Sub-Districts: Two Camas Swimmers Excel

PROPSTRA AQUATIC CENTER, VANCOUVER – Young Camas swimmers Ben Teames and Shicon Wen made waves Wednesday at Sub-Districts by earning qualifying times for next week’s District Championship meet.

The Sub-Districts provide lesser-experienced or new swimmers a final opportunity to earn qualifying times in events for which they compete. In addition to Teames and Wen (1:30.09 for 100 Backstroke), several Hockinson swimmers also met District cuts. Hockinson practices with Camas, and those swimmers include: Nathan Carrsow (2:15.90 for 200 Free); Bryce Croucher (29.19 for 50 Free); Davis Escola (27.83 for 50 Free); Tommy Harshaw (27.90 for 50 Free); Kennan Aho (1:21.75 for 100 Backstroke) and Landen Gullberg (1:04.92 for 100 Free).

Camas freshman, Ben Teames, finishes the 100 Free at Wednesday’s
Sub-Districts. He surprised himself by moving onto Districts.

Shicon Wen, on the starting block, also moves onto Districts after
getting a better-then-expected time at Sub-Districts.

Teames surprised himself by winning his heat in the 100 Free with a time of 1:11.92. Moments earlier he competed in the 200 IM and didn’t make the cut.

After the 100 Free he wasn’t sure his time was good enough to qualify so he cleaned up, got dressed and was later notified of his achievement.

“I didn’t think it could be done,” said Teames, who just started swimming competitively this season. “It’s a great feeling! I feel much better and I’m so much stronger than I was just a couple of months ago. I’m happy I stuck with it.”

It was a major change in attitude for the 15-year-old freshman.

In November, at one of the team practices, he lamented he even signed up for the swim team, as he watched more experienced and seasoned swimmers fly past him.

“It’s so hard,” he said back then. “It’s so much harder than it looks, and I’m so slow.”

Teames signed up for swimming to condition for track, but didn’t realize what he got himself into. The team practices twice daily through the winter months.

Leslie Dahlen, the team’s assistant coach, was there Wednesday to see Teames’ victory.

“It was the most enlightening event,” she said. “The kids really came through, and Ben really was the surprise of the night. He’s worked really hard and it all came together tonight.”

Leslie is really proud of Tommy Harshaw, as well, who dropped five seconds off his 100 Free time – down to 1:05.71.

As for Teames, he’s pleased he entered the world of swimming.

“It’s made me stronger, more competitive and I’m better conditioned,” he said. “I’m glad I did this.”

Teames and his teammates compete next Thursday at the District Championship. Several of the CHS swimmers have already qualified to compete at State the following week.