West Seattle, Washington
12 Thursday
Road game, so we weren’t there, but for those tracking the win streak of Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-varsity soccer team, they won again Thursday afternoon, 2-1 over Franklin. That brings their record to 10-0-1. Seattle Public Schools are on spring break next week, so no games; they play again Tuesday, April 24th, hosting Ingraham at Southwest Athletic Complex.
This summer, West Seattle gets a brand-new 5K – and it’s happening on a day that already brings out thousands of people to line the route. The West Seattle Float Dodger 5K will debut on July 21st; the route – same as the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade later in the day – will run on California SW between SW Lander in the Admiral District and SW Edmunds in The Junction, but with something of a twist – it’ll start in front of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at California/Charlestown, head up to the start of the parade route at California/Lander, then down to the end at California/Edmunds, and back. Registration hasn’t started yet but in case you are interested but not already setting that day aside for parade-watching, organizers are starting to get the word out. There’s already a Facebook page, of course, declaring this a “new West Seattle summer running tradition” (and as you’ll note in the logo, the Rotary Club of West Seattle is involved – it’s also a beneficiary, along with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).
SIDE NOTE: Speaking of West Seattle Runner, it’s celebrating its 2-year anniversary this week! Co-proprietor Tim McConnell says they “are having our anniversary sale starting Friday and including Saturday and Sunday. Everything in the store is 20% off except clearance items and electronics. We are having drawings, vendor giveaways, free socks with every shoe purchase and vendor reps on hand to answer any questions. Plus our usual staff of professionals!”
5:10 PM: The final’s just in from Hiawatha: The undefeated, #9-in-the-state Chief Sealth International High School boys-varsity soccer team won its match with West Seattle High School, 12-0.
9:40 PM: Added two photos. Right above this paragraph, that’s Sealth head coach Ron Johnson with the player whose teammates call him “Coach Dillon” – Dillon Zang, sidelined for months with a torn ligament, but turning out for the games to be on the sidelines for his teammates as the Seahawks continue rolling onward (now 9-0-1 on the season). Here are the game stats, as published by our partners at the Seattle Times. Both Sealth and WSHS (0-7) play again on Thursday, with road games at 3:30 pm – Sealth at Franklin, WSHS vs. Cleveland at Van Asselt.
As a follow-up to our spotlight story at noontime Friday about the undefeated Chief Sealth International High School boys-varsity soccer team, we headed over to the Southwest Athletic Complex on Friday afternoon to roll video as Sealth faced Rainier Beach. The game turned out to be win #8, with a final score of 5-0 (here’s the scoring summary, as published by our partners at the Seattle Times). Above, video of the first half; second half video is after the jump:Read More
(UPDATE: Sealth won this afternoon’s game, 5-0, and remains undefeated. Video later.)
By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
It’s not all glamour being an undefeated, state-ranked high-school varsity-sports team.
No band, no cheerleaders, no confetti thrown as they arrive at school each day.
Not that the members of Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-varsity soccer team (7-0-1) are complaining. Not at all.
Too much fuss would be weird, concur the five student athletes with whom we spoke on Thursday morning, as they looked ahead to their next game, 4 pm today at Southwest Athletic Complex vs. Rainier Beach.
All five are upperclassmen – in our top photo, front row from left, Aden Fidow (senior, forward); Simon Crean (senior, outside midfielder); Kristian Nilssen (junior, goalkeeper); back, from left, Brandon Rosario (senior, center midfielder, a team captain), Mori Tsuchiya (junior, center midfielder).
We won’t get into the “Cinderella story” clichés, because that’s not the case here – years of hard work, by players and coaches – including veteran Head Coach Ron Johnson – are simply paying off, as the season reaches the midpoint.
“We saw a good year coming – but didn’t know HOW good,” Simon allows.
The biggest spring-sports success story so far in West Seattle this year is the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ varsity soccer team. They are undefeated after another win this afternoon, on the road against division rival Nathan Hale, 4-0. That puts their record at 7-0-1, and even before today’s big win, the Seattle Times ranked them 9th in the state. Their next scheduled game is Friday afternoon at home – 4 pm, hosting Rainier Beach at Southwest Athletic Complex (across SW Thistle from CSIHS).
(Photo by West Seattleite Frank MacDonald, from Ruffneck Scarves, which made the custom scarves)
Scarves up! Chief Sealth International High School was the host today for the festivities starting the second season of the Seattle Unified Soccer League – bringing together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, in a partnership between Seattle Public Schools and Special Olympics Washington. And as any good host would do, they offered a fight-song serenade:
(The rest of this story’s video & photos are by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
The morning began with a rally in the Sealth gym. It included a pep talk from former Seattle Sounders FC star Kasey Keller, and Sounders VP Gary Wright:
Then, the morning rain didn’t get in the way of the March to the Match (crossing SW Thistle from the gym to the Southwest Athletic Complex):
Unified Soccer has expanded to more schools this year, adding elementary and middle school teams. The peninsula’s two public high schools were part of it last year and are back this year – here’s the West Seattle High School team:
And the home team, Sealth:
Schedule links, and more info on the league, can be found here.
Drop by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; California and Charlestown) before 2 pm, sign up for this year’s West Seattle 5K (May 20th, with co-sponsors including WSB), and get some extras! Sure, you can sign up online, but you’ll miss the extras, like a drawing for new running shoes, discounts, AND the cool people. The 5K is a benefit run/walk, by the way, and again this year, it precedes this year’s “car-free day” (Seattle Summer Streets) activities on Alki.
Athletes from three West Seattle schools are participating this year in the Seattle Unified Soccer League, part of the Unified Sports program in conjunction with Special Olympics Washington, and the kickoff event, with an opening ceremony, is set for tomorrow morning at Chief Sealth International High School (last year it was in Interbay). Unified Sports includes players described as being “with and without intellectual disabilities,” bringing them together to train and play. This year, there are 23 teams around the district – as listed on the official flyer – including two teams from West Seattle High School as well as one each from Sealth and adjacent Denny International Middle School. You’re invited to cheer them on as a “march to the match” heads from Sealth to the Southwest Athletic Complex at 9 am, followed by the opening ceremony at 9:15. More info about this year’s season is here.
The sun is trying mightily to get the upper hand on this morning’s clouds. Might just make you think about … golf. This morning, the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club is helping you daydream with its annual call for new members – Ruthi Winter shares the photo and the invitation to join them:
Women have been golfing with the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club (WSWGC) for decades and many lasting friendships have been formed over the years as a result of the camaraderie of golf. Several social events occur during the year, but the main objective of the WSWGC is to provide a friendly atmosphere in which to learn about golf, to play golf, and the chance for some fun competition.
Annual dues are $70.00 plus a $5.00 initiation fee for new members. Dues pay for your GHIN number and handicap, reserved tee-times on
Tuesdays and Saturdays, weekly competition fees, most WSWGC tournament fees and operating expenses, as well as providing a great opportunity to meet and play golf with other women golfers. Please join us for our Season Opening “Spring Kick Off” Social on
Sunday, April 29, at the West Seattle Golf Course. RSVP to Kay Whelan at mkwhelan@comcast.net – Here are some of (the other) events on our calendar:
May 22nd – Spring Field Day
June 19th – Field Day
July 24th – Tournament
Aug 13, 14 – Club Championship
Sept 18 – Fall Field DayInterested in membership? Send inquiry to Ruthi Winter at ruthi.winter@gmail.com – Hope to see you at the West Seattle Golf Course!
(WSB photo from 2011 Basketball/Life Skills Camp @ Sealth)
Summer vacation is three months away – but those months will go fast, and families are making plans now (if they haven’t already!). So in that spirit, we’re sharing information today about the start of registration for the popular Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp. From Chief Sealth International High School‘s head basketball coach Colin Slingsby:
We are excited to host our 15th annual summer of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills camp at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School this summer. Last year, we hosted more than 300 campers in our multiple sessions. The emphasis of our program is to teach the fundamentals of the game in part of a fun and competitive basketball experience, but also to emphasize the Life Skills necessary to be successful in school and life, both intellectually, and socially. The camp is run by the coaching staff at Sealth with the help of many high school and college students who are put through a lengthy mentorship training in order to be prepared to work with our many campers. While we enjoy teaching the game of basketball and providing a positive week on the court, we pride ourselves on our Life Skills curriculum which includes a classroom session daily, emphasizing the values of our program. Camp runs from 9am-4pm each day, and each camper will receive and camp t-shirt and Camper Handbook which will include hand-outs and topics from our Life Skills classroom sessions. Brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website (here’s the link). Contact Coach Colin Slingsby at caslingsby@seattleschools.org with any questions about the program.
The unpredictable weather has led to high avalanche danger in the Cascades – and it’s already been a deadly season. But there’s some equipment available that can help boost a skier/snowboarder’s chances of avalanche survival – and one device was “test-fired” this afternoon at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in the Triangle; we stopped by to catch it on video. M2SO’s Greg Whittaker explains that the BCA Float 18 Avalanche Airbag system “can help a skier or snowboarder survive a large-magnitude avalanche by keeping them at the top of the slide to avoid trauma associated with moving snow. The Float 18 also helps victims stay on top so that they can be spotted by rescuers, as it only takes one finger to give someone a clue as to where to look.” Backcountry Access tech rep Chris Simmons – a West Seattle resident – narrated the demo. The device retails for about $700, and you can see it at M2SO (3602 SW Alaska). P.S. Yes, its air tank is refillable.
This weekend, members of the Dolphins swim team from the West Seattle Y (WSB sponsor) are likely still savoring their successes from last weekend’s Northwest Regional YMCA meet in Boise. One team member even qualified for nationals, according to the swim-team parent who shares the photo (from the pre-meet team dinner) and report. And if someone in your family is interested in competitive swimming, there’s contact info in the story too. Dive in!Read More
Two reminders from major local youth-sports organizations:
WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB: Today is the last day for open registration for WSSC. More than 1,135 players and 180 coaches are already on board, according to the club’s website, but today’s the last chance to be guaranteed a spot; after today, signups are on a “space-available basis” only. Full registration details are here.
WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE: Sunday (March 4) is WSLL “Draft Day,” with tryouts, number distribution, and other activities, starting at 8:45 am for the majors, 1:15 pm for the minors. The day’s full schedule is on the WSLL website.
By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
Just before heading out for the midwinter break that concludes this weekend, Chief Sealth International High School football players were 
served a sizable helping of food for thought.
It came in a closed-door meeting with their new coach, Luther Carr III (right), last Friday afternoon. Immediately afterward, we got a chance to talk with the coach whose appointment was announced two days earlier, three months after athletic director Sam Reed announced the search for a new coach, following years of losing seasons.
The day of his first Sealth team meeting – Friday, February 17th — was Coach Carr’s first day on the job.
Huge congratulations to Jean Robinson, a West Seattle Soccer Club coach who has just won a 2011 Coach of the Year award from the U.S. Youth Soccer organization (details here). WSSC’s Tim McMonigle tells WSB that he nominated Coach Robinson after the 2010 season, “and it has taken this long to get to the national level” – he coached a boys’ U-18 team with her that year (going 12-0), and then, he says, “She went back and started with a girls’ U-7 team last spring, and last fall coached a girls’ U-8 team. She is starting over. And the parents love her.”
A former college football coach will take over Chief Sealth International High School‘s football program. Three months after announcing the school was looking for a new head coach, Sealth athletic director Sam Reed just sent this news release:
Chief Sealth International High School has selected Luther Carr III to be the Seahawks newest head football coach. Carr comes to Chief Sealth with over 18 years of coaching experience, the last 10 in Division I college football.
Most recently, Carr held the position of Wide Receiver Coach at the University of Idaho, and before that served on coaching staffs at both University of Montana and University of Washington. During his time in the college ranks, he has coached and recruited numerous all-league and academic all-American players.
Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-varsity basketball team has another post-season game tomorrow night, after a victory last night at home. Our summary and photos, ahead:Read More
Wednesday night, Seattle Lutheran High School celebrated its senior basketball players – and senior cheerleader Valerie Reid, above – while closing out their regular season at home against Rainier Christian‘s teams. Ahead, our summary of the games – Lutheran won both – and photos of the senior athletes:Read More
Story and photos by Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
Bronte Corbray scored 12 of his 26 points tonight in the fourth quarter, while Charlie Smith and Aaron Knox tallied 13 each, but they couldn’t keep Chief Sealth from taking a loss at home, as the Seahawks fell to Eastside Catholic 83-65 on the second day of the Metro League Playoffs.
You could forgive the Seahawks if they entered their home gym Tuesday night with great expectations. They were facing a team they had faced just 11 days prior, winning by 10 on the Crusaders’ home court, the result of which was ultimately a higher seed for Chief Sealth and the home court advantage in last night’s rematch.
The seniors playing basketball for West Seattle High School were honored last night during a busy night at the WSHS gym, with Eastside Catholic visiting. Though both varsity teams lost, it was an occasion to pay tribute to the hard work this season and the achievements of the departing players – we have the seniors’ photos, plus game recaps, ahead:Read More
Story and photos by Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Spirit Week at Seattle Lutheran High School came to a happy conclusion tonight as the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams celebrated “Senior Night” with comfortable victories.
Surrendering no more than a baker’s dozen points defensively will generally translate into victory for a basketball team. This was the case for the Lady Saints, who managed 13 points in the first quarter alone on their way to a 43-13 win over the Lady Eagles of Evergreen Lutheran.
For the second consecutive night, West Seattle High School hosted Chief Sealth International HS for a varsity-basketball matchup. Tonight, the girls played – and as with last night’s boys’ game, Sealth came away with the win. Details ahead:Read More
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