West Seattle, Washington
10 Wednesday
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
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(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.
That’s Chelsea Lee, an Alki resident and open-water marathon swimmer, on the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where she will attempt a tough cross-strait swim tomorrow (Friday, August 1). We told you last week that she planned to make the attempt sometime in the next few days, depending on the wind and waves outlook, and now the decision’s been made. She’s planning to swim between Beechey Head, BC, and Tongue Point, WA, starting at 7:30 am tomorrow. Chelsea already has completed marathon swims including the what the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association calls the Amy Hiland Swim – Bremerton to Alki Point, which fellow Alki swimmer Justin Davis achieved last Sunday – and the Bert Thomas Swim, Tacoma to Lincoln Park. Once she starts, you’ll be able to follow her on this tracking page.
FRIDAY UPDATE #1: Because of a weather advisory, she’s swimming from the US to Canada instead of the other direction.
FRIDAY UPDATE #2: Another update from NOWSA’s Amanda Winans: “They’ve been enduring some pretty rough conditions (getting too rough for the boat, and getting worse closer to Canada), so they made it a goal to get to the Canadian line. They did a u-turn there, and now she’s hoping to be able to swim for a total of 6 hours, to use it as an English Channel qualifying swim (although this is an extreme version!). They’re keeping the tracker on.”
Thanks for the tips on this and big congratulations to the champions! This report, with photos, is from a proud parent:
Our Home Team Running Club – West Seattle RoadRunners – just took the National Junior Olympics Championship for the 11-12 year old girls 4x4x8 relay in dramatic fashion.
Records fell last Sunday in Savannah, Georgia, as the girls took home the gold and Beau Sitzmann broke the 1981 PNW 3k record. Coached by James Powell, Carson Caprara, and Devin Kemper, these girls are poised to set a new record this winter for the national cross-country championships. This is the second national championship title by these four girls in the last three years. And they go by the acronym of “B.E.S.T” representing each initial of all their names.
Beau Sitzmann (12)
Everleigh Haas (11)
Savannah Brondstetter (12)
Teagan Kemper (12)What these girls have done in the last five years in the name of West Seattle is amazing.
Beau’s recordbreaking achievement is singled out in this event wrapup.
The team is on the road but The Moose is on the loose on Alki Beach this morning. Well – not exactly “on the loose”; the Seattle Mariners‘ mascot had a reason for being here, a Mariners’ Kids Club event (explained here). Thanks to James Bratsanos for the photo! (The M’s, by the way, start their next homestand tomorrow.)
(Photos courtesy Quail Park West Seattle)
That’s Tommy Criswell with the DubSea Fish Sticks‘ mascot Fin Crispy Jr. at Steve Cox Memorial Park‘s Mel Olson Stadium this past Sunday. He got to make a baseball dream come true,explains Betsy Henry from Quail Park West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
A dream 70+ years in the making came true for 78-year-old Tommy Criswell, a longtime Seattle resident and lifelong baseball fan as he threw the ceremonial “first fish” at the DubSea Fish Sticks game against the Redmond Dudes on July 27th.
Criswell, who lives at Quail Park West Seattle, checked off a major item on his bucket list when he took the mound at Mel Olson Stadium in King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park at the start of Sunday’s game.
Born in Texas but a proud Seattleite for most of his life, Criswell discovered his love for baseball at age six when his father signed him up for Little League. That early passion followed him through decades, even as he built a 30+ year career as a physicist with Boeing.
Criswell is also a devoted Mariners fan—his favorite player of all time? Ken Griffey Jr. “I loved how he’d leap into the air to catch the ball—like Spider-Man!” he says, referencing the iconic outfield catch that earned Griffey the superhero nickname in his mind.
Now, more than 20 years after attending his last Mariners game in person (a victory over the Dodgers), Criswell re-lived the magic of the ballpark in a way he never expected—on the pitcher’s mound. Criswell said it was a thrill to throw the first “fish.” When asked what he thought about the experience, he said with his characteristic sense of humor, “that was a slippery fish!”
The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is offering a weeklong basketball camp for kids next month – here’s the announcement:
Get ready for a high-energy week of hoops, hustle, and heart! This full-day clinic is more than just basketball—it’s a chance for young athletes to sharpen skills, build confidence, and grow as teammates and leaders. Led by inspiring coaches and dedicated Y staff, kids will level up with focused training in dribbling, shooting, court awareness, strategy, and agility. They’ll also enjoy a fun pool day to recharge and bond. Through exciting drills and games, athletes will boost their abilities, sportsmanship, and resilience in a fun, supportive environment.
When: August 11th – 15th 9 am-4 pm
Who: Kids Ages 8-12
Contact Liz Abbott at labbott@seattleymca.org
(Photo courtesy Northwest Open Water Swimming Association)
That’s Justin Davis, right after he completed what the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association calls the Amy Hiland Swim, Bremerton to Alki Point, this afternoon, as previewed here earlier this week. Supporters were there to cheer his achievement:
(Video by Chris Hasse, courtesy NOWSA)
We didn’t make it to the rocky shore of Alki Point until shortly after Justin arrived (and then left), so we didn’t get to talk with him, but Amanda Winans of NOWSA was there and told us that Justin – in his first official marathon swim – set the unofficial course record, 3:52:16, and is the first male swimmer to solo the 10.4-mile route. Also there was Chelsea Lee, who as also mentioned in our story earlier this week is preparing for a marathon swim, planning to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca – also 10.4 miles – this Friday or Saturday, depending on the wind forecast. She is exuberantly excited about the swim. They’re all members of the Notorious Alki Swimmers, the open-water swimmers often seen in Elliott Bay right off the beach.
Recently, we spotlighted a swimming feat by young athletes from the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club. Now we have word of big tennis wins too, sent by Chris Smithco, tennis rep on the club board:
The Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club tennis team recently wrapped up an incredible season — and they finished strong!
In the South Seattle postseason competition, Arbor Heights faced off against three other clubs and Arbor Heights won 6 of the 8 championship matches (Girls & Boys 10U, 12U, 14U &Seniors) — a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our players and coaches.
I attached a few snapshots from the season to highlight some of the excitement and sportsmanship that made this summer so memorable.
We also are offering Youth Tennis Camps for kids ages 7 to 12 in early August with the camps open to both members and non-members. These camps are a great opportunity for young players to learn the game, build confidence, and have fun in a supportive environment. Register here.
(August 2024 photo by Stephanie Zimmerman)
That’s local marathon swimmer Chelsea Lee, in a photo we published last August, after she swam from Tacoma to West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. She’s one of two Alki open-water swimmers that Amanda Winans from the Northwest Open Water Swimming Association tells us is about to try major marathon swims, as the peak season for them begins:
Justin Davis are going to be attempting the Amy Hiland Swim (~10.4 mi), from Bremerton to the Alki Lighthouse, this Sunday (July 27), starting at 9 am, with an expected finish at around 12:45-1:30 pm. This is his first official marathon swim. You can track his swim here.
Chelsea Lee, who has completed the Amy Hiland Swim and Bert Thomas Swim (Tacoma to Lincoln Park), is attempting to swim across the Strait of Juan de Fuca (~10.4 mi), on August 1 or 2, depending on the weather. She’ll start at Beechey Head, BC [map], and swim to Tongue Point, WA. As it says on our site, this has been called one of the two “Toughest Swims in the World,” according to “Wind, Waves, and Sunburn, A Brief History of Marathon Swimming.” Currents and weather conditions, as well as very cold water, make this a difficult swim. Her tracker link will be the same as Justin’s.
With NOWSA’s help, we expect to have followups on how these swims go.
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