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April 12, 2011
Tanner Lupton (left) gets a golden opportunity to score five points for the Camas rugby team after Hanini Buchanan (center) knocked the ball loose. The Mean Machine beat Polk County 17-5 April 2, at Skyridge Middle School in Camas. The Mean Machine play the next two games in Oregon, before returning to Skyridge on April 30.

Freeze frame

Hail pounded the Camas rugby players like a ton of bricks, but there was no stopping the Mean Machine. Call it icing on the cake, or a cold bath to sooth all of those aches and pains, but Camas was only minutes away from celebrating a 17-5 victory over Polk County April 2, at Skyridge Middle School in Camas. "I got a fat lip, but it was worth it for that first win," said Camas High School senior player Tanner Lupton. "Winning is the best feeling ever. It's fun for the whole team to experience this together.

April 12, 2011

McAfee wins big at state

Gymnast Nick McAfee fought hard during the recent state competition in Des Moines, and took home a slew of medals for his efforts. During the event in late March, the Camas High School freshman won gold medals in the vault and high bar, a silver on the rings, and a bronze in the all-around in the level 10 division. He also qualified for regionals in Tacoma. Competition at this demanding level is challenging, but particularly this year those successes did not come easily for the 15-year-old.

April 12, 2011

Panther baseball players are blazing a trail

What a difference a year makes for the Washougal High School baseball team. The Panthers could not win a league game in 2010. On Saturday, they sunk their teeth into two league victories over Woodland on the same day. The outcome of the second game is one Washougal ballplayers, coaches and parents are going to be talking about for years to come.

April 5, 2011
The best part of Brendan Casey's busy day was throwing the javelin a personal best 170 feet, 6 inches Thursday, at Fishback Stadium. Casey also anchored the 400-meter relay team to victory (47.17 seconds) and tied for first place in the pole vault (12 feet). The Panther boys beat Hockinson 95-45 and Woodland 91-44.

Panthers take flight

The Washougal High School track and field teams went above and beyond the call of duty to defeat Hockinson and Woodland Thursday, at Fishback Stadium. Brendan Casey had a busy day on the ground and in the air. The best part was launching the javelin 170 feet, 6 inches to win the event. Not only was it a personal best throw for the Panther, it also ranks third in the state for 2A schools on athletic.net. "I felt that one popping, and I knew it was going far," Casey said. "It makes me feel great, but I know I still have things to work on. Hopefully, I'll continue to improve as the season goes along."

April 5, 2011
Sydney Schwartz strikes a tennis ball on a rare sunny Friday, in Camas. The Papermakers defeated Prairie 4-2.

Rain rules, sports lose

It was 64 degrees and sunny Friday afternoon, and the tennis balls were out in Camas. After weeks of indoor practices and re-scheduled matches, the Papermaker girls anxiously warmed up for their first home match of the season. Dark gray clouds crept in from a distance, and the threat of rain remained constant, but the athletes, coaches and spectators did not have a care in the world. On this day, the sun ruled and the rain lost. "I told the kids the sun would come, but I don't think they believed me," said Camas head coach Jonathan Burton.

April 5, 2011
Parker Roland (13) knocked in two goals for the Papermaker boys soccer team March 29, at Doc Harris Stadium. Camas beat Columbia River 7-0.

Camas soccer gets a kick of electricity

Adam Allison brought thunder and Parker Roland came back with lightning. The two Camas High School boys soccer players struck with goals in the 11th minute, and the pouring rain, to propel the Papermakers to a 7-0 victory over Columbia River March 29, at Doc Harris Stadium. Drew White delivered two goals and two assists in his first game back at left wing. "I love playing soccer in general," White said. "Any position I play on the field, I'm going to have fun with it."

March 29, 2011
After no-hitting Mollala on March 19, Camas High School senior pitcher Kurt Yinger tossed another five scoreless innings against Hudson's Bay Wednesday, in Camas.

Full steam ahead

The crack heard round the county had an echo. It was the home runs Camas High School juniors Nate Culver and Austin Barr hit to lead the Papermakers to a 6-4 victory over Hudson's Bay Friday, at Propstra Park in Vancouver. "Never say die. Play hard until the final out. Play as one, play for each other. Those were the adages we believed in Friday night," said Camas head coach Joe Hallead.