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Sports

July 31, 2012
More than 100 youth participated in the Dan Macaya Soccer Camp last week at the Ione Street fields in Camas. When Macaya, who played soccer at and graduated from Camas High School and Concordia University, first started the event nine years ago 15 kids attended. The camp has continued to grow and expand each year.

Macaya soccer camp is a hit with local kids

Soccer has become one of the most popular sports in southwest Washington, and Dan Macaya helps to fuel that passion with an annual kids camp. Macaya started this camp nine years ago as a senior project while at Camas High School. He studied the importance of role-models in child development. Only 15 kids participated. Last week’s camp had 100 kids signed up in advance. Last year there were 130 present. "Anybody can sign up," said Macaya. "It's not advanced, but kids should be willing to try. There's a lot of high level activity."

July 31, 2012
Brent Richards made his debut with the Portland Timbers against the L.A. Galaxy July 14, at JELD-WEN Field. The 23-year-old from Camas went head-to-head with his idols David Beckham and Landon Donovan.

Richards makes his debut with the Portland Timbers

Local boy Brent Richards achieved his dream job at the age of 22 by making his debut as a Portland Timbers Major League Soccer player. Richards, the team's first and only homegrown player, has played in three MLS league games so far. Once as a halftime substitution against L.A. Galaxy, another as a substitution against F.C. Dallas in a home game and as a starter against Chivas U.S.A. He also started in an exhibition match against English team Aston Villa. "I knew I would debut eventually," said Richards. "But I've been wanting to get into a game for a while now. I've been doing well in practice for a while."

July 24, 2012
More than 1,000 runners and walkers participated in the 2012 Fit Right Northwest Half Marathon and 4-miler around Lacamas and Round lakes Sunday, in Camas.

Community support is strong at Lacamas Lake half marathon

A total of 1,066 runners and walkers crossed the finish line at Cardon Field Sunday after circling Lacamas Lake, Round Lake and the Camas High School track at the Fit Right Northwest Half Marathon. Trevor Palmer, a 28-year-old from Medford, Ore., captured first place out of 525 finishers with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 20 seconds. Amelia Slagle, a 26-year-old from Portland, led all females with a time of 1:26:13. Four Camas residents rounded out the women’s top 10. Samantha Andrews took third in 1:34:12, Katie Buxman clinched sixth in 1:38:55, Hillary McKinstry followed in seventh with a time of 1:40:27 and Kathy Mann was 10th in 1:41:06. Mann was also the third best female masters finisher, and Kari Hebble of Camas notched ninth with a time of 1:48:10.

July 24, 2012
The 2012 AMA Washougal National featured a ton of action on the dirt and in the air Saturday, at Washougal Motocross Park. Ryan Dungey (above) won at Washougal for the fifth year in a row.

Fans pack the hills at Washougal MX Park for annual AMA National

The world's fastest motorcycle riders were gaining altitude under blue skies during the 2012 AMA Washougal National Saturday, at Washougal Motocross Park. With six professional races to watch in one day, the estimated 20,000-plus fans in attendance got their money's worth. Justin Barcia, Ryan Dungey and Ashley Fiolek sliced through the turns, climbed Washougal's famous "Horsepower Hill" and soared above the Evergreen trees en route to the checkered flag.

July 17, 2012
The ninth Lacamas Lake half marathon, and 4-mile run and walk event, begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, at Cardon Field, behind Camas High School.

Lacamas Lake run keeps going strong

An estimated 1,200 runners and walkers will traverse Lacamas Lake and Round Lake Sunday in search of beauty, exercise and the thrill of crossing the finish line. The ninth Fit Right Northwest Lacamas Lake Half Marathon and 4-Miler begins at 7:30 a.m. on the Cardon Field track behind Camas High School, 26900 S.E. 15th St. Race director Dave Sobolik said this event originally started as a launching pad for a new Fit Right store opening in east Vancouver. "It has grown from just a run and walk to a half marathon and a community engaging event," he said. "We have a lot of local companies, vendors and volunteers involved, and we are going to donate the money we raise to local charities. It's just a real great way for all of us come back together and support each other."

July 17, 2012
The stage is set for another exciting week of amatuer and professional racing at the Washougal Motocross Park. Gates open Wednesday at 10 a.m. The 2012 Washougal AMA National is on Saturday.

AMA pros will tear through the dirt and soar above the trees in Washougal

The fastest motorcycle riders on the planet are ready to tear through the turns, conquer the hills and soar above the trees when the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Series comes to Washougal Motocross Park Saturday. Gates open Wednesday at 10 a.m., followed by amatuer racing on Thursday and Friday. More than 20,000 racing fans are expected for the Washougal National on Saturday. The women kick off the action at 12:15 p.m., followed by the 450 class at 1:10, the 250 class at 2:10, and then the final three motos at 3:20 (women), 4:05 (450) and 5:05 (250).

July 17, 2012

Cougar Creek Bridge replacement project is scheduled for mid-October completion

Motocross fans might wonder why the project to replace the Cougar Creek Bridge started yesterday instead of waiting one week. The project requires a complete closure of Northeast Washougal River Road, from Milepost 5.1 to 5.2 for an estimated 15 weeks. The bridge is located at Milepost 5.16. During the project, traffic is being detoured around the construction zone. The designated detour route includes 17th Street, Evergreen Highway, 32nd Street, Jennings Road, 357th Avenue and Vernon Road.

July 10, 2012
Nicholas Hamer (far left) joins in the celebration after providing the asisst on the decisive goal scored by Mark Sherrod. The Portland Timbers U-23 team defeated Washington Crossfire 1-0 Friday, in front of an estimated crowd of 2,056 fans at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas.

Portland Timbers U-23 team returns to Camas Friday

An estimated 2,056 soccer fans filled Doc Harris Stadium in Camas to cheer the Portland Timbers U-23 Premier Development League team to a 1-0 victory against Washington Crossfire of Redmond Friday. The Camas-Washougal Soccer Club hosted the game as a featured attraction for its Clash at the Border soccer tournament. The majority of the spectators were from the youth soccer teams playing in the weekend long festival. "The club, town and the facility did itself very proud by hosting this game," said Timbers U-23 head coach Jim Rilatt. "It's a real kick for these guys to be able to play in front of so many kids. They love to stay after the games are over to sign autographs and talk to the kids about soccer. It's a summer they will never forget."

July 10, 2012
Perri Belzer (left) of the Vancouver Timbers 99 Red takes on a defender from the Camas-Washougal Soccer Alliance Valencia in the U-13 Platinum championship game of the Clash at the Border tournament. The Timbers beat Valencia 2-0.

Clashing styles

Championship glory tasted sweet for Perri Belzer and several other local athletes who participated in the Clash at the Border soccer tournament this past weekend. "What I'll remember most is being able to play with my team and winning," said Belzer of Camas. "Getting first place was just awesome for us. We were all happy we got the result we wanted" Belzer and Elise Schney both scored goals to lead the Vancouver Timbers 99 Red to a 2-0 victory against the Camas-Washougal Soccer Alliance Valencia in the U-13 Platinum championship game Sunday. Five other Vancouver Timbers teams earned first-place trophies from their respective brackets, and nine more Timbers teams finished in second place.