Camas-Washougal Post-Record

August 6, 2013

Spartans climb up Horsepower Hill using only a rope, brute strength and teamwork Saturday, at Washougal Motocross Park. The sticky and slippery mud combined with the strings of barbed wire above their heads left little room for error.

No guts, no glory

Thousands of Spartans earned their medals after crossing the finish line Saturday and Sunday, at Washougal Motocross Park. Mud covered their bodies from head to toe, but you could still see the smiles on their faces. Waves of athletes entered the course every 15 minutes. No matter how many times Master of Ceremonies Anthony Carson repeated his opening monologue, the passion in his voice never skipped a beat. "A Spartan Sprint captures a lot of first timers. I love seeing the looks on their faces before they enter the battlefield," Carson said. "I want to let them know they are not in this alone. There's a Spartan on your left and a Spartan on your right. That should lessen the fear factor. There are strengths in numbers."

July 31, 2013

The district champion Camas Little League 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars reached the state tournament, in Oak Harbor. Players are Blake Bell, Jake Blair, Zachary Blair, Luke Jamison, Cameron Miller, Hayden Peterson, Braden Sanville, Zachariah Shaw, Kandi Shimada, Caleb Shira, Cameron Smith and Caden Werlich. Coaches are John Blair, Barry Smith and Brian Sanville.

Camas Little Leaguers go big

Three Camas Little League All-Star baseball teams captured district championship trophies and played at state tournaments in Gig Harbor, Oak Harbor and Vancouver during July. The Camas 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars finished in first place at the District 4 tournament July 13, at the Harmony Sports Complex. They also became the first team from the league to win four state tournament games. Camas, Kirkland, North Bothell and Pacific were the final four teams at state in Gig Harbor. Camas defeated Kirkland 6-3 July 20, lost to North Bothell 12-11 July 21, and knocked off defending state champion Federal Way 7-6 July 22. "I'm proud of the way our kids responded,. They could have just rolled over losing that first game, but they didn't," said manager Andrew Ott. "Beating the state champions very was exciting for our boys. We felt like we could beat any team at that point."

July 31, 2013

Humphreys tees off in Hawaii today

Brian Humphreys works hard at golf every day, and the game rewards him in more ways than he could imagine. "It's summer. I should be hanging out with friends or chilling out by the pool," he said. "This is what I love to do. Golf is my friend." Humphreys, a 15-year-old who lives in Washougal and attends Camas High School, captured the state championship trophy as a freshman May 22, at Camas Meadows. On June 9, Humphreys shot a personal best round of 65 strokes, at the Centennial Golf Club, in Medford, Ore. On July 9, Humphreys lowered his best score to 63 strokes, at the Albany Golf & Events Center, in Woodburn, Ore. "After that eagle, birdie, par, eagle, it went from just a good round to an 'oh my god' round," Humphreys said. "Everything just clicked. When you're playing that well, the fairways are huge and holes seem like buckets. "The funny thing is, I got second place in both of those tournaments," he added. "It's kind of ironic, but when you're playing that well and somebody beats you, there's nothing you can do about it."

July 31, 2013

Getting muddy and jumping over fire are just some of the crazy obstacles designed to push humans to the limit during the Washington State Spartan Sprints Saturday and Sunday, at Washougal Motocross Park.

Spartans sprint to Washougal

Sprint through mud, crawl under barbed wire, climb up ropes, jump over fire, and watch out for those gladiators. These are the trademark obstacles designed to push humans to the limit during the Washington State Spartan Sprints Saturday and Sunday, at the Washougal Motocross Park. "We want to provide a comprehensive, full-body experience," said Program Manager Carrie Adams. "We test your speed, agility, endurance, strength, balance and coordination. Pretty much everything an athlete needs to possess in order to be successful."

July 23, 2013

The Something Special softball team clinched the U-16 Washington State ASA championship, in Yakima. Pictured in the front row (left to right): Emma Jimenez, Lena Richards, Jordan Shaw, Jessica Alcomendas and Dalaney Tuholski; back row (left to right): head coach Scott Jimenez, coach Mike Tuholski, Maggie Clapp, Kennedy Suhr, Hayley Dolfay, Katie Powers, Katie Schroeder, Rio Smith, Koratney Speidel, Kari Butler, coach Brian Shaw and coach Jim Schroeder.

Something Special clinches state softball championship

Something Special sparkled on the softball diamond during the Washington State ASA state championship tournament July 12 to 14, in Yakima. Camas players Emma Jimenez, Lena Richards, Katie Schroeder and Rio Smith helped this U-16 team win six games on the final day of the tournament. Something Special defeated the Northwest Lady Sharks 8-7 at 8 a.m., the Vancouver Force 3-2 at 10 a.m., the Northwest Illusion 6-3 at noon, the Northwest Sidewinders 10-2 at 2 p.m. and Elite Fastpitch 8-7 at 4 p.m. "We had already lost a state championship this year. We were not about to lose another one. This was our time to do something," Richards said. "What made it a team effort is every single girl on the team did their part to help us win."

July 23, 2013

Ryan Villopoto pumps his fist in the air after winning the Washougal National for the first time Saturday. The 24-year-old from Poulsbo, Wash., leads the 450 class of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.

VILLOPOTO SLAYS Washougal gorilla

More than 20,000 motocross fans watched Ryan Villopoto get the Washougal gorilla off his back Saturday. The 24-year-old from Poulsbo, Wash., had been trying to win a round on his home state course for as long as he can remember, but injuries, spin outs and flat out bad luck turned his previous homecomings into nightmares. Villopoto can rest easy for now, knowing he's the new king of the hill in Washougal. "Living just three and a half hours up the road from here, I've raced Washougal ever since I turned pro," Villopoto said. "It feels good to be able to check this off the list and get a win for the fans who have supported me all along."

July 23, 2013

Camas golfer Kevin Coombs shares an opportunity of a lifetime with his parents, Ben and Judy, while playing in the Senior U.S. Open, at Omaha (Neb.) Country Club.

Camas’ Kevin Coombs reflects on Senior U.S. Open

Kevin Coombs played his greatest round of golf on the biggest stage. The 50-year-old from Camas shot a one under par score of 69 strokes during the first round of the Senior U.S. Open July 11, at Omaha (Neb.) Country Club. "It was my best round of golf, given the circumstances. I've put up lower scores, but to put up a red number in a PGA tournament was an incredible experience," Coombs said. "It was great to have my parents there, my wife there and my son on the bag. Some of my best friends were also there watching me. It was special for me to be able to share that moment with all of them." Coombs started off with a bogey on the 10th hole, but he bounced back with birdies on holes 12 and 14. Coombs saved par on 16 after his tee shot landed in a sand trap. He also made birdie putts on two and four.

July 9, 2013

Kevin Coombs gets his shot at playing in the Senior U.S. Open Championship Thursday, at the Omaha (Neb.) Country Club.

Coombs approaches Senior U.S. Open

There are a total of 156 golfers practicing for the Senior U.S. Open today. Kevin Coombs is thrilled to be one of them. "As long as I walk away knowing I played great for me, it's just going to add to how great this week is going to be," he said. The general manager of the Green Mountain golf course, in Camas, will be playing in the Senior U.S. Open Championship Thursday, at Omaha (Neb.) Country Club. Coombs asked his son, Connor, to caddy for him during the defining moment of his 42-year golf career. "I am incredibly excited and nervous," Kevin Coombs said. "It's not like I practice or play a lot. I just happened to have a good round at the right time."

July 9, 2013

Evergreen Storm makes a splash at regional meet

Several Evergreen Storm athletes from Camas and Washougal qualified for the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field National Championships July 22 to 28, at the North Carolina A&T University, in Greensboro. A team record 33 medals led the Storm to third place at the regional championship meet Saturday and Sunday, at Chief Self High School, in Seattle. "Most of these kids had never been in a meet this big before. There were smiles all around," said club president Scott Slamp. "Once these kids learn how to respond to the high level of competition, they learn what they need to do in order to reach their goals and achieve their dreams."

July 3, 2013

Connor Coombs hands a sand wedge to his father. Green Mountain golf course general manager Kevin Coombs is going to play in the U.S. Senior Open Thursday, July 11, at Ohama (Neb.) Country Club. His son, Connor, will be his caddy.

Camas father and son enter Senior U.S. Open

Kevin Coombs asked his son, Connor, to caddy for him during the defining moment of his 42-year golf career. The general manager of the Green Mountain golf course, in Camas, will be playing in the Senior U.S. Open Championship Thursday, July 11, at Omaha (Neb.) Country Club.