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Sports

August 2, 2011
University of Northern Colorado wrestling coach, and former Evergreen High School wrestler, Ben Vom Baur (far left) directs kids on the the mat Friday, during the final day of the Clark County Coach-A-Roo wrestling camp, at Skyridge Middle School in Camas.

Wrestling with passion in Clark County

Clark County wrestlers of all ages look up to Ben and Cory Vom Baur. Between 1996 and 98, Ben compiled a record of 102 wins and 0 losses, and captured three state championships, when he wrestled for Evergreen High School in Vancouver. He also won two Pac-10 championships and became a two-time NCAA All-American, at Boise State University.

July 26, 2011
A total of 104 soccer players attended the Portland Timbers Camas-Washougal Camp July 11 to 15, in the fields behind Doc Harris Stadium. Another 140 youths turned out for the Dan Macaya Soccer Camp this past week, at the Prune Hill Sports Park.

Spreading the Camas soccer heritage

Over the past two weeks, more than 100 youngsters participated in the Portland Timbers and Dan Macaya soccer camps in Camas. "The way this thing is growing, I might have to start running two camps," Macaya said Thursday, after 140 6- to 14-year-olds attended his week long camp at the Prune Hill Sports Park. "The way soccer keeps growing in Camas, I think these camps are going to be here for a while." Especially if Macaya keeps getting help from high school and college level volunteers. This year's ensemble included Camas High School graduates Sami Andrews, Jason Martschinske, Brittany Oljar, Nick Palodichuk, Drew White and CHS senior Olivia Lovell.

July 26, 2011
Tens of thousands of screaming racing fans huddled around the track Saturday, as Washougal Motocross Park went live on the SPEED network, at 4 p.m., for the eighth round of the 2011 Lucas Oil Motocross Championship Series.

Turning 40 in style

Racing fans of the 40-year-old Washougal Motocross Park had never seen so many twists and turns, until Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto took the stage Saturday.

July 21, 2011
Michael Walsh of Vancouver said the idea of seeing PNC Park in Pittsburgh (pictured above) turned into a 25-day, 7,000-mile "Sport Road Trip" to 11 Major League Baseball ballparks, five minor league stadiums and the U.S. Open.

On the road to a stronger friendship

When Sport Road Trip Co-Founders Casey Johnson of Washougal and Michael Walsh of Vancouver returned home July 2, the odometer on their 2011 Lincoln MKX read 7,003.1 miles. The vehicle, provided specifically for the trip by Foothills Lincoln Mazda in Spokane, took the two Boise State University graduate students to 23 different states, 11 Major League Baseball ballparks, five minor league games and the U.S. Open Golf Championship in 25 days. "Once you get past the Midwest, it feels like you're getting closer to home," Johnson said. "There's just something special about the Northwest, especially when you drive back through Montana, Idaho and the Columbia River Gorge. I've lived here my whole life. This is home for me."

July 19, 2011
Engines will be roaring and dirt will be flying at Washougal Motocross Park this week, during the 2011 Washougal AMA Motocross National. Amatuers get the first crack Thursday and Friday, before the pros compete Saturday.

Let the engines roar and the dirt fly in Washougal

Ralph and Carolyn Huffman have the biggest backyard in Washougal, and they don't mind sharing it with tens of thousands of racing fans around the world. Since the 1970s, the Washougal Motocross Park has attracted thrill seekers on wheels with its hairpin turns, hang time jumps and breathtaking scenery. Forty years later, the community support and the international flavor for this iconic landmark near the Washougal River continues to grow. "A lot of riders say there's not a more beautiful track on the circuit," said track manager Ryan Huffman, son of Ralph and Carolyn. "We are grateful for our loyal following of fans, riders and their families who travel from all parts of the globe to spend the whole week out here with us.

July 12, 2011
Brent Richards returned home Friday, and scored a goal for the Portland Timbers U-23 men's soccer team. The Abbotsford Mariners, of British Columbia, Canada, defeated the Timbers 2-1, at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas.

The greatness of homegrown soccer

Clash at the Border weekend in Camas featured a return to greatness for Camas High School graduates Brent Richards and Nick Palodichuk. A total of 2,453 soccer fans packed Doc Harris Stadium Friday night, to see Richards, Palodichuk and the U-23 Portland Timbers take on the Abbotsford Mariners of British Columbia, Canada. Richards netted a penalty kick goal for the Timbers in the 37th minute, before Abbotsford bounced back to win the game by the score of 2-1. Palodichuk was the first one to congratulate Richards after his goal.

July 12, 2011
Camas High School graduate Miguel Salamanca (1) gallops for 74 yards Saturday, during the Shriners Freedom Bowl Classic at Kiggins Bowl.

Heroic efforts for Shriners Hospital

State wrestling champion Miguel Salamanca may have been a step slower in his return to the gridiron Saturday, but it sure felt good to get out in the open again with a football in his hands. "I had a little rust to knock off," he said. "It felt really good to put the pads back on, and to hit some people. It was fun getting everyone back together for one more game of football."

July 5, 2011
Washougal High School head football coach Bob Jacobs will lead the East All-Stars into battle against the West at the 2011 Shriner's Freedom Bowl Classic Saturday, at Kiggins Bowl in downtown Vancouver. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m.

Freedom fighters

One more week of high school football starts today for the 83 graduates selected to play in Saturday's Freedom Bowl Classic, at Kiggins Bowl. Eight of these athletes are from Camas, and two more are from Washougal. These proud Panthers and Papermakers will put their differences aside and work together to raise money and awareness for the children of Shriner's Hospital. "One of the things you learn is life's a lot bigger than football. Not everybody is dealt the same cards," said East All-Stars head coach Bob Jacobs of Washougal. "There are a bunch of kids in that hospital who would love the opportunity to be able to play football. In some ways, we are playing for them."

July 5, 2011
Taylor Williams, a 2010 Camas High School graduate, tossed a scoreless inning for the New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars against Team USA June 27, at Fenway Park in Boston. Williams, who pitches for Washington State University, is with the Keene Swamp Bats, in New Hampshire, this summer.

Williams pitches a perfect inning at Fenway Park

In his final start on the mound for the Papermakers, Taylor Williams pitched seven innings at Safeco Field. The 2010 Camas High School graduate remembers that moment like it was yesterday, but said it doesn't even compare to the one he had eight days ago. On that day, the 19-year-old was popping the glove at Fenway Park. "Having the opportunity to pitch at Fenway, which is known as the 'Cathedral of Stadiums,' is something you dream about," Williams said. "You can't help but think about the history that surrounds that ballpark, and all of the greats who have played there. To be on the same field and in the same spot as those guys is something nobody can take away from you."