WS & Sports 2521 results

SPORTS: League-leading West Seattle High School’s latest baseball shutout

(WSB photos. Above, Matthew Henning)

In the third week of the season, the league-leading, undefeated West Seattle High School varsity baseball team just scored their third consecutive shutout victory. Playing tonight at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, the Wildcats beat Franklin, 20-0.

(Tonight’s starting pitcher, Miles Chandler)

According to the GameChanger summary, WSHS really broke things open with a 10-run third inning. Owen Earls was the night’s leader in RBIs, with five; TJ Buehring was right behind with four. Starting pitcher tonight was Miles Chandler, who held Franklin to one hit in four innings; the hitless fifth inning was pitched by John Langen. The Wildcats’ next two games are on the road; they’re back home at 7 pm next Monday (April 3rd) vs. Cleveland at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle).

Day 2 of West Seattle Little League season-opening jamboree

(WSB photos)>

Baseball and softball season-openers continue this afternoon as West Seattle Little League‘s season-opening jamboree concludes, with more than 800 players and 68 teams participating. Saturday we stopped by the softball venue, Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle); this morning, we visited the baseball venue, Bar-S (64th/Admiral) – the photo above is from a juniors (10-year-olds) game, below is from a seniors (12-year-olds) game:

Baseball is scheduled to continue until about 7 tonight, softball until 4:30.

WEEKEND SCENE: Season-opening, two-site West Seattle Little League Jamboree

(WSB photos)

This is the second year that West Seattle Little League has included softball as well as baseball, and that means this weekend’s season-opening Jamboree is happening at two sets of fields. We stopped by Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) this morning while 7- and 8-year-olds were playing softball, joyfully celebrating their first game of the year:

Everyone’s welcome to come show their support, for the softball and/or baseball players, who are playing at Bar-S Fields (64th/Admiral) in Alki. Softball games continue today until 5:30, and baseball until 7; tomorrow, the schedule is 10 am-4:30 pm for softball, 9 am-7 pm for baseball, same locations. (Concessions too!) And on Sunday, the Mariner Moose is expected to visit Bar-S – more on that and other Jamboree details here.

CONGRATULATIONS! Local runners get milestone medals and a share of world record

(Photo by Lynn Drake)

From left in that photo taken at Alki are Erika Whinihan, Joe Drake, Heather Free, and Gretchen Tapp. They’re celebrating two major marathon-running achievements achieved on one day, thousands of miles from home, as explained in this announcement we received from Joe:

Local residents Joe Drake and Erika Whinihan, both of West Seattle, along with Heather Free (Duvall) and Gretchen Tapp (Auburn), earned their Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medals in Tokyo on March 5, 2023.

Runners achieve Six Star status, a bucket list item for many marathoners, after completing all of the World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Bagging Tokyo has recently become elusive. In the interest of pandemic safety, the Tokyo Marathon restricted participation such that non-residents of Japan have not been able to run there since 2019. A large backlog developed and as a result, a record number of runners received their Six Star Medals on March 5. These runners are among the 3,033 runners who took home the medal and earned a Guinness World Record in the process for “most people to earn a Six Star Medal at a single marathon”.

For more on the World Marathon Majors, see this link. And for details of the historic Guinness world record in Tokyo, read this blog post from Joe Drake. You can read about his journey to the Six Star Medal in his book “Run With It: A True Story of Parkinson’s, Marathons, the Pandemic, and Love” available on Amazon and at his author’s website.

Joe’s WMM quest was noted here in October 2021.

SPORTS: ‘Huge win’ for Chief Sealth International High School baseball

As a Chief Sealth International High School team parent described it in an email to us, “Huge win for the baseball team last night.” Sealth beat O’Dea for the first time in years, the parent explained – and the Seahawks were the visiting team. Final score Sealth 11, O’Dea 8. The parent added, “Fans were wild with the win! It was about 47 out and with a 7:00 start we all waited for the almost 11:00 finish!” According to the game notes logged with GameChanger, the Seahawks took the lead in the ninth inning, breaking an 8-8 tie when Teo Perala singled to bring in a run. The game’s hitting star for the Seahawks was Seth Clark, going 3 for 5. It’s early in the season but Chief Sealth has a 5-1 overall record and will play next at Nathan Hale, 3:30 pm Friday. O’Dea, meantime, will be visiting West Seattle High School (6-0) at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex at 7 pm Friday. We appreciate sports updates and tips – westseattleblog@gmail.com any time!

PLAY BALL! West Seattle Little League opens baseball/softball season with weekend jamboree

Yet another sign of spring – West Seattle Little League baseball and softball teams are about to start playing. You’re invited to the season-opening, two-location jamboree – here’s the announcement:

West Seattle Little League will kick off the season with its annual Jamboree this weekend. Tee ball and baseball games will be held at WSLL’s Bar-S home field, and girls’ softball will also be celebrating the opening weekend with games at Chief Sealth.

Games will occur on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of March. Baseball games will occur between 9 am and 7 pm on both days. Softball games will occur between 9 am and 5:30 pm Saturday and 10 am and 4:30 pm Sunday.

More info here

Come cheer on our kids, get some pics with the Mariners Moose and DubSea Fish Sticks, learn about WSLL, and grab a bite to eat at the concessions.

The Bar-S fields are at 64th SW and SW Admiral Way in Alki; the Chief Sealth (Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex) fields are at 2801 SW Thistle in Westwood. According to the WSLL website, the Moose will be at Bar-S 10:30 am-2:30 pm Sunday; the Fish Sticks mascot’s schedule is TBD.

YOU CAN HELP: Step up to the plate and volunteer with West Seattle Little League

Spring means youth sports, and West Seattle Little League is hoping for more volunteer help, of all ages:

West Seattle Little League Needs YOU!

JUNIOR VOLUNTEERS

Our Junior Volunteers keep Bar-S hopping all season long. Cook and sell food in the Snack Shack, prep the fields for games, serve as a Junior Umpire – or do all three! This is a fun opportunity for community members aged 13-18 to gain service skills and volunteer hours. Benefits include tips and free food/beverage each shift. Junior Volunteer applications will be accepted through Monday, March 20th.

Click here to apply to be a Junior Volunteer.

Or contact Jacque at snackshack@westseattlelittleleague.com to learn more.

SNACK SHACK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We’re looking for adult volunteers passionate about customer service and youth mentorship. Be an integral part of that Bar-S magic! Experience in food service is ideal but not necessary. Training provided. Responsibilities include:

-Lead the Snack Shack Junior Volunteers throughout the season, taking weeknight evening shifts from 5-9 pm, as available.

-Lead the Snack Shack team on Saturdays, with shifts from 7:15-10:30 am, 10:15-2:15 pm, 2:00-5:30 pm, or 5:15-9 pm, as available.

Supervise and support our Junior Volunteers (ages 13-16) in food prep, cleanliness, and cash handling. Help them develop leadership and teamwork skills.

Prepare hot dogs for sale at the Snack Shack and assist with other hot food preparation.

Assist the Concessions Director with managing systems and inventory.

Food handlers permit required (available online), and WSLL will pay the permit fee.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jacque by March 20th to learn more: snackshack@westseattlelittleleague.com

SPORTS: West Seattle middle-schooler on the tennis court with top pros

Meet Asa Kestner, who’s been playing tennis since he was barely kindergarten age, according to his dad James Kestner, who wants to share the news about the big opportunity Asa’s in the middle of right now:

Asa Kestner, a 7th grader at Madison Middle School, was selected to be a member of the ball crew at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA. The BNP Paribas Open is one of the biggest professional tennis tournaments in the world. The tournament runs from March 6-19, 2023. The event features the top male and female players from across the globe.

To join the ball crew, Asa had to complete both online and in-person training. After finishing the online course, Asa attended two training sessions in Edmonds in December and January before being assessed as tournament ready. Asa loves tennis and is excited for the opportunity to be on the court with some of the top players in the world.

Matches from the BNP Paribas Open are being broadcast daily by The Tennis Channel.

Right now, James says, his son is scheduled to work matches through Wednesday (March 15th), though there’s a chance that could extend into the tournament’s final days. He adds, “Being on the ball crew allows him to witness firsthand the many roles people play in hosting a tournament of this scale, from the players, their coaches, and trainers, to the umpires and other officials running the show. Some of his fellow ball crew teammates are current college-level players, so he’s had the opportunity to learn from them about playing college tennis, too.” Though Asa plays at courts around West Seattle, his dad says he’s been taking lessons at the Boeing Employees Tennis Club in Kent, where the family has a membership.

West Seattle High School’s state-champion Cheer Team invites prospective new members to tryouts

West Seattle High School cheer coach Nadine Nguyen sends word that tryout time is approaching:

Are you ready to become a part of the State-Winning West Seattle High School Coed Cheer Team?

Now’s your chance. Tryouts will be held in person March 28th-March 31st from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm @ WSHS. To try out, you will need to fill out all online forms and provide a current Sports Physical.

* We will also be hosting Cheer Clinics on March 20th and March 21st.
CHEER CLINICS – Learn the cheer basics to help prep you for tryouts!
*For those interested in trying out for our State Winning Competition Team, you are invited to attend our Stunt Clinics where you will learn basic stunt skills. Though stunting is not part of our final tryouts, attendance may or may not benefit your chances on making our Comp Team! Stunt Clinics are on March 22nd and March 23rd from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm

To participate in tryouts on March 28th – Match 31st, Stunt Clinics, and the Cheer clinics, please bring a printed and signed copy of the following items below to the first day of the clinics/tryouts.

-Student Athletic Registration Form
-Signed Parent Waver
-Both Covid Forms (Screening and Release)
-Up-to-date Physical

The Tryout application and required forms are available through the following link tree:
linktr.ee/westseattlecheer

For tips and more information regarding tryouts, follow our Instagram @westseattlecheer

Good Luck and Go Wildcats!! For Questions email: westseattlecheer@outlook.com

If you haven’t seen the team in action, check out their promotional video here.

FOLLOWUP: Hiawatha Playfield turf project to start in May

Hiawatha Playfield turf replacement will start in mid-May, Seattle Parks says. They’re expecting the work to last about three months. As shown above, the new turf will include markings for baseball, soccer, football, and softball. (Here’s a PDF version of the rendering shown above, including the legend explaining the markings.) Parks’ update also says, “Seattle Public Schools will provide safety fencing for the outfield when baseball and softball are in play. This project will include replacing the batting cage and resurfacing the rubberized three-lane running track. Seattle Parks and Recreation is investing in a state-of-the-art synthetic turf system that is safe, playable, durable, and retains less heat in the summer. Our standard is to provide a sustainable cork and sand infill over a cushioned pad system.” The contractor is FieldTurf, which installed the current turf in 2009 (twice, actually). FieldTurf USA was one of five bidders, online documents indicate, winning with a $1.4 million bid.

P.S. This project is unrelated to the other two much-delayed Hiawatha projects, the community center and play area. We’re working on a separate followup about them.

SPORTS: Chief Sealth International High School celebrates winter athletes, college signers

Hours after classes ended for the day, the Chief Sealth International High School galleria had a full house Tuesday night, with students, families, and educators gathered for the winter sports banquet. They celebrated student athletes for a variety of achievements – first, Luke Sketchley and Ryan Moore, signing letters of intent to play college baseball – Sketchley at Bellevue College, Moore at Wenatchee Valley College:

Then came the honors for recipients of the Seahawk Award, which ‘epitomizes attitude, effort, work ethic, and being a total team player.” Violet Beck was honored for flag football:

Valentina Minoprio Boffi, for cheer:

Elsa Chao, for bowling:

Owen Dortero, for swimming:

Declan Golan, for (corrected) basketball (below, with head coach Richard Stephens:

Jay Johnson, for wrestling:

Eden Lopez, for wrestling:

Giana Moore, for gymnastics:

And Maryann Passmore, for basketball:

One more plaque was presented – this one for a 2021 winner – no sports banquet that pandemic year. The honoree was Delaney Sipila, for basketball:

Congratulations to all!

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys’ season ends with state-tournament loss

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team for their strong season, which ended tonight at Bellevue College.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

In their first game of this year’s state tournament, the Wildcats fell to North Thurston, 51-34. Half their points came in the final quarter, but they started connecting too late, including this defiant dunk by #23, sophomore Alex Pierce:

The struggle started early – WSHS didn’t get on the scoreboard until a basket by #2, senior Maximus Holliman, more than midway through the first quarter.

He had eight points on the night, as did #5, senior Ryder Mackay:

The Wildcats never did manage to consistently break through North Thurston’s defense, which meant they had to do a lot of outside shooting, without much success, though #3, junior Bo Gionet, got two 3s:

The WSHS boys finished the season 14-12.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School girls’ season ends with close game

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team for a strong season. It ended far from home this afternoon, with a 47-45 loss to Lynnwood in a state-tournament regional game at Arlington High School. According to writer Doug Petrowski‘s tweets from the game, WS led 16-7 after the first quarter, with Carmen Cruz netting four 3-pointers; the Everett Herald‘s Evan Wiederspohn tweeted that Cruz led WSHS scoring with 24. The Wildcats finish the season 16-10.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls win opening game in state tournament

8:21 PM: On their home court, the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team has just won their opening game in this year’s state tournament, beating Central Kitsap, 48-37. Photos and details after we get back to HQ!

10:48 PM: Though the Wildcats led the Cougars by double digits for more than half the game. it was not a case of coasting to victory. They were behind 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, getting lots of shots but unable to convert many of them. In the second quarter, WSHS suddenly got prolific with three-pointers.

First one was by #0, senior Lauren Wright, then one by #4, junior Carmen Cruz, and then #22, junior Lucy Larson, netted three triples in the last two minutes before halftime – she was the Wildcats’ top scorer on the night, with 14 points:

Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s team went into halftime up 30-19.

First points of the second half came on a basket by Cruz, the night’s second-leading scorer with 13 points:

In the last minute of the third quarter, a triple by #11, senior Brooke Swanson (WSHS’s third top scorer tonight with 10 points), gave WSHS their widest lead, 42-22:

After that, though, Central Kitsap started a comeback attempt, with 10 unanswered points, halving West Seattle’s lead, until #21, sophomore Alyssa Neumann, broke the spell with a basket at four minutes to go. The Cougars answered with their own, but WSHS didn’t let them get any closer, and finished out the win in their home gym.

Another must-win game is next – the Westside girls (16-9) have to head 50 miles north to Arlington for a noon Saturday game against Lynnwood (16-6).

BASKETBALL: First state-tournament games set for West Seattle High School teams

As noted here Saturday night, both West Seattle High School teams have made it into the state tournament. Tonight, we know when and where they’ll play their first games. As announced by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, here’s the schedule:

GIRLS: Tuesday (February 21st) 7 pm, at WSHS vs. Central Kitsap

BOYS: Saturday (February 25th) 8 pm, at Bellevue College vs. winner of Tuesday’s EverettNorth Thurston game

Both are open to the public, with admission charges.

BASKETBALL: Final district-tournament games for West Seattle High School teams

Though their victories last night earned them berths in state-tournament competition no matter what, West Seattle High School‘s girls’ and boys’ basketball teams each had to play one last district game this afternoon at Bellevue College. Both scores are now in: The girls won, beating Eastside Catholic, 60-57, taking fifth place in the district; the boys lost to Rainier Beach, 71-58, finishing sixth. Seedings for the state tournament are due to be announced tomorrow afternoon, so that’s when we should know where and when both teams will play their first games in state competition, which begins Tuesday.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls going to state too, after win at districts

9:29 PM: West Seattle High School is also sending its girls’ team to the state tournament. The Wildcats just beat Holy Names 47-35 to clinch the spot. This game also was played at Bellevue College; details and photos when we get back to HQ.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED 3:20 AM: This was a little rough in the early going, with Holy Names’ defense succeeding for a while in keeping West Seattle from getting inside, forcing tough-to-land outside shots. But the Wildcats kept battling back.

That aggressive style, though, got them into foul trouble fairly quickly, giving Holy Names so many foul shots that those compromised much of the Cougars’ scoring. Nonetheless, WSHS stayed in command, with a 22-10 lead at halftime. Scoring leaders were #4, junior Carmen Cruz and #20, sophomore Colby Timmons.

Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s Wildcats play their final district game at 4:45 pm today (Saturday) at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) vs. Eastside Catholic – winner takes 5th place, but both teans are guaranteed trips to the state tournament, which runs February 21-March 4.n

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys win spot at state with victory at districts

7:58 PM: The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team is headed to the state tournament after a big win in districts tonight – 72-49 over Liberty HS at Bellevue College. Details and photos later.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED 1:40 AM: The Wildcats took the lead two and a half minutes into the game and never looked back. They just kept building, and Liberty had no chance to even attempt a comeback. By halftime, WSHS was up 38 to 29, then extended the lead into double digits in the second half.

West Seattle had four players with double-digit point totals – #2, senior Maximus Holliman; #3, junior Bo Gionet; #5, senior Ryder Mackay; and #11, senior Luke Wade.

For outside-shooting fans, this game had plenty of threes, and sharpshooting combined with tough defense led WSHS to the big win. Tomorrow, head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats have one more game at the district tournament, 3 pm today (Saturday) vs. Rainier Beach, again at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE).

The game is for fifth place in the district, but both teams already are guaranteed a spot at the state tournament, which starts next Tuesday (February 21st) – opening-round matchups and locations are yet to be determined.

SPORTS: West Seattle HS diver to state championships for 2nd year in a row

When the state 3A high-school diving championships are held tomorrow night in Federal Way, a local student will be there – for the second time! Here’s the announcement we received:

West Seattle High School junior Giovanni Slye will be competing at the state diving championship tomorrow (Thursday) at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. His performance at the Districts meet last weekend guaranteed him a spot at the statewide competition. Diving Coach Stephanie Hunt is proud to take him all the way to state two years in a row.

Event info is here. You can see on page 5 here who he’s competing against.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School teams get one more chance at district playoffs

February 14, 2023 10:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Tough night for both West Seattle High School basketball teams at the King County District 2 3A playoffs. Both played at Bellevue College, and both lost. This afternoon, the girls fell to Bishop Blanchet, 55-48, and tonight, the boys lost to Eastside Catholic, 54-48. Both get one more chance to advance in the playoffs, with loser-out games Friday night (February 17th) at Bellevue College – the boys vs. Liberty at 6:30 pm, the girls vs. Holy Names at 8 pm.

YOUTH SPORTS: Lacrosse season starting soon – kindergarteners, first and second graders invited too!

February 14, 2023 7:06 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy Southwest Titans Lacrosse)

The Southwest Titans Lacrosse Club is welcoming players as young as kindergarten as the 2023 season approaches. Here’s the update we received:

Lots of people don’t know that you can get your youngsters involved in our local lacrosse club, the Titans, as young as kindergarten, and we are looking for some more K-2 players to join the fun. K-2 Titans are co-ed so girls and boys are invited! March 26th is the beginning of the Lacrosse season for the youngest of the Titans Lacrosse Club. Join the fastest sport on two feet – it’s a great family sport.

The Titans Lacrosse Club has K-2nd Grade, 3-4th grade, 5-6th Grade, and 7-9th grade and has produced some amazing players that have progressed to the High School and College ranks. Our first practices for the 3-4s, 5-6s, and 7-8s begin this week if you have kids interested in those age groups as well.

Meet lifelong friends while playing a fast, fun game. If interested please see swlacrosseclub.org.

As noted above, K-2 Titans are coed – then 3rd grade and up, the Titans have boys’ teams, while the West Seattle Lacrosse Club has girls’ teams, as well as high-school boys and girls.

SPORTS: Search for softball coaches

February 12, 2023 4:22 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Spring sports are approaching and West Seattle High School is looking for softball coaches. Athletic Director Corey Sorenson asked us to publish the announcement:

West Seattle High School is looking for qualified applicants interested in being a Head Coach or Assistant Coach for Girls Fastpitch Softball this year. Applicants are encouraged to apply in the link provided and contact Mr. Sorenson at cjsorenson@seattleschools.org. (Application Link – Head Coach or Assistant Coach)

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School boys win district-tournament opener

February 11, 2023 10:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The second round of the high-school basketball postseason has begun!

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Tonight at West Seattle High School, the Wildcats won their first game in the district tournament. Strong defense as well as offense took WSHS to a 60-41 victory over visiting Mercer Island.

Top Wildcat scorer on the night was #5, senior Ryder Mackay (above), with 20 points. Not far behind at 18 points was #24, senior Chase Clifton.

#3, junior Bo Gionet, was next with eight points. Head coach Dan Kriley‘s Wildcats (13-9) move on to play Eastside Catholic Tuesday night (February 14th), 8 pm at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE).

Ticket info for Tuesday’s game is here.