Camas Swim Team Wins Dual Meet at Mark Morris

LONGVIEW, WA – The Camas High School Boys Swim team continued their undefeated streak this season at Tuesday’s multiple dual meet, and competed directly against Robert A. Long High School, as well as Mark Morris.

A total of six schools competed at the meet, which was originally scheduled as a season dual. The other schools were Hockinson, Woodland, and Brush Prairie.

The venue provided some warmth and shelter from the pounding wind and rain outside.

The Camas swimmers kicked off the night by winning the 200-yard Medley Relay with a time of 1:57.69.

Junior Kasey Calwell (of King’s Way Christian School), who competes with the Camas team, won the 200 IM with a time of 1:59.3, making a State qualifying time in this event.

“It feels really good to be under two minutes,” Calwell said. “We put in a good team effort today and our team just keeps getting better. We made several state cuts today. And it’s good to see the freshmen stepping up and improving at each meet.”

In the 50 Free, Papermaker John Utas came out ahead with a time of 22.78. As usual, Utas gives each event everything he has, and Tuesday’s performance wasn’t any different.

“He always looks like he’s going to pass out after each event,” said one of the official timekeepers.

Junior Lucas Ulmer handily beat the competition in the 100 Fly, clocking in at 54.15, which is a State qualifying time.

Swimmers earn the ability to compete at State anytime in the season by meeting time thresholds set by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). They will host the Boys State Swimming and Diving meet on February 21 and 22 in Federal Way, WA.

Jaron Hamlik, of Prairie High School, who practices with the Papermakers, won the 100 Free in 50.29 seconds. He is also State-bound. Papermaker Xianguang Yan placed second at 55.18; and Camas swimmer Colin Kuhta placed third, with a time of 57.37.

In the endurance 500 Free event, Camas freshman Jeff Fadlovich finished first with a time of 5:17.84 while Camas Junior Max Urbanek placed second at 5:40.60.

“We’re really pleased with our freshman,” said Camas swim coach, Mike Bemis. “They’re doing a great job, and the team overall is also doing quite well.”

The four-man relay team of Kasey Calwell, Xiaguang Yan, Lucas Ulmer and John Utas finished first in the 200 Relay, earning a time of 1:32.42.

In the 100 Backstroke, Ulmer also beat the competition, with a time of 58.64 se conds. Utas came in second at 1:01.03.

Calwell bested the 100 Breastroke, as well, earning a time of 1:03.28, handily beating everyone else. Joey Wunderlich placed second, and Xinyang Chen, third.

The Camas boys earned a State cut as well in the 400 Free, earning a time of 3.23.83.

The Camas 400 Free relay team consisted of John Utas, Tom Utas, Calwell, and Ulmer.

Prairie swimmer, Jaron Hamlik.

The team practices at 5:15 am each day at Lacamas Swim and Sport Club.

This is about the half way mark for the current season, and the boys play again next week at Propstra.

Kasey Calwell won the 200 IM event with a State qualifying time.

Camas Junior John Utas won the 50 Free event.