cameron Slader went 1-2, RBI, run scored, walk; Morgan McCullough (next photo) went 1-3 with two RBIs:

Next game is Wednesday @ Chief Sealth (Southwest Athletic Complex) – 3:30 pm.

(Morgan McCullough hits the ball)
Yet another win for the division-leading West Seattle High School varsity baseball team – 17-2 over Franklin on Wednesday afternoon at Hiawatha. Thanks to Greg Slader for the photos and summary:

Ben Wexler (photo above) gets the win by pitching 4.1 innings, with nine strikeouts, holding the Quakers to two runs. The varsity team started off strong, adding four runs in the first inning thanks in part to Sam Hellinger’s continued hot Hitting – 2 for 2, 2 doubles, and 3 RBI. The rest of the team contributed to the offense, as they continue to hit well. The Quakers get another chance on their home turf, Rainier CC, Friday @ 3:30.