Winter Athletics: Ballard Gymnasts Make History with First State Title Win
Summary : Winter Athletics Congratulations.
Congratulations State Champs!
Ballard HS Gymnastics
Read and watch the information from King 5 news.
Watch King 5 News
From Principal Hunt Friday Email:
First, our Gymnastics team won the 2A/3A State Championship! With this significant accomplishment, the BHS Gymnastics Team became the first Seattle Public School to ever win a State Championship in gymnastics and they are also Ballard HS’s first WIAA State Champion in multiple decades! The State Championship was the perfect finale to an undefeated season, a Metro league title, and a District Championship. For more on this amazing team, I encourage you to read this Seattle Times article (may need subscription) that was published just before they took the State Title. In addition to the team title, Mari P. finished 1st on floor, Brook A. finished 2nd on bars, Caitlyn A. and Claire S. tied for 4th on bars, and Dylan K. finished 6th on vault!
Athletic Booster Club (ABC) News Information:
The Ballard High School Gymnastics team WON the 2A/3A State Championship on February 20, 2025! So proud of the work this team has put in since the minute last season ended to get to this point. It all came together last Thursday when they won and accomplished two historical feats along the way. First, they became the first Seattle Public School to ever win a state championship in gymnastics! Second, they became Ballard’s FIRST WIAA team sport state champion in any sport!
“The season was full of successes. The Beavers finished the season undefeated (5th consecutive undefeated regular season!) while winning their fourth straight Metro League title, first District Championship (only the third for any sport at Ballard), and first State Championship! All this happened in the context of a team full of supportive, kind individuals who cheered for each other’s successes and put in countless hours to make this team so fun to be a part of. We’re all sad to see this chapter come to an end!” Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Cheer
USA Spirit 2025 National Champion Cheer Team!
From Principal Hunt Friday Email:
Beyond the State Tournament, our defending National Champion Cheer Team traveled to California over the break and returned with their second USA Spirit National Championship! They finished 1st in varsity band chant and fight song, 3rd in crowd leader, and 4th in traditional!
Athletic Booster Club (ABC) News Information:
Following the passing of senior Cheer Team member Ingrid Pharris due to a heart arrhythmia event this summer, Ballard Cheer has been #allinforIngrid. And the team harkened their guardian angel in their effort to attain their second, back-to-back USA Spirit National Championship Feb. 16 in Anaheim, CA. And they reached their goal, earning 1st place (and highest scoring) in Varsity Band Chant and 1st in Fight Song. They also received 3rd place in Crowdleader and 4th in Traditional.
“This season has been one of the hardest our program has ever faced,” the team posted on their Instagram page. “We were overcome with a wave of emotions as we entered this weekend knowing the opportunity to be here together, doing what we love is a gift.” Lead by Coach Brandi Mattila, congrats to Ballard Cheer on their hard work and accomplishments! Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Photos c/o and follow the program @ballardcheer.
Girls Wrestling | Boys Wresting
From Principal Hunt Friday Email:
Also at State were our Ballard Wrestlers, with senior Miles P. bringing home the 3rd place finish. Miles has been a phenomenal wrestler for Ballard, and we are so proud of him!
Athletic Booster Club (ABC) Information:
Ballard Boys Wrestling The program took another step in growth and reaching our goal of being one of the best teams in the state. To reach that goal we must start with making sure we are one of the best teams in Metro teams. We went 10-5 in duals vs Metro teams, in those duals we had 76 wins, 44 losses, 35 matches we forfeited, 36 matches that were forfeited to us and 19 double forfeits.
Ballard Girls Wrestling This year we had a small girls’ team with only 3 wrestlers. They had a great season, one that had the cards stacked against them to make it to state. Based on numbers from our area, the girls had to take 1st place at the district tournament. All three girls made it to the finals but fell short in their matches. Throughout the season they all made great improvements and all medaled in at least one tournament. Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Photo c/o and follow @ballard_boys_wrestling on Instagram. Follow @ballard_girls_wrestling on Instagram.
Winter Athletic ABC Wrap Up!
Read all the amazing Winter Athletics Wrap Up in the ABC Newsletter.
Flag Football
As Girls Flag Football wraps up their third season, we continue to see ourselves as a Family who are still growing in our knowledge and experience as individual players and a full team. We found ourselves playing against difficult teams through all types of weather and found that we performed the best when we trusted each other and our knowledge of the plays as designed by Coach Joe Subido. This season did not end with a ton of wins, but a lot of very close games and a lot of learning. We are excited to grow the team with younger players as the majority were seniors this season. Thank you for supporting our growing team! Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Thanks to Coach Laura Lehni for grabbing the team’s update from the team members! Photo by Elliot Stoller. Follow the team @bhs_girlsflagfootball
Boys Basketball
This winter, the Boys Basketball team finished up the season 3rd overall in a tough Metro Sound Division with an 11-5 record, finishing the season with an overall record at 11-8.
Even though the Beavers didn’t accomplish their goal of making it to State, they still have things to be proud about! Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Thanks to Coach Lorenzo Durant III for the season recap. Photo by Ed Tanaka. Follow the team @ballardbball.
Girls Basketball
This was a very successful season for the Girls Basketball program. The Varsity team led by second year Head Coach Jennifer Anderson and Assistant Coach Ani Garaventa finished the season with a league record of 11-4 and an overall record of 13-8.
The team made it to the second round of the District Qualifier Tournament before losing to Holy Names Academy. Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Follow program @ballard_girls.basketball Questions: Email jlanderson@seattleschools.org
Boys Swim and Dive
Boys Swim & Dive had a hugely successful 24-25 season. We grew the team to a record 45 boys. We were all motivated by the installation of the new Ballard record board on the pool deck, created a new vinyl team banner, participated in the Kentridge Invitational and hosted our first Alumni Meet during Winter Break. We accomplished all 5 of Coach Morean’s 5-year plan goals! We finished the regular season 7-1 with our only loss coming down to the final race against West Seattle. Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Head Coach Boys Swim Kyle Morean; kimorean@seattleschools.org
Bowling
The Ballard Bowlers just completed our third bowling season, and it was our best season yet! We had 29 girls compete and we awarded 18 varsity letters. We finished the season with seven wins, with big wins coming against Holy Names and Chief Sealth. Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Photo c/o and follow @ballardgirlsbowling Instagram.
Club Information
Girls Lacrosse
We are looking for Girls Lacrosse players of any skill level who want to try a fun, fast sport and join our lacrosse family. This is a no cut sport! More info on our USA Lacrosse webpage. Register online today!
Boys Lacrosse
Registration is OPEN for Boys Lacrosse! Captains practices and conditioning are happening now with coach’s practices set to being 3/3, with games through May. It is a no cut sport with Varsity and JV teams. The Dam will be rocking with lots of lacrosse excitement! Email info@ballardboyslacrosse.com with questions & for scholarship info. Spread the word!
Ballard Mixed Ultimate Frisbee
The BUF Mixed Winter Ultimate season just wrapped up and both Varsity and JV teams made it to the playoffs. Both teams gave it their all. Varsity finished with a fabulous 4th place and JV with an excellent 3rd place. Read more in the ABC Newsletter.
Ballard Mixed Ultimate Frisbee: More info on the team’s website. Also, refer to the Team’s new Player Interest Form. More info: BallardUltimate@gmail.com. Follow @bufballard Instagram.
Unified Basketball
A huge thank you to those who were able to make it! Jam the Dam was such a fun event and the Unified student-athletes played a fantastic game in front of an impressive crowd of friends and family members from our school community. Thank you to our Unified student-athletes, our Band, Cheer Team, Dance Team, and to all who were able to attend! And to add to the amazing day, the Choir (joined by the Orchestra) performed their winter concert to a packed performing arts center. I am constantly in awe of our students and their connection and contributions to the Ballard HS community. Truly amazing. ~ Principal Hunt
Photo c/o and follow @ballard_unified Instagram.
Ballard’s Unified program is now led by special education teacher Jeff Hanson. Athletes can sign up through FinalForms for the program’s winter basketball season, or email Jeff for more information at jshanson@seattleschools.org. Follow @ballard_unified.
ABC and Ballard Strength & Conditioning!
Loka M. Murphy, LAT, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
Department of Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Seattle Children’s Hospital
Ballard High School Athletic Trainer
Loka.Murphy@SeattleChildrens.org
Beaver Gear
The Beaver Gear Team has BHS Spirit Wear for sale with a myriad of options available via the Athletic Booster Club’s online store. All Beaver Gear sales benefit Ballard Athletics.
Place an order on line and have your Beaver pick up at the Main Office when its arrival is confirmed.
As always, thanks to our fabulous Beaver Gear Elves, Phoebe Price and Erica Jamir! Questions? Email bhsabcgear@gmail.com.
Winter Registration on Final Forms & ASB Fee
- Winter Sports: Basketball, Gymnastics, Boys Swim & Dive, Boys Wrestling, Girls Wrestling, Girls Bowling, Girls Flag Football
- Winter Club Sports: Mixed Ultimate (signups are on club team websites)
Register online via FinalForms for ALL seasons. Pay ASB Fee: SchoolPay via the Source Questions? Bethany Nielcen; BHS Athletic Secretary at 206-252-1000.
