High school sports is one of the important threads in the fabric of a community.

And we’re certainly seeing athletes excel in our high schools.

Take Renton High School. The boys and girls basketball teams are sitting atop the Seamount League and the wrestling team just won the Seamount title.

The Hazen boys swim team is dominating the Seamount League.

And what we know, too, is that those student-athletes are encouraged to focus on their studies in and out of the classroom and then play hard for their school.

Sports can lift up a school.  They provide a focus that’s healthy, that brings students together and breaks down barriers.  They can help keep kids in school.

So hats off to our student athletes – and to any student who represents his or her school in any endeavor.