Wildcat Nation Cheers on the Mariners at Friday Alumni Event

The crimson and black were easy to spot around T-Mobile Park Friday, as over 1,000 Central Washington University students, alumni, and family members converged to watch the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals.

Melany Peterson after singing the National Anthem (photo courtesy of Karl Holappa)

Most of the Wildcat nation was on hand as part of CWU Night, an annual alumni event held at Mariners games. Participants mingled prior to the game at a special area set up for the event on the 300-level skywalk and cheered on the team in two large sections during the game. The game was kicked off by CWU President James Wohlpart throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, followed by a stirring rendition of the national anthem sung by CWU's Mel Peterson.

The game marked the largest crowd Peterson has ever sung to, and she said it was a memorable experience on multiple levels.

"It was so great," she said of the event. "When I got a chance to see my Ellensburg community, my coworkers and alumni, that's when it came to fruition for me."

Peterson, who works in the college's human resources department, said the event was a chance for her to represent the Wildcat community, as well as her friends and family back in South Carolina. Although she attended many Atlanta Braves games while living on the East Coast, Friday was Peterson's first time stepping foot in T-Mobile Park.

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Story published by Karl Holappa at the Daily Record, April 26, 2022.