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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 16, 2013
Camas runner Alexa Efraimson finished in third place at the World Championships, held July 10 to 14, in Ukraine.

Efraimson takes third at World Youth meet

It was less than three years ago that a Camas eighth-grader named Alexa Efraimson first began turning heads after she helped lead the Evergreen Storm Track Club to eighth place at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. That skinny girl with braces is now a world-class high school runner, having earned a bronze medal for Team U.S.A. at the World Youth Track and Field Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. Competing in a field of 12 finalists, who are among the best youth athletes in the world, Efraimson finished the 1,500 meter final in 4:16:07. Ethiopians Tigist Gashaw (4:14.25) and Dawit Seyaum (4:15.51), took first and second place. Efraimson edged out Bobby Clay of Great Britain down the final stretch. Clay finished in 4:16:41.

July 16, 2013
Post-Record file photos Pro National events get underway on Saturday at the Washougal Motocross Park.

Motocross park is ready to ‘Welcome the world to Washougal’

Thousands of racing fans will descend on the Washougal Motocross Park this week, for round eight of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship Series. The local venue is a longtime host of the national event that draws the world's fastest motorcycle racers. "We are ready to welcome the world to Washougal," said Motocross Park spokesman Brian Barnes. He said staff has been working feverishly to get the track ready for the high-profile, nationally televised event that typically attracts more than 20,000 people to the unique course that is known for its rolling hills and green forests. It is one of only three natural terrain raceways in America. "Everything we are doing right now is preparing for nationals," Barnes said. "Every year it gets better and better. This year we are adding more dirt to the track. The crew does an amazing job."

July 16, 2013
Mark Vasat has qualified to compete this week in the National Clay Court Championship, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He won all of his singles and doubles matches in his age 14 category at a Junior USTA tennis tournament in Yakima.

Camas teen qualifies for national tennis tournaments

A local student has a lot to look forward to, as he excels in tennis on a national level. Mark Vasat, 14, is competing this week in the National Clay Court Championship, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He qualified for it by winning all of his singles and doubles matches in his age category at a Junior USTA tennis tournament in Yakima. Vasat's top placement at the Pacific NW USTA event also qualified him for the Zonal Team Championship July 24 through July 28, in Colorado Springs. "I enjoy competing at a national level," he said Friday, from Florida. "I am physically and mentally challenged at each match, and I meet new friends from around the U.S."

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.

July 2, 2013
Washougal's Nathan Milojevic swims through Lake Coeur d'Alene to begin the Ironman Coeur d'Alene June 23. He completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in 13 hours, 39 minutes and 51 seconds.

Milojevic swims, bikes and runs to the finish line in Coeur d’Alene

Nathan Milojevic has iron in his veins. The 19-year-old from Washougal earned 30th place out of 43 competitors in the 18 to 24 age division at the Ironman Coeur d'Alene June 23. He completed a 2.4-mile swim (1:06.25), a 112-mile bike ride (6:38) and a 26.2-mile run (5:42.05) in 13 hours, 39 minutes and 51 seconds. "In those last couple of miles, when I realized how close I was, I was just stoked even though I had a hard time standing," Milojevic said. "At the end, it was like a dream. It didn't feel like it actually happened, but it did."

July 2, 2013
Camas runner Alexa Efraimson finished in first place in the 1,500-meter run at the World Youth Track and Field Trials last month in Edwardsville, Ill.

Efraimson sees the finish line in Ukraine

Alexa Efraimson's effort is getting noticed by track and field coaches across the country. The 16-year-old upcoming junior at Camas High School captured first place in the 1,500-meter race at the World Youth Track and Field Trials Wednesday, at Bob Guelker Field, inside Korte Stadium, on the campus of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Running in warm and windy conditions, Efraimson crossed the finish line in 4 minutes, 23.12 seconds. She had to eclipse the qualifying time of 4:36 to be considered for the World Youth Track and Field Championships July 10 to 14, in Donetsk, Ukraine. She was selected to Team USA Wednesday night.