By Chelle

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Despite the Cheif Sealth coach leaving just days before, four runners still competed against West Seattle on March 3, 2021, in a meet at Lincoln Park.

The Sealth captains, Seniors Kyle Kintzer and Cedric Gackenbach, stepped up to act as coaches for their team.

They both agreed, "It doesn't seem real yet. But it feels good to be back out, even though we are out of shape." 

West Seattle is coached by Shelley Neal. "Many parents were nervous about letting their kids come out to participate," Neal said. "We reassure them we are doing the best we can to maintain all safety protocols for the team."

WS seniors Ella Richardson and Henry Parker felt everyone on the team was excited to be back.

"Sports is something to motivate us. It is a community and being back out here competing is like we got our family back," they said.

Richardson added, "After sitting online for seven hours, it is nice to go outside afterwards. It's like a little reward." 

With only active four runners and no coach, Cheif Sealth did not have a chance against West Seattle at this meet.

However, the true community of high school sports had the teams planning ways to combine practices so everyone could still come outside to play. 

West Seattle runs again Thursday, March 11 at Magnuson Park against O'Dea.