Camas Boys Swim Team Wins Big at Districts; Union Places 2nd

KELSO, WA — These young men made it look easy, but after months of intense preparation and years of conditioning, the Camas Boys Swim team made its mark Saturday and handily won this year’s District swim meet.

Camas gathered at Kelso with fellow 4A (3A schools competed separately against each other at the same meet) competitors and went into the meet with confidence, knowing their hard work would pay off – and it certainly did. Camas won the District title with 414 points, followed by Union with 314 points. Skyview earned 156 points. Evergreen and Heritage High schools also competed in the 4A division.

Hanford High School won the 3A division, and Camas coach Mike Bemis was voted Coach of the Year.

Guided by Bemis, the boys came to the meet very PREPARED — both mentally and physically. You can see the unity that exists between swimmers. They cheer each other on and encourage one another to do better. They were prepared mentally. They paid their dues: 140 laps every morning at 5:15 in the cold, dark pool at Lacamas Swim and Sport; eating right (at least most of the time), and having to stay up late to catch up on homework. They had the physical stamina and conditioning that gave them the edge over the competition.

Junior Kasey Calwell, who attends King’s Way Christian, but competes with the Papermakers, in particular had a good meet.

“I swept all four events,” said Calwell. “I feel good. We got it done, and now we have 10 swimmers heading to State. Our goal is to make the Top Three at state.”

That goal had Junior Lucas Ulmer momentarily surprised. As he gathered his thoughts, and reflecting on his personal and team accomplishments, he added: “Yeah, I believe we can do that. We can show State what we got. We worked out butts off to get here today.”

 Camas went into Districts undefeated this year.

The Papermakers made a statement early in the meet with the 200 Yard Medley Relay. Bemis sent in Tom and John Utas, along with Ulmer and Calwell (in that order) and not only did they win the event, but broke a new meet and pool record with a time of 1:39.67.

Tom Utas is a freshman and his brother John, is a junior. Tom was beaming after the win, while keeping an eye of John, who gives each event everything.

Union’s Andrew Chang would win Event  2 – the 200 Yard Free. Chang, a Freshman, commanded the event coming in at 1:50.75, while Papermaker Luke Albert placed second at 1:56.57 (qualifying for State) and Jeff Fadlovich placed third at 1:57.12.

Calwell barely had time to rest until he competed in his second event of the day – the 200 Yard IM. He won the event (1:58.56) and was followed by Union freshman, James Nicorici (2:10.65), and Papermaker Colin Kuhta (2:15.28).

Nicorici qualified for State in this race, as well as the 100 Fly (more on that later) and he’s a bit nervous.

“I’m trying not to think about the negatives when I race at State,” said Nicorici. “The 100 Fly was a close one at Districts and I just have to keep getting better. The 200 IM will be a tough one to get to consolations, but anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

John Utas won the 50 Yard Free event (22.56) and it’s amazing to see him go at it.

“John gives each race everything,” said Calwell. “He’s an inspiration.”

Heritage freshman Maksim Dolbinin placed second in the 50 Free (23.29), which qualifies him for State.

Ulmer also won the 100 Fly (55.30) with Nicorici placing second (58.65) narrowly edging Papermaker Max Urbanek (58.66). It was very close.

One of the great highlights of the meet was the UTAS 100 FREE SWEEP. John Utas won the event (49.95) and was followed by younger brother, Tom (51.27). Dolbinin placed third.

Union’s Chang wasn’t done, as he also won the 500 Free (5:02.88). He was followed by Camas freshman Jeff Fadlovich (5:12.47), and both will compete at State this coming weekend. Papermaker Noah Macia placed third in the 500 Free.

Camas won the 200 Yard Free Relay with Xianguang Yan, Tom Utas, Colin Kuhta and Luke Albert, clocking in at 1:35.30. Union’s relay team placed second at 1:38.30.

Ulmer did it again in the 100 Yard Backstroke, handily winning that event with a time of 56.46 seconds. He was followed by fellow Papermaker Nicholas Burton (1:05.97).

In the 100 Yard Breaststroke, Calwell would earn his third medal of the meet, with a time of 1:02.46. Tom Utas placed second at 106.44.

And, in the final event of the day, Camas sent in John Utas, Calwell, Fadlovich and Ulmer to finish business.

The four teens won the 400 Yard Free in style and their 3:21.52 time was a new meet record. The Union team placed second with a time of 3:30.99.

Individual event awards were handed out as the meet progressed. After events concluded the boys received their trophy and posed for multiple photos. State competition begins this Friday at Federal Way, WA. It’s a two-day event and the boys are determined to make a statement.

Tom Utas, left, placed second in the 100 Free, while Maxim Dolbinin, of Union, placed second. John Utas placed first.