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Stories by Dan Trujillo

email icon dan.trujillo@camaspostrecord.com

March 22, 2011

Camas boys soccer gets back to winning at Doc Harris Stadium

On a chilly and rainy first night back at the brand new Doc Harris Stadium Friday, Michael Koceja provided the spark the Papermaker boys soccer team needed to defeat Evergreen 3-1. Less than five minutes into the match, the junior midfielder delivered the assist on the first goal of the game scored by senior forward Chris Marrinan. With Camas clinging onto a 2-1 lead with about 11 minutes to go, Marrinan returned the favor by setting up Koceja on a breathtaking shot that caught the opposing goalkeeper off guard.

March 15, 2011
Tanner Lupton tackles Caleb Walz during Thursday's rugby practice in the field behind Liberty Middle School, in Camas. Lupton and Walz are two of the 15 Camas High School athletes on the Rugby Oregon "Mean Machine" team coached by Aisea Vailea.

Rugby Mean Machine

For the Camas Papermakers, Hayes Freedom Rebels, Washougal Panthers and Union Titans who breathe football and crave something new, Aisea Vailea has the answer. Come out and play rugby. The Camas Mean Machine kicked off its second season in the Rugby Oregon high school boys league Saturday, at Skyridge High School in Camas. Vailea invites athletes from the four different high schools to be a part of this east county expansion. "When kids first look at rugby, they think it's kind of dangerous. I challenge them to come and try it out," Vailea said. "Kids come for the first time, and they love it. And those are the ones who stick around.

March 15, 2011
Taylor Carranza sinks her putt on the eighth hole Monday, at Orchard Hills Golf Club in Washougal.

Panther and Papermaker golfers hit the greens

After a week of rain, the Washougal High School girls golfers welcomed Monday's cold and windy conditions. The Panthers also beat the Ridgefield Spudders 236-281 at Orchard Hills Golf Club, in Washougal. "It's great to start off senior year with a win," said Laycee Hyde. "We've been golfing together for four years, and it's been a lot of fun."

March 8, 2011
The Washougal High School drill team finished just four points shy of first place at the first meet of the season. Riders are Emily Carroll, Missy Knapp, Rachel Nelson, Shelby DeLong, Maddy Kitchen, Nina Pawelzick and Tenley Stedman.

Embracing the end of an era

The love of riding horses never ends for the Washougal High School equestrian team. Chandler Audette, Emily Carroll, Shelby DeLong, Sarah Hess, Missy Knapp, Patrick McCarthy and Goose Rogers are the first group of seniors to ride together in the program for all four years. When parent advisor Rene Carroll describes the dedication each of these riders have for their horses, it sounds like this season is going to be the exclamation point to the end of an era.

March 8, 2011
Riding side-by-side in the drill event makes the Camas High School equestrians feel more unified. The drill team includes Krysta Purviance, Emily Watson, Jordan Moore, Chris Allen, Sade Allen, Hanna Firstenburg, Randi Hirn, McKenzie Kuhlman, Megan Templer and Kristi Weese.

Brothers and sisters on horses

The decision to compete in drill for the first time this season is bringing the Camas High School horseback riders closer. Sometimes, the horses run into each other and the riders knock knees. It can be painful, but also beautiful when all of the movements go off without a hitch. "It's a lot of fun when we're not bumping into each other," said drill co-captain Jordan Moore.

March 1, 2011
The Clark County Mud Slingers are excited to be a part of the brand new Washington High School Cycling League. Pictured in the back row (left to right): Alex Visser, Billy Waring, Michael Williams, Ed Fischer, Brian Hart, Sharon Hart, Hannah Hart, Bill Waring, Scott Trautman, Dave Webb, Corey Craig, Terry Craig and Rachel Trautman. In the front (left to right): Dara Hartman, Zach Vergillo and Sean Vergillo.

Digging the ride

The beauty of Camas and Washougal is best seen from the seat of a bicycle. Peddling on roads, sidewalks and trails with the wind blowing through your hair is the definition of freedom. You can go as fast or as slow as you want to. It doesn't matter where those wheels take you, as long as you're outdoors with friends and family.

March 1, 2011
Washougal riders Tenley Stedman and Megan Townsend.

High school equestrians saddle up

The first of three meets for Washington High School Equestrian Teams District Three took place Feb. 18 to 20, at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma. Emily Carroll of Washougal captured first place in figure eight, second in poles and sixth in the team bi-rangle with Goose Rogers.

February 22, 2011
Miguel Salamanca (right) gets ready to throw Matt Owens during the championship match Saturday, in the Tacoma Dome.

Salamanca is unstoppable at state

Fueled by an "unstoppable will" to be a state champion, "Mean Machine" Miguel Salamanca did not stop until there was nobody left to drive into the mat. After a triple overtime victory over Sunnyside's Josh Romero in the semifinals, it was full steam ahead. The Papermaker capped off his high school career by beating Hanford's Matt Owens 9-7 to win the Class 3A 145-pound state championship Saturday, at Mat Classic XXIII in the Tacoma Dome. "I always wanted to be a state champion, and it finally happened," Salamanca said. "I worked hard in practice this week, last week and all season long for this moment. It's a dream come true."

February 22, 2011
Amy Siebenthaler captured second on the floor at the Class 3A state gymnastics meet Saturday.

Siebenthaler comes full circle for Camas at state

Amy Siebenthaler's four years as a Camas High School gymnast have come full circle. She finished eighth as freshman in the floor exercise, but experiencing her first high school state gymnastics meet was more rewarding than anything she accomplished or failed at on that day. Sophomore year got even better, when she captured a state championship on the balance beam.

February 17, 2011
Sydney Allen provided plenty of points, rebounds and assists to help the Camas girls basketball team beat Kelso and Mountain View for second place in the district tournament.

Savvy Papermaker girls place second

What a week for the Camas High School girls basketball players. The Papermakers captured second place in the 3A district tournament, at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver. Camas knocked off Kelso twice in four days, and then defeated Mountain View for the first time this season to play for the championship against Prairie. "You never want to lose in the end, but I'm proud of what the kids accomplished this week. We played four games, we took second and we're going to region," said Camas head coach Chuck Knight. "We want the kids to understand if you persevere through the difficult times, the good times are going to far outweigh the bad times."