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April 24, 2012
Amber Corbett tosses the javelin during the Oregon Relays, at Hayward Field in Eugene. The Camas High School junior clinched second in the event with a throw of 126 feet, 7.5 inches.

Camas track teams rise at Oregon Relays

The Camas boys and girls track and field teams combined their efforts to finish in ninth place out of the 46 high schools who competed at the Oregon Relays Friday and Saturday, at Hayward Field in Eugene. "The atmosphere and ambiance of that meet is so big," said head coach Alisa Wise. "We want these kids to experience a big meet type atmosphere so they learn how to control their emotions and adrenaline. You can be physically prepared, but if you're not disciplined mentally, you're going to be all over the place." Amber Corbett was one of the many Papermakers who thrived in the spotlight. "It's a big stadium and tons of people are watching. You're right in the middle of it all," she said. "It's intimidating, but a great experience at the same time."

April 17, 2012

CHS baseball knocks off Fort, River and Kelso

Connor McClellan and his Camas baseball teammates found ways to win three big games last week. On the first day back after spring break, the Papermakers were unable to put Fort Vancouver away until their final at-bat in the eighth inning. Dylan Harris came off the bench and ripped a game-winning single in a 3-2 victory for Camas on April 9. After pitching two scoreless innings of relief, McClellan slid across home plate to score the winning run. Actually, it was more like a belly flop. "Dylan hits a slow roller through the infield," said Camas head coach Joe Hallead. "I'm waving my arm around and Connor gave me this look like 'are you sure?' He dove into home plate like a 747 coming in for a landing, and all the guys dog piled on top of him. It was just awesome."

April 17, 2012
Mikaela Searight crushes the softball over the left field fence for a 2-run home run. The Camas senior added a triple, double and a single to hit for the cycle in a 10-9 victory for the Papermakers over the Prairie Falcons Friday, at Camas High School.

Papermakers win in eight innings to improve to 9-0

Now this is the kind of victory the Camas softball players have been craving. After handling Union 9-0 and Columbia River 9-1 earlier in the week, the Papermakers stood victorious over the stingy Prairie Falcons 10-9 after an eight-inning slugfest that nearly eclipsed the four-hour mark. Mikaela Searight served a lead off single into left field, and Erin Tauscher reached base on a well-placed bunt. Sarah Nidick delivered the knockout blow with a deep drive to left that almost left the yard. It hit the top of the fence, but the Papermakers were already running out of the dugout to celebrate.

April 17, 2012
Savanna Joyce hands the baton off to Austen Reiter during the final race of the John Ingram Twilight track and field meet Friday, at Columbia River High School.

Going the distance

Just in case they had forgotten, Alexa Efraimson, Austen Reiter and Camille Parsons reminded the schools at the John Ingram Twilight track and field meet how the Camas girls became state champions in cross country. By going the distance together. Efraimson turned the track at Columbia River High School into her own personal playground Friday. The freshman finished first in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4 minutes, 57.2 seconds. It is the fastest mile by any girl in the state so far. "Going into the mile, our team has a saying. 'Slay the pain dragon,' " Efraimson said. "I was able to kill the dragon today. Once I crossed the finish line, I was pretty stoked."

April 17, 2012
Isaac Bischoff won the shot put and discus events during the Al McKee Invitational Saturday, at Stevenson High School. The senior chucked the shot put 42 feet, 10 inches, and then tossed the discus 137 feet for a new personal best.

Progress and pride

Progress and pride propelled the Panther boys and girls track and field squads to first place at the 12-team Al McKee Invitational Saturday, at Stevenson High School. "Anytime you have success, it breeds a little more confidence and a little more pride," said head coach Dave Hajek. "Our girls and our boys expect to do well. When expectations are driven more by the athletes than the coaches, it's fun to just sit back and watch them perform. I don't feel like I have to say anything. They police themselves and they push themselves to get better." The Washougal boys racked up 166.5 points. Kalama was second with 149 points and all the other teams were under 100. The Panther girls edged La Center 113 to 112.5 for first place. The rest of the teams were under 100.

April 10, 2012
Jarrett Gregory lends a helping hand to Bobby Jacobs. Gregory started a weight lifting club at Washougal for his senior project.

A Washougal senior starts a power lifting club

Lifting weights for his own personal gain was not enough for Jarrett Gregory. To share his passion with others, Gregory established a power lifting club at Washougal High School for his senior project. "Ever since I got into high school, I've enjoyed weight lifting so much and I wanted to give back to it in some way," he said. "Since our school didn't have a weight lifting club and other schools did, I figured this was my chance to give back by starting this club and hoping it grows from here." Gregory is joined by fellow senior Jake Greig-Prine and sophomores Luke Hiersche, Bobby Jacobs and Jorge Trujillo. On March 24, those five Panthers competed in their first Washington High School Power Lifting meet at White Salmon.

April 10, 2012
Mountain bikers from Camas, Washougal, Vancouver, Hockinson and Woodland are amped up for the Washougal MX Challenge Sunday, at Washougal Motocross Park. Racing begins at 10:05 a.m.

Washougal Motocross Park

High school mountain bikers are taking over Washougal Motocross Park Sunday. The athletes, coaches and volunteers from the Camas, Columbia River and Woodland composite teams have spent weeks at the track plotting out a brand new course for the Washington High School Cycling League. It features four miles of trail and 500 feet of climbing. Several vantage points along the tree-lined track should give racers and spectators a majestic feel.

April 10, 2012
Jesse Saulo gets the kick off just in time for the Camas Rugby team Saturday, at Skyridge Middle School. The Mean Machine defeated Tualatin 50-3 to improve to 4-0 this season.

Camas rugby keeps rolling

Sunlight brought a warrior's mentality out of the Camas rugby players Saturday, at Skyridge Middle School. "It's just a lot of fun to be able to play the game you love with your buddies, and to have a lot of people come and watch," said Camas High School junior Nickolas Gadbaw. "It was amazing being out in the sun" Playing at home for the first time this season, the Mean Machine out-muscled Tualatin in the mud 50-3. Gadbaw led the attack with three tries for 15 points. "I've been playing this game for 12 years, and I have lots of experience. It's great to be able to show what I can do," Gadbaw said. "I love my teammates. They knew just what to do to get me the ball at the right time. I got some good kicks and I got all the right bounces."

April 3, 2012
Josiah Pacheco chips in the goal that helps Camas beat Union 2-1.

Pacheco rises to the occasion

Josiah Pacheco was the eye in the storm for the Papermaker boys soccer team. The junior jumped at the opportunity to play center forward, and delivered a goal and an assist to help Camas beat the Union Titans 2-1 Thursday at Doc Harris Stadium. "Every game, I get in my zone and give 100 percent," Pacheco said. "If I ever come off the field feeling like I didn't give my all, I feel disappointed in myself."

April 3, 2012

Harris blows out the candles, and eight batters, on his 18th birthday

Like candles on a cake, Dylan Harris blew down eight Fort Vancouver batters on his 18th birthday. "It's become a program tradition. You always pitch on your birthday," said the Camas High School senior. "It's your special day. Go out on the bump and let everybody know." The Papermakers beat the Trappers 7-3 March 27, at Fort Vancouver. Harris took a shutout into the seventh inning, before running into some trouble. He handed the ball off to Connor McClellen, who got the last two outs of the game on a double play.