Camas wrestling gets cracking in new league

It’s been two weeks since Vince Huber played football in the Tacoma Dome. Today, he is working for an opportunity to go back as a wrestler.

“Every wrestler from this state dreams of making it to the dome,” he said. “I definitely want to get back there. It’s such an electric atmosphere. I’m reflecting on my last season of wrestling and channelling all my experiences from football on the mat.”

Football has always been first in Huber’s life, but wrestling is becoming a close second. His sweat on the mat made him more balanced and conditioned on the field.

The Camas High School senior also developed friendships with seniors Andrew Duffy, Anthony Grable, Austin Miller and Dakota Safford. Their goal is to contend with Battle Ground, Evergreen, Heritage and Union for the top spot in the 4A Greater St. Helens League.

“Our mentality is to outwork any team that tries to stand up against us,” Miller said. “All it takes is practice, practice and more practice. You can never get better at anything if you just stand still. You’ve always got to keep moving and pushing forward.”

Camas made a big move last week by beating Skyview 47-34 in the league opener Wednesday. Taryn Lommasson, Bryant Elliott, Gavin Grable, Tye Lommasson, Miller, Duffy, Noah Shannon and Huber won their matches for the Papermakers. Camas also defeated Washougal 43-21 and Hockinson 52-25 in the double dual Friday, at La Center.

“We’re coming out with a lot of confidence,” Huber said. “We’re already seeing our hard work in practice paying off. Our coaches know what they’re doing. We just have to listen to them.”

The Papermakers placed second at the Mel Carson Invitational Dec. 1, in Yakima. Max Grimes and Talon Edmiston earned championship medals. Elliott, Tye Lommasson, Miller and Safford notched second place.

The Camas wrestlers are looking forward to the big events on the schedule. The Papermakers head to the Tri-State wrestling tournament Friday, at Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho. Results and updated brackets will be posted at www.idahowrestlingnews.com. The Pacific Coast Championships are Saturday, Dec. 28, at Hudson’s Bay High School. The Clark County Championships are Jan. 11 and 12, at Skyview High School. Camas hosts the district tournament, Feb. 1 and 2.

Huber and Miller said team unity and discipline should help the Papermakers stand out in the pack.

“I want my teammates to have the same mentality I have, and that’s to be relentless. Put everything else aside and do all you can to overpower that guy on the mat,” Huber said. “I think the sky’s the limit for us. We just have to believe in ourselves and in each other.”

Miller believes the Papermakers are one of the loudest teams in the building. That helps when one of their own is in a tight spot.

“Hearing your teammates cheering for you makes you feel like you can do anything,” Miller said. “They’re the ones putting in all of the effort to encourage me. I want to make it worth their while.”

Taryn Lommasson is an advocate for girls wrestling at Camas. The senior promotes the sport at Skyridge and Liberty middle schools, and at the elementary schools in the district.

There are six girls wrestling for the Papermakers this winter. Some are injured and others are working on becoming eligible. Lommasson looks forward to the day Camas has enough girls to field a team. She will not stop until that dream becomes a reality.

“It’s not just a boys sport. Girls can wrestle too,” she said. “Girls wrestling has really grown in the four years I’ve been here, and that’s exciting. Even though I am graduating, I still want Camas to keep growing.”