West Seattle, Washington
29 Wednesday
Sent this afternoon by Amy:
Our neighbor and friend Joe Drake is running the six major marathons this fall. He has completed in person Berlin, London, Chicago, and Boston. He is running the Tokyo marathon virtually today with his route taking him along beach drive, Lincoln Park, back to Don Armeni. If you see a runner with long pink socks, cheer on his virtual Tokyo!
All the more impressive is, he is living with Parkinson’s. His last of the majors (not the last of his running) will be New York in three weeks. You can follow him at his blog:. joesgottarun.medium.com/about
This all started with Berlin just three weeks ago! (Toward the end of that post, we found links for Parkinson’s research fundraising Joe’s doing while running, too.)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Continuing our coverage of home football games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex – West Seattle High School lost a close one Friday night, 11-10, to Ingraham. The game was relatively tepid – and scoreless – until late in the first half, when the Rams got a field goal. Not long thereafter, a fit over a call led Ingraham’s head coach to get ejected. Then the Wildcats got a field goal with :20 to halftime. It was a busy night for #20, sophomore kicker Kalei Scott:
So it was a 3-3 tie at halftime. The WSHS Band put on an impressive show during the break:
Back to the football: The third quarter, like the first quarter, was scoreless. Then things got lively in the final minutes of the game. #6, senior Jaxton Helmstetler, scored the first touchdown at 3:29:
Two minutes later, an Ingraham TD was followed by a 2-point conversion, giving the Rams the edge, 11-10. In the final half-minute, West Seattle got close but couldn’t get the ball in, so they tried a field goal and missed. Their chances, and the clock, ran out, and the Wildcats got the loss. Next Friday at 7:45 pm, they’re scheduled to face Roosevelt at Memorial Stadium downtown.
Here’s your chance to rename a baseball team! The White Center-based (former) Highline Bears announced earlier this year they were pursuing a new name. Now it’s down to the final two, and they’re inviting you to help choose. From today’s announcement:
Today the Highline Bears summer collegiate baseball team announced the final two possible new team names. The final names are the DubSea Seal Slingers and the DubSea Fish Sticks. The team will now let the community vote online for which name they want to see on the field next summer. Fans can vote online at RenameOurTeam.com, and they can also vote by pre-ordering merchandise of the logo and team name they like best. Voting will remain open for four weeks and the final team name will be announced on November 15th.
Back in June the team announced they would be renaming the team and ran a “Name the Team” contest for 2 weeks. After receiving more than 200 entries, they flew in the baseball-branding company Brandiose. The branding company has helped name dozens of teams in minor league baseball over the past fifteen years, including the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Armadillo Sod Poodles. While in town in July they canvassed the area, ran community focus groups, and brainstormed with the team about what direction they should go. Over the course of the past three months the team has been working on narrowing down all the fan entries, checking trademark statuses on potential names and developing the final two brands,
The team plays more than two dozen games during regular summers (not the past two years, though) with a 40-player roster of college players from around the country, who stay with host families during the season. Their home field is Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.
(WSB photos. Above, #31, senior Casey Maxwell)
In the second of Friday night’s two home games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, West Seattle High School emerged triumphant over Lakeside, 36-12.
(Above, #55, senior James Cecil)
Tonight was the night WSHS chose to honor its seniors. We caught some of the field festivities:
The Wildcats are now 4-1.
(#6, senior Jaxton Helmstetler)
Next Friday night they’re at home again, 7 pm vs. Ingraham.
(WSB photos)
In the first of tonight’s two home football games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School battled Cleveland HS for an overtime win, 12-6. After a first-half Cleveland touchdown, the scoreboard didn’t change until Sealth #41, senior Ethan Heathershaw‘s fourth-quarter TD:
That tied the game 6-6, and it was on to overtime, where #5, Seahawk senior Messiah Alefaio, got the winning TD:
Next week, head coach Daron Camacho‘s team is on the road vs. Nathan Hale, 7 pm Friday.
… That jet noise this past half-hour was another flyover, second one in less than a month. Haven’t found an official description yet but enough witness accounts to verify. The Seahawks are home for Thursday night football vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
Thanks to the Madison Middle School parent who forwarded this, suggesting “a shoutout for anyone in our community that would love to help some eager kids play Ultimate Frisbee ASAP”:
Madison had over 100 students turn out for Ultimate Frisbee last week. This is exciting news!
At this time we have two coaches and are seeking parent or community member volunteers to sign up and help on the field during practices and games. Practice days are Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:30 pm and games are on Saturdays. Email Madison’s Athletic Director and Assistant Principal, Eric Marshall at ermarshall@seattleschools.org and sign up using the link below to be an Ultimate Frisbee volunteer.
Madison staff members will help supervise practice while we recruit and clear volunteers. No students will be cut at this time and we will continue to follow SPS health and safety guidelines.
Here’s how to become an athletic volunteer This is different than being a general volunteer. There are different health and safety requirements to be on the field with students: Copy and paste into your browser this link: schooljobs.com/careers/seattleschools/jobs/349379/athletics-volunteer-coach/apply
(WSB photos)
We’re continuing to cover local football teams’ home games each weekend. Friday night, Chief Sealth International High School played at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex for the first time in three weeks. The Seahawks hosted the Franklin Quakers, who got the win, 10-2. The only touchdown of the game was by Franklin’s #5, junior James Scott.
Lots of pink tonight, in honor of breast-cancer awareness:
Sealth’s band made their home debut for the season:
Next Friday, head coach Daron Camacho and the Seahawks are back at NCSWAC, but earlier in the evening.
They’re scheduled to play Cleveland at 5 pm.
As previewed here Friday, 17-year-old West Seattle High School senior Herman Meyer spent his Saturday swimming, biking, and running a “solo Ironman” triathlon. Family and friends posted as-it-happened updates and photos in the comment thread of the original report, but in case you weren’t following along, he finished in just over 16 and a half hours. Herman’s mom Katherine Meyer reported, “He started just after 8 am and finished strong at 12:40 am! He had to dig deep, and he did.” The day began with more than 2 miles of swimming off Alki:
Then 112 miles of bicycling (in loops around West Seattle):
And finally a marathon run:
That’s friend Riley Nachtrieb running with Herman, in a photo by Riley’s dad Erik Nachtrieb. In her preview of Herman’s “solo Ironman,’ published here Friday, Riley explained that Herman’s feat was simply out of personal motivation – “purely driven by his determination.”
The West Seattle High School Wildcats ran onto the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex tonight as an undefeated team, and that’s how they left it, with a 56-7 victory over the Kent Meridian HS Royals. #2, junior Elijah Brady, led the scoring tonight with four touchdowns.
His first one was less than a minute into the game.
WSHS first on the board, TD by #2 Elijah Brady. Then a 2-pt conversion, so 8-0 lead and game is less than a minute old. pic.twitter.com/2pVrzOUdRb
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 26, 2021
Just a minute after that, the Royals got their one and only TD, and the score was fleetingly close, 8-7. But less than a minute and a half later, the Wildcats started pulling away, first with another Brady TD, then with the first of two touchdowns by #8, junior Mason Kallinger:
Second-quarter scoring included point-after kicks by #20, sophomore Kalei Scott:
Also in the photo above is #3, sophomore Bo Gionet, who snagged an interception with 1:44 to go in the first half. Second-quarter TDs were by Brady, Kallinger, and #31, senior Casey Maxwell. At halftime, head coach Jeff Scott‘s team was up 42-7.
The WSHS Cheer Squad performed at halftime:
The second half opened a lot like the first – a TD by Brady, just a minute and a half in, after a pass by #9, junior Axel Johnson.
Shortly thereafter, an interception by #4, junior Roman Centioli, set the stage for the Wildcats’ last touchdown, by #7, senior Will Godwin. No scoring in the fourth quarter, so 56-7 is how it ended. WSHS is now 3-0, and on the road next week, at Bishop Blanchet, 7 pm Friday (October 1st).
If you’re going to the West Seattle High School football game tonight vs. Kent Meridian, you’ll see that new feature at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex – the stadium’s full name is now on its scoreboard. The photo is from Mr. Cantu’s friend Doree Fazio-Young, who says the signage was installed this week and that the official dedication is expected next month; she also says West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen is painting a portrait of Mr. Cantu for his memorial garden. Mr. Cantu, the stadium’s longtime grounds manager, died in 2018 at age 51; this past spring, the School Board approved naming the complex in his honor.
(WSB photos)
Dennis Williams Jr. was all smiles as 15 dodgeball teams got ready to play in the On Blast! tournament he’s leading at the lower playfield in Riverview right now.
This is all about saving lives – raising money for research into childhood cancer.
Dennis’s 5-year-old son Isaac was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma when he was just a year and a half old. Isaac wad treated by Seattle Children’s Hospital for the next 15 months. Dennis says, “We are eternally indebted to Seattle Children’s and every child who comes behind Isaac.” Doctors from Children’s are there today to support the benefit – Dr. Navin Pinto and Dr. Julie Park.
They’re raising money because, Dennis says, “Only 4% of government funding goes to pediatric cancer research, so we have to do more to increase the odds of success for our kids.”
Prizes today include classic Topps cards:
You are invited to go to Riverview (7226 12th SW) while the tournament continues until 3 pm – DJ Top Spin is spinning, and there are treats to buy – and you’re also welcome to donate to the cause here.
That’s Herman Meyer, who you might see around West Seattle tomorrow attempting an intense atyletic feat. Herman’s friend Riley Nachtrieb tells the story:
West Seattle High School senior Herman Meyer (17 years old) is attempting to complete a solo Ironman around West Seattle on Saturday, September 25th. This is an unorganized event.
Not only is he doing his first Ironman triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run), he is doing it alone, competing only with himself.
Herman will be attempting this as a personal endeavor. It is purely driven by his determination to finish the 140.3 miles. He says, “I talked about it with a friend and I thought it would be fun to do. I have always wanted to do something like it, so I committed.”
He’s going to start the swim at 8 am near the Alki Bathhouse. Around one and a half hours later, he will be transitioning to his bike, riding loops around West Seattle until he reaches the 112-mile mark at his house- This will be around seven and a half hours later. From there, he will continue onto his 26.2 mile run. If everything goes according to plan, he will finish his solo Ironman around 12 am.
Herman will be accompanied by friends and family for safety, support, and pacing. West Seattle High School friends will be following on paddle boards; His parents, Kathrine and Wesley Meyer, will be following on bikes; And WSHS alum Riley Nachtrieb, who attempted to run the first 140mi Olympic Discovery Trail FKT, will be running with him.
On Saturday, if you see a person swimming alongside paddle boards, a cyclist wearing a pink helmet, or a couple people running on Alki at zero dark thirty, that is Herman! The public is always welcomed to show support publicly and virtually throughout this amazing effort.
On Saturday, you can follow along live on Instagram: @hermanasaurus_rex and @rileyknachtrieb.
Third- through eighth-grade basketball player in your household? The West Seattle Reign (WSB sponsor) is registering players for a new league. Here’s the announcement:
In addition to our travel teams, we are hosting an in-club basketball league during the Fall and Spring seasons!
Registration is open to all athletes 3rd grade to Middle School and all skill levels. All teams are co-ed.
Fall 2021 – 10/19/21 to 12/18/2021
Spring 2022 – February–JuneThere will be 8 weeks of play with one practice and one game per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) times TBD.
More information can be found on our website: westseattlereign.com
1:14 PM: For those who are asking: Still looking for official confirmation but this is one of those things on which we can make an educated guess: Seahawks pregame flyover.
@westseattleblog @KING5Seattle We’ve been getting a bit of an airshow over in West Seattle for the last 30min or so. pic.twitter.com/QvZOiZH8lR
— Chris (@bensoncSEA) September 19, 2021
1:26 PM: A reporter covering the game verifies the flyover.
Just before the thunderstorms arrived, the first of two days for this year’s Orca Half half-marathon in West Seattle wrapped up. The early-morning rain had stopped by the time runners got going early this morning, leaving in waves from the starting line at Lincoln Park.
At mid-morning, sunbreaks greeted finishers at the west end of Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
Organizers expected about 600 runners today – and 350 tomorrow. Some traveled a long way to run along the scenic West Seattle shore – while at the finish line, we heard names called out with hometowns including Moses Lake and Lacey. (Some from even further away – the oldest finisher today was 73-year-old Ann Fowble from Grove City, Ohio!)
Full results are here; Rachel Brown was first to finish, in 1:21:28. The first Orca Half was in 2016.
P.S. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail tells WSB that it continues to be a beneficiary of the Orca Half:
The Whale Trail has been a beneficiary of the Orca Half since it was first held in 2016. This year other beneficiaries include Long Live the Kings and United Indians of All Tribes.
One key feature of the race is that participants run for individual orcas, whose lD number and life history is printed on their race bibs. It’s been a wonderful way to connect people to J, K and L pods and the issues they face. This year for the first time, more orcas were added to the list of orcas than were removed from it.
5:09 PM: A crash dispatched as “vehicle vs. motorcycle” is reported at 16th/Sullivan [map]. The rider is reported to be “sitting up.” The initial SFD and SPD response is enough to affect traffic there for a while, so avoid the area.
5:24 PM: No serious injuries, we’re told at the scene. 16th is blocked at Thistle but police say they expect to clear the scene soon.
(WSB photo, Chief Sealth with the rotating trophy after last March’s victory)
Each year, West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School – which otherwise play in different Metro League divisions – face each other in a football game known as the Huling Bowl. (If you’re a relatively new arrival, here’s the backstory.) This year, the Huling Bowl is happening twice – once last March during the delayed, shortened high-school football season, once here in the near-fall – and it’s happening tomorrow night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). The 2-0 Wildcats, coached by Jeff Scott, are the home team this year; the 0-1 Seahawks, coached by Daron Camacho, are going for their fifth consecutive Huling Bowl win. Kickoff is at 7 pm; spectators are welcome but note there’s an admission charge – $7 adults, $4 kids/seniors.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: As reported separately, the game has been canceled, though there’s talk of rescheduling at a later date.
(WSB photo from Don Armeni during 2018 Orca Half)
Heads up for this weekend: The annual Orca Half half-marathon is happening in West Seattle, and hundreds of runners plan to participate. To be specific, organizers tell us, about 600 on Saturday, and about 350 on Sunday..The Orca Half course starts at Lincoln Park and ends at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. We confirmed with race organizers that no road or lane closures are planned – runners are supposed to stay on the sidewalk/trail. Runners will start in waves at 7:30 am; the course will close at 1 pm.
Two wins in a row now for the West Seattle High School Wildcats. Tonight they traveled to Bellingham and scored another lopsided win, 34-6. Next Friday night, they’re the home team for this season’s Huling Bowl game against Chief Sealth International High School, 7 pm Friday (September 17th) at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
(WSB photos)
What was scheduled to be the first home game of the season for the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks turned out to be their first game after a COVID cancellation last week. The Clover Park High School Warriors visited from Pierce County and left Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex with the win, 13-7. CP kept Sealth off the scoreboard until #4, sophomore quarterback Issac Martinez (top photo), scored the Seahawks’ one and only touchdown a minute into the second half. #3, junior Daniel Cortes, kicked for the extra point. CP did all its scoring – 13 points – in the first half, but that’s all the Warriors needed for the win. Sealth got close twice in the second half, though:
#22, senior linebacker senior Marcus Tupua (above), picked up a Clover Park fumble and ran it from midfield to inside the 5, but the Seahawks couldn’t score and turned it over on downs, which is how their last near-score ended.
In the fourth quarter, #33, junior defensive back Grayson Leui-Steele (above), picked
up a CP fumble inside the 5-yard line, but again, Sealth lost possession on downs.
Tonight’s game kicked off the second season for head coach (and Sealth alum) Daron Camacho:
Next week is the annual cross-peninsula matchup between Chief Sealth and West Seattle HS, 7 pm Friday at SWAC. Sealth will be going for a fifth consecutive Huling Bowl win.
On September 25th at Riverview Playfield, you’re invited to play dodgeball for a cause – saving children’s lives. The organizer is Dennis Williams Jr., who explains:
The inspiration for this fundraiser is our 5-year-old son Isaac. He was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk Neuroblastoma at 18 months old. He spent the next 15 months being treated by Seattle Children’s Hospital for a disease that had a 50% mortality rate. Without the innovation and improvements in treatment protocols, especially with immunotherapy, who knows what the outcome would have been. We are eternally indebted to Seattle Children’s and every child who comes behind Isaac. Only 4% of government funding goes to pediatric cancer research, so we have to do more to increase the odds of success for our kids. They are the most important thing on earth.
Teams are still being recruited for the tournament – this flyer has information, and the tournament’s fundraising page explains how to set up a team. You can simply donate at that same link. Spectators will be welcome on the day of the tournament too – 11 am to 3 pm September 25th, with vendors, food trucks, and a DJ, lower fields at Riverview (7226 12th SW).
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Fall high-school football returned with a roar at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex tonight. The West Seattle High School Wildcats kept the Sammamish Redhawks from taking flight, 55-6.
#8, junior Mason Kallinger, accounted for three of the Wildcats’ eight touchdowns. Two were the work of #6, senior Jaxton Helmstetler:
Also with a touchdown apiece, #3, sophomore Bo Gionet:
#7, senior Will Godwin:
And #22, freshman Terryus Smith:
Head coach Jeff Scott is back this year, after leading WSHS to a division title during the short, late season last school year:
Tonight, WSHS opened the scoring with 5:54 to go in the first quarter, which ended with the Wildcats ahead 16-0. They more than doubled that to 36-0 by halftime. “Wildcats are RED-hot,” chanted the Cheer Squad, and the team certainly was.
After three quarters, they were up 49-0. Sammamish finally got on the board with a big TD run by #25 Ty Webster early in the fourth quarter, but that was it for the Redhawks’ scoring.
NEXT WEEK: WSHS is scheduled to play on the road at Bellingham, 8 pm next Friday (September 10th).
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