Metro League (Seattle)


The Metro League is a high school athletics conference in Seattle, Washington, part of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Its 18 members are in SeaKing District II, which includes Seattle and east King County.
WWW metroleaguewa.org

History

High school athletics in Seattle dates back to the end of the 19th century. The Seattle Times published a news article in 1897 documenting the formation of a football team for Seattle High School, later renamed Broadway High School
The Metro League was founded as the athletic conference for Seattle Public Schools in 1912 and called the City League. The five founding schools were Ballard, Broadway, Franklin, Lincoln, and West Seattle. As the city grew more public high schools opened and joined the City League. These early additions include Garfield in 1920, Roosevelt in 1922, and Cleveland in 1927. No new members would join the league for the next 30-years. In 1946 Broadway high school would leave the league after Seattle Public Schools closed the school. The next addition to the league came in 1957 when Chief Sealth opened. Two years later Ingraham would open in 1959.
Metro League schools were prohibited from competing in the early state meet competitions by Seattle Public Schools administrators. The first WIAA state meet in boys basketball was in 1923 but it wasn't until 1945 that the Metro League allowed its schools to compete. Lincoln defeated Bellingham High School 50-38 to win the state championship that year. The first state meet in boys track and field took place in 1924 but it wasn't until 1959 that Metro League schools were allowed to compete.
In 1960 the league changed names and became known as the Metro League. The same year Edmonds High School and Shoreline High School both joined the league. This was the first-time schools not in the Seattle Public School district joined the league. Other schools from outside Seattle to join during this time were Mountlake Terrace High School and Shorecrest High School which joined in 1961 and 1963 respectively. New Seattle Public Schools to join during this time were Rainier Beach in 1960 and Nathan Hale in 1963. Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace, both of the Edmonds School District, left the Metro League in 1965 to join the Wesco League.
The mid 1970s to the early 1980s saw a lot of change to the Metro League. The most impactful change was the addition of private schools to the league. Private schools in Seattle had fielded athletic teams for decades but were previously in different athletic leagues than the public schools. This changed in the 1970's as Bishop Blanchet, Holy Names, Lakeside, O'Dea, and Seattle Prep all joined the Metro League. During this time Shorewood High School of the Shoreline School District would open in 1975 and also join the league. Four years later in 1979 all three Shoreline high schools,, would leave the league and join the Wesco League. Two years later in 1981 both Lincoln and Queen Anne high schools would leave the league after Seattle Public Schools closed both schools due to declining enrollment.
Further additions to the Metro League include the private school Eastside Catholic in 1989 and Bainbridge Island in 2001. Bainbridge Island would later leave the league in 2020. Lincoln would rejoin the Metro League in 2019 after Seattle Public Schools reopened the school. In the 2024-2025 school year, Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences joined the Metro League becoming the first new school to join the league since 2001.
The mid 1990's saw classification changes affect the Metro League. At the end of the 1994-95 school year, Franklin, Garfield, and Roosevelt left Class AA to form a three-team Class AAA Metro League. The football teams for all three schools played in the Olympic League of Kitsap and Clallam counties. Starting in the 1997-98 school year, Franklin, Garfield, and Roosevelt all left the Metro League to join the KingCo 4A Conference. In the 2002-03 school year Ballard would also leave the Metro League and join the KingCo 4A Conference. In the 2008-09 school year Franklin would move back to the Metro League after dropping from 4A to 3A. Ballard, Franklin, and Garfield would all return to the Metro League in the 2014-15 school year when all three schools dropped down from the 4A to 3A classification.
The Metro League football champion was awarded the Leon Brigham Trophy, originally donated by Royal Brougham.

Current members

Membership as of the 2024–25 school year
SchoolLocationFoundedJoinedTypeDivision2024-25 EnrollmentMascotColors
Seattle, WA19031912Public3A1,705Beavers
Seattle, WA19541975Private3A930Bears
Seattle, WA19571957Public2A1,186Seahawks
Seattle, WA19271927Public2A877Eagles
Sammamish, WA19801989Private3A602Crusaders
Seattle, WA19121912Public3A1,281Quakers
Seattle, WA19201920Public3A1,509Bulldogs
Seattle, WA18801975Private3A572Cougars
Seattle, WA19591959Public3A1,397Rams
Seattle, WA19191977Private3A587Lions
Seattle, WA19071912Public4A1,780Lynx
Seattle, WA19631963Public2A1,059Raiders
Seattle, WA19231977Private3A480Fighting Irish
Seattle, WA19601960Public3A854Vikings
Seattle, WA19221922Public3A1,561Rough Riders
Seattle, WA19832024Private3A845Cardinals
Seattle, WA18911975Private3A800Panthers
Seattle, WA19021912Public3A1,487Wildcats

Lincoln High School closed in 1981 due to declining enrollment but reopened in the fall of 2019.
All girls school
All boys school

Former members

SchoolLocationFoundedJoinedLeftTypeMascotColors
Bainbridge Island, WA192820012020PublicSpartans
Seattle, WA190219121946PublicTigers
Edmonds, WA190919601965PublicTigers
Mountlake Terrace, WA196019611965PublicHawks
Seattle, WA190919121981PublicGrizzlies
Shoreline, WA196119631979PublicHighlanders
Shoreline, WA195519601979PublicSpartans
Shoreline, WA197519751979PublicThunderbirds

Membership timeline


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bar:1 color:Full from:1912 till:1946 text:Broadway
bar:2 color:Full from:1912 till:1981 text:Queen Anne
bar:3 color:Full from:1912 till:1981 text:Lincoln
bar:3 color:Full from:2019 till:end
bar:4 color:Full from:1912 till:2002 text:Ballard
bar:4 color:Full from:2014 till:end
bar:5 color:Full from:1912 till:1997 text:Franklin
bar:5 color:Full from:2008 till:end
bar:6 color:Full from:1912 till:end text:West Seattle
bar:7 color:Full from:1920 till:1997 text:Garfield
bar:7 color:Full from:2014 till:end
bar:8 color:Full from:1922 till:1997 text:Roosevelt
bar:8 color:Full from:2014 till:end
bar:9 color:Full from:1927 till:end text:Cleveland
bar:10 color:Full from:1957 till:end text:Chief Sealth
bar:11 color:Full from:1959 till:end text:Ingraham
bar:12 color:Full from:1960 till:end text:Rainier Beach
bar:13 color:Full from:1960 till:1965 text:Edmonds
bar:14 color:Full from:1960 till:1979 text:Shoreline
bar:15 color:Full from:1961 till:1965 text:Mountlake Terrace
bar:16 color:Full from:1963 till:1979 text:Shorecrest
bar:17 color:Full from:1963 till:end text:Nathan Hale
bar:18 color:Full from:1975 till:1979 text:Shorewood
bar:19 color:FullxF from:1975 till:end text:Blanchet
bar:20 color:FullxF from:1975 till:end text:Holy Names
bar:21 color:FullxF from:1975 till:end text:Seattle Prep
bar:22 color:FullxF from:1977 till:end text:Lakeside
bar:23 color:FullxF from:1977 till:end text:O'Dea
bar:24 color:FullxF from:1989 till:end text:Eastside Catholic
bar:25 color:Full from:2001 till:2020 text:Bainbridge
bar:26 color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:Seattle Academy
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State championships

The Metro League has produced many state championship teams throughout its history. Boys basketball has been the most successful with the metro league winning over 50 state titles since the league was allowed to participate in the state tournament in 1945.
The following list of state championship teams includes all current members. Titles won by former members are included as well but only for the years when the school was a member of the Metro League. Schools that are italicized are current members but were not when the state title was won.

Boys' team state championships

Baseball
YearSchoolClass
2024West Seattle3A
2023Lincoln3A
2014O'Dea3A
2010O'Dea3A
2009O'Dea3A
2005O'Dea3A
1996Blanchet3A
1975Shorecrest3A

Basketball
YearSchoolClass
2025Rainier Beach3A
2024Eastside Catholic3A
2023Garfield3A
2020Garfield3A
2019O'Dea3A
2018Garfield3A
2017Nathan Hale3A
2016Rainier Beach3A
2015Garfield3A
2014Garfield4A
2014Rainier Beach3A
2013Rainier Beach3A
2012Rainier Beach3A
2009Franklin3A
2008Rainier Beach3A
2007O'Dea3A
2006Franklin4A
2006Seattle Prep3A
2005O'Dea3A
2004O'Dea3A
2003Franklin4A
2003Rainier Beach3A
2002Rainier Beach3A
2000Seattle Prep3A
1998Garfield4A
1998Rainier Beach3A
1997O'Dea3A
1995Franklin3A
1994Franklin3A
1993O'Dea3A
1991Garfield4A
1989Chief Sealth3A
1988Rainier Beach3A
1987Garfield4A
1986Garfield4A
1983Garfield4A
1982Roosevelt4A
1980Garfield4A
1978Garfield4A
1976Cleveland4A
1975Cleveland4A
1974Garfield4A
1973Roosevelt4A
1969Ingraham4A
1963Blanchet4A
1962Garfield4A
1961Garfield4A
1957Lincoln4A
1956Lincoln4A
1955Garfield4A
1954Franklin4A
1946Roosevelt4A
1945Lincoln4A

Cross Country
YearSchoolClass
2023Seattle Prep3A
2022Seattle Prep3A
2021Blanchet3A
2004Blanchet3A
2002Blanchet3A
2001Blanchet3A
2000Seattle Prep3A
1999Lakeside3A
1992Blanchet3A
1991Blanchet3A
1986Blanchet4A
1984Blanchet4A
1983Blanchet4A
1980Lakeside3A
1972Seattle Prep2A
1967Franklin4A
1966Nathan Hale4A
1966Seattle Prep2A
1964Franklin4A

Football
YearSchoolClass
2025O'Dea3A
2024O'Dea3A
2019Eastside Catholic3A
2018Eastside Catholic3A
2017O'Dea3A
2015Eastside Catholic3A
2014Eastside Catholic3A
1995O'Dea3A
1994O'Dea3A
1991O'Dea3A
1988Ingraham4A
1974Blanchet4A

Golf
YearSchoolClass
2016Roosevelt3A
2015Bainbridge3A
2011Seattle Prep3A
2008O'Dea3A
2005Bainbridge3A
2002Lakeside3A
2000Lakeside3A
1995Seattle Prep3A
1986Lakeside3A
1972Ingraham4A
1964Shoreline4A
1963Shoreline4A

Gymnastics
Soccer
YearSchoolClass
2023Lincoln3A
2019Lakeside3A
2018Garfield3A
2017Roosevelt3A
2014Lakeside3A
2012Bainbridge3A
1990O'Dea3A
1985Nathan Hale3A
1980Blanchet4A
1978Shorewood4A
1976Shorecrest4A
1974Blanchet4A

Swimming
YearSchoolClass
2024Lakeside3A
2019Bainbridge3A
2018Bainbridge3A
2013Lakeside3A
2012Lakeside3A
1996Seattle Prep3A

Tennis
YearSchoolClass
2022Lakeside3A
2019Lakeside3A
2010Seattle Prep3A
2009Seattle Prep3A
2005Lakeside3A
2004Lakeside3A
2003Lakeside3A
2002Seattle Prep3A
2001Seattle Prep3A
1998Seattle Prep3A
1997Seattle Prep3A
1996Seattle Prep3A
1995Seattle Prep3A
1994Lakeside3A
1991Seattle Prep3A
1986Lakeside3A
1985Lakeside3A
1976Lakeside3A
1971Lakeside4A
1964Seattle Prep4A
1963Seattle Prep4A
1962Seattle Prep4A
1960Seattle Prep4A

Track & Field
YearSchoolClass
2004O'Dea3A
2003O'Dea3A
1995O'Dea3A
1989Garfield4A
1988Garfield4A
1987Rainier Beach3A
1986Garfield4A
1986Rainier Beach3A
1985Garfield4A
1984Garfield4A
1980Franklin3A
1979Garfield4A
1967Franklin4A
1965Ingraham4A
1948Lakeside4A

Girls' team state championships

Basketball
YearSchoolClass
2024Garfield3A
2023Garfield3A
2022Garfield3A
2020Garfield3A
2014Cleveland3A
2013Cleveland3A
2011Holy Names3A
2010Cleveland3A
2005Roosevelt4A
2004Roosevelt4A
2003Lakeside3A
2002Seattle Prep3A
1996Blanchet3A
1995Blanchet3A
1994Lakeside3A
1992Lakeside3A
1990Lakeside3A
1989Lakeside3A
1987Garfield4A
1980Garfield4A

Cross Country
YearSchoolClass
2016Holy Names3A
2014Holy Names3A
1991Lakeside3A
1984Eastside Catholic4A
1982Lakeside3A
1975Chief Sealth4A
1973Shoreline4A

Golf
YearSchoolClass
2010Holy Names3A
2009Holy Names3A
2001Holy Names3A

Gymnastics
YearSchoolClass
2019Holy Names3A
2018Holy Names3A
2017Holy Names3A
2005Bainbridge3A

Soccer
YearSchoolClass
2024Seattle Prep3A
2023Roosevelt3A
2021Lakeside3A
2015Seattle Prep3A
2011Seattle Prep3A
2010Seattle Prep3A
2003Lakeside3A
2000Lakeside3A
1999Holy Names3A
1998Lakeside3A
1996Lakeside3A
1995Lakeside3A

Softball
YearSchoolClass
2019Garfield3A
2009Bainbridge3A
1980Blanchet4A

Swimming & Diving
YearSchoolClass
2016Lakeside3A
2015Lakeside3A
2014Lakeside3A

Tennis
YearSchoolClass
2022Lakeside3A
2017Holy Names3A
2014Garfield4A
1998Franklin4A
1997Seattle Prep3A
1996Seattle Prep3A
1994Lakeside3A
1993Seattle Prep3A
1992Lakeside3A
1991Lakeside3A
1990Lakeside3A
1988Lakeside3A
1987Lakeside3A

Track & Field
YearSchoolClass
2017Garfield3A
2011Holy Names3A
2009Rainier Beach3A
2005Holy Names3A
2004Rainier Beach3A
2001Rainier Beach3A
2000Holy Names3A
1999Holy Names3A
1998Holy Names3A
1997Garfield4A
1996Lakeside3A
1993Garfield3A
1992Lakeside3A
1991Lakeside3A
1989Cleveland3A
1988Rainier Beach3A
1987Garfield4A
1986Rainier Beach3A
1985Garfield4A
1985Rainier Beach3A
1984Garfield4A
1984Rainier Beach3A
1983Garfield4A
1982Garfield4A
1982Rainier Beach3A
1981Garfield4A
1974West Seattle4A
1972Shoreline4A
1971Nathan Hale4A

Volleyball
YearSchoolClass
2022Lakeside3A
2016Lakeside3A
2010Seattle Prep3A
2009Blanchet3A
2006Blanchet3A
2004Blanchet3A
2003Seattle Prep3A
2002Seattle Prep3A
2001Seattle Prep3A
1991Blanchet3A
1978Shorewood3A
1975West Seattle4A
1974Ingraham4A
1973Ingraham4A

Notable Metro League athletes

Baseball

Basketball

Football

Golf

Martial arts

Rowing

Soccer

Swimming

Tennis

Track and field

Other