Camas-Washougal logo tag

Sports

March 18, 2014
Louis Bloch Park, the gem of Camas-Washougal Babe Ruth, will be home to 99 ballplayers and eight teams this spring. Opening ceremonies start at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29.

Polished gem for Camas and Washougal

Thanks to good, home cooking and lots of tender love and care, Louis Bloch Park is ready for it's grand re-opening to Camas-Washougal Babe Ruth Saturday, March 29. "I grew up and played ball here. My goal is to bring back that community and family feel around the ballpark," said League President Jaycop Collins. "We want people to come on down and have a burger and enjoy a game. Have this become their restaurant for the summer." Collins played baseball at Louis Bloch Park between 1993 and 1997. He also served as a coach for a few seasons after graduating from Washougal High School in 1997.

March 18, 2014
Camas wrestler Caleb Malychewski holds his fifth-place trophy from the NCAA Division III championship tournament.

Malychewski finishes fifth at NCAA tournament

Camas wrestler Caleb Malychewski's college career ended with a win and a fifth-place finish in the NCAA Division III championship tournament Saturday, at U.S. Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 184-pound Pacific University Boxer rebounded from losses in the semifinals and the consolation semifinals by grinding out a 2-0 victory against Coe College's Ryan Sheldon in a trophy match for fifth place.

March 18, 2014
VEGA's Trace Jacquot, of Hockinson, flings himself over the high bar and catches it on the other side during the Level 10 USAG Washington state men's gymnastics meet Saturday, at the Clark County Event Center. He took third all-around.

Grabbing the gold

Ryan Dietzman pumped up the jam on the high bar. The 16-year-old Level 10 Camas gymnast delivered a perfect dismount and landing to earn a goal medal during the USAG Washington state men's gymnastics championships Saturday evening, at the Clark County Event Center. "It was such a clean and crisp routine," Dietzman said. "It felt so good."

March 11, 2014
Coach Zdravko Stoianov spots Riley Gorsuch on the high bar. Gorsuch is one of 13 gymnasts who will compete for the Vancouver Elite Gymnastics Academy in the USAG men's state gymnastics championships Saturday and Sunday, at the Clark County Event Center.

Ground breaking moment in gymnastics

The Washington state men's gymnastics championship meet is coming to Clark County for the first time in more than 20 years. This is the ground breaking opportunity members of the host Vancouver Elite Gymnastics Academy have been striving for since they moved into the Camas Armory building in 2004. It has become home base for gymnasts, dancers, musicians and cheerleaders. "People from all different walks of life come here," said founding coach and co-owner Randy Fox. "VEGA started with 10 kids 10 years ago. Now, there's well over a thousand. That's all from word of mouth and our loyal community."

March 11, 2014

Camas tennis facility awaits building permit

With vehicles driving on the new 38th Avenue, Caryn and Clark Vitek cannot wait to plant their seeds and watch them grow into the Evergreen Tennis Facility. "It's the gateway corridor from East Vancouver to Camas," Caryn said. "We're looking forward to having great visibility on that new road." Four indoor courts will be constructed on 2.28 acres of land at 5225 N.W. 38th Ave., next to Fisher Investments, in Camas. These courts will come with two glass cargo doors at each end of the facility, and a translucent ceiling to capture natural light.

March 11, 2014

Jerome Kersey to visit Camas Dream Team camp Saturday

Jerome Kersey is scheduled to visit Saturday's portion of the Dream Team Camp at Liberty Middle School, 1612 N.E. Garfield St., in Camas. Kersey played for the Portland Trail Blazers between 1984 and 1995. He was also a part of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Seattle Supersonics, the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks during his 17 years in the NBA.

March 11, 2014
Washougal High School Equestrian Team President Fee Harrison and Hollie Mae show what they can do during practice at Windy Ridge, in Washougal. "I'm her brain and her body, and she's my wings. She helps me soar," Harrison said.

Saddling up for final showcase

The hard work of these Washougal and Stevenson horseback riders is all for the final district three showcase April 17 to 20, at the Grays County Fairgrounds in Elma. "It's an adrenaline rush," said Washougal Equestrian Team President Fee Harrison. "It's my senior year, so this is the last impression I can leave on everybody. It's also really sad because I grew up in this sport. It developed who I am, what I stand for and what my morals are." Harrison hopes this won't be her last ride at a high school equestrian meet. Neither do fellow seniors Savannah Lehman, Mattie Olson, Megan Templer and Shelby Valaer. They all want to compete for state medals May 8 to 11, at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden.

March 4, 2014
Camas High School junior Alexa Efraimson has been named the 2013-14 Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. A presentation at CHS Thursday morning, involved 2012 Olympian Molly Huddle.

Day of Efraimson

Camas High School junior Alexa Efraimson has been named the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. She received the news Thursday morning when Olympian Molly Huddle stopped by her advanced marketing class. Huddle, a nine time All-American, is the American record holder in the 5,000 meters. She placed 11th in the 5,000 final, at the 2012 Olympic Games, in London.

March 4, 2014
Erin Locke (right) shares a proud moment with coach Heather Carver (left). Locke became the first female to win Washougal High School Wrestling's Ultimate Ironman award.

A Locke of iron

Erin Locke is made of iron. Her combination of work ethic and addiction for competition is unbreakable. The cerebral assassin never missed a practice or a meet in four years of high school. She also kept her GPA above 3.5, while qualifying for the postseason four times. By meeting all of that criteria, Locke became the first female to win Washougal High School wrestling's Ultimate Ironman award.