Benjamin Ray

Alcorn State's Kewan Braziel gets awarded with the T-Mobile Impact Award during the game. Ben Ray/ The Mirror

First annual Swingman HBCU Classic sets stage for Black baseball players

First annual event brought in over 15,000 fans during All-Star Week in Seattle.

Alcorn State's Kewan Braziel gets awarded with the T-Mobile Impact Award during the game. Ben Ray/ The Mirror
Once fans enter the Lumen Field side of the Play Ball Park they are met with all sorts of MLB All-Stars. Ben Ray / The Mirror

2023 MLB All-Star Week: Play Ball Park is a home run for fans

Activities indoors and outdoors to entertain fans at Lumen Field Event Center in Seattle from July 8-11.

Once fans enter the Lumen Field side of the Play Ball Park they are met with all sorts of MLB All-Stars. Ben Ray / The Mirror
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All-Star Weekend in Seattle: Lots of festivities for local fans

Starting July 7, fans can attend events in and around T-Mobile Park.

(Fair use/Courtesy of Wikipedia)
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Summer hoops league preps Kentwood with experience

Conks focus on consistency and execution.

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First-year Kentridge High coach Zac Webb dials in during his second summer league game. Ben Ray/The Reporter

Kentridge High welcomes Zac Webb as head basketball coach

Webb replaces local legend David Jamison who retired earlier this year.

First-year Kentridge High coach Zac Webb dials in during his second summer league game. Ben Ray/The Reporter
High School division features cars of all shapes and sizes. Ben Ray / The Reporter

52nd annual High School Drag Races held at Pacific Raceway

King County Sheriff races in a ‘Beat the Heat.’

High School division features cars of all shapes and sizes. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Izzy Teal and Matt Oclander talk before getting the boat in the water. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Izzy Teal makes history for Renton Rowing Center

The Liberty High senior qualified for the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships

Izzy Teal and Matt Oclander talk before getting the boat in the water. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Eagles celebrate after Nehemeya Mekonnen scored Federal Way’s fourth goal of the day. Ben Ray / The Mirror

NPSL boys soccer all-league teams announced

Honors include offensive, defensive players of the year and Coach of the Year for 3A and 4A.

Eagles celebrate after Nehemeya Mekonnen scored Federal Way’s fourth goal of the day. Ben Ray / The Mirror
Around the Sound Sports podcast is hosted by Ben Ray. Email benjamin.ray@soundpublishing.com.

Row row row in Renton | Around the Sound Sports podcast

Sports reporter Ben Ray takes a closer look at a local rowing club, including college rowing recruits.

Around the Sound Sports podcast is hosted by Ben Ray. Email benjamin.ray@soundpublishing.com.
Senior Jasper Estrellado in his phases of the triple jump. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Kentridge High boys take fourth at state track meet

KR’s Alex Conner and KW’s Vai Green shine in track and field finale

Senior Jasper Estrellado in his phases of the triple jump. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Team photo after both games finished. Ben Ray / The Reporter

3A-4A split softball All-Star game doubleheader

Games featured players from Auburn, Kent and Federal Way. 4A won game one (8-1) while 3A won game two (10-5).

Team photo after both games finished. Ben Ray / The Reporter
From right to left Julian Gene Fortin (3), Roman Hutchinson (1), Jaylon Jenkins (2) pose after sweeping the triple jump event.

Federal Way boys track team wins 4A state high school title

The Federal Way girls team finished in the top 5 for the second consecutive year.

From right to left Julian Gene Fortin (3), Roman Hutchinson (1), Jaylon Jenkins (2) pose after sweeping the triple jump event.
Around the Sound Sports podcast is hosted by Ben Ray. Email benjamin.ray@soundpublishing.com.

State track and field action, plus a little softball | Podcast

This episode of Around the Sound Sports podcast features exclusive interviews with local coaches and athletes on sports reporter Ben Ray’s beat in South King County. Be sure to check out Ben Ray’s reporting in the Federal Way Mirror, Kent Reporter, Auburn Reporter and the Renton Reporter.

Around the Sound Sports podcast is hosted by Ben Ray. Email benjamin.ray@soundpublishing.com.
Kentwood High softball heads out from the Covington school to the state tournament sandwiched between the students and the pep band. Ben Ray / The Reporter

It’s a parade inside their city yeah | Photos

Kentwood High softball sent off to state tournament

Kentwood High softball heads out from the Covington school to the state tournament sandwiched between the students and the pep band. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Sophia Sappa at bat in for the Conks in their first game of the day. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Kentwood High softball district tournament recap

Wright struck out 17 in game 1 victory

Sophia Sappa at bat in for the Conks in their first game of the day. Ben Ray / The Reporter
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Prep baseball and softball playoff fever | Around the Sound Sports podcast

Lots of local voices featured in this episode for high schools in Federal Way, Renton, Auburn and Kent.

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JJ Ursino up to bat in the sixth after colliding with teammate in right center field. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Kentwood softball to state in back-to-back years

Conks take down Olympia 4-3 on the way to the big dance.

JJ Ursino up to bat in the sixth after colliding with teammate in right center field. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Royal’s junior Andres Zuluaga takes on a Ballard defender. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Kent-Meridian historic boys soccer season ends with 5-0 loss

Future bright for Royals program

Royal’s junior Andres Zuluaga takes on a Ballard defender. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Thomas Milic in goal for the Thunderbirds May 17 against Winnipeg at the ShoWare Center in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds

Kent-based Thunderbirds take commanding 3-1 lead in WHL Championship

Seattle is one win away from its second championship in franchise history

Thomas Milic in goal for the Thunderbirds May 17 against Winnipeg at the ShoWare Center in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
Royals junior Saul Rodriguez looks to control the ball late in the game against the Ravens. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Kent-Meridian boys soccer ready for playoffs

Royals finish in third place in the NPSL standings.

Royals junior Saul Rodriguez looks to control the ball late in the game against the Ravens. Ben Ray / The Reporter