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Dan Trujillo

Stories by Dan

State champion rises above the field and the rain

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.

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

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.

Soccer team makes Camas proud

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."

No place like home for Washougal track

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."

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."

On the sidelines: Magic continues for Camas soccer

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.

View from the top

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."

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."

Lewis and Kwon are in this together

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."

Heartbreak and triumph for Washougal

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."

Papermakers soccer host district title game Wednesday

Papermakers soccer host district title game Wednesday

The Camas High School boys soccer team beat Skyview, Battle Ground, Heritage, Evergreen and Union during the last two weeks to become league champions.

"It's all about resiliency and mental toughness," said head coach Roland Minder. "These guys gave everything they had, and together they made history."

Minder couldn't have been more proud after the Papermakers defeated the Union Titans 1-0 Thursday, at McKenzie Stadium. The game remained scoreless for 60 minutes until Cameron Eyeman put the perfect spin on the soccer ball and sent it past three defenders, out of reach of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

On the sidelines: A perfect day for Schroeder

On the sidelines: A perfect day for Schroeder

Katie Schroeder was perfect Wednesday. The Camas High School sophomore struck out 14 of the 21 Union Titans she faced. She allowed zero hits and no runners reached first base. The Papermakers won the game 9-0. “It’s the best feeling to know you have total control and the people behind you to back you up,” Schroeder said. Schroeder and catcher Erin Tauscher were in sync on the mound and behind the plate. The Camas defense also kept the Titans off the base paths.

Washougal track teams share the glory

Washougal track teams share the glory

While the Washougal High School boys track and field team inched closer to another league championship, the girls ended up sharing the glory in two meets that went down to the wire.

Several top three finishes helped the Panther girls force a 75-75 tie with Mark Morris April 23, in Longview. If the Washougal girls can beat Ridgefield today, they will stand on the top of the 2A Greater St. Helens League with Mark Morris. And that would be five league titles in a row.

"We have girls who are willing to do an extra event, or whatever it takes, to win the meet," said head coach Dave Hajek. "I expect nothing less out of them today. These girls want to prove it on the track and in the field."

Camas softball team scores runs in bunches

Camas softball team scores runs in bunches

The Skyview softball players met their makers Monday. That’s how the Camas softball players described their endless sixth inning that led to a 17-4 victory.

The Papermakers sent 18 batters to the plate and scored 13 runs on eight hits. Erin Tauscher drove in seven of those runs with a 3-run home run and a grand slam.

She hit a fly ball into left field that just kept gaining altitude. The fielder tracked it, reached for the ball over the fence, but she couldn't bring it back.

Brandon Casteel goes 7-for-7 in a doubleheader

Brandon Casteel goes 7-for-7 in a doubleheader

Getting three or four hits in a baseball game is a pretty good day.

Brandon Casteel stepped up to the plate eight times and got seven hits for Washougal during a doubleheader against Hockinson on April 21.

As the lead-off batter, the sophomore laced four doubles and three singles, and scored four runs. And in the other at-bat, he was intentionally walked.

"It's the first time I've ever been able to hit that consistently." Casteel said. "My teammates were eating it up. Even the other team was congratulating me. It made my day."

Four Camas-Washougal runners cross the finish line before the Boston bombings

Four Camas-Washougal runners cross the finish line before the Boston bombings

April 15 should have been a day of celebration for Camas and Washougal runners Anita Burkard, Dolly Fisher Bales, Derek O’Quinn and Dana Seekins.

All four crossed the finish line at the Boston Marathon after training together for months at LaCamas Swim & Sport.

"Right after I crossed the finish line, I turned to the perfect stranger next to me and gave him a high-five," Fisher Bales said. "We finished! It was such elation."

The twilight experience

The twilight experience

Sean Eustis led his teammates in a cheer for Boston at the start of Friday’s Kalama Invitational, and then set a meet record in the mile run.

The Washougal High School senior crossed the finish line in 4 minutes, 24.7 seconds. He completed the last lap in 59.6 seconds. Eustis also won the 2-mile run in 9:49.86.

"This has always been one of my favorite meets. I love running in the dark," he said. "The Boston bombers were caught today. I'm always going to remember that, and knocking out that 4:24."

Camas runners set two meet records at Oregon Relays

Four Camas High School cross country state champions are breaking new ground on the track.

Alissa Pudlitzke, Mckenzie Good, Camille Parsons and Alexa Efraimson set a new Oregon Relays meet record in the distance medley relay Friday, at Hayward Field, in Eugene.

Pudlitzke ran 1,200 meters and Good completed the next 400. Then it was Parsons turn to run two laps.

"Alissa and Mckenzie had put us in a good spot. I should be able to pass a few girls," Parsons said. "That was my main focus."

Camas hosts Battle Ground tonight, at Doc Harris

Camas hosts Battle Ground tonight, at Doc Harris

Three Camas High School boys soccer players were hospitalized during a grueling league game against Skyview Friday, at Kiggins Bowl.

The Papermakers netted three goals in the second half to defeat the Storm 4-2.

"It was a crazy game," said assistant coach Dan Macaya. "I'll remember the battle. There were guys on both teams who had been knocked out of the game, but we gutted it out to the end and earned a solid win."

Another no-hitter for Camas softball

Katie Schroeder tossed a no-hitter in the first Camas softball game of the season. It seemed only fitting that Harli Hubbard would throw one in the first league game.

The Papermakers defeated Skyview 2-0 Wednesday, at Camas High School. Hubbard gave up zero hits, five walks and struck out 11 batters.

"It was such an amazing feeling to get on a roll like that," Hubbard said. "I couldn't have done it without my teammates."

CHS track teams sweep John Ingram Twilight

CHS track teams sweep John Ingram Twilight

Alexa Efraimson pushed her teammates around the track.

Grayson Anderson enjoyed sprinting and jumping under the lights.

It added up to a clean sweep for the Papermakers at the John Ingram Twilight track and field meet Friday, at Columbia River High School.

Panthers are the best in the gorge

Wet and chilly weather in the Columbia River Gorge couldn’t cool off the Washougal track and field teams Saturday.

"Everyone stepped up and fought through the hail, rain and the wind. I even thought I saw some snow," said senior sprinter Austin Tofell. "We competed hard."

The Panther girls racked up 130 points to beat 10 other schools in the Al McKee Invitational, at Stevenson High School. The boys scored 125.5 points to make it a sweep for Washougal.

"The conditions were tough on all the athletes, but our athletes really rose to the occasion," said head coach Dave Hajek. "Some of our kids came up with some big [personal records] on a bad day."

Papermakers unable to solve Heritage

The Camas baseball team picked up league wins against Battle Ground and Evergreen, but the Papermakers were unable to get the best of the Heritage Timberwolves Monday.

Camas scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game at 2-2, but Heritage added three runs in the second, and one in the third and fifth innings. Camas scratched and clawed for two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, before Heritage buckled down, got the last out of the game and earned a 7-4 victory.

Trent Johnson and Dylan White each had two hits for the Papermakers. Tyler Hows delivered a double. Reid Conlee and Tyler Hallead both had an RBI. Luke Minder pitched four strong innings and gained five strikeouts.

Catch the excitement in Washougal

Catch the excitement in Washougal

Softball is exciting again in Washougal.

Courtney Shelley threw strikes and let the defense behind her turn double plays and pick off runners on base. She pitched seven shut out innings April 9, and limited R.A. Long to six hits.

"It's such a weight off my shoulder to know the team has my back," Shelley said.

Truck driver hits telephone pole on SR-14

Truck driver hits telephone pole on SR-14

Sparks crackled and popped when truck driver Benjamin Chandler, of Carson, struck a telephone pole at Milepost 21 April 9, while traveling westbound on State Route 14.

"People said sparks were flying all over the place," said Washington State Trooper Will Finn. "It sounded pretty dramatic."

The incident occurred at 8:39 a.m. Finn said Chandler, 30, heard something pop. He wasn't sure if it was a flat tire or something more serious so he made the decision to drive into the ditch. The truck scraped along the side of the road and left a 300-foot scar.

Truck driver hits telephone pole on SR-14

Truck driver hits telephone pole on SR-14

Sparks crackled and popped when truck driver Benjamin Chandler, of Carson, struck a telephone pole at Milepost 21 today, while traveling westbound on State Route 14. “People said sparks were flying all over the place,” said Washington State Trooper Will Finn. “It sounded pretty dramatic.” The incident occurred at 8:39 a.m. Finn said Chandler, 30, heard something pop. He wasn’t sure if it was a flat tire or something more serious so he made the decision to drive into the ditch. The truck scraped along the side of the road and left a 300-foot scar.

Washougal track teams beat R.A. Long in non-league meet

Washougal track teams beat R.A. Long in non-league meet

Kaitlyn Johnson delivered a four-star performance for the Washougal girls track and field team Thursday, at Longview Memorial Stadium.

The senior earned first place in the 100-meter dash, with a time of 12.99 seconds, 200 dash, in 27.57 seconds, and the triple jump, with a leap of 29 feet, 8 inches. Johnson also helped her sister Kari, RaeAnn Allen and Paige Roberts win the 800 relay in 2:04.14.

Washougal softball wins three

The Washougal softball team capped off a breakout week with three victories.

Behind the pitching of freshman Courtney Shelley and the hitting of sophomore Madisen Baldwin, the Panthers beat the Fort Vancouver Trappers 15-0 March 26, at Fort Vancouver High School.

Baldwin went 2-for-2 at the plate, and reached base for a third time by drawing a walk. Sierra Carroll finished 3-for-4 with three singles, and Becca Bennett went 2-for-4. Senior co-captain Jackie Cohrs knocked in three runs.

Following the Camas arms and gloves

Following the Camas arms and gloves

Pitching and defense wins baseball games, but so does a few timely hits in the right spot.

The Papermakers explored all of those avenues to find a way to beat Battle Ground Friday, Evergreen Monday and begin the season with a 2-0 league record.

"I'm happy with how everything has started out," said junior pitcher and first baseman Dylan White. "We're doing what we need to do to win ball games. I feel really comfortable throwing strikes with these guys behind me."

Camas and Washougal fuel their expectations at Tiger Invitational

Camas and Washougal fuel their expectations at Tiger Invitational

Camas went the distance on the track and in the field to defeat 18 schools from Clark County, Kelso, Longview and Chehalis Saturday, at the Tiger Invitational, in Battle Ground.

"It's important for all of these teams to be able to come together as a county and showcase the best athletes we have to offer," said head girls coach Alisa Wise. "This meet gets a lot of kids involved before you come back from spring break and hit the ground running. It's just a great way to break the ice."

Washougal head coach Dave Hajek said he enjoyed watching the Panthers compete and getting reacquainted with all the other athletes and coaches in the area.

"Track is very friendly competition," Hajek said. "That's what makes this meet so fun to be a part of. We all know each other and respect each other."

Panthers net third place at tennis tourney

The Washougal High School girls tennis team clinched third place at the Longview tournament Friday and Saturday, at the Mint Valley Racquet Club.

Seven Panthers earned ribbons for their efforts. The team of Taryn Boni and Jenni Ladwig reached the championship match in the doubles bracket and settled for second place.

"Jenni's serves were on, and Taryn was able to take advantage at the net. They had a good system going," said head coach Linda Balholm. "They lost by a tiebreaker. That's how close they were to winning the championship."

Camas dancers razzle, dazzle to state

Camas dancers razzle, dazzle to state

With a razzling hip-hop routine and a dazzling jazz display, the Camas High School dancers are on their way to the 4A state dance and drill championships Friday and Saturday, at the Yakima Sun Dome.

Head coach Ranae Scott is thrilled that the Papermakers earned this opportunity in just their first dancing season in the largest classification in the state. Most of the 4A teams have more members coming up through middle school programs every year. Camas doesn't have that luxury. When new girls join the team each year, they are starting from scratch.

"These girls have come a long way from not dancing to doing break dancing, headstands and building very technical routines," Scott said. "Some of the strongest dancers we have on the team have never danced before this year. They have a lot of natural talent, and we're harnessing that talent and taking it to the next level."

Washougal softball can’t touch Camas

Washougal softball can’t touch Camas

Katie Schroeder never dreamed she would pitch so well in her first varsity start.

The Camas High School sophomore didn't give up a hit to Washougal in the five innings it took for the Papermakers to beat the Panthers 12-0. She also racked up 11 strikeouts. She was only two walks and a hit batter away from throwing a perfect game.

"To get my first varsity start was such an awesome feeling. This is something I've worked hard for my entire life, and now it's finally happening," Schroeder said. "I didn't even know I was throwing a no-hitter until the end of the game. It was such a surprise to me. It was not that I did so well, but that the whole team did so well."

Malychewski embraces wrestling

Malychewski embraces wrestling

Camas High School graduate Caleb Malychewski still has a soft spot in his heart for baseball, but wrestling is what gets his blood pumping at Pacific University, in Forest Grove, Ore.

"In baseball, there's lots of politics on who plays. In wrestling, you beat the guys in your weight class and you get to go to the varsity level. There's no question about it," Malychewski said. "There's a saying that 'once you have wrestled, everything else in life is easier.' I think there's a lot of truth to that.

"You can fail seven out of 10 times in baseball and still be successful. But in wrestling, you only got seven minutes on the mat. One or two mistakes and you're done. The matches always seem to come down to one takedown or escape," he added. "There's nothing like getting your hand raised at the end of a match after all the hard work that went into it. Every day, it's a grind. That's what I love about wrestling."

Rugby warriors fight

Rugby warriors fight

Thirty-two athletes from Camas, Columbia River, Mountain View, Hudson’s Bay and Union high schools are building an unbreakable bond through rugby. They are called the Clark County Warriors.

"A warrior is somebody who keeps fighting for what we want," said CHS junior Jason Vailea. "Our team is a family, and we will keep fighting for each other until the end of the match."

Vailea enjoys playing the game with Papermakers Nick Gadbaw, Jesse Kiesser, Riley Moss, Drew Clarkson, Michael DiGenova, Matt Walser, John Ashford, Gavin Grable, Tanner Aldridge and Dylan Tauscher. Many of them participate in rugby and football together during the school year.

The Clark County Warriors defeated the Westside Alliance 65-14 Saturday, at Liberty Middle School, in Camas. The Warriors compete in the High School Boys Club Championship Division. Log on to www.rugbyoregon.com to look at the team's scores and schedule.

BRICK BUILDERS

BRICK BUILDERS

The artificial turf at Fishback Stadium in Washougal is ripping and peeling apart.

The Washougal School District maintenance staff has done an admirable job of maintaining and repairing the field since it was installed in 2002, but gluing, re-stitching and taping can only do so much after more than a decade of wear and tear. There is a growing foundation of community builders who are determined to save this field for future generations, but they need more bricks.

Since the 2011 school year, Washougal High School Turf Campaign members Rick Thomas, Amanda Klackner, Kyle Eakins and Gordon Torstenbo have asked local businesses and residents for donations to help the school district purchase new synthetic turf for Fishback Stadium. The estimated cost for replacing the turf is $450,000. The district committed to donating $200,000 toward the project, leaving it up to the committee to raise the remaining $250,000 needed.

Jordin Seekins and her javelin are going places

Jordin Seekins and her javelin are going places

As she prepares for her final season of track and field for the University of Washington, Jordin Seekins is ready to let that javelin fly.

"Coming off indoors and all my training, I feel really good about everything that is about to happen," said the 22-year-old team captain from Washougal. "I want my teammates to compete with fire and passion for the school. You can't step into the circle or on the runway and be scared. You have to be confident in your ability to be a good thrower."

Seekins qualified for the NCAA West Prelims the last two seasons. The goal for her senior season is to make it to the NCAA Championships June 6 to 8, at Autzen Stadium, in Eugene, Ore. Size has been a disadvantage for Seekins since high school, but she makes up for it with hard work and determination.

"The girls just keep getting bigger, while I've pretty much stayed the same size," she said. "Nobody cares about how tall you are. The only thing that matters is how far you throw. I wanted a challenge, and that's why I came up here."

Bringing lacrosse to Camas High School

Bringing lacrosse to Camas High School

Camas High School juniors Cassius Johnson, Oliver Stanchfield and Bryce Tabbut live for lacrosse.

"When we get up every day, this is the first thing on our minds. We can't wait to get out here," Stanchfield said. "Once you find something you love, you never want to stop doing it. I never realized how fun this sport could be until I started playing it all the time."

Lacrosse coach Jim Avino has been attached to the sport his whole life. He played the game for State University New York, in Cortland, and at Colorado State. He then coached at Colorado State for five seasons, coached a club team in London and coached at North Rockland High School, in New York, where he went to school.

Avino moved to Camas in 2003. After coaching his son's baseball teams for several years, Avino missed his lacrosse stick.

Washougal boys fall one win short of state again

Washougal boys fall one win short of state again

The Washougal High School boys basketball team picked up the intensity in the second half and pushed the game into overtime, but the Panthers were never able to get a handle on the Hockinson Hawks.

Michael McElroy made both of his foul shots to tie the game up for Washougal and send it into overtime. Nate Adams won the tip off for the Panthers, Austin Tran got to the ball and put it right in the basket without hesitation to give Washougal the lead. Hockinson then closed out the game on a 16-0 scoring drive to win by the score of 67-53.

"It felt good to take the game into overtime," McElroy said. "We felt like we had the momentum. But after getting those first two points, it started to go downhill in a hurry."

Kyle Eakins is rewarded for his love of the sport

Wrestling is joy in its purest art form for Kyle Eakins.

"It is an ancient sport that teaches all the right lessons in a very personal and no excuses format," he said. "Humility, discipline, sacrifice, fraternity, physical and mental endurance, confidence and compassion. Wrestling brings these values together in a way that promotes community but rewards individuality."

Eakins has been teaching this ancient sport to Canyon Creek Middle School students since 2002. When asked about the key elements he passes on to younger wrestlers just getting started in the sport, Eakins quipped that it was "top secret" before letting his guard down and opening up his heart.

Ellie Boon will fulfill her dream of playing soccer at University of Portland

Ellie Boon will fulfill her dream of playing soccer at University of Portland

Ellie Boon’s license has arrived. The Washougal High School senior national level soccer player is officially a Portland Pilot.

"Portland has been my dream school since I was little," Boon said. "I remember rushing off the bus in second grade to watch them win the national championship in 2005. That's kind of where it all started for me."

Boon was already playing soccer by that point in her life, and dreaming big.

Emotional ending for Washougal wrestlers

Emotional ending for Washougal wrestlers

Neither Sara Sanchez nor Erin Locke could have made it to the Tacoma Dome alone.

"Having such a tough partner to work with every day makes you a better wrestler," Sanchez said. "One of us usually goes on before the other one. It's like tagging in your partner. Now it's your turn."

Sanchez and Locke each won their first round matches in the girls state tournament Friday, but got caught on the wrong end of pin falls in the quarterfinals. Both Panthers fought through to Saturday and wrestled three more matches to get a medal.

Opportunity knocks for Washougal

Once again, the Washougal High School boys basketball team faces the consolation finals crossroad.

A win tonight against their nemesis Hockinson sends the Panthers to the state tournament, but a loss ends the season. For the eight Washougal seniors who endured heartbreak after losing in a similar situation to North Thurston last season, it's now or never. The game starts at 7 p.m., at Evergreen High School, 14300 N.E. 18th St., in Vancouver.

"Twenty miles away at Evergreen, the atmosphere is going to be great," said senior guard Michael McElroy. "It's going to be a battle to see who has the loudest fans and who is the better team."

"We want to finish what we started last year," added senior forward Aaron Deister.

Swimmers earn seventh at their first 4A state meet

Swimmers earn seventh at their first 4A state meet

The academic state championship Camas High School boys swimming team captured seventh place at its first 4A state meet Saturday, at the King County Aquatic Center, in Federal Way.

"This has just been an incredible season of firsts. This was our first time in 4A and our first time winning the academic award. We also had a lot of people coming up here for the first time, making it to the finals and getting up on that podium," said senior co-captain Trent Harimoto. "It's been an amazing four years of ups and downs, crazy experiences and memories. I'm so glad that it happened this way. I wouldn't change a thing."

Camas racked up 130.5 points to finish in seventh place out of 37 schools. Kamiak High School, of Mukilteo, won the meet with 207 points.

Five Papermakers advance to the Mat Classic

Five Papermakers advance to the Mat Classic

After Tye Lommasson became a district and a regional wrestling champion for Camas, Austin Miller delivered a sensational encore performance Saturday at Heritage High School.

Lommasson grounded Skyline's Joseph Dematteo 6-3 in the 126-pound 4A regional championship match. Dematteo was one of the top-ranked wrestlers in the state, but the Papermaker was able to keep the Spartan on the mat.

"I had butterflies, but I just had to fight through it," Lommasson said. "This just feels awesome. It's my first time going to state. I can't wait to show everyone what I got."

Washougal siblings pave the road to the Tacoma Dome

Washougal siblings pave the road to the Tacoma Dome

Washougal siblings Stephen and Haven Camden, and Wyatt and Jessica Eakins, are four of the 13 Panthers who are going to the Tacoma Dome this weekend to wrestle for a state medal.

On the sidelines: Line in the sand

The Washougal Panthers hosted their first district playoff game Saturday, but Brad Wallace and the River Ridge Hawks spoiled the party. Wallace delivered 25 of his 30 points in the second half to lead the Hawks to a 54-51 victory in front of a packed house in the Washougal High School jungle gym. Wallace’s game-winning 3-point basket with 1.1 second on the clock was his fifth in the half. Washougal seniors Michael McElory and Aaron Deister each netted 15 points, and Jaden Jantzer added 10. McElory swished a buzzer beater from well behind the 3-point line to bring the Panthers within one point going into the fourth quarter. Jantzer and McElory both hit huge threes in the fourth quarter, but Washougal couldn’t hold to either one of those leads.

On the sidelines: Life in the fast lane

On the sidelines: Life in the fast lane

Seth Albert, Alec Geenty, Trent Harimoto, Jeffery Lee, Nick Panebianco, Ian Walker and Jake Yraceburu have been district swimming champions all four years at Camas High School. The Papermakers racked up 459 points to capture 4A district title Thursday, at Propstra Pool in Vancouver. Skyview finished in second place with 323 points. Kasey Calwell, Yraceburu, Lucas Ulmer and John Utas got the meet started off with a bang by winning the 200-meter medley relay with a time of 1 minute, 40.57 seconds. From then on, Camas won eight of the remaining 10 events.

Winning season leads Washougal girls basketball team to district tournament

Backed by the best record since Charlie Boyce became head coach six years ago, the 11-9 Washougal girls basketball team is going to River Ridge Friday to play in the first round of the district tournament.

"We're going to go out there and play hard, scrap, run as fast as we can and hope things turn our way," Boyce said. "We couldn't have gotten this far without our seniors. This is such a great opportunity for them and the ones we have coming back."

This is a dream come true for seniors Savanna McDowell and Megan Townsend. This rest of the Panthers are underclassmen.

"It just feels awesome to have a winning season," Townsend said. "Our entire team deserves it."

Washougal boys handle Hockinson

Washougal boys handle Hockinson

After a deflating loss at Mark Morris, the Washougal High School boys basketball team turned the corner and defeated Hockinson for the first time in school history.

"This win shows the maturation of this team," said head coach Malcolm Estes. "The next play is all that matters. These boys do such a great job of fighting on. They're better at it than me."

Hockinson hit a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the game, but Jaden Jantzer tied it up with a three of his own for the Panthers. The teams traded baskets on the next few plays. Aaron Deister delivered two points off a steal and Michael McElroy drove around the defenders to score four points, but the Washougal students stayed in their seats and bit down on their tongues.

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