West Seattle, Washington
14 Friday
(File photo, Water Taxi at West Seattle dock)
With a Mariners playoff game Sunday night, Metro says the West Seattle Water Taxi will follow its Saturday schedule on Sunday too. First pitch for the M’s second American League Division Series game vs. Detroit will be just after 5 pm, so chances are you’ll be able to get a boat home before the last run of the night leaves Pier 50 at 10:45 pm. Metro is of course also pitching the Water Taxi as a great way to get to the weekend’s other three big games – M’s ALDS game 1 and <strong>Sounders FC vs. Portland on Saturday, Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Sunday afternoon. Read all about it here. (But don’t forget the likely parking crunch on Saturday! Metro shuttles will be runnind Water Taxi-matching schedules too.)
At the Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex courts, the Westside Pickleball League is just wrapping up the tournament that kicks off their fourth season, Rally on the Rock. Co-founder Rosina Geary told us more than 130 players were registered to compete!
They spanned a variety of age groups:
Play began around 9 am and was still going strong when we dropped by at mid-afternoon:
As noted in our original 2023 report on the league, they partner with and support high-school athletics – not just pickleball! Proceeds from this tournament are benefiting the swim team at Chief Sealth International High School; Sealth athletes served as volunteers helping out today in various roles too.
Geary says Westside Pickleball League serves more than 300 players every week. You can find out more via their website.
As noted in our Friday event list, both high-school varsity football teams played games at Northwest Athletic Complex this week. Here’s what happened, according to the Metro League scoreboard: On Thursday night, Chief Sealth IHS was edged by Ingraham, 18-17; on Friday night, West Seattle HS beat Lincoln, 44-7. Next week, the Seahawks (2-2) have another Thursday night away game, 7 pm vs. Lakeside at Northeast Athletic Complex; the Wildcats (3-0) play at home, 7 pm Friday vs. Franklin at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
(One of the M’s hats here at HQ, decorated with a prized parade pin)
Thanks to the texter who pointed out this is among the systemwide alerts that Washington State Ferries has sent so far today:
At 5 p.m. today, all ferries underway will sound their horns to salute the Seattle Mariners on winning the American League West title — their first in 24 years! Congratulations to the team and fans as they head into the playoffs.
While they haven’t won a division title since 2001, the M’s have been to the playoffs more recently – here’s the Mariners’ full playoff history. As for this year, the brackets aren’t full yet, but they’ll give you an idea of dates.
(WSHS senior Breck Estep, #4, shows off the Huling Bowl trophy to the student section)
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Photos by Oliver Hamlin
For West Seattle Blog
In the annual football battle between the area’s two largest high schools, the 2025 Huling Bowl was claimed by West Seattle High School as the Wildcats triumphed over the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks by a score of 17-10, in a hard-fought game in front of a packed house Friday night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
The Wildcats are reclaiming the trophy this year after the Seahawks had prevailed in the rivalry game last season. For this season, coach Anthony Stordahl’s Wildcats move to 2-0 after the win, while Daron Camacho‘s Seahawks were dealt their first loss to fall to 2-1.
Both schools’ crowds and their bands and cheer squads were out in full force at NCSWAC on Friday, including many of the WSHS students decked out in neon:
The energy was high as teams took the field:
Sealth senior Kingston Cappiello (#2) celebrates after making a stop in the first quarter:
WSHS junior Justice Nguyen (#1) grabbed a key interception on a deep pass:
Senior Breck Estep (#4) caught a pass to set the Wildcats up for their first touchdown:
This was followed by a WSHS touchdown pass from junior QB Desmond Parkinson (#12) to senior LJ Moody (#3) with 6:46 left in the quarter. After a successful extra point kick, the Wildcats were on top 7-0.
Sealth answered with a drive of their own, featuring plenty of work by senior QB MJ Filitaula (#12):
As well as junior Xander Gomez (#23), running down the field after catching a pass:
And senior Jessie Gilmore II gaining yards on the ground:
The Sealth drive was capped by a Filitaula TD run with 2:10 left in the first quarter:
…and the successful extra-point kick tied the game at 7-7, which was also the score as the 2nd quarter got underway.
West Seattle reclaimed the lead in the 2nd quarter on a TD run by senior Jesse Hansen-Wilson (#43), to go ahead 14-7 after the extra-point kick. The Wildcats added a field goal by senior Jonah Pelander (#7) to extend their lead to 17-7, and then Sealth answered with their own long field goal courtesy of senior Ogi Petronijvec (#1) as time expired in the first half, with West Seattle on top 17-10.
Parkinson moved the Wildcats down the field through the air:
…and on the ground:
Moody, taking a handoff from Parkinson:
Sealth senior Shane Tino (#52) celebrates a tackle in the 2nd quarter by revealing a shirt in honor his late aunt Liz (one of many matching shirts at the game, worn by the family):
Pelander kicks an extra point:
During halftime, both schools’ bands entertained, including drummers from WSHS:
…and Sealth:
Also at halftime, special guest Councilmember Rob Saka took the field with athletic directors Ernest Policarpio of CSIHS and Corey Sorenson of WSHS, as a “proclamation” was read by the PA announcer to commemorate the Huling Bowl and the participating schools.
In the 3rd quarter, the teams traded possessions until Sealth moved deep into Wildcat territory and scored an apparent touchdown, which the officiating crew waved off due to a penalty. This was followed by another penalty and ultimately a failed pass attempt into the end zone on 4th down, which meant the Seahawks came up empty and the Wildcats took over on downs.
The score remained 17-10 as the 3rd quarter ended, and in the final quarter the teams went back and forth (including a key Sealth fumble and WSHS recovery):
…with no points scored by either team in the fourth quarter (or in the entire 2nd half), the game ended with a 17-10 West Seattle win.
After the game, the Wildcats and their fans celebrated on the field with the Huling Bowl trophy. Here’s councilmember Saka with the winning squad:
The coveted trophy:
Both teams play on the road next week: Sealth on Thursday 9/25 at Ingraham at 7 pm, and West Seattle on Friday 9/26 at Lincoln HS at 7 pm.
(WSB photos by Jason Grotelueschen)
Friday night, it’ll be a football game, but today, it was the sport the rest of the world calls football that brought Chief Sealth International HS and West Seattle HS to the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. We were able to drop in during the girls-varsity match’s early going for a few photos.
WSHS got its first win of the year, 3-0.
The Wildcats’ record is now 1-0-1; the Seahawks, 1-2-1.
You can see their next scheduled matches on the Metro League webdite. (Next Sealth /WSHS game on the field this week is Friday night at 7, when the two schools’ football teams play the annual Huling Bowl game.)
For the second consecutive Friday night, Chief Sealth International High School won their football game tonight at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. This time, though, the Seahawks weren’t the home team – that designation belonged to their opponents, Franklin High School. The Seahawks kept the Quakers from getting close to the end one the entire night, with a final score of 20-0. They didn’t get on the board until almost literally the last second of the first quarter, when #1, senior Ogi Petronijevic, kicked the first of his two field goals:
The first TD, though, came from one of the freshmen on the Sealth squad, #3, Marquis Tovia:
That was at 7:15 to go in the first half. The Seahawks’ other TD was by senior #21 Marshawn Tovia-Ford, and the halftime score was CSIHS 17, FHS 0. The second half saw only a Sealth field goal but plenty of penalty flags as well as injuries on both sides, and though the Quakers started to make a little progress late in the game, they ran out of time. As noted earlier, Sealth plays West Seattle High School at NCSWAC next Friday, 7 pm.
West Seattle High School‘s football team was supposed to kick off its season last Friday in Yakima, but wildfire smoke canceled the game and trip. So tonight’s game at Interlake HS in Bellevue was the delayed season opener. The Wildcats, under head coach Anthony Stordahl, emerged triumphant, 14-7. Next week they play crosstown counterparts Chief Sealth IHS in the annual Huling Bowl, 7 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), where CSIHS won again tonight (that story next).
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Photos by Oliver Hamlin
For West Seattle Blog
In the first local high-school home football game of the season on Friday night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School cruised 33-6 past the visiting squad from Hockinson (which is near Vancouver, WA).
Sealth moved to 1-0 on the season as head coach Daron Camacho‘s team held a 19-6 lead after three quarters, and then added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Officials had decided to start the game about 15 minutes early, due to concerns with deteriorating air quality due to wildfire smoke, which caused cancellations of games throughout the state. One of these unfortunate cancellations is West Seattle High School‘s season opener against La Salle in Yakima on Saturday: We were told by WSHS head coach Anthony Stordahl — who was also in the stands at NCSWAC watching the game on Friday night — that their Yakima road game is canceled due to smoky conditions east of the Cascades.
But at SWAC on Friday night, the host Seahawks put on a stellar show for their fans, including fellow students who had just returned to classes this week after summer break.
Sealth took an early 7-0 lead after a short run by sophomore Loto Amituanai (#26).
With 6:28 left in the first quarter, the Seahawks extended the lead to 10-0 with a field goal by senior kicker Ogi Petronijevic (#1).
Early in the second quarter, senior quarterback MJ Filitaula (#12) scored on a TD run to make it 16-0, where the score remained after a failed attempt at a faked extra point (following a penalty on the first extra point try).
Hockinson responded with a long TD reception by Mark Hogan Jr. (#3) with 5:42 left before halftime, and after a fumbled 2-point conversion attempt, the score was 16-6.
Sealth added a Petronijevic field goal to take a 19-6 lead into the locker room at halftime. Here’s the team storming back onto the field for the second half:
After a scoreless third quarter, the Seahawks extended their lead to 26-6 after a short TD run by Filitaula and a successful extra point try with 10:45 remaining.
Then, after an interception and long return, Sealth scored on a TD pass from Filitaula to freshman Marquis Tovia (#3) to make the final score 33-6.
Senior Jessie Gilmore II (#9):
Junior Eli Policarpio (#7) picking up a fumble and celebrating:
Policarpio and Tovia:
Sealth’s defense makes a big stop on 4th down:
Junior Kaeson Filitaula (#8) after a crucial interception:
Next up for Sealth is Franklin on Friday, September 12, followed by the huge annual Huling Bowl rivalry game against West Seattle HS on Friday, September 19 (both games at SWAC).
Young skater in the house? This might be the sport for them! Here’s the announcement of Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby‘s upcoming tryouts:
Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby is gearing up for its 12th season, and your kid is invited to join its skaters at the rink. Open to any gender, ages 7-18, this fast-moving sport is a perfect place for any kid ready to assert their personality, skate quickly, and (when appropriate, and with safeguards and safety gear) smash against other kids.
The league will teach your kid everything they need to know at its New Skater Clinics, September 14th, 21st, and 28th. It does help to have some basic skating ability. Coaches will roster them on a team matching their skills during the clinics; the regular season starts up the following week and runs through May. Sign up for clinics here: https://bit.ly/ssr_derby_clinics
Experienced roller derby players who want to skate for one of SSR’s travel charters are invited to attend tryouts on September 7th and 9th. Sign up to attend these by early September, here: forms.gle/q8DEXhfFp8svzC3i7
SSR doesn’t want the cost of equipment to prevent anyone from playing this fun, kinetic sport. Reach out to the league upon registration to see what is available to borrow prior to the first clinic.
Learn more about Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby and its teams at southsiderevolution.org.
SSR’s home rink is Southgate on 17th SW just south of Roxbury.
Back to school means back to sports for many – and West Seattle Baseball has two programs it’s pitching with this announcement:
Two opportunities to play baseball this fall!
Fall Ball is West Seattle Baseball’s instructional league for the fall season, combining seasonal drills, stations, and opportunities for kids to advance their skills, build their confidence, and enjoy the game of baseball.
Fall Ball will be divided into three primary divisions: Pinto (8 & Under), Mustang (10 & Under), and Bronco (12 & Under). Tuesdays will be instructional days, building skills, and Fridays will be game-playing days, featuring sandlot baseball.
The season will run from September 9 through October 17. The cost to play is $125.
Sign-up link: go.teamsnap.com/forms/494738
Also:
Coach Ballgame is back at the Pee Wees on September 6 from 5-8 PM!
Coach Ballgame is back at the Pee Wee Fields on Saturday, 9/6! Don’t miss out on one of the best baseball training programs out there. Coach Ballgame and his team lead small, quick drills to build skills for kids to learn the game of baseball. He teaches the games of baseball through stories like Jim Abbott, Roberto Clemente, and more.
Sign-up link: hisawyer.com/coach-ballgame/schedules/activity-set/1365015
The Pee Wee Fields are in Riverview – here’s a map.
(September 2024 WSB photo)
Next weekend, high-school football season kicks off. West Seattle High School is scheduled to play its first game on the road, 5 pm Saturday, September 6, in Yakima vs. La Salle HS. Even before the season begins, head coach Anthony Stordahl tells WSB, the year’s biggest fundraiser in support of his team is off and running. It’s an online fundraising campaign, and the coach explains, “This is the only fundraiser we will do this year to raise the money needed to have a successful season. The money goes toward equipment, travel expenses, nutrition for players, and a lot more.” They’re hoping to have a few dine-out fundraisers too, but the online donations will comprise the lion’s share of the Wildcats’ fundraising. Their first home game is the annual Huling Bowl crosstown faceoff with Chief Sealth IHS, 7 pm Friday, September 19 (see the full season schedule here). Meantime, donations will be welcomed here.
Remember the streetcorner flower fundraiser a few weeks ago? Another one is happening tomorrow morning, this time on behalf of boosters of the Chief Sealth IHS girls’ swim team. Same general area, along 35th SW on the east side of the 8300 block (just north of Thistle), dahlia bouquets for $10. This will be happening 10 am-noon Friday, as long as the flowers last (last sale, for Girl Scouts, sold out early!). Though school doesn’t start until Wednesday, the team’s already practicing, so it’s fundraising time too!
With the start of school approaching, so are fall sports, including football. Two notes today:
(September 2024 WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
CHIEF SEALTH FUNDRAISER AT MOD PIZZA: Get food from or at MOD Pizza Westwood Village today – they’re open until 10 pm – and part of the proceeds will benefit the Chief Sealth International High School football team, defending Metro League 2A champions. Here’s the flyer we just received – show it at the restaurant, or use the code on the flyer to order online.
BUSIER THAN USUAL SEASON AT NCSWAC: West Seattle’s southernmost stadium, Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), will have a busier season than usual, since Memorial Stadium – also owned by Seattle Public Schools – is out of commission for its rebuild. Rainier Beach, Garfield, and Franklin all have home games scheduled there, as well as Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS. You can check the schedule here (it also shows other Metro League games, including those played at West Seattle Stadium).
With summer slowly segueing into fall, we’re continuing to publish announcements for fall-sports signups as well as other activities. Today – here’s what one of our area’s lacrosse organizations wants you to know!
Looking for a fast-paced, team-oriented sport for your child? The Southwest Lacrosse Club (a.k.a. SW Titans) is launching its 2nd Annual Fall Ball season — a welcoming, skill-focused program for boys in grades 3–8.
Whether your child is brand new to lacrosse or played last spring, this 10-week season is a great way to learn the game, stay active, and have fun with friends. Practices begin in late September, with one exciting “jamboree” game day in November and a tournament weekend to close the season in early December.
We believe lacrosse should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer:
-Full and partial scholarships
-Loaner equipment
-Simple scheduling for busy families
The SW Titans’ mission is to inspire, teach, and empower young athletes through safe, inclusive lacrosse experiences that build confidence, teamwork, and community pride.
We proudly welcome families from West Seattle, White Center, South Park, Burien, Tukwila, SeaTac, and Normandy Park. Lacrosse also complements sports like football, ice hockey, soccer, and basketball—so kids can transfer skills while having a blast.
“Think fast, run hard, and play with heart—Fall Ball is your chance to jump into the game!”
“SW Titans lacrosse is for kids who love to move, compete, and be part of something big.”
“I didn’t know anything about lacrosse at first, but now I love it. It’s fast and fun!” – Jayden, age 11
Want to learn more or sign up? Visit & Register at swlacrosseclub.org or email us at swlctitans@gmail.com with any questions.
We’re now a week away from Labor Day weekend, and most students return to school right after that. As we’ve been mentioning, that means sports start up, too, and that’s not just the traditional sports … here’s another announcement we were asked to share – note that it’s for ALL local high-school students:
High Schoolers: Looking for a new fall sport?
Join Westside Ultimate Frisbee!Westside is a no cut team for high schoolers in West Seattle that welcomes all genders across our JV, Varsity, and Club teams.
Join in the official start of season practices and varsity tryouts Aug 25-29.
Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. at Lincoln Park Baseball Fields.If you have any questions or would like more info, contact WSHSfrisbee@gmail.com
—
(WSB photo, Hiawatha Playfield, Wednesday)
Visiting the Hiawatha Community Center work zone on Wednesday (story later today), we noticed the West Seattle High School football team on the field. That’s another reminder that the new school year is approaching – most local schools start a day or two after Labor Day – and WSHS athletic director Corey Sorenson has asked us to remind athletes’ families that it’s time to register, if they haven’t done so already. This document he provided includes information on how, as well as start dates for the fall sports (Wednesday was Day 1 for football, while other sports start tryouts next Monday, August 25) and a must-attend info night for families on September 2nd.
The Mariners‘ celebration of Ichiro‘s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame brought other M’s legends back to Seattle, including another Hall of Famer, Randy Johnson, whose visit included a trip to Easy Street Records, according to the photo and anecdote sent to us by ESR proprietor Matt Vaughan:
Randy “Big Unit” Johnson made a visit to his favorite record shop . He was in town to celebrate Ichiro. He went on to tell us, “Did you know that for every home game I was wearing a rock tee under my jersey, usually always Soundgarden.” We let him pick out the playlist for an hour…Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Queensryche, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath.
Randy was the most dominant and intimidating baseball pitcher of his era. 2 No-Hitters, World Series MVP, Perfect Game at age 40, Baseball Hall of Fame, multiple All-Star appearances, 22 seasons !
Go Mariners!
The “Big Unit” also posted a photo from his Easy Street visit here. (Matt says the men with him in the photo above are “local boys Josh and Noah Lange.”
(November 2024 WSB photo)
Last year, West Seattle High School volleyball coach Scott Behrbaum and his team went to state. Their followup season is just around the corner, and it’s tryout time soon. Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
Reminder for Players and Parents: West Seattle High School Volleyball Tryouts Begin August 25th!
West Seattle High School’s volleyball tryouts for the upcoming season are just around the corner, kicking off on Monday, August 25th. Parents of student-athletes are reminded that all required athletic forms must be completed in Final Forms prior to tryouts in order for students to participate.
Please visit the WSHS athletic registration page at:
westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/student-life/athletics/athletic-registrationIf you have questions about the upcoming tryouts or the volleyball program please contact westseattlevolleyballteam@gmail.com
Go Wildcats!
The local beach-volleyball players who worked to get Seattle Parks‘ support for a “drop-in volleyball” court on Alki report it’s back in action, thanks to a donation. Last month, WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen reported on the new court and installation of its net; days later, that net was stolen. Now the advocates/players sent photos, and this update, to announce that the court’s available again:
Great news. The net at Alki is back up, thanks to a generous net donation from the SeaBeach Volleyball Co-op. We’re excited for the community to be able to play again and for beach volleyball to be more accessible to everyone.
The court is on the beach across from the Christos/Do Si KBBQ building.
Easy Street Records, it seems, is known for softball hits as well as music hits. Proprietor Matt Vaughan sent the photos and report:
The Easy Street Wreckers won the ISL Softball Co-Ed City Championship . This marks the 4th time in 6 years! They are also celebrating 20 years as a team! Trailing by 5 going into the last inning, Easy Street rattled off 12 unanswered runs to take the trophy. The ASA Industrial Softball League includes 16 small businesses throughout Seattle. Big props to The Lariat, great bar/ lounge in White Center. Seattle’s first and only pro-wrestling-themed bar! Congrats to Georgetown’s 9 LB Hammer – they won the 2nd Division trophy.
MVP went to South Seattle College Political Science Professor and avid record collector, Larry Cushnie.
Congratulations to the DubSea Fish Sticks for their first-ever Pacific International League championship! We knew Saturday night’s game at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, vs. the Gumberoos, was sold out, but we didn’t realize a title was on the line until we heard about it from WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen – attending the game as a fan. He sent the video above and the photos below:
The Fish Sticks won 18-1. This was their last home game of the year; their season wraps with a Monday night road game. (The PIL season ends this early because the players have to get back to their respective colleges.) This is the fourth season since team owner Justin Moser rebranded the former Highline Bears and put the Fish Sticks on a course to provide entertainment as well as baseball.
As we reported in June, West Seattle-based Rain City Ropeworks has a team at the world jump-rope championships – and Zack Hill sent this update, with photos:
I wanted to provide an update on how the West Seattle-based Rain City Ropeworks jump rope team is doing this week at the Jump Rope World Championships in Kawasaki, Japan. Rain City qualified 9 kids for Team USA, all of whom are competing this week in Japan.
(Photo by Eric Mak/Kosation)
These kids qualified in a number of disciplines, including double dutch, speed, and freestyle.
(Photo by Jackey Guo/Kosation)
And for the first time ever, a Rain City entrant placed in the top 3 at worlds!
Sisters Madeleine and Mara Garrison (above) placed second in the Wheel Freestyle event at the International Open Tournament.
The West Seattle community has been so awesome at supporting these kids, and we wanted to update everyone back home.
Rain City Ropeworks was founded and is led by five-time world champion René Bibaud.
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