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September 11, 2012
JJ Jung of Camas lost the first set 0-6, before rattling off a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Washougal's Andrew Bastian Wednesday.

Jung climbs to victory

The elevation was steep and rocky for JJ Jung after he lost the first set, but the Camas High School sophomore was up for the challenge. "I just closed my eyes and relaxed," he said. "I was ready to climb the mountain. Just took things one step at a time." After a 3 hour, 30 minute marathon of a tennis match under the hot sun Wednesday, Jung defeated Andrew Bastian of Washougal 0-6, 6-4, 6-2. The hard fought victory solidified a 6-0 sweep for the Papermakers over the Panthers in Washougal. "It was quite exhilarating," Jung said. "A long match like that strengthens your mental state. Mentality is what separates the good players from the great players. It's not just about the brawn, but also the brain."

September 6, 2012
Washougal High School students gather around the fire to celebrate the return of the fall sports season Wednesday, at the former Hambleton Brothers Lumber Mill Property.

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.

September 4, 2012

Camas football players break new ground in Oregon

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."

September 1, 2012
The 2012 Washougal High School football season kicked off in stunning fashion Friday night. The Panthers thumped the Hudson's Bay Eagles 50-0.

On the sidelines: Big opening night for Camas and 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.

August 31, 2012
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. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

Are you ready for some football?

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.

August 28, 2012
Olivia Lovell, Eryn Brown and Brittney Oljar (left to right) reconnected on the soccer field Friday, at Tualatin Hills Recreation Park in Beaverton, Ore. These three Camas High School graduates helped the Papermakers finish in third place at state in 2009.

Lovell, Brown and Oljar continue their soccer careers in college

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.

August 28, 2012
Kyle Schlauch (right) of Washougal graduated from the United States Military Academy on May 26. He is standing next to friend and training partner Charles Bennett.

Schlauch becomes second lieutenant

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."

August 28, 2012
Mary McFarland of Camas (left) and Ron Winders of Washougal (right) build strength and endurance on the treadmills at SNAP Fitness in Camas. McFarland was born with a brain defect and had her hip replaced at the age of 13. Winders, 62, is going in for knee replacement surgery. He hopes for a speedy recovery so he can get back in the gym.

No limitations at SNAP Fitness

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.