Overview: astronomical spring in West Seattle, start of the NWSL season and a sports awards ceremony.
West Seattle welcomes spring 2026: sunset skywatch on the equinox
Despite unseasonably cold weather, astronomical spring in 2026 officially begins on Friday, March 20, at 7:46 a.m. local time. Residents and visitors of West Seattle can mark the occasion in a special way — by joining a unique tradition of watching the sunset on the equinox. As reported by West Seattle Blog, that evening at 6:30 p.m. Solstice Park will host the 68th quarterly gathering led by educator and skywatching expert Alice Enevoldsen.
The event will take place on the plateau at the top of the park at 7400 Fauntleroy Way SW. The site is equipped with markers aligned to the sun’s path during solstices and equinoxes. If skies are clear, attendees will be able to see the sun set in alignment with these ancient astronomical markers. It’s important to note that an equinox is the moment when the center of the Sun, in its apparent motion along the ecliptic, crosses the celestial equator, and day and night last roughly the same length. In Solstice Park this phenomenon becomes tangible thanks to the park’s thoughtful design.
Alice Enevoldsen, who organizes these observations regularly, emphasizes that the gathering will proceed in all but the most severe weather — specifically heavy rain or lightning. This year, because of the park’s position and trees in the neighboring Lincoln Park, the visible moment of sunset is expected to be relatively early, around 6:50 p.m. Enevoldsen will be at the park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to explain celestial mechanics and the meaning of seasonal change to those who wish to learn. The initiative is both educational and social — it brings the community together and offers West Seattle residents a mindful and beautiful way to mark the shift from winter to spring. Local traditions like this, rooted in scientific knowledge and a love of nature, underscore the neighborhood’s unique character and its desire to stay connected to the planet’s natural rhythms.
Rematch in Orlando: Seattle Reign open season against their playoff spoilers
The new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season for the Seattle Reign will begin with a revenge match steeped in rivalry. On Sunday, March 15, 2026, the team travels to Orlando to face the Orlando Pride — the same club that eliminated them from last year’s playoffs. As noted in the Sounder at Heart match preview, this game could set the tone for the Reign’s season as they seek revenge and aim to make a statement early.
Reign head coach Laura Harvey said in pregame comments that playing a familiar opponent that didn’t change much in the offseason has its advantages. “We know what to expect from Orlando, it’s going to be a very tough match. They’re very good in both phases of play. We were able to prepare, maybe a little better than if it had been a team with big changes,” Harvey said. The Reign’s trip to this match wasn’t without difficulties: their departure from Seattle was delayed by more than four hours due to snowfall, which could have disrupted preparation plans.
Both teams made only targeted additions in the offseason, betting on developing young players alongside veteran leaders. Orlando Pride lost several key figures: defender Carson Pickett and Ellie Brazer moved to the expansion Denver Summit, and USWNT standout Emily Sames transferred to Angel City. New faces are expected to fill those gaps, like Hailey Mays, the regular-season winner with Kansas City Current in 2025, and defender Hannah Anderson. But Orlando’s headline signing was Mexican forward Jackie Ovalle, for whom they reportedly paid a record $1.5 million for women’s soccer. Her unpredictability and ability to create chances, as she demonstrated against the Reign last season, make her extremely dangerous.
Zambian forward Barbra Banda remains Orlando’s key player. Her injury in the second half of last season significantly hampered the Pride’s attack. When Banda is fit, she is nearly unstoppable: she combines strength, superb dribbling and a lethal shot. She also has a knack for finding space on corner deliveries.
For the Seattle Reign, this match will test their new tactical approach. Last season the team often sat deep in a “low block,” but now they plan to press higher and create more chances. In 2025 the Reign generated the fewest expected goals (xG) in the league but were efficient at converting rare opportunities. Against Orlando, which led the league in crosses and ranked second in corners last season, the Reign will need to pressure on the opponent’s half to prevent long balls and wing deliveries.
Orlando’s backline will be less experienced due to injuries and departures, which could play into Seattle’s pressing strategy. But the Reign also face availability issues: several players, including goalkeeper Cassie Miller, are out injured, and Lynn Biendolo is on maternity leave.
This game is more than an opener; it’s an opportunity for the Seattle Reign to take revenge, showcase a more aggressive philosophy and immediately present themselves as title contenders. For Orlando Pride, it’s a chance to prove that last year’s playoff success wasn’t a fluke and to start the season with a win over a key rival. Tensions are high ahead of kickoff, and fans can expect a tense, entertaining battle in the opening round.
Seattle Sports Star Awards: from the Seahawks’ triumph to a humanitarian act
Friday night was a real celebration for Seattle’s sports community at the 91st annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards. The past year was perhaps the most memorable in the city’s sports history: Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory and a historic playoff run by the Mariners. But as The Seattle Times reports, the loudest ovations were reserved not for the current champions but for a coach who hasn’t led a team in nearly two decades.
Former Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren and his wife, Kathy, were honored with the Paul Allen Humanitarian Award, earning two standing ovations. The award recognized their work with Medical Teams International and other charitable initiatives. Kathy Holmgren, a nurse by profession, has taken part in humanitarian missions in Eastern Europe, Africa and Mexico. Mike, who accompanied her after leaving coaching, shared a simple but important thought: help doesn’t always have to be loud and large-scale — sometimes helping one child can change the world for the better.
In sporting achievements, the title of Male Athlete of the Year went to Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. His phenomenal season — 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns — earned him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and was a key factor in the team capturing the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy. The award for the absent Smith-Njigba was accepted by the team’s vice president, who called him “the perfect team player.”
The Women’s Athlete of the Year honor went to twin pole vaulters from the University of Washington, Amanda and Hana Moll. Their dominance in the NCAA was unprecedented: Amanda became the first collegiate woman to clear 16 feet indoors, while Hana set a new outdoor record. Their success is a striking example of athletic excellence extending beyond the region.
The biggest sporting moment of the year was, of course, the Seahawks’ Super Bowl 2026 victory over the New England Patriots. Among other honors: soccer legends Kasey Keller and Michelle Akers received the Royal Brougham Sports Legend awards; Seahawks general manager John Schneider earned the Lenny Wilkens Leadership Award; and the posthumous Media Excellence Award was given to commentator Tony Ventrella, who passed away in 2024.
The ceremony paid special attention to community work. In addition to the Holmgrens’ award, Bras for Girls received the Equality & Inclusion Award, and the RAVE program from the Seattle Sounders was recognized for its community impact. Brothers Justin and Jacob Rivera, founders of Level the Field Sports, which helps low-income children overcome financial barriers to participation in sports, received the Youth Inspiration Award.
Governor Bob Ferguson, in his remarks, aptly noted sport’s unifying power, which creates memories and binds communities. The ceremony reflected that idea: it celebrated not only records and trophies but also humanitarianism, leadership and service to others — the true values of Seattle’s sporting culture.
