The Metro League is a high school athletics conference in Seattle, Washington, part of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Its 18 members are in SeaKing District II, which includes Seattle and east King County.
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, (Shorecrest, Shoreline, and Shorewood), 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 (SAAS) 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 School Location Founded Joined Type Division 2024-25 Enrollment Mascot ColorsSeattle, 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
School Location Founded Joined Left Type Mascot ColorsBainbridge Island, WA192820012020PublicSpartans Seattle, WA190219121946PublicTigers Edmonds, WA190919601965PublicTigers Mountlake Terrace, WA196019611965PublicHawks Seattle, WA190919121981PublicGrizzlies Shoreline, WA196119631979PublicHighlanders Shoreline, WA195519601979PublicSpartans Shoreline, WA197519751979PublicThunderbirds
Membership timeline
Sports The following are WIAA sanctioned sports that the Metro League offers.
Boys sports Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Soccer Swim\Dive Tennis Track and Field Wrestling
Girls sports Basketball Bowling Cross Country Fastpitch Softball Flag Football Golf Gymnastics Slowpitch Softball Soccer Swim\Dive Tennis Track and Field Volleyball Wrestling
In addition to the WIAA sanctioned sports many Metro League schools have multiple club sports such as crew, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee.
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
YearSchoolClass2024West Seattle3A2023Lincoln3A2014O'Dea3A2010O'Dea3A2009O'Dea3A2005O'Dea3A1996Blanchet3A1975Shorecrest3A
Basketball
YearSchoolClass2025Rainier Beach3A2024Eastside Catholic3A2023Garfield3A2020Garfield3A2019O'Dea3A2018Garfield3A2017Nathan Hale3A2016Rainier Beach3A2015Garfield3A2014Garfield4A2014Rainier Beach3A2013Rainier Beach3A2012Rainier Beach3A2009Franklin3A2008Rainier Beach3A2007O'Dea3A2006Franklin4A2006Seattle Prep3A2005O'Dea3A2004O'Dea3A2003Franklin4A2003Rainier Beach3A2002Rainier Beach3A2000Seattle Prep3A1998Garfield4A1998Rainier Beach3A1997O'Dea3A1995Franklin3A1994Franklin3A1993O'Dea3A1991Garfield4A1989Chief Sealth3A1988Rainier Beach3A1987Garfield4A1986Garfield4A1983Garfield4A1982Roosevelt4A1980Garfield4A1978Garfield4A1976Cleveland4A1975Cleveland4A1974Garfield4A1973Roosevelt4A1969Ingraham4A1963Blanchet4A1962Garfield4A1961Garfield4A1957Lincoln4A1956Lincoln4A1955Garfield4A1954Franklin4A1946Roosevelt4A1945Lincoln4A
Cross Country
YearSchoolClass2023Seattle Prep3A2022Seattle Prep3A2021Blanchet3A2004Blanchet3A2002Blanchet3A2001Blanchet3A2000Seattle Prep3A1999Lakeside3A1992Blanchet3A1991Blanchet3A1986Blanchet4A1984Blanchet4A1983Blanchet4A1980Lakeside3A1972Seattle Prep2A1967Franklin4A1966Nathan Hale4A1966Seattle Prep2A1964Franklin4A
Football
YearSchoolClass2025O'Dea3A2024O'Dea3A2019Eastside Catholic3A2018Eastside Catholic3A2017O'Dea3A2015Eastside Catholic3A2014Eastside Catholic3A1995O'Dea3A1994O'Dea3A1991O'Dea3A1988Ingraham4A1974Blanchet4A
Golf
YearSchoolClass2016Roosevelt3A2015Bainbridge3A2011Seattle Prep3A2008O'Dea3A2005Bainbridge3A2002Lakeside3A2000Lakeside3A1995Seattle Prep3A1986Lakeside3A1972Ingraham4A1964Shoreline4A1963Shoreline4A
Gymnastics (Defunct Sport)
YearSchoolClass1971West Seattle4A1970Nathan Hale4A
Soccer
YearSchoolClass2023Lincoln3A2019Lakeside3A2018Garfield3A2017Roosevelt3A2014Lakeside3A2012Bainbridge3A1990O'Dea3A1985Nathan Hale3A1980Blanchet4A1978Shorewood4A1976Shorecrest4A1974Blanchet4A
Swimming
YearSchoolClass2024Lakeside3A2019Bainbridge3A2018Bainbridge3A2013Lakeside3A2012Lakeside3A1996Seattle Prep3A
Tennis
YearSchoolClass2022Lakeside3A2019Lakeside3A2010Seattle Prep3A2009Seattle Prep3A2005Lakeside3A2004Lakeside3A2003Lakeside3A2002Seattle Prep3A2001Seattle Prep3A1998Seattle Prep3A1997Seattle Prep3A1996Seattle Prep3A1995Seattle Prep3A1994Lakeside3A1991Seattle Prep3A1986Lakeside3A1985Lakeside3A1976Lakeside3A1971Lakeside4A1964Seattle Prep4A1963Seattle Prep4A1962Seattle Prep4A1960Seattle Prep4A
Track & Field
YearSchoolClass2004O'Dea3A2003O'Dea3A1995O'Dea3A1989Garfield4A1988Garfield4A1987Rainier Beach3A1986Garfield4A1986Rainier Beach3A1985Garfield4A1984Garfield4A1980Franklin3A1979Garfield4A1967Franklin4A1965Ingraham4A1948Lakeside4A
Girls' team state championships
Basketball
YearSchoolClass2024Garfield3A2023Garfield3A2022Garfield3A2020Garfield3A2014Cleveland3A2013Cleveland3A2011Holy Names3A2010Cleveland3A2005Roosevelt4A2004Roosevelt4A2003Lakeside3A2002Seattle Prep3A1996Blanchet3A1995Blanchet3A1994Lakeside3A1992Lakeside3A1990Lakeside3A1989Lakeside3A1987Garfield4A1980Garfield4A
Cross Country
YearSchoolClass2016Holy Names3A2014Holy Names3A1991Lakeside3A1984Eastside Catholic4A1982Lakeside3A1975Chief Sealth4A1973Shoreline4A
Golf
YearSchoolClass2010Holy Names3A2009Holy Names3A2001Holy Names3A
Gymnastics
YearSchoolClass2025Ballard3A2019Holy Names3A2018Holy Names3A2017Holy Names3A2005Bainbridge3A
Soccer
YearSchoolClass2024Seattle Prep3A2023Roosevelt3A2021Lakeside3A2015Seattle Prep3A2011Seattle Prep3A2010Seattle Prep3A2003Lakeside3A2000Lakeside3A1999Holy Names3A1998Lakeside3A1996Lakeside3A1995Lakeside3A
Softball
YearSchoolClass2019Garfield3A2009Bainbridge3A1980Blanchet4A
Swimming & Diving
YearSchoolClass2016Lakeside3A2015Lakeside3A2014Lakeside3A
Tennis
YearSchoolClass2022Lakeside3A2017Holy Names3A2014Garfield4A1998Franklin4A1997Seattle Prep3A1996Seattle Prep3A1994Lakeside3A1993Seattle Prep3A1992Lakeside3A1991Lakeside3A1990Lakeside3A1988Lakeside3A1987Lakeside3A
Track & Field
YearSchoolClass2017Garfield3A2011Holy Names3A2009Rainier Beach3A2005Holy Names3A2004Rainier Beach3A2001Rainier Beach3A2000Holy Names3A1999Holy Names3A1998Holy Names3A1997Garfield4A1996Lakeside3A1993Garfield3A1992Lakeside3A1991Lakeside3A1989Cleveland3A1988Rainier Beach3A1987Garfield4A1986Rainier Beach3A1985Garfield4A1985Rainier Beach3A1984Garfield4A1984Rainier Beach3A1983Garfield4A1982Garfield4A1982Rainier Beach3A1981Garfield4A1974West Seattle4A1972Shoreline4A1971Nathan Hale4A
Volleyball
YearSchoolClass2022Lakeside 3A2016Lakeside 3A2010Seattle Prep3A2009Blanchet3A2006Blanchet3A2004Blanchet3A2003Seattle Prep3A2002Seattle Prep3A2001Seattle Prep3A1991Blanchet3A1978Shorewood3A1975West Seattle4A1974Ingraham4A1973Ingraham4A
Notable Metro League athletes
Baseball
Ed Bahr (West Seattle) Matt Boyd (Eastside Catholic) Mike Budnick (Queen Anne) Corbin Carroll (Lakeside) Paul Dade (Nathan Hale) Rich Hand (Lincoln) Spencer Harris (Broadway) Jeff Heath (Garfield)