West Seattle Blog…

Pro sports in West Seattle: Rainmakers to play Ultimate @ SWAC

(Photo by Tino Tran: Rainmaker Reid Koss catching, in preseason matchup vs. Portland)
This spring, you won’t have to go downtown to see professional sports: The Seattle Rainmakers just announced their home games will be at Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood, starting a week from this Saturday. Here’s the announcement:

Major League Ultimate (MLU) is establishing one of its eight professional ultimate frisbee teams in the Seattle area. The Seattle Rainmakers join the MLU’s Western Conference, and kick off their season on April 20th against the Vancouver Nighthawks.

The Seattle Rainmakers are coached by the highly decorated Ben Wiggins, a participant in, and coach of, elite ultimate in the northwest for the better part of the last decade. Wiggins has won awards at the highest level of collegiate ultimate, taken three club championships with Seattle’s premier club team, Seattle Sockeye, and has two World Championship silver medals to his name.

Click to read the rest of Pro sports in West Seattle: Rainmakers to play Ultimate @ SWAC…

Another win for division-leading West Seattle High School baseball

Another win for the West Seattle High School Wildcats! Greg Slader shares photos and toplines (thank you!) from this afternoon’s victory:

Timely hitting and outstanding pitching keeps West Seattle top of the Metro Sound Division with a 6-4 win over O’Dea.

Sam Hellinger (#20, above) pitched a complete game – 7 innings, 9 strikeouts, five hits, and four runs earned. Bobby Swamy (#23, top photo) had two hits, two runs scored, and Tim Adams (#24) hit a two-run homer as the offense outpaced O’Dea. Next game is Wednesday, 3:30 pm, @ Rainier Beach.

West Seattle Soccer Club starts record-setting spring season

10:25 AM: Rain or shine, the games must go on! Thanks to Tim McMonigle for the reminder that today is the start of West Seattle Soccer Club‘s spring Champions League – and it’s a record-setting season even at the start, with more than 1,400 players and 260+ coaches participating. As Tim explains, the league is so named because the U6-U13 players are organized into “teams representing the current participants in the UEFA Champions League over in Europe.” It’s an eight-game season of Sunday afternoon matches, through June 9th (no games on Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekends).

3:42 PM: Added photos after stopping by High Point’s Walt Hundley Playfield – one of many fields where play kicked off today.

Beckett’s basketball bracket: West Seattle 6-year-old picks ‘em!

Not only does 6-year-old Beckett Howard-Kuzma of Seaview play basketball, he loves to watch hoops – and has an extra incentive to be watching as the NCAA men’s tournament plays out with Final Four games today and the championship Monday. As reported last night by our partners at The Seattle Times, Beckett has such a keen eye for talent that his ESPN Tournament Challenge bracket is tied for #6 out of more than eight million entries! Beckett’s proud mom Kelly Howard contacted us to share the news with West Seattle neighbors. She says her son “actually has 3 brackets going. They are all in the top 1% of the ESPN bracket challenge. He did pick Florida Gulf Coast to advance to the 2nd round in his 2 other brackets (but not the bracket that is #6 overall).” And she says the kindergartener “loves math and numbers in general.” Plus basketball – he played this winter via the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) and even plays while visiting his grandparents in Arbor Heights, who put up a backyard hoop in his honor. You can see Beckett’s bracket here. What might he win besides bragging rights, you ask? All entries in the top 1 percent are entered in a drawing for a $10,000 Best Buy gift card.

5:57 PM UPDATE: Beckett’s pick for today’s first game was the winner – and he’s now tied for #4!

2 division leaders at Chief Sealth IHS: Soccer and softball

Also leading their divisions in the Metro League this spring high-school-sports season: Chief Sealth International High School‘s softball team and soccer team, both notching wins on Friday.

Per the soccer standings in The Seattle Times (WSB partner), the Seahawks are undefeated in the Metro League’s Sound Division, after Friday’s 9-0 win over Rainier Beach. Next game is against West Seattle HS, 4 pm Tuesday at Southwest Athletic Complex.

The Seahawks softball team, meantime, are shown in The Times’ standings with one league loss; their Friday win was 14-4 over Sammamish, per the @SealthAthletics Twitter feed. Next game: 3:30 pm Wednesday vs. Nathan Hale, at Meadowbrook.

Division-leading West Seattle High School baseball wins again

West Seattle High School‘s baseball team is atop its division and celebrating its latest win, 11-1 over Nathan Hale on Friday afternoon. Thanks again to Greg Slader for game photos and summary:

The varsity baseball team returned home for a rematch against Nathan Hale after Wednesday’s loss. Ben Wexler (#28, top photo) pitched a complete game (six innings) with five strikeouts and one earned run. Graham French (#25, photo below) added to the offense with a double and two runs scored as the team hit very well and scored 11 runs in six innings.

Next WSHS baseball game is also at home, so it’s your next chance to go cheer the team on: Monday against O’Dea, 3:30 pm at Hiawatha (next to the school).

High-school baseball: West Seattle Wildcats’ 1st league loss

(LeTrey Newsome catches a fly ball)
The West Seattle High School varsity-baseball team is looking to a rematch with Nathan Hale this Friday after a road loss 9-3 on Wednesday. Thanks again to Greg Slader for the update and photos:

The varsity baseball team started off strong with a 3-0 lead through three innings. But too many walks and timely hits by Nathan Hale was too much for West Seattle as they lose their first League game.

(Sam Hellinger hits the ball)
West Seattle is now 5-3 (4-1) on the season and looks to Friday’s game for another chance against the Raiders – 3:30 @ Hiawatha.

West Seattle High School baseball: Benefit ahead; Friday shutout win

APRIL 16TH BENEFIT: Big season thus far for West Seattle High School baseball fans, cheering on a winning team. Kim Gearon sends word that fans can take the next step – helping raise money during the first annual West Seattle Baseball Night at Christo’s on Alki, April 16th. A percentage of any purchase from 5 pm-closing, food or beverages, will go to the West Seattle Baseball Booster Club to help cover operating expenses. Christo’s is at 2508 Alki SW.

BIG FRIDAY WIN: The second straight shutout victory over Ingraham, and first game of the year at Hiawatha:

The final score: WSHS 16, Ingraham 0. The photos and report are courtesy of Greg Slader (thank you!):

The season opener @ Hiawatha was a beautiful day for baseball. The student-filled stands were not disappointed by the offensive output of the Varsity Baseball team. Spencer Elder hit the team’s first home run and Bobby Swamy added the Big Blast with another home run in the First Inning (top photo). Rex Lackey (photo below) pitched very well (three innings, no hits) as West Seattle cruised to its fourth league win.

West Seattle’s next game is Wednesday, 3:30 pm @ Nathan Hale.

High-school baseball: Big shutout win for West Seattle HS

(TK Snow, throwing a strike in the 2nd inning)
In the first of two games this week against Ingraham, West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team came away with a big win on Wednesday afternoon – a 10-0 shutout. The photos and report are from parent Greg Slader (thanks!) –

Three pitchers combined to shut out Ingraham. TK Snow, Kevin Cuddy, and Andy Snook held Ingraham hitless and combined for seven strikeouts. Spencer Elder went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Sam Hellinger had two hits and two RBI, as the defense was solid once again.

(Morgan making the play at second)
The two teams play again at 3:30 pm Friday at Hiawatha.

West Seattle High School varsity baseball beats Prep

A Monday win for the West Seattle High School boys-varsity baseball team – 3-2, reports parent Greg Slader, who also shared the photos:

Sam Hellinger pitched a complete game with 7 strikeouts, one walk, and only three hits. Tim Adams supplied the Big Blast with a two-out, two-RBI single ripped down the right-field line.

West Seattle is now 2-0 in League play and heads to Ingraham on Wednesday for a 4 pm game.

Monday’s game was played at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.

Looking for camps? Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp is back!

(Photo courtesy Coach Colin Slingsby)
It’s more than a sports camp – and it’s back for the 16th year. You can sign up now for the Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp, as announced by Chief Sealth International High School‘s Coach Colin Slingsby:

We are excited to host our 16th annual summer of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills camp at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School this summer. Last year, we hosted more than 350 campers in our multiple sessions. The emphasis of our program is to teach the fundamentals of the game in part of a fun and competitive basketball experience, but also to emphasize the Life Skills necessary to be successful in school and life, both intellectually, and socially.

The camp is run by the coaching staff at Sealth with the help of many high school and college students who are put through a lengthy mentorship training in order to be prepared to work with our many campers. While we enjoy teaching the game of basketball and providing a positive week on the court, we pride ourselves on our Life Skills curriculum, which includes a classroom session daily, emphasizing the values of our program.

Camp runs from 9 am-4 pm each day, and each camper will receive a camp t-shirt and Camper Handbook which will include hand-outs and topics from our Life Skills classroom sessions. In addition, we are excited to offer an ‘Advanced Concepts’ session this year (August 19th-23rd). This session is geared toward campers 6th grade and up.

Brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website link here. Contact Coach Colin Slingsby at caslingsby@seattleschools.org with any questions about the program.

More champions! Congratulations to Delridge’s 11-year-olds

Thanks to Paul Hamaker for sharing the photo; after seeing this mention of the 11-year-old girls’ all-Hiawatha citywide basketball championship game, he sent a note to report “that the boys 11-year-old team from Delridge also won their championship game yesterday, beating Jefferson 28-25 at Rainier CC.” Congratulations to them too!

(P.S. – Thank you to EVERYONE who shares youth-sports photos/reports/tips [as well as the many other types of news reported on WSB] – there’s so much going on in youth sports, that updates from parents and coaches are the best way to let us know what’s up so we can share the news with tens of thousands of your neighbors! E-mail editor@westseattleblog.com any time.)

West Seattle sports: Congratulations, U-11 girls basketball top 2!

Thanks to Mike Jensen for sharing that photo and the story behind it:

It was all West Seattle (Saturday) afternoon in the Seattle Parks & Recreation U11 Girls basketball championship game. Hiawatha (green) won a close game over Hiawatha (white). Great season by all the girls!

The Parks/Rec Citywide Athletics programs span a variety of sports/age groups – find out more here.

West Seattle High School takes the (Safeco) Field

West Seattle High School‘s varsity baseball team spent sunny Saturday afternoon at The Safe, in the opening weekend of the High School Baseball Classic. Team parent Greg Slader shares the photo and this report:

Perfect day for a game at Safeco Field. The West Seattle baseball team got to enjoy fantastic weather and playing on their Field of Dreams. Unfortunately, the mighty Kentridge 4A proved to be too much, as West Seattle lost 5-11.

Next game is Monday 3:30 at Steve Cox Field in White Center, against Seattle Prep.

Mayor McGinn’s 2nd West Seattle stop: Southwest Pool celebration

“A dream come true” is how a new Southwest Pool women-only swimming program was described at a special event this afternoon thanking Mayor McGinn for supporting it. It was his second stop in West Seattle, after an hour-plus walking tour and roundtable in The Admiral District (coverage of that, coming up). Above, the mayor received a thank-you photo from Denise Sharify of Neighborhood House, which has long supported women’s-only swims (including some held as private rentals), to support women whose culture prohibits mixed-gender swimming. A new program of women’s swims on Saturday afternoons, followed by women’s swimming lessons, starts next month. The staff will be all-female, and the pool windows are covered, as was in evidence today

The lesson component is an important addition – so that more people can learn how to swim, vital, as the mayor noted, in a city surrounded by water. (We’ll add video later with his comments and those of three of the women who advocated for the program.) Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams and other dignitaries including former 12-year State Rep. Velma Veloria were among those on hand for the celebration, which included refreshments.

Here’s a flyer with the schedule for the SW Pool programs as well as two other pools in the city that plan to have it on Saturdays, beginning April 6th. And yes, today’s visit was the reason for this sign outside the pool and neighboring SW Teen Life Center:

P.S. Neighborhood House issued a news release with more background on the event and its pioneering involvement with the swim programs:

Neighborhood House’s Be Active Together (BAT) program and swim participants would like to thank Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle Parks and Recreation officials for offering single-gender swim programs in 2013. In the spring of 2013, the City of Seattle will begin to offer single-gender swim programs at Southwest, Medgar Evers and Meadowbrook community pools, following BAT’s model of affordability and meeting community needs. A fourth single-gender swim program will begin at Rainier Beach Pool in the fall of 2013.

Neighborhood House’s Be Active Together (BAT) program explored single-gender swim programs at local pools beginning in February of 2010 to help expand exercise opportunities for women who cannot swim in a co-ed environment because of cultural, religious or personal reasons. BAT’s Women of the World Swim has provided access to swimming to over 400 women ages 12 to 70 and who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. The program has greatly contributed to water safety, as a majority of participants didn’t know how to swim when they joined. Some have also registered their children for swim lessons for the first time. BAT’s funding ends in 2013 and this popular program was at risk of being canceled. In response to the need to continue to offer this important program for Seattle’s women, Mayor McGinn decided to adopt it at four of the city’s pools.

High-school baseball: Another win for West Seattle HS

(Ben Wexler pitching)
Another win for West Seattle High School‘s baseball team, reports parent Greg Slader, sharing photos and this summary:

The varsity baseball team improves to 2-1 on the season. Seven pitchers combined to hold Lakeside to one run. Spencer Elder had two hits as the offense executed when they needed to, in order to score four runs. Next game is Saturday @ Safeco Field – 4 pm, come support your team!

(Kevin Cuddy pitching)
As noted in this comment earlier this week, the Saturday game is WSHS vs. Kentridge at the Safe, and admission is free.

West Seattle Women’s Golf Club would love to see you on the links

Even this morning’s chill can’t chase away the spring daydreams – like getting out and golfing. Ruthi Winter shares the annual invitation from the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club for prospective new members:

Dust off your clubs! It’s time to get ready for the 2013 Golf Season!

The West Seattle Women’s Golf Club is welcoming new members for the 2013 season. Applications may be found on the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club Website.

Our organization began in the 1940s and has been in continuous operation since then. On this well established and beautiful course, you will enjoy breath-taking views of downtown Seattle, Mt. Rainier, and even Mt. Baker on occasion.

Our organization is made up of women of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced golfers from all areas within Seattle and the surrounding communities. We offer weekly competitions as well as other special tournaments that are free to all members. This is a great group of women who love to play golf and socialize fter a rousing game at our outdoor café, rated by Golf Digest as one of the 50 best 19th holes in the country.

We’d love to have you join us for the 2013 season at the West Seattle Golf Course, one of the best public courses in the Northwest. For more information, please contact Ruthi Winter, West Seattle Women’s Golf Club New Member Chair, at 206 251 2031 or ruthi.winter@gmail.com.

High-school soccer: Chief Sealth boys’ breezy battle

Photos by Nick Adams for WSB

(Sealth’s Elijah Lazo and Roosevelt’s Charlie Spurr fight for ball control)
On the first afternoon of spring, a wintry wind blew as Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-varsity soccer team hosted Roosevelt on Wednesday afternoon. They fought to a scoreless tie – which gives them a 3-1-1 record after the first five games of the season.

(Sealth’s Anthony Masundire drives down the field)
More of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ scenes from the game, ahead:

Click to read the rest of High-school soccer: Chief Sealth boys’ breezy battle…

High-school baseball: West Seattle HS beats Lakeside

Last year, West Seattle High School’s baseball team went to state – this year, they’re off to a good start, reports Greg Slader, sharing the photo and this report (thanks!):

West Seattle wins over Lakeside 3-1. Sam Hellinger (top photo) pitched a complete game, giving up only one run on three hits and no walks. Solid defense and timely hits helped West Seattle to a 3-0 lead as they cruised to their first win. The Wildcats are 1-1 on the season and 1-0 in league play.

(Spencer Elder makes the play)
Next game is Thursday against Lakeside, before they head to Safeco Field this Saturday @ 4 pm.

ADDED 10:17 PM: Slider reports in comments that WSHS softball beat Lakeside today too, 9-1.

Sounders FC soccer camp coming to West Seattle for spring break

Four weeks till spring break for Seattle Public Schools and others that follow their schedule – and it’ll feature a weeklong Sounders FC youth camp based at Delridge Playfield. The organization e-mailed us to help get the word out, as well as news of their three summer-camp weeks. Spring-break camp is April 15-19; summer camps are July 15-19, August 5-9, and August 26-30, described as “week-long training courses that are designed for the beginner to intermediate level player ages 4 – 15 years old,” with half-day/full-day programs. Details and registration info are on the Sounders’ website.

New women’s soccer team playing in West Seattle this summer; host families, local players needed

Big news for soccer fans – the Women’s Premier Soccer League – largest women’s league in the world – has a new team that will play home games at Delridge Playfield this summer. That news comes with a request for host families for players. We received this from AC Seattle‘s Katie Milne:

The 2013 season of Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is right around the corner and we have an exciting new team – AC Seattle PH America. It is an Italian-made team as most of its players will be coming to the USA from Italy. This is a unique project with two souls: Soccer and life experience in the United States. As such, we are looking for host families for these players.

My family had the pleasure of hosting one of these players, Alessandra Nencioni, last year when she played with Issaquah Soccer Club. It was a wonderful experience for our family and we will be hosting her again this year. Once your interest is confirmed and the roster is finalized, players will be matched with families.

The commitment level for interested families:

• Housing for June and July
• Healthy meals and snacks
• Possible transportation to and from practices and home games. Are you close to public transportation? Or would you have a car the player can use while in town? (we may be able to figure out carpooling as well- we do not want this to be a burden and will work with you to figure this part out). The team will provide transportation for away games.
• Access to washer and dryer

These women are excited for this opportunity to play soccer and experience life in the United States, but it would not be possible without the support of area families. We hope you will take this opportunity to welcome one of these players into your home and show them around the great Pacific NW. They are expected to integrate into the family and share some household chores and possibly childcare or other light work. If you are interested in hosting a player, please email or call me and I will put you on a list of prospective homes.

The players range in age from 18 to 27. More than a dozen host families are needed; you can reach Katie at jkmilne@mac.com or 425-427-8139. She adds that “the team is looking for American players to play with them as well. They have scheduled open tryouts for Mar 30th and 31st, at 6-8 pm,” both nights at Delridge Playfield. “Talented women soccer players over the age of 16 can try out.” More details here. For prospective spectators – read more details here about the new team’s plan.

High-school sports: WSHS girls basketball celebrates historic season

As part of last night’s winter-sports banquet at West Seattle High School, the history-making girls’ basketball program took time to celebrate. We caught up with head coach Sonya Elliott – Metro League Coach of the Year and Star Times Coach of the Year – and her players and coaches:

Click to read the rest of High-school sports: WSHS girls basketball celebrates historic season…

West Seattle Little League: Majors/Minors tryouts Sunday

Big day for West Seattle Little League on Sunday – so they want to make sure everybody who signed up knows about this:

One more reminder of the West Seattle Little League tryouts for Majors and Minors divisions, taking place this Sunday, March 10 at the Bar-S playfields, RAIN OR SHINE!

Key items to note:

– Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night for Daylight Saving Time!

– Your player(s) must attend the tryouts in order to be eligible for a Manager to select him/her to their team in the draft (registered players who do not attend tryouts will be randomly assigned to a team).

– Majors division: Arrive at 8:45, tryouts go to approximately 11:00

– Minors division: Arrive at 1:30, tryouts go to approximately 3:45

For questions, please contact WSLL President Brian Pare (bppare@comcast.net) or Player Agent Laurie Rasmussen (playeragent@westseattlelittleleague.com).

High-school sports: Chief Sealth celebrates its winter season

Chief Sealth International High School athletic director Sam Reed usually ends each sports season with a detailed recap of the Sealth athletes, coaches, and others’ accomplishments. This morning, we’re presenting his latest recap along with photos taken by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams at last night’s Sealth winter-sports banquet:

How quickly time flies. As I sat down to work on this season’s recap – something that has become one of my favorite parts of this job – I looked through my files to see that this is my 11th season recap over the past 4 years. And while this season didn’t bring State rankings, divisional championships, or the local media blitz that’s been associated with so many of our recent sports seasons, these recaps remind me what is special about high school athletics. 181 Seahawk student-athletes participated in a winter sport and they did so not because they were promised their name in the paper, a State title, or event recognition by their peers. Instead, they sweated through 14 weeks of practices and games because they valued the camaraderie of their teammates and the bond that comes out in competition.

No team bond might have been stronger this season than that of the swim team.

(Swim team head coach Les Holland)
Led by the ‘12-‘13 Metro League Coach of the Year Les Holland, the CSIHS swim team spent countless early morning hours in the pool, hours which paid off in a big way.

(Sealth swim-team members)
The Seahawks were represented at the 3A State level by junior Michael Stewart, who qualified in both the 100 and 200 freestyle, placing 17th in the state in the 100M. Senior captain Kelsey Hastings capped off an impressive swim career by leading the girls’ team to multiple regular season team wins. This season could well be a stepping stone toward future success, as 23 members of the team were either 9th or 10th graders this year.

3rd year head coach Katie Jo Maris felt confident about the girls basketball team’s odds heading into this past summer.

Click to read the rest of High-school sports: Chief Sealth celebrates its winter season…

Tablet to basket, Roxhill Elementary’s PE specialist teaching with tech

Photos by Nick Adams for WSB

Roxhill Elementary PE teacher Chellie LaFayette and her students are getting national attention for unique teaching/learning techniques, and a round of one-handed basketball today was part of it.

It takes practice, as Adam Mendoza learned:

A recent New York Times story pointed to Roxhill as a school where PE class had integrated other forms of learning – like computers, with an iPad helping demonstrate the throwing technique today:

Click to read the rest of Tablet to basket, Roxhill Elementary’s PE specialist teaching with tech…

West Seattle weekend scenes: Slacklining at Lincoln Park

Photos by Nick Adams for WSB

That’s Alan Thorne, left, and Jonathan Evans, right, tightening their slackline in Lincoln Park today, photographed by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams. Slacklining – explained here – is legal in Seattle public parks, reports Nick; slackliners say the best practice to protect the trees from harm is to only put lines around thick trunks and also by padding the trunk. These two set up a 250-foot line. Here’s Evans, who usually practices on a shorter line, 150 feet:

And Thorne:

The sport kicked up some controversy two years ago …

Click to read the rest of West Seattle weekend scenes: Slacklining at Lincoln Park…

Safety in the snow: Avalanche class in West Seattle tomorrow

Going skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing in the weeks ahead? Do this first! From Greg Whittaker at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle:

Join Mountain to Sound Outfitters in a free Avalanche Awareness Course on Tuesday Evening at 6:30 pm.

This course is designed as an Awareness Course and is not a certification. It is a great primer if you are getting ready to travel in the local backcountry via ski, snowshoe, or snowboard this spring for the first time, or if you are an experienced veteran looking for a good presentation. Techniques and equipment will be presented, and for those interested, there will be gear available at special pricing.

Signups required, and can be found here.

M2SO is at 3602 SW Alaska.