This year’s event splashed down in a new location due to high tides – at the intersection of Maplewild Ave SW & SW 172nd.

The winner of the coveted Polar Bear Plunge spirit trophy was Jeanninne Bassinger, a B-Town resident since 2015, who was dared to plunge by her roommate Rick (who did NOT participate himself, but was there cheering her on):

Here’s raw video from our Facebook live stream (be sure to “Like” our page here to see future live videos):

Jana works at a San Francisco based startup, Chairman Mom, as a User Experience Designer. Chairman Mom is a subscription-based community platform for working mothers. For $5 a month, women can ask and answer the tough questions about life, work and motherhood without judgment, guilt or fear of being called a “bad mom” (a phrase that is banned from the site). The community is designed to create an environment free of bullying and negativity, encouraging real connection and honest discussions, with the goal of ultimately setting more working moms up for success.

Here’s a great, fun way to brrrrrring in the New Year – at Noon on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, dive into Puget Sound at the fun-filled annual Polar Bear Plunge in the 3500 block of 172nd SW Street (map below) in Burien’s Three Tree Point neighborhood!

This annual New Year’s Day tradition will continue with crisp and refreshing saltwater, along with all the usual craziness (costumes!) that make this the perfect way to start the New Year (and perhaps cure a hangover).
One of the more festive parts of this community event is the awarding of the Polar Bear Plunge champion trophy – which consists of a Polar Bear figure on a piece of driftwood – chosen during the event by regulars and previous award-winners.

TIP: usually, the “most exuberant” plunger wins, but recently some very creative, fully costumed plungers have taken home the prize.

Last year’s winner was Katarzyna Patora, who wore an amazing mermaid costume that she made herself:

Here are some video highlights from our live Facebook feed:

Here’s GoPro POV cam footage shot by Shawn Anderson:

Here’s a great video of the 2017 plunge, shot and edited by Cameron Johnson, a proud grad of Highline High School and freelance videographer from Burien:

The 2017 Three Tree Point Polar Bear Plunge from Cameron Johnson Video on Vimeo.
Here are some Hints and Safety Tips:

• Dress Up in costume to add whimsy (and perhaps win the big prize!)
• Come early, as parking is limited. Carpool or come by boat!
• Anyone with heart problems should consult your health care provider before participating. If you don’t participate, you’re still welcome to join and watch.
• Do Not Drink. Alcohol – it does not warm you up; it accelerates hypothermia.
• Do Not Stay In The Water Longer Than 15 Minutes. Body heat is lost 30 times faster in the water than in air.
• Keep Your Outer Clothing On until swim time and remove any wet clothing before getting back into dry clothes. Bring big dry towels to warm up after you plunge!
• Have Fun!

Check out our extensive prior Polar Bear Plunge coverage hre.

Committed. #homegrown pic.twitter.com/LckeHbkzLy

— Sam Huard (@samhuard11) November 23, 2018

Sam is considered the #1 pocket passer in his class (2021) in the nation, and will carry on the legacy of the Huard name at the U-Dub.
He’s 6-2 tall and weighs 175 lbs., and in September he passed for over 500 yard on 10 touchdowns in a 72-20 blowout against Chief Sealth (read our previous coverage here).
His Dad, Damon, played quarterback for the Huskies and also in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. Uncle Brock played QB at Washington and also in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks. Uncle Luke played quarterback at North Carolina and is an offensive coordinator.
Sam was named MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2017.
Here are some highlights from Huard’s sophomore season:

Always dreamed about playing in the Apple Cup #gameday pic.twitter.com/jWr493Z75A

— Sam Huard (@samhuard11) November 23, 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following Sports story is sponsored by the Kenner Dental Group:

Story, Photos & Videos by Scott Schaefer
Under partly cloudy skies with an occasional shower, 750 exuberant runners crossed the finish line of the 2018 Burien Brat Trot 5K on Sunday, Sept. 30.
This grass roots, local fundraiser benefits the Highline Schools Foundation. In addition to a 5K and kids run, it included a Bavarian Fest complete with beer gardens, live bands, sausage, bouncy toys, food, and more.
Here’s video of the Top 3 finishers as they crossed the finish line – Cameron Colpitts, Nicholas Ankuta and James Roach:

Cameron Colpitts, 36, was the top finisher with a time of 17:06.
Abigail Bever was the top female finisher with a time of 19:18.
TOP 10 FINISHERS:

1. 1. CAMERON COLPITTS: 36 | M | 17:06
   2. NICHOLAS ANKUTA: 16 | M | 17:24
   3. JAMES ROACH: 33 | M | 17:33
   4. ELLIOT COREY: 33 | M | 18:10
   5. STEVEN COLMUS: 45 | M | 18:16
   6. TROY HAESELER: 37 | M | 18:48
   7. HODGES MAXIM: 15 | M | 18:49
   8. JEREMY TOPPING: 40 | M | 18:51
   9. ANAWAT BRAD: 56 | M | 19:09
   10. ABIGAIL BEVER: 28 | F | 19:18
   11. BENJAMIN FADER: 28 | M | 19:27
   12. JOSHUA CHO: 16 | M |19:38
   13. LAURA BREYMANN: 37 | F | 19:56
   14. JACOB KLIKA: 39 | M | 20:08
   15. ERIN CHINCHAR: 25 | F | 20:25
   16. CARMEN STORER: 33 | F | 20:32
   17. MARK DOOLEY: 43 | M | 20:54
   18. HOUSE MAX: 14 | M | 20:54
   19. BRIAN HANSEN: 42 | M | 20:58
   20. HODGERS DARO: 53 | M | 21:01

OLDEST FEMALE:

• CAROLINE ERICKSON: 76 | F | 53:48

OLDEST MALE:

• ROBB SHIRLEY: 78 | M | 25:34

SLOW-MO OF THE START
Here’s a slow-motion video of the start of the race – can you find yourself (or anyone you know) here?

PHOTOS
Here are some photos from the event, shot by Scott Schaefer (click images to view larger versions/slideshow):

Runners were all smiles at the starting line.

This view of a sea of runners heading south on 10th Ave SW never gets old!

A dancer struts to the music of Los Flacos.

Tin Room staff got into the spirit while cooking sausages.

Tin Room owner and race co-founder Danny House congratulates Carmen Storer as she crosses the finish line.

Danny hung out at the finish line to congratulate runners.

A running Dad pushes a stroller while a kid enjoys the ride.

After running a race, this is the best way to watch the finish line.

Burien Police Chief Ted Boe ran with his family, and came in 406th with a time of 37:25.

The family that runs in Lederhosen together, stays together…

When you live in a great community like @Burien there are some great events and people that mark the years…13+ and counting @tinroombar #DannyHouse @HighlineSchlsFd @BurienBratTrot pic.twitter.com/ydjJ9y30GM

— Maya Mendoza-Exstrom (@Maya3rme) September 30, 2018

ABOUT OUR SPORTS SPONSOR:
Dr. William C. Kenner, V

“Having the opportunity to utilize my expertise and help patients achieve optimum, functional oral health is what drives my passion for dentistry.”

About our office:
Our patients have a great appreciation for the care that we provide, and many of them have been with the practice since it was opened by my father in 1978. It is extremely rewarding to see those patients entrust our office with their own care, the care of their children, and their friends and family. We strive to provide quality, patient-centered dental care. Our goal is to create a unique dental experience for our patients, where their needs and comfort come first. Each Team member brings their individual element to the office, making everyday entertaining and enjoyable.
For the past four years the Kenner Dental Group has been an event sponsor for the Burien Brat Trot, benefiting Highline Schools Foundation. We have also worked to raise awareness of children’s oral health and provided pediatric dental care in the community.
I am a Burien native born and raised. My wife Dr. Leigh Kenner, who I met in dental school, and I have been married since October 2009. We have two beautiful children, daughter Brynn and son Liam, along with two dogs, Lilly and Cali. Our house is always a bit busy, but when there is time to relax and get away, our family loves outdoor activities together, watching the Seahawks, traveling to see family in San Diego and Palm Springs, and enjoying the beach along Alki. My individual outdoor passion is fresh-water fly fishing, although I’ve been known to throw saltwater flies off Alki Point and Fauntleroy occasionally.
For more info, visit https://www.kennerdentalgroup.com, or call 206-248-1339.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following Sports story is sponsored by the Kenner Dental Group:

By Luke Olson
Sports Editor
Sam Huard wanted to let everyone know that he was present to reiterate what he did a season prior.
No – the reigning ‘Freshman of the Year’ quarterback wanted to show that he was even better on a packed Friday night — all to see what the son of University of Washington standout, Damon Huard, could do.
The lefty caused Sealth much ado all night. It was a complete carnage. At the half alone, the sophomore had 520 yards with nine touchdowns. On pace to absolutely shatter records – but head coach of the Kennedy Catholic Lancers, Sheldon Cross, decided to pull him after the end of the third quarter.
Huard hit Junior Alexander for a 17-yard touchdown – his tenth of the day – with three minutes left in the third after the Lancers ran out most of the clock. And Kennedy went on for a drubbing victory over Chief Sealth, 72-20.
Final stat line was 19/31, 552 yards and yes – ten touchdowns. It has reportedly been tied for the record of most touchdowns in a single game in state history. Huard did not know about it until after his last score.
“When I heard the record was ten, and I was at ten, I wanted to be in,” Huard said, regarding being pulled before the last quarter. “At the end of the day, we won, and it was just good to get the younger guys in there for them to get some reps.”
According to the NFHS Record Book, Huard is the ninth student-athlete to throw ten or more touchdowns in a single high school game. All-time record is 15. As for the state record, Nathanial Holcomb of Puyallup had ten as well in 2016.
“He had a good day at the office,” Cross said. “He was poised, he looks like a senior already. He has gotten better in the offseason. He is a special player and I just wanted to make sure we all enjoy being able to watch him because it is a very rare thing that you have a guy who is playing like that.”
With Chief Sealth playing a lot of ‘Cover 1’ and ‘Man-to-Man,’ Huard was able to use the deep ball all night. He had touchdown passes of: 58, 42, 62, 55, 45 and 70. Sealth blitzed on nearly every down, but never was able to put enough pressure to throw Huard off guard.
Here’s video of Huard’s 70-yard touchdown pass to Justin Baker:

“They blitzed every down,” Cross exclaimed. “They blitzed every down. It is hard to stand in there at quarterback and keep throwing when they are blitzing every down.”
But, the Lancers stuck to the game plan.
“We kind of anticipated them coming out in cover one and playing man the whole game,” Huard said. “They did that along with cover zero and pretty much our game plan, what we thought they would do—they did. So, we are pretty successful just being able to do what we prepared for all week.”
Based off the first drive of the game, you might have thought the outcome would have been different. Sealth received the ball first, and used the run game early. Dontae McMillan surged through the Kennedy defense for a couple short yardage runs and finally broke one, flitting through defenders for a 39-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
And he was the only culprit for Kennedy—scoring all three touchdowns for Chief Sealth. He added a 1-yard score at the start of the second quarter and in the fourth—encroached the defense for a 60-yard score.
“Boy, I will tell you what, that number eight is really good for them,” Cross said of McMillan. “He is going to be a really good college football player and my hat is off to him. He made some really good runs and played hard all day.”
After Sealth took the early lead, Kennedy closed the gap quickly. On the second play of their first drive, Huard floated a pass on the sideline to Alexander for a 58-yard touchdown. And the Lancers never looked back—forcing a turnover on the next drive for Sealth—and Huard once again threw one deep down the sidelines, hitting Justin Baker for a 42-yard score.
And Huard was not playing favorites with his receivers. Three of them exceeded the century mark—and all had at least two touchdowns. Baker had 149 yards and added three touchdowns to his resume—including the 70-yard score before the half. Huard’s favorite wideout last season, Jabez Tinae, had 201 yards and two touchdowns.
“What I am proud of is the dispersement of multiple guys scoring plays,” Cross said of his receiving group. “And that is a good thing. I think everyone felt they were contributing.”
The Lancers had a scary moment at the end of the half—as Tre Holman had a non-football related injury and an ambulance had to arrive. But the sophomore picked himself up and left the game safely with his family.
Both teams took a knee and the Lancer fans/students gave a ‘Hail-Mary‘ prayer out loud.
“He is going to be fine,” Cross said.

While the action on the field was , the student section brought the too. #LancerNation pic.twitter.com/NQvRbEKDGa

— Lancer Athletics (@OurLancerNation) September 1, 2018

2017 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year @samhuard11 becomes ninth player in HSFB history to throw for 10 or more touchdowns in a game.
Finishes 19/31 for 552 yards and 10 TDs.
Details : https://t.co/MhyLsU2MoU pic.twitter.com/JFIOEAXthH

— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) September 1, 2018

The Kennedy boys put up 72 points tonight!!!! Man proud of the FSP Grinder! I tried to tell people th Lancers will be a problem for years to come! These young men all choose to TRAIN HARD AT FSP! An hardwork never goes unnoticed! Good work fellas! #TeamFSP #GoLancers pic.twitter.com/eOzUofw0F4

— Tracy Ford (@TFordFSP) September 1, 2018

ABOUT OUR SPORTS SPONSOR:
Dr. William C. Kenner, V

“Having the opportunity to utilize my expertise and help patients achieve optimum, functional oral health is what drives my passion for dentistry.”

About our office:
Our patients have a great appreciation for the care that we provide, and many of them have been with the practice since it was opened by my father in 1978. It is extremely rewarding to see those patients entrust our office with their own care, the care of their children, and their friends and family. We strive to provide quality, patient-centered dental care. Our goal is to create a unique dental experience for our patients, where their needs and comfort come first. Each Team member brings their individual element to the office, making everyday entertaining and enjoyable.
For the past four years the Kenner Dental Group has been an event sponsor for the Burien Brat Trot, benefiting Highline Schools Foundation. We have also worked to raise awareness of children’s oral health and provided pediatric dental care in the community.
I am a Burien native born and raised. My wife Dr. Leigh Kenner, who I met in dental school, and I have been married since October 2009. We have two beautiful children, daughter Brynn and son Liam, along with two dogs, Lilly and Cali. Our house is always a bit busy, but when there is time to relax and get away, our family loves outdoor activities together, watching the Seahawks, traveling to see family in San Diego and Palm Springs, and enjoying the beach along Alki. My individual outdoor passion is fresh-water fly fishing, although I’ve been known to throw saltwater flies off Alki Point and Fauntleroy occasionally.
For more info, visit https://www.kennerdentalgroup.com, or call 206-248-1339.

Photos courtesy Fred Hutch Obliteride

Nearly 2,500 Fred Hutch Obliterideriders will pedal through Puget Sound communities – including Burien – on Saturday, Aug. 11, raising funds to help obliterate cancer.
The 100-mile ride will travel through our area:


Maps of all routes are on Obliteride’s website.
This year people will also be able to participate in a 5K walk during Obliteride weekend, which starts at the University of Washington. Participants will enjoy a jaunt down the Burke-Gilman trail to Gas Works Park, where they will join bike riders for a finish line celebration.
Obliteride quickly established itself as the region’s premier fundraising bike ride, and organizers expect hundreds of new participants to join the inaugural walk. “We’re excited to add this new way for people to support the innovative work we’re doing at Fred Hutch,” said Andrea Gomes Morrison, director of Fred Hutch Obliteride. “The Obliteride 5K is the only walk that gives people a ticket to the awesomeness of Obliteride weekend. Thanks to our generous sponsors, walkers and riders who raise $500 or more are treated to an amazing kickoff party at Seattle’s Gas Works Park with a delicious Tom Douglas dinner and rockin’ live entertainment.”
Thousands of people have pedaled in Obliteride and raised more than $12 million for Fred Hutch since the annual event began in 2013. Every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Fred Hutch. Obliteride has funded a variety of research projects, including immunotherapy and studies related to brain, breast, lung, ovarian and prostate cancers.
Fred Hutch’s pioneering research has saved hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide since its doors opened in 1975, and it is one of the world’s leading research organizations. Hutch scientists are working to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
Sign up to ride, walk or volunteer at Obliteride.org. Online registration closes Aug. 3. Onsite registration will be available until one hour before the start of each route.

“We are a community determined to cure cancer faster by raising critical funds for lifesaving research at Fred Hutch. Obliteride is fun, focused and full of energy! It’s so much more than a bike ride or walk. Participants are treated to a first-class experience with live entertainment and fantastic food from Tom Douglas Catering.”

Here’s raw footage from a Live Facebook video we broadcasted in 2017:

For more information on how to be part of this exciting event on Aug. 11, 2018, visit Obliteride.org and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.

This is what it's all about.

Mariners players celebrated #PlayBall Weekend by giving Challenger Little Leaguers the full big league experience. pic.twitter.com/wgbfK9bew4

— Mariners (@Mariners) June 3, 2018

“It’s a great program where no kid is left out!” Del added.

Stanford, CA – January 12, 2018: Stanford Women’s Basketball wins over Washington State 70-57 at Maples Pavilion.

STANFORD, CA – January 26, 2018: Stanford Women’s Basketball defeats Arizona State, 74-50 at Maples Pavilion.

• Read our previous coverage from 2013 on McPhee here.
• Read more of Sue Favor’s great basketball coverage at womenshoopsworld.com.