September 6, 2012
Amped atmosphere at Washougal bonfire
Washougal High School students, staff members and parents gathered around a fire Wednesday to welcome the return of the fall sports season.
Washougal High School students, staff members and parents gathered around a fire Wednesday to welcome the return of the fall sports season.
Ground breaking performances by Nate Beasley, Zach Eagle and Reilly Hennessey propelled the Papermakers to a 63-20 victory Friday night, at Oregon City High School. In their first starts on varsity, Beasley racked up five touchdowns and Hennessey threw for three. Two of those touchdown catches were made by Zach Eagle. "This is the moment you have been dreaming about your whole life, to step out on that field and play football for your community," Hennessey said. "I feel like I'm still playing fifth-grade [Clark County Youth Football] with guys like Zach and Nate. It's good to have that kind of camaraderie."
After his four touchdown performance against Hudson's Bay Friday at Kiggins Bowl, Stephen Camden cracks a smile when he thinks about what this football season could be like for Washougal.
Both the Camas and Washougal high school football teams hit the road to begin the 2012 season Friday night, and came home with convincing victories. The Panthers shutout Hudson's Bay 50-0 and the Papermakers shattered Oregon City 63-20.
The Camas and Washougal high school teams kick off the 2012 season tonight. The Panthers play Hudson's Bay at Kiggins Bowl and the Papermakers head across the river to Oregon City.
The surface of a soccer ball is 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal shapes stitched together. The bonding of those shapes is as strong as the friendship between Eryn Brown, Brittney Oljar and Olivia Lovell from all the years of playing soccer together in Camas. In 2009, these three Papermaker alums helped the Camas High School girls soccer team finish in third place at the state tournament. Brown and Oljar graduated from CHS in 2010, and Lovell followed in 2012.
One of the toughest things Kyle Schlauch ever did in his life was step into the jungle and wrestle for the Washougal Panthers. "I had a rough start as a freshman, but my coaches told me to never hang my head and never give up," said the 2008 Washougal High School graduate. "I never encountered anything harder than I did in that wrestling room. It was all about pushing yourself farther than you thought you could go." Lessons the 22-year-old learned as a Washougal wrestler gave him the courage apply to the United States Military Academy, and leave family and friends for West Point, N.Y., after high school. It also invigorated him with tenacity and determination to overcome any obstacle that stood in his way. "Never discount that anything is impossible," Schlauch said. "I knew the odds of getting into West Point were slim, but I was going to try for it anyway. If so many people could do it, I could do it too. Never count yourself out." Several mentors kept Schlauch on the right path during his time at West Point. One of them was LTC Hector Morales, the head coach of the academy's Judo team. Schlauch captured a gold medal in 2010 and a bronze medal in 2011 from the Collegiate National Judo Championships. He also helped West Point become three-time National Champions. "Judo is so different than wrestling. The only same thing was the aggressiveness I always had," Schlauch said. "In wrestling, you get more times to take the guy down. But in Judo, you only get one shot. It's about patience.You have to wait a long time for that perfect shot. Once you see an opening, you have to hit the shot without hesitation."
As the head trainer at SNAP Fitness in Camas, Diana Neimann sees the benefits to exercising every day. Watching Mary McFarland walk through the doors with such energy and excitement makes her smile. Especially since it takes the 17-year-old Camas High School senior 40 minutes to walk to the gym from home. Sometimes, she even beats Neimann into work. "Mary has more determination to come in, get stronger and have a healthier lifestyle than a lot of people who walk through those doors," Neimann said. "She's such an inspiration." McFarland was born with a mental disability that affected her growth and coordination. Her mother Lori said Mary's right leg is about two inches shorter than her left. By the time she was 13, he had to have her hip replaced. For more information on the training opportunities available at SNAP Fitness, call 844-5584 or visit www.snapfitness.com/camas. Neimann offers two free sessions to newcomers.
It was a sweltering 98 degrees when the Camas Papermakers started throwing the football around Friday, at Cardon Field. "I think it's hotter than yesterday," said one of the players. "That turf is at least 15 degrees warmer," responded head coach Jon Eagle. It might be too early to do the math, but you didn't have to be a meteorologist to determine it was hot. Steam rose up from the gridiron and the Papermakers felt like they were running on hot coals. It stayed that way until the sun tucked behind the trees and the temperature in the shade became just a little bit more bearable.
New Camas High School Athletic Director Josh Gibson is already making the rounds. The 35-year-old spent a few hours at football practice last week. On Monday, he visited with volleyball players, soccer athletes and golfers in the morning, before meeting cross country runners, swimmers and tennis players in the afternoon. This is his way of showing that every athlete and coach in Camas matters. "Our kids and coaches do such a phenomenal job of representing our community," Gibson said. "It is such an honor for me to have the opportunity to be a part of all the great things they have accomplished, and what they are going to continue to do." Gibson graduated from CHS in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Western Washington University in Bellingham, and a master’s degree in teaching from City University in Vancouver. He moved back to Camas in 2001, taught math at the high school for three years and was a guidance counselor for two years.
