Camas Boys Swim Team Wins District Title

KELSO — For the second weekend in a row, a Camas High School team has won a District title. Last week, it was Wrestling. This weekend, it was the Camas Boy’s Swim team. And, it wasn’t just a story of wins, it was also a story of old records being smashed. Really old records.

The Papermaker victory, with a final score of 403 points, was a solid effort lead by several freshmen and sophomores, who are doing things that usually happen to juniors and seniors.

The entire team enjoying the moment of victory.

Holding the District Championship Trophy. From left: Daniil Timchenko, Eric Wu, and Noah Macia. Photo by Blake Schnell.

While, the Papermakers won multiple events, one of the best stories of Saturday afternoon at the Kelso High School pool, was sophomore Mark Kim’s victory in the 500 Free event with a time of 4:37.62, breaking a meet record, and a pool record held since 1973. He broke the record by 4 seconds. In swim speak, my friends, that’s jaw dropping.

“It feels great,” said Kim, who had little time to savor his victory. He needed to move onto his next event, the 200 Free Relay. His teammates say he just gets the job done, day in and day out. He loves what he does.

“Everybody is excited and happy,” said Kim. “We’ve had a lot of great swims today.”

Mark Kim savoring his victory in the 500 Free, as he broke a record that was made in 1973. Photo by Blake Schnell.

Setting the tone early

Earlier in the meet, Kim won the 200 Free (1:44.93). And, the tone of the meet was set at the beginning when Papermakers Eric Wu, Finn McClone, Chris Xia, and Austin Fogel won the 200 Medley Relay (1:43.95).

Then Freshman Eric Wu won the 200 IM (1:57.07).

Tom Utas entering the pool during one of the events. Photo by Blake Schnell.

“This is just surreal what’s happened today,” said Wu. “Countless years of practice with club swimming (at Lacamas Swim and Sport) have resulted in such a successful day. I look forward to State, and will try to make it to Finals.”

In the 50 Free, Max Dolbinin, of Heritage, won the event (21.64). Papermaker Tom Utas placed second (22.36).

Union’s Andrew Chang bested everyone in the 100 Fly (53.61), and Max Dolbinin blew everyone away in the 100 Free, setting a new meet record (47.83).

Camas again returned to the No. 1 spot in the 200 Free Relay with Luke Albert, Eric Wu, Mark Kim, and Tom Utas, delivering a time of 1:31.85.

Finn McClone won the 100 Back (55.11) and Jeff Fadlovich placed second (56.17).

“It’s been a great meet,” said Fadlovich. “I got a PR (personal record) and the team overall did very well.”

Wu delivered another first place finish in the 100 Breast (1:01.49), followed by Christ Joa, of Mountain View (1:06.07).

And, in the final event of the District Championships, Camas won the 400 Free Relay with a time of 3.19.97, setting a new pool and meet record. The team consisted of Luke Albert, Chris Xia, Mark Kim, and Tom Utas.