February 2012

DES MOINES - Going into the final events of the West Central District III state qualifying gymnastic meet, the talent-laden teams of Emerald Ridge, Thomas Jefferson, Mount Rainier and Todd Beamer were locked in a four-way duel for the only berth to the state meet to be held at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Center beginning Feb. 17.

Mount Rainier and Jefferson would each finish competition on the floor while Emerald Ridge and Beamer would each close on the very dificult to score high event of the balance beam.

In the end, the host Rams tumbled and danced to a powerful 47.125 on the floor exercise to set a school record 177.3 points and edge out the Raiders' 176.275. ER earned 175.425 while TB closed at 173.95.

Statistically, the top four scores posted at this meet were higher than the three other state qualifiers -- Mead (173.825), defending state titelists Newport (172.825) and Woodinville (171.9).

Mount Rainier's Cheyenne Gavino won the all-around champonship with a total of 37.625, and Ram teammate Baylee Hamilton placed third at 37.325. The former level 10 club performers are competing for their school for the first time in their senior year.

DES MOINES - Highline area and Federal Way gymnasts displayed high level skills at the West Central District III Class 2A/3A state qualifying gymnastics meet held at Mount Rainier High School on Saturday, Feb. 11.

In the allocation formula, the top two teams plus the top 12 additional non-state team members on each event qualified for the state meet at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall beginning Feb. 17.

The top four performers not on state teams in the all around competition also earned state berths.

Enumclaw dominated the meet with a team score of 175.75 while Auburn Mountainview secured the second team spot at 158.425. Seamount League champion Highline High School placed fifth in the 13-team field and sent a superb gymnast to the Dome.

"We did very well," said Pirate head coach Dawn Tessandore. "This was one of our top three scores and we just missed with a few girls. The team really pulled it together."

Pulling it together very well was Highline's Kristen Rodal, who finished a close second in the full field all arounds with a point total of 37.05, just behind Enumclaw's Olivia Bannerot (37.2).

KENT - Darah Huertas-Vining's spectacular three-point shooting third quarter powered unranked Federal Way to a stunning 58-50 upset of Class 4A state-ranked No. 1 and previously unbeaten Mount Rainier in the championship game of the South Puget Sound League girls basketball tournament at the ShoWare Center on Friday, Feb. 10.

After Huertas-Vining was harnessed by the Ram defense with only two points on 0-of-7 first half field goal shooting, the Eagle "go to" player opened up for six three-point missiles in the third quarter.

This success was based on strategy and motivation.

"The coach told me that we were going to set more screens and not rush shots," she said.

Motivation came from a friend who told her how difficult and unlikely it was to beat a team three times in a row after taking both games against Mount Rainier last season.

"I just had to prove him wrong," she added. "I just wanted to make a difference."

This difference came in the form of six third quarter treys en route to 25 points. Two of these threes came as the shot clock nearly drained away and the last was at least 24 feet out as the quarter elapsed.

Press release

The city of Seattle is enlisting community organizations in the effort to help close the digital divide in Seattle, especially for vulnerable residents. Technology Matching Fund grants up to $20,000 are available for projects that meet goals for increasing online civic engagement, technology access and adoption, internet and digital media skills, or community building.

“This grant program exists to support the strong and diverse community of people in Seattle who use technology to help others,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “I look forward to seeing the work that this fund will help make possible.”

Applications will be accepted online from February 29 through April 3, 2012.

"The Technology Matching Fund grant program is an inclusive program exemplifying the City’s commitment to Race and Social Justice by providing resources and technology access to all of our residents. 2012 will be the fifteen year of the program and it continues to be a critical partnership with the community by empowering residents with technology skills to find jobs and helping neighborhoods develop online public safety networks,” said Councilmember Bruce Harrell.

South Puget Sound League’s north division team, the Mt. Rainier Rams boys took on a south division team, the Todd Beamer Titans for a playoff placement game. The game was the sixth and last game of the day at Auburn High School, Saturday night, February 11th. Mt Rainier came into the game with an 11-5 conference record, 14-8 overall. Beamer’s record was at 12-3 conference and 13-7 overall. This was not an elimination game; it would only determine what team they would play in the next round.

In the first quarter Mt Rainier took control of the game from the start. Beamer made a lot of bad passes which would lead to turnovers and easy baskets for Mt Rainier. The quarter ended at 23-15, Mt Rainier leading.

The second quarter was pretty much the same. It looked like both teams were trying to do too much which had them at times playing out of control. There were lots of fast breaks for both teams yet Mt Rainier was still able to increase their lead to 13 points at the half.

On February 13, Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6239 into law, legalizing gay marriage in Washington state.

The bill was passed in the House last week with a 55-43 vote , a week after Senate approval.

"[I' so proud to have so many join and show their support for what is right and what is fair. Thank you all for your leadership, and your support. Today was among my proudest days as Governor. Congratulations to all who have worked for this for so long," said Gov. Gregoire.

“Today’s signature of the marriage equality law puts Washington on the road to fairness for all families,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization.

Washington joins six other states – Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont – plus the District of Columbia in recognizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples under state law. 

Press release

Single-session tickets for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Diving are now available for sale.

The Trials will be held June 17-24, 2012 at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way and will spotlight the best divers in the United States.

The Trials will serve as the final team selection for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Competition will include men’s and women’s individual 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform, and men’s and women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform competition.

Approximately 120 of the nation’s best divers are expected to vie for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Diving Team. Notable participants are expected to include three-time Olympian Troy Dumais, 2011 World platform silver medalist David Boudia, and 2008 Olympians Kelci Bryant, Chris Colwill, Mary Beth Dunnichay, Thomas Finchum, Haley Ishimatsu and Christina Loukas.

Local prep basketball star Katie Collier earned still another accolade today when she was named to the girls’ national team for the 35th Annual McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Classic to be played in Chicago on March 28.

Collier, her school’s all-time scoring leader, joins 23 other prep stars from across the country when the girl’s game gets underway at 6 p.m. Central Time (4 p.m. Pacific) at the United Center in Chicago. Besides serving as a early showcase for future stars, both among the boys and girls, ticket proceeds from the game will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The game will be played at the United Center in Chicago, and will air live on ESPN.

Only 48 boys and girls (24 each) from a national nominees’ list of 600 made the cut. Final rosters for both the boys’ and girls’ teams are available at www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com .

Collier’s dominance of girls’ prep basketball at her school, located in SeaTac, began as a freshman, when she scored 277 points and nabbed 199 rebounds. As a sophomore she hit 331 points and 278 rebounds; and as a junior she had 470 points and 269 rebounds.

Monday, Feb. 6
Girls basketball
SCS 44, Charles Wright 16
Katie Collier finished with a team-high 14 points as Seattle Christian scored a decisive win over Charles Wright this past Monday, Feb. 6.

Renton 48, Kennedy 37
The Lancers went down to a 48-37 regular season Seamount League loss to the Indians last Monday.

Boys basketball
Mt. Rainier 77, Kentridge 69
Adrian Davis knocked in 19 points to lead the Rams past the Chargers in a South Puget Sound League North Division game Monday.

Kennedy 58, Renton 51
Mitch Penner poured in 25 points for the Lancers in last Monday's Seamount win.

SCS 48, Charles Wright 46
The Warriors squeaked past Charles Wright this past game Monday, led by the 17 points of Chase DeVries and the 16 points of Richard Jensen.

Tuesday, Feb. 7
Boys basketball
Kennedy 84, Evergreen 77
Penner enjoyed another 25-point outing as Kennedy Catholic won again this past Tuesday.

Foster 67, Tyee 52
Foster emerged as a winner over the Totems in Seamount League action Tuesday.

Renton 65, Highline 43
The Pirates went down to a defeat at the hands of the Indians Tuesday.

Saw the whole thing happen
Earlier this month a woman and her mother were spending time together in the woman’s 29th Ave S.W. home shortly after noon on a Thursday when they heard a knock at the door. The woman looked outside and saw a teenage female (estimated age 14-16) at the door that she had never seen before. She decided not to answer and continued to watch as the girl peered into the front windows, walked into the neighbor’s yard, hopped the fence into her yard, walked onto the porch and started yanking on the sliding glass door. The victim yelled at the teen and she fled. Responding officers touched base with security at nearby school and they identified a possible suspect based on the description. The suspect was taken out of class and transported to the home for a show-up with the victims. They said it wasn’t the right girl and she was taken back to class.

Not cool, neighbor