West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
(Sunday photo of the 13th, from the tee, courtesy of Paul)
Not surprising that when you have a golf course along a creek, you’re going to have a little excess water now and then, but yesterday was “excess” enough to force the West Seattle Golf Course to close for the day (as shown in our ongoing storm coverage). We checked this morning with Seattle Parks, and spokesperson Joelle Hammerstad tells us the golf course is OPEN today. (First tee time of the day this time of year, according to the golf course website, is 7:45 am.) She says the course is “playable, but soggy. And they have some work to do to restore some areas that eroded with the water.”
10:17 AM UPDATE: New information from Hammerstad: “We are not allowing the golf carts at West Seattle Golf Course today. The erosion on the paths is quite bad in places. We don’t want to risk a cart tipping over and injuring somebody. We’re hoping to get crushed rock and stone at the course tomorrow to begin repairs.”
(Photo by Matt Lawrence; pictured are – Lying: Sami MacKenzie and Danielle Nielsen. Kneeling: Gabby Rivera, Kelsey Klapperich, Jaqueline Andrade, Nicole Roed, Xiu Xiu Bunting, Abby Tuthill, and Meghan Foulk. Standing: Malea Rudolph, Katy Gillingham, Erin Castillo, Charli Elliott, Ali Campagnaro, Annalisa Ursino, Julia Nark, Talia Lawrence, and Coach MacKenzie)
The West Seattle Soccer Club is proudly sharing the news tonight that one two of its three teams who made it into the statewide Recreational Cup finals (as noted here a week ago) won championships. First, from Cori Roed:
The WSSC West Side Cheetahs, coached by John Mackenzie, played the Harbor Thunder (Aberdeen) to a 3-0 final score, becoming the best Girls U-14 Rec Soccer Team in Washington State for 2010. Way to go, Cheetahs!
(added Monday afternoon) More details from coach MacKenzie:
Playing Sunday at Starfire in Tukwila in a torrential downpour, the Cheetahs got off to a quick start by scoring a goal in the first minute of the game. “We had talked about our slow starts in previous games and how we would really need to get a goal early to put the pressure on them, I guess they took it to heart,” said Coach MacKenzie. The Thunder never really challenged after that. The Cheetahs led 2-0 at half, then scored another goal in the 2nd half to ice the game.
The Cheetahs tore through district and regional play to get to the State Championship game by winning 8 straight games. They scored 21 goals and only allowed 1 during that streak. The team is built around a tough and gritty defense, a fearless goaltender, a smart and physical midfield, and lightning-fast, unselfish forwards.
Several of the girls were on the team that lost 2 years ago in a double overtime shootout game played in 17 degree weather on a snow covered field. They all vowed they were not going to let that happen again.
The Cheetahs players and coaches would like to thank all of the fans for their support especially considering the weather.
The BU-11 Crush and BU-19 Sambas also were in state finals games this weekend, all played at Starfire.
(Photo added Monday morning, courtesy Eric and Jenny Freeman)
ADDED 10:44 PM: WSSC president Bill Fry reports in comments that the Crush also emerged victorious:
We are happy to report that the BU-11 West Seattle Crush coached by Jason Woodward and David Douglas are also STATE CHAMPIONS!! They won the BU-11 final 2-1 on Saturday morning.
The BU-19 Sambas fell just short of the prize today, but they have clinched first place in their division and have a perfect 11-0 record in league play – with just one match remaining.
We are very proud of our players and their wonderful supporters!
Thanks to Curtis for the tip from last night’s West Seattle High School 2010 football banquet: Head football coach Davis Lura announced he’s leaving after four seasons. Having listened to what he described as an emotional speech, Curtis said, “Despite what was a very difficult season, it is very clear that Coach Lura cares about the young men on his team very much.” We checked today with WSHS athletic director George Foster, who confirmed Coach Lura’s departure, saying he is pursuing coaching opportunities in Ballard, where he teaches. No replacement for the Wildcats yet – the interview process may take a while.
Followup on last weekend’s news about three teams from the West Seattle Soccer Club winning their district championships and heading into the Recreational Cup statewide tournament: All three played so well this weekend, they’re in the state championships! WSSC’s Tim McMonigle says that, for any or all of the teams, “A win would mean they are the best recreational team in the state for their age bracket.” All games are at Starfire in Tukwila – on Saturday, the BU-11 Crush plays at 11 am on Field 9; and on Sunday, the GU-14 Cheetahs play at 11:15 am on Field 2, the BU-19 Sambas at 1:30 pm on Field 1.
Before the rest of today’s news starts rolling in, an update from Scott Jones about the “adult/big kid soccer pickup game” mentioned here recently: It’s now moved to Hiawatha Playfield, at least for the next few months, since Fairmount has become what they describe as a “muddy mess.” It’s at 10:30 am Sundays, “all skill levels and levels of fitness welcome … it is just a fun time to get out and play some soccer once a week.”
High-school basketball season is under way, and a four-team, two-day regional tournament concludes today at Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle. In addition to SLHS, Portland Lutheran, Cedar Park Christian, and Mt. Rainier Lutheran are participating. Both Saints teams won their games against Portland Lutheran last night – above, video from the girls’ 35-29 victory; after the jump, toplines from the games, plus a clip from the boys’ 63-28 win:
Two updates from West Seattle Little League president Mark Terao: The additions at Bar-S Playfields are on schedule – the new concession building, restrooms, and storage building are set for dedication in March, and Mark adds, “West Seattle Little League thanks all of the families and businesses that have donated to the project.” WSLL continues to update its project website (see it here). And there’s a big announcement for 11- and 12-year-old players next year – WSLL will participate in the 50-70 pilot program. Mark explains:
The 50-70 pilot program will incorporate using 50′ mounds, 70′ bases and will use standard Little League Junior-level rules (i.e. runners leading off, stealing, dropped third strikes, etc.). This will not replace the normal 46′ 60′ Majors regular season games. It will be additional games added on to the normal season. The games will be played once a week at one of the other District 7 leagues where the fields accommodate the 50′ 70′ distances. Other than the normal Majors fee, there will be no additional cost to the players who want to play in this 50′ 70′ pilot program.
This new program will allow 11 & 12 year old players (this program is for 11-12 year old major players only; unfortunately. 10 year olds and younger cannot play in this pilot program) to experience playing on longer base paths and under baseball rules to better prepare them for the next level.
If/when this program becomes mandated by Little League International for the Majors division in the future, WSLL will have to consider converting the fields at Bar-S so that both 46′ 50′ and 50′ 70′ games can be played there.
On the registration form (found at www.westseattlelittleleague.com), please check the appropriate box letting us know if your child is interested in participating in this new 50′ 70′ Pilot Program.
First In Person Registration is scheduled for Tuesday January 11th at the West Seattle High School Library 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Second In Person Registration is scheduled for Tuesday January 18th at the West Seattle High School Library 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Anyone who needs more information before registration is welcome to e-mail Mark at wsllinfo@yahoo.com.
(Photo by Matt Lawrence)
Those are the Cheetahs, a GU-14 team from the West Seattle Soccer Club that’s won the District 3 title and is headed off to the state Recreational Cup championship qualifying round this weekend, as are two other teams, including the BU-19 Sambas:
The third team going to the state qualifying round is the BU-11 Crush (9:13 pm update – thanks to Bill Lange for the photo):
Thanks to Cori Roed for 1st word of this, with the Cheetahs photo, and to Tim McMonigle for sharing the Sambas picture (he’s the blue-shirted coach at left). Tim explains, “These three teams will be competing with the winners of the other districts around the state to be called the best recreational team in their age bracket in the state. A big honor if they make it.” The games this weekend are all quite a ways from home – the Crush plays in Shelton, the Cheetahs in Aberdeen, the Sambas in Vancouver/Camas – but a week later, if any make it to the state finals, they’ll play at Starfire in Tukwila.
On Saturday, we shared the news of the Seattle Lutheran High School soccer team’s state title. Tonight – another team is celebrating a championship: Velma Jones shared the photo and this news:
The Westside Wildcats Senior Blue team won the South King County Junior Football League Championship this morning … at Highline Memorial Stadium in Burien. They faced the Rainier Beach Vikings. The Wildcats won 31-0. This was the finale of an undefeated season.
The team is coached by Lee Fetui, and you can find out more information about the Wildcats at westseattlejrfootball.com.
(Photos courtesy Bil Hood)
Congratulations to the Seattle Lutheran High School soccer team – they have won the state 2B/1B title, beating Napavine this afternoon in Sumner, 1-0. ADDED 4:32 PM: Photos courtesy of SLHS’s Bil Hood – including this one of longtime coach Jeff Norton with the trophy:
We talked with Coach Norton last month after his 200th career victory. He was the SLHS boys’ coach when that team (the girls’ team is the school’s only soccer team now) won the state championship in 1991. For SLHS athletics overall, this is the second state title this year – they took the 2B baseball championship in May (WSB coverage here).
ADDED 6:57 PM: More photos – courtesy of Bike Hugger, a West Seattle-based blog about bike culture; Angela Wissmar, the publisher’s daughter, played in the game:
(Photo courtesy Annette Herrick/Fitness for Vitality)
Since the weather’s not expected to get too serious before tomorrow night, things are looking good for the last of this season’s Fitness for Vitality (WSB sponsor) 5K walk/runs along Alki. Organizer Annette Herrick says anywhere from 100 to 200 runners have turned out for her two previous runs this fall and this marks three years of having 5Ks on Alki. The route starts at the bathhouse and heads north to the anchor at Anchor Park, where the walkers and runners then turn around and head back. Annette says the typical turnout has grown to more than 100, from 15 or so when she started presenting these run/walks in 2007. She’s been a lifelong runner and created the series to fill in the gaps between the big events around the city during the year. Some of the regular participants have even spun off a social group of sorts. Tomorrow’s run starts at 9 am, with prizes for top finishers, and proceeds helping buy shoes for foster kids. Register online now for $25 or at the bathhouse tomorrow (registration is open 8 to 8:45 am) for $30.
Just in via Twitter, moments ago: Seattle Lutheran High School‘s soccer team beat Warden 4-0 in the 2B/1B state semifinals, which means they play for the state championship tomorrow. They’ll play Napavine, which beat Evergreen Lutheran 2-0 in the other semifinal.
The Seattle Lutheran High School soccer team is one win away from the state finals. Tomorrow, they play Warden in Sumner, 4 pm – and if they win that game, it’s on to the championship. We talked with players Ashley Shaw, Emily Winter, Michala Watford, Jillian Smith and Danya Van Trojen, looking ahead to the big game:
This is already an unforgettable season for their coach, Jeff Norton – he talked with us last month about his 200th career win. If his team wins their game tomorrow, their opponent for the title will be whichever team won the game before theirs – Evergreen Lutheran or Napavine.
Out of the WSB inbox: Jo Bader updates us on Girls On The Run of Puget Sound, “a non-profit organization whose mission is to use the power of running to educate and prepare girls in 3rd through 5th grade for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.” Their after-school program has worked with girls at West Seattle sites including, in recent years, Hiawatha – where Jo coached last year – plus Pathfinder and Alki, and a big regional event is coming up in three weeks, Jo says:
On December 4, 2010, Girls on the Run of Puget Sound will host the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K <> at Seward Park in Seattle. This super-fun race is the culmination of the Girls on the Run fall training program and is an opportunity for girls to demonstrate their new “girl power!” This event is open to the public and one-hundred percent of proceeds will benefit Girls on the Run of Puget Sound programs.
Jo says GOTR is looking for “about 40 more volunteers to help out on race day” – and West Seattle help would be welcomed!
To register, volunteers should go to
www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/111234563257211405 and follow the instructions to access the volunteer sign up site. Once in, navigate to December 4th and sign up for a job.
In August 2008, the King County Council paid tribute to Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus, and we published this photo with a short item, even noting the only West Seattle link was the fact that then-County Councilmember Dow Constantine is a WS resident. Glad to have the photo so that we too can offer our tribute to the longtime Seattle Mariners announcer, who died today at age 75; here’s a report from our partners at the Seattle Times. On the day the above photo was taken, Mr. Niehaus was quoted as saying, “”Those magic moments of 1995 will return to Safeco Field. I promise you, they will return.” Maybe they will – sadly he won’t be here to see it.
ADDED 7:35 PM: A statement from Mayor McGinn:
‘My oh My’ – Seattle Lost a Friend Today: Seattle has lost a friend. We invited him into our homes and he was with us when we were joyful about the Mariners and when we were sad. Dave Niehaus will be sorely missed. From now on, there will be just two eras of Mariner baseball: the Dave Niehaus era and everything else. We send our condolences to his family and hope they are comforted by the happiness he brought to our lives.
Governor Gregoire also has issued a statement; we’re told 34th District Democrats chair Tim Nuse shared one of his memories at the start of his group’s meeting tonight in Fauntleroy; and there’s word that people are gathering for an informal vigil outside Safeco Field tonight.
ADDED 9:55 PM: From County Executive Constantine:
King County Executive Dow Constantine tonight joins Mariners nation in mourning the loss of Hall of Fame broadcaster and Mariners icon Dave Niehaus:
“I loved listening to Dave Niehaus from the Mariners’ very first season. His evocative descriptions and obvious love of the game will forever be intertwined with my experience of baseball.
“The timbre and cadence of his calls had a musical quality that will echo in our collective memory for many seasons to come.
“I join all fans in mourning his loss and extending our sympathies to his family.”
Two high-school football games tonight – Chief Sealth International High School defeated Lakeside, 21-14; Seattle Lutheran High School is playing Rainier Christian right now, and we’re tweeting live at @wsblive (will update with the score here when it’s over). UPDATE: SLHS won 57-7. After the jump – more details and video from both Friday games:Read More
Just out of the WSB inbox from Lou Kristopher:
I am a coach with the West Seattle SWAC youth football organization. This Saturday (11/6) SWAC will host the first round of playoffs for the Puget Sound Junior Football League at our field. This is particularly exciting because your SWAC has two teams (our Pee Wee and Bantam teams) playing that day representing the future of football in West Seattle. The Pee Wee game starts at 9 am and the Bantam game starts at 4 pm. All football lovers in West Seattle are highly encouraged to come have fun watching youth football, support, and cheer for your local youth during the first game in our playoff run. For more information please check our website at www.swaccougars.org.
They play at Southwest Athletic Complex (across from Chief Sealth International High School) – here’s a map.
Final score from Memorial Stadium downtown: Eastside Catholic 47, West Seattle High School 13.
ADDED 9:44 PM: More from the game, including video:Read More
With two months left to go in 2010, West Seattle Runner‘s Tim McConnell is looking ahead to 2011 – with an invitation for you.
Ever wanted to run or walk a 5K? A 10K? A half marathon? Or all 26.2 miles of the Seattle Marathon? Ever wondered how you would get in shape for one of these and didn’t know where to start? Maybe you have never run before or just want to get in better shape? Well, then this is the program for you! A fully supported, free training program that takes you from never running or from low mileage running to running/walking a full marathon in 48 weeks. This program will allow you to miss some weeks and still be on track to run/walk the Seattle Marathon in November of 2011. It starts very slow and builds gradually, ensuring you don’t get discouraged with your progress and trying to keep injuries down to a minimum. There will be races added along the way to keep it interesting, including a 5K (or 2, or 3), a 10K, the Rock and Roll Half Marathon (based on availability) and ending with the Seattle Marathon. (All race entry fees will be paid for by the participant).
It will also introduce you to others from the area, as there will be weekly group runs. There will also be information nights were you will learn about nutrition, injury prevention, stretching, cross training ideas, proper footwear and apparel, and others we will add along the way. So come out, enjoy yourself, get healthy and meet your neighbors! Let’s all Get Fit in 2011!
And did I mention that all of this (except race fees) is free?
Come out and see if this is something you would be interested in. Our first info night will be November 5th at 7:00 p.m. at West Seattle Runner. 3727 California Ave SW, Suite 2A. That’s on the corner of California and Charlestown, upstairs next to Anytime Fitness. Check it out on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/39zexyo. Any questions call Tim at West Seattle Runner, 938-0545. See you then!
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Almost 100 people packed the clubhouse Wednesday night for the third community meeting about the West Seattle Golf Course’s future driving range, as the project team unveiled a refined design they say was developed in response to numerous “environmental concerns, golf concerns, and neighborhood concerns” raised in the previous two meetings.
According to project architect Todd Schroeder, the new design (pictured above, full PDF version here) boasts a 300-yard full-size “double-loaded” driving range with 50 stalls, and a short-game practice facility and learning center. To accommodate it, some changes would be necessary to the surrounding holes — #1 would get a new green (otherwise largely unchanged), #8 would be converted to a “mammoth par 5” (570+ yards in length at the white tees, playable up to 655 yards for special events), and an entirely new #9 would be constructed adjacent to Camp Long.
Schroeder noted that the new #9 hole would be a downhill par 3 with an “amazing view of downtown Seattle from the teebox,” and that the tops of the driving range’s tall net poles (previously considered to be a major community concern) would still be “below the grade” of 35th Ave SW even at their highest point (120 feet).
Reaction to the new proposal was mixed, with some audience members lauding the project team for a “fantastic job” and a “world-class design,” but many others saying the project “isn’t worth it” and “should just go away” primarily because it does include changes to the 70-year-old golf course. One attendee called the proposal a “bait-and-switch” because such changes to the holes themselves weren’t considered to be part of the original plan as envisioned in the city’s Golf Master Plan (which indicated that the #1 golf priority city-wide was a “high-quality driving range in West Seattle,” according to the project team.)
A few quick high-school-sports notes: First, the score from the last of this weekend’s three varsity-football games involving local teams: In Fife, Seattle Lutheran High School lost 47-37. However, in confirming the score, SLHS’s Bil Hood also noted “… our soccer team is looking strong [9-1-1 so far], and Matt Haggerty took 4th at the Cross Country league meet.” Meantime, congratulations to West Seattle High School‘s volleyball team – athletic director George Foster mentioned during the Huling Bowl on Friday night that the team has won its division (they’re 11-4 overall). Got another success story to share? Let us know!
Out of the WSB inbox, from Scott Jones:
Myself and a group of old soccer players have been trying to get an adult/big kid (high-school age and above) soccer pickup game going every Sunday 10:30 am at Fairmount Park (just past the old Huling Bros on Fauntleroy Way). We were at Hiawatha until their fall leagues started and we could not get on the field. We have been working with the West Seattle Soccer Club (many of us coach our kids in their league) and we are just trying to get the word out to more West Seattle folks. Men and women of all skill levels, level of fitness, ages are welcome! It would be great to get a pool of about 50 players with 20 or so showing up every Sunday to have some good pickup games going. Most of us have busy lives and can’t commit to joining a full team for a full season, but we love to kick the ball around when we can with like-minded folks looking for some fun and exercise.
Interested? Just show up. Here’s a map.
The Huling brothers weren’t around to present the trophy after last night’s almost-three-hours Huling Bowl game at Southwest Athletic Complex, but West Seattle High School‘s varsity-football team managed to jubilantly accept it just the same, after their 43-7 win against host team Chief Sealth International High School. Athletic directors George Foster from WSHS and Sam Reed from CSIHS stood in:
The win extends WSHS’s season – Foster told WSB at the stadium last night that they’re expecting a playoff game against Eastside Catholic next Friday or Saturday at Memorial Stadium down. Meantime, besides the game itself, last night included a joint performance by the two schools’ bands:
Lots of opportunities for the two cheer squads to show off their moves – here’s the Sealth squad:
The Wildcats brought their mascot:
One other note: The referees wore, and used, the pink whistles they’re sporting for breast-cancer awareness this month:
Believe it or not, there’s actually been a bit of controversy about those whistles, according to this story from the Eastside. P.S. We posted a shorter report about the game last night, and you might be interested in the discussion in its comment section.
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