The Camas girls cross country runners carried themselves with confidence and swagger. That's how they became state champions. "Pressure happens when you really want something," said head coach Mike Hickey. "Our girls stayed very humble and focused. They knew all seven of them had to have a great day on the same day, and they all certainly did. It's just so cool to see young people flourish in challenging environments."
After losing the district title to Prairie by one point, the Camas volleyball players were not going to let that happen again. "When our girls knew they had another shot at Prairie, in their minds they were not going to lose to them again," said Camas head coach Julie Nidick. "Prairie is a great team, but on this day, we were the better team. It was our mistakes that cost us the match against them at districts. My girls were not going to let this one get away from them again." The Papermakers played with a chip on their shoulders in the bi-district championship tournament Friday and Saturday, at Auburn Mountainview High School. After defeating Bonney Lake and Capital Friday to qualify for state for the eighth year in a row, Camas rallied back from two sets down to defeat Auburn Mountainview in five.
The chase for the district championship between the Camas and Columbia River girls swimming teams is well documented. On Saturday at Kelso, the Papermakers brought that prestigious trophy back home. "We finally got that trophy back. We seem to trade it with River every few years," said Camas head coach Mike Bemis. "If Camas moves from 3A to 4A next year, it's a great way to leave 3A as the district champions." The Papermakers fueled their championship desires Thursday, by qualifying 20 of their 28 swimmers for Saturday's finals.
Camas sails into the state playoffs on a 58-0 victory over Bainbridge Friday, at Doc Harris Stadium.
Gasping for air during the race of his life, Sean Eustis looked down at his chest and gained strength. "I don't see any blood," the Washougal High School junior told himself. "I can run harder, I can run faster." On his 17th birthday, Eustis outkicked Aberdeen's Poli Baltazar on the final straightaway toward the finish line to win the 2A boys district cross country championship race Saturday, at Lewisville Park in Battle Ground.
In the crisp autumn air under the stars at Doc Harris Stadium, the Papermaker girls soccer players put the finishing touches on a second straight league title. Sophomores Mackenzie Amos and Rachel Gibson polished off a couple of corner kicks from senior Olivia Lovell for Camas goals. The Papermakers held on to beat Kelso 2-1 Oct. 25, to clinch the league championship. "It's exciting to help the seniors win on Senior Night," Amos said. "I was just in the right place at the right time."
In the crisp autumn air under the stars at Doc Harris Stadium, the Papermaker girls soccer players put the finishing touches on a second straight league title. Sophomores Mackenzie Amos and Rachel Gibson polished off a couple of corner kicks from senior Olivia Lovell for Camas goals. The Papermakers held on to beat Kelso 2-1 Oct. 25, to clinch the league championship. "It's exciting to help the seniors win on Senior Night," Amos said. "I was just in the right place at the right time."
The Camas High School cross country teams are embracing the definition of teamwork. "For the team, I would go through any amount of pain just so we can succeed," said junior Andrew Duffy. "So would any one else." It's the reason both teams will compete together at the 3A state championship meet Saturday, on the Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. The girls race first at 12:30 p.m., followed by the boys at 2 p.m.
Washougal football pushes league champion Hockinson to overtime, before losing 14-7. Panthers finish the season 6-3.
Dreams came true for the Camas runners at the district meet. The Papermaker boys and girls both held up the championship trophy Thursday, at Lewisville Park in Battle Ground. It all started with a four-star performance by Andrew Kaler, Tucker Boyd, Alex Pien and Andrew Duffy in the boys race. "On any given day, either one of us can compete," Pien said. "It's all about going out there and running for something more than just yourself."
