State champion rises above the field and the rain

Brian Humphreys beat the rain yesterday. Today, he didn’t let it beat him. The Camas High School freshman shot the best round of 74 strokes on a soggy and windy Wendesday at Camas Meadows to become the 4A boys golf state champion.

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 22, 2013

Camas softball team earns a spot in the Sweet 16 in Spokane

A hiccup in the district championship game didn’t prevent the Camas High School softball team from getting back to the state tournament.

After losing to Skyview in the title game, the Papermakers showed their resolve Friday by beating Kentridge and Gig Harbor in the first two rounds of the bi-district tournament, at the Sprinkler Recreation Center, in Spanaway. Those two victories ensured Camas a spot in the Sweet 16 in Spokane.

"That's been our mission all along, to come out and win and get your berth to state," said head coach Ken Nidick.

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 21, 2013

Soccer team makes Camas proud

Camas soccer fans could feel the magic as the Papermakers defeated the Skyline Spartans in a shootout during the first round of the state tournament May 14, at Doc Harris Stadium.

"The spectator's got their money's worth. No question," said head coach Roland Minder. "I hope this win teaches them to have confidence, and to play all out until the end. We can still dig deeper."

Nate Beasley, Austin Cassity, Calvin Goon, Sam Pizot and Cayne Cardwell delivered the penalty kick goals for Camas. Skyline answered the bell four times, but Papermaker goalkeeper Sharif Batroukh denied the Spartans on their fifth and final attempt and the victory belonged to Camas.

"They're a great team. We were neck-and-neck the whole way," Batroukh said. "To come out of that game with a win was a miracle. It's an amazing feeling, but the road is not over."

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 21, 2013

No place like home for Washougal track

Seven Washougal High School track and field athletes qualified for the state meet by running, jumping and throwing in the friendly confines of Fishback Stadium Friday.

"Hosting a district meet is always special because you get to see the support from the community," said head coach Dave Hajek. "I'm always proud of what the people in Washougal do for the kids."

Michelle Greear grabbed first place in the discus with a throw of 109 feet, three-quarters of an inch. She also took third in the shot put with a toss of 32-8.5.

"I'm proud of my team," Greear said. "There's nothing better than being on your home turf and going to state."

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 21, 2013

Camas track athletes crave the spotlight

This is the week the Camas High School track and field athletes have been craving for months.

On Thursday, the 3-day state championship festival begins in Tacoma. The top runners, throwers and jumpers from three different classifications converge at Mt. Tahoma High School to find out who are the best athletes and teams in the state. Sixteen Papermakers are anxious for their first turn in the spotlight at the 4A level.

"What I love about track and field is the unknown factor," said head girls coach Alisa Wise. "There's so many ups and downs, and twists and turns. The only way to describe it is it's exciting. The only thing you can predict and that it will be unpredictable."

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 21, 2013

On the sidelines: Magic continues for Camas soccer

A magical soccer season continues in Camas. The boys in the white and black defeated the Skyline Spartans in a shootout Tuesday, at Doc Harris Stadium. Once again, the Papermakers are one victory away from playing in the Final Four. Nate Beasley, Austin Cassity, Calvin Goon, Sam Pizot and Cayne Cardwell delivered goals in the shootout for Camas. Skyline answered the bell four times, but Papermaker goalkeeper Sharif Batroukh denied the Spartans on their fifth and final attempt and the victory belonged to Camas.

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 14, 2013

View from the top

The Camas High School girls track and field team rose above their Greater St. Helens League challengers Wednesday and Thursday, at McKenzie Stadium.

The Lady Papermakers racked up 154 points to beat Skyview, Union, Battle Ground, Evergreen and Heritage for the district championship trophy. The Camas boys collected 146 points to finish in second place. Skyview won the boys title with 162 points.

Alexa Efraimson earned first place for the Papermakers in the girls 800 (2:09.74) and 1,600-meter runs (4:50.24). She also carried the baton across the finish line first in the 1,600 relay, picking up the pace set by Cammie Parsons, Ali Nuce and Mckenzie Good (4:01.88).

"There are so many great girls at this meet. It's getting more and more competitive in this area as the years go on," Efraimson said. "It makes it harder and harder to move on, but it also makes it more rewarding when you do move on."

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 14, 2013

Camas soccer legacy continues

Seven wins in a row puts the Papermaker boys soccer team back in the state tournament for the 15th consecutive season.

"We're on a great winning streak," said junior goalkeeper Sharif Batroukh. "We might be young guys, but we've got big hearts."

Sophomores Cayne Cardwell and Cameron Eyman were only 2 years old when this streak started in 1999. They both delivered goals Saturday to help Camas beat Auburn-Riverside 4-0, at McKenzie Stadium.

"It's a good feeling to carry on the tradition," Eyman said. "We didn't want to let Camas down."

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 14, 2013

Lewis and Kwon are in this together

Esther Kwon and Jen Lewis are no longer on opposite ends of the tennis court. They are in this together.

The two Camas High School sophomores, who faced each other in the 3A district singles title last year, captured the 4A district doubles championship Saturday, at the Vancouver Tennis Center.

"We were one and two last year. I'm so proud we were able to win it all again for our school this year," Lewis said. "It's a lot less pressure playing with someone I'm very good friends with off the court."

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 14, 2013

Heartbreak and triumph for Washougal

The Washougal boys track and field team earned another league championship last week, but the girls lost their first league meet in five years by one point.

"It's been a great five years. Not too many teams can say they had this much success in any sport," said head coach Dave Hajek. "I'm impressed by all the girls. They were willing to do whatever takes to keep the streak alive.

"I'm proud of the seniors who gave everything they had, and I'm excited for the younger girls who say they want to get the league title back next year," he added. "It means we have athletes in Washougal who care. That's all you can ask for as a coach."

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• by Dan Trujillo
• May 7, 2013