State Champion 2x: Calwell Thrives

FEDERAL WAY, WA — For Camas Senior, Kasey Calwell, all went according to plan at Saturday’s 4A State Swimming Finals. Calwell won state titles in two events — the 100 Breastroke and the 200 IM. In addition, he won the 4A State Swimmer of the Year Award and earned an All-American title.

Calwell has been swimming for Camas since his Freshman year and has steadily been making gains at State, culminating in these wins. In addition, his relay teams placed fourth at State.

He also swims for CRST in Vancouver.  He will be attending UC Santa Barbara this fall.

 

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Camas Papermaker Swimmers Place 2nd at State

FEDERAL WAY, WA — Where’s Camas?

That was one of the questions Camas Senior, Kasey Calwell, got after winning his Swimmer of the Year award, and after his team placed second in a 36-team competition on Saturday.

The Papermakers earned 185 points yesterday, just behind meet winner, Newport (Bellevue). It was the team’s best showing — ever. And it was the best performance of any Southwest Washington boys swim team. The  overall score reflects a team that planned for this. It was a calculated performance driven by its seniors, but veraciously supported by its underclassmen.

The eight-member team took down some of the larger, competitive teams who have divers, which adds to the overall score.

2015 Camas Boys Swim Team. Top, from left: Luke Albert, Lucas Ulmer,
Tom Utas, Jeff Fadlovich, Kasey Calwell, Finn McClone, Mark Kim, John Utas.
Coaches: Mike Bemis and Leslie Dahlen. Photo by Dan Trujillo.

In addition to the 2nd place trophy and the Swimmer of the Year award, Camas took home several titles and accolades, including three individual state titles.

Calwell earned the State title for the 200 IM event (151.10) and with it an All American consideration. He also won the 100 Breast (56.53) and an All American time. Senior Lucas Ulmer won the State title for 100 Fly (51.10). He then placed sixth in the 100 Backstroke event.

“This is our best performance in school history,” said Calwell. “I’m so proud of our team. We really pulled together. We gave it our all. I don’t know how we could have swam any better. It was fun to be a part of this.”

The boys placed fourth in all the relays, and were pushed by brothers John and Tom Utas. This was also John’s final State meet.

Camas Freshman, Mark Kim, placed fifth in the 500 Free. He also assisted in the relay events.

Kasey Calwell won two State titles (100 Breast and 200 IM)and earned an All American time. Photo by Dan Trujillo.
Lucas Ulmer at the start of the 100 Back. Photo by Dan Trujillo.
Kasey Calwell on the podium for the 100 Breast win.
Photo by Dan Trujillo.

 

Calwell’s 1st place medal. Photo by
Dan Trujillo.
Caldwell received the WA 4A State Swimmer of the Year Award.
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Ulmer: 100 Fly State Champion Pleased With Finale

FEDERAL WAY, WA — It was his last State meet of his high school career, and for Camas High Senior Lucas Ulmer, it was a dream finish. His name was first on the board, with a time of 51.10 seconds, in a very competitive and tough event.

Ulmer, who was raised in Camas, has been swimming since age 6, and loves every minute of being in the water.

“I absolutely love to swim,” he said, as he savors his state win. “For me, winning the State title is a dream come true. After so many years of hard work, it just feels great!”

The senior Papermaker, known for wearing his trademark colored speedos at most meets, said swimming has helped him focus.

“I have a tendency to lose focus,” he said, “But swimming helps me stay focused what’s right in front of me. The sport has made me a stronger person overall. I’m really grateful to my mom who shuttled me around for years from practice, to tutors, and back and forth to meets. She’s always been there for me. So has my dad.”

He said he’s also grateful for his coaches, both at the high school and at club, and for his teammates.

“I love my teammates,” he added. “They mean a lot to me.”

 

 

Ulmer

Lucas Ulmer is known for wearing flashy speedos at the high school meets. He loves the attention.

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Camas Boys Swim Team Wins District Championship

KELSO, WA – The Camas Boys Swim Team won the 4A District Championship Saturday at Kelso High School, beating five other schools and breaking multiple records along the way. In total, the Papermakers earned 398 points, as several get ready for State competition this coming weekend.

The Camas Boys Swim team, with Coach Mike Bemis.
The Papermakers got off to a great start with the 200 Medley Relay, placing first (1:40.27) in the first event of the meet. The relay team consisted of Kasey Calwell, John Utas, Lucas Ulmer, and Tom Utas. Columbia River placed second.
In Event 2, the 200 Free, Camas Freshman, Mark Kim, set a new meet record (1:46.43). Stuart Sardo, of Mountain View, placed second. Papermaker Luke Albert placed third.
“I’ve had a great season,” said Albert. “I’ve really increased my times. I’ve gotten better times in the 200. Overall, it was a good competition. I look forward to State.”
Calwell would set another meet record in the 200 IM (1:56.11) moments later. Skyview’s Jake Breuer placed second.
Mountain View’s Chris Xue won the 50 Free (1:21.56) and was closely followed by Max Dolbinin, of Heritage.
Ulmer set a new District meet record in the 100 Fly (53.04). He narrowly edged Union’s Andrew Chang (53.68).
Xue and Dolbinin duked it out again in the 100 Free, with Xue winning (47.97). Dolbinin placed second (49.22). Tom Utas placed third and made a state cut.
Kim beat out the competition in the 500 Free (4:47.46). Papermaker Jeff Fadlovich placed second (5:07.03) and Papermaker Max Crowson placed third (5:24.17).
Mark Kim wins the 500 Free.
From left: Jeff Fadlovich, Noah Macia, and Max Crowson.
The Camas 200 Free Relay team set a new meet and pool record (1:29.49) with their victory in this event. The team consisted of John Utas, Ulmer, Tom Utas and Kim. Mountain View placed second (1:31.84). Finn McClone, of Camas, placed third.
Ulmer also won the 100 Back event (56.56) and was followed by Fadlovich (57.2).
Lucas Ulmer gets ready for the 100 Back event.

Swim Team Reflection

“It’s been a real successful meet,” said Ulmer. “We’ve all worked well together, and I’ve loved it. It’s my last meet at this pool, and we’ve made the best of it. These past four years have been an amazing experience, and it’s been so great getting to know the swimmers from all the other schools.”
Calwell won the 100 Breast event (59.08), but fell just half a second of setting a meet record. Skyview’s Jake Breuer placed second (1:01.75).
The Camas boys also set a new meet record in the 400 Free Relay (3:21.33), which was the final event of the meet. The team included Calwell, Kim, Luke Albert and Fadlovich.
Camas Coach, Mike Bemis, said they’re sending 8 swimmers to State this weekend.
“We’ve had a great meet,” Bemis added. “The boys really stepped it up.”
State competition will be at Federal Way, WA.
Camas won the 200 Medley Relay.

 

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Swim: Papermakers Stay Undefeated

Swim they did.
The Camas High School Boys Swim Team continued its dominance in the pool Wednesday night at Lacamas Swim and Sport Club as they hosted several Vancouver schools (Union, Mountain View, Heritage, and Evergreen).
One of the Camas 400 Free Relay teams. From left: Noah Macia,
Sullivan Carrick, Ian Pinch, and Kevin Chen.
The afternoon kicked off with a Camas victory in the 200 Medley Relay, where the four-member team (Mark Kim, Kasey Calwell, Lucas Ulmer and John Utas) bested their state cut time, earning 1:54.17.
Tom Utas won the 200 Free event with a time of 2:02.31.
Heritage’s Max Dolbinin finishes the 400 Free Relay.
Chris Xiu, of Mountain View, won the 200 IM (2:17.47), and Papermaker Jeff Fadlovich placed second (2:32.40) in the event.
John Utas won the 50 Free (25.94), and Michael Suk of Evergreen placed second (26.68).
“I’m having a good season,” said John. “I’m improving my performance in sprinting. I thought I lost my game, but Coach Mike (Bemis) has really helped me with my technique. Even today, he showed me how I should start off with more power with a couple of strokes and then go into the sprint. It’s paying off.”
Papermakers Lucas Ulmer and Tom Utas battled it out in the 100 Fly competition. Ulmer (1:01.51) narrowly beat Utas (1:01.65). Talk about a tight finish!
Tom Utas (left) and Lucas Ulmer compete in the 100 Fly.

Camas senior Kasey Calwell handily won the 100 Free (55.65). To date, Calwell has earned five state qualifying times this season.

Kasey Calwell wins the 100 Free at Lacamas.
Papermaker Fadlovich won the 400 Free (4:29.30), and Xiu placed second (4:29.79). Camas also dominated the 200 Free Relay, winning with a time of 1:42.58. The team consisted of Mark Kim, Tom Utas, Calwell, and John Utas.
The younger, less experienced swimmers are also making improvements in their times.
“Sullivan Carrick has really improved since he first joined the team,” said John Utas. “He’s really starting to like it. I hope he stays because he’s a good guy to have around. I’m glad he joined the team.”

Seniors Lead the Swim Effort

Ulmer also won the 100 Back event, with a time of 1:04.71. Calwell also bested the 100 Breast (1:09.87).
Lucas Ulmer
400 Free Relay. From left: Lucas Ulmer, Jeff Fadlovich, Tom Utas, and John Utas.
And, for the final event, Camas took the top two spots in the 400 Free Relay. The winners were Ulmer, Tom Utas, John Utas, and Jeff Fadlovich. The second place team consisted of Luke Albert, Max Urbanek, Andrey Khabibrakhmanov, and Finn McClone.
400 Free Relay. From left: Andrey Khabibrakhmanov, Max Urbanek,
Finn McClone, and Luke Albert.
“I just wanted to publicly say thank you to all the boys on the team for the encouragement they give to Brian Andrade, a new member on our team, “said assistant coach, Leslie Dahlen. “They have all stepped up.”
Brian Andrade competes Wednesday night.
Andrade has autism and has really enjoyed being on the team.
The boys compete again next Wednesday at Lacamas Swim and Sport Club.
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Camas Boys Swim Team Wins Dual Meet at Propstra

VANCOUVER — The Camas High School boys swim team won Thursday’s dual meet against Hockinson, Skyview and Fort Vancouver, and set a few state qualifying times along the way.
The Papermakers set the pace, winning the first event, the 200 Medley Relay with a time of 1:45.03. The relay consisted of Lucas Ulmer, Tom Utas, John Utas, and newcomer Andrey Khabibrakhmanov.
Camas 400 Free Relay Team: From left, Mark Kim, Kasey Calwell, Tom Utas,
and Lucas Ulmer
Camas Senior Kasey Calwell bested the 200 Free with a time of 1:47.88. “It’s been a great meet,” said Calwell. “We’re putting in some solid swims.”
Hockinson’s William Morris won the 200 IM shortly afterward. Papermaker Senior, Lucas Ulmer, won the 50 Free, with a time of 23.11 seconds.
“We’re having a great season,” said Ulmer. “We have a lot of new swimmers. It’s so great to have Brian Andrade on the team due to his disability. He really inspires us. We love having him.”
Ulmer made state cuts already in the 100 Free, 100 Fly, and 100 Back.
Lucas Ulmer dives in during the 400 Free Relay.
Papermaker sophomore, Tom Utas, won the 100 Fly with a time of 56 seconds. Calwell then earned a state qualifying time in the 100 Free (49.97 seconds). It was his fifth state qualifying time this season.
Camas freshman, Mark Kim, won the 500 Free and made a state qualifying time with the win.
Camas swimmer, Mark Kim, earned a state qualifying time in the 500 Free.
The Camas boys also won the 200 Free Relay (1:32.44). The relay team consisted of John Utas, Calwell, Tom Utas, and Kim.
Skyview’s Jake Breuer won the 100 Back (55.8). Hockinson’s Jonah Rodewald won the 100 Breast (1:05.68).
And, in the last event, the Papermaker 400 Free Relay of Ulmer, Tom Utas, Kim and Calwell handily beat the competition with a time of 3:21.06.
The team has added several new swimmers, including Andrade, Kim, and Khabibrakhmanov, along with Ian Pinch, Sullivan Carrick, Finn McClone and Max Crowson.
Coach Mike Bemis is pleased with the performance of the boys mid-season, and is looking forward to next week’s major meet against Union — to be held at Lacamas Swim and Sport Club.
“It’s sad that this is coming to an end soon,” Ulmer added. “But it’s been great to have a successful four years at Camas. It went by so fast!”
Calwell will be swimming for University of California — Santa Barbara (UCSB) this fall. Several other seniors haven’t announced their future plans as yet.
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Camas-Washougal U18 Wolves Take Home State Rec Soccer Title!

TUKWILA, WA, Sunday, December 14 – As the final whistle blew at dusk tonight, the Camas-Washougal U18 Wolves soccer team became the 2014 State Rec Champions, beating the Fall City Rovers 2-1 in a tightly played, sometimes intense match on a clear, cool afternoon at Starfire Sports Complex.

The feeling was euphoric as the exhausted, but jubilant team of high school seniors high-fived and hugged one another and then embraced their coach, Wayne Svilar, who came out of coaching retirement this year to get these boys back together for one final season.
From left to right (top row): Coach Wayne Svilar, Brooks Burns, Brennan Dyehouse, Drew King, Brad Stanchfield, Sam Johnson, Chad Kirby, Marshall Bratten, Coach Ryan Bratten. Front row: Ben Klave, Brendan Geigenmiller, Josh Harimoto, Nitten Beri, JJ Guo, Allan Huang, Liam Bradley, Konner Lessard, Colby Allen, and Brett Ball.

 

And what a way to go out – as STATE CHAMPIONS.
The boys beat the Stingrays Saturday in semi-finals 3-0 in an extremely aggressive and often times, brutal, match that sent the former “Cheetahs” team into today’s finals at 3 pm.
Marshall Bratten in action during the semi-final game on Saturday.
An early goal by Chad Kirby today put the Wolves ahead 1-0 in the first half. The Wolves dominated the first half, narrowly missing half a dozen shots, but leaving the Rovers hungry for a goal, which they would get, tying the score 1-1 in the second half. The Rovers nearly got another goal immediately after but were stopped by keeper Sam Johnson. The Rovers continued their intensity, but the Wolves would eventually resume command of the match. JJ Guo scored the second, and winning goal of the match.
Winning the state title is icing on the cake for these boys, whom most at one point played for Svilar as the Cheetahs in their earlier years. Svilar coached the rec team for many years, but eventually disbanded the team as boys took on other interests – such as playing JV or Varsity at Camas High School, or playing at the Select or Premier club levels.
Ben Klave gets ready to pass the ball at the Championship match.
“They’re such a talented group of players,” said Svilar. “It’s been so great to have so many of them back for their final year. It’s been a real joy to coach them. Three months ago we didn’t see tonight happening. It’s amazing!”
Getting the boys back together was Ben Klave’s idea. Klave, an extremely talented soccer player, who has an absolute love of the sport, had advanced to Premier and also played for Camas High School. But, he got tired of the politics at the competitive levels, and decided to get the “Cheetahs” reunited for one last season.
“I did nothing!” says Chad Kirby as an opponent is handed a yellow card.
“I told Ben I’d coach if the boys would commit to practices and do the hard work,” said Svilar. “It was a rough start. Some days we’d only have eight kids at practice. Sometimes they’d get rusty and it would show on the field, but they never stopped, and that’s why we’re here today.”
The Wolves at the beginning of the match.
The team’s assistant coach is Ryan Bratten, whose son Marshall, also plays on the team.
The team is comprised of the following players: Brooks Burns, Brennan Dyehouse, Drew King, Brad Stanchfield, Sam Johnson, Chad Kirby, Marshall Bratten, Ben Klave, Brendan Geigenmiller, Josh Harimoto, Nitten Beri, JJ Guo, Allan Huang, Liam Bradley, Konner Lessard, Colby Allen, and Brett Ball.
All will be graduating from Camas High School this coming June.
Josh Harimoto, Brad Stanchfield and Sam Johnson listen to the
tournament director prior to receiving medals and their team trophy.

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Anderson: Camas Alum Sets High Collegiate Track & Field Goals

PULLMAN, WA – Former Camas alum and track star Grayson Anderson is loving life these days at Washington State University.

The 2013 Camas grad has his first collegiate inters-quad meet coming up this Friday, and he and his team have been rigorously preparing. Anderson will be competing in multiple events, and his coach has been helping the team get ready physically – and emotionally for the meet.

The PAC 12 is very competitive, and Anderson knows it.
The collegiate indoor season begins January 17, and Anderson has spent the better part of the year training each day from noon to 3:30, then spending 90 minutes lifting, and then an hour stretching and doing preventative care.
The freshman and Architecture major attends class in the mornings so he can meet the ambitious goals that he and his coach have set for himself.
He’s put on 15 pounds of muscle, feels stronger overall, is confident of his abilities and wants to place in the Top 8 for indoor events, and be in the Top 6 for outdoor events.
For Indoor, he’ll be competing in the 60m Sprint, Shot Put, Pole Vault, 60m Hurdles, Long Jump, High Jump and the 1000m run.
For Outdoor, he’s planning to compete in the Decathlon.
“I’m pretty excited about what’s happening,” Anderson said. “I love Track and Field. I love it here, and my studies in Architecture are going very well. I’ve drawn a combined 72 hours this semester and it’s great to talk about architectural concepts and ideas. I got 92 percent on my last exam.”
Anderson turned heads at Camas High School, where he competed his senior year. That season he was the GSHL District champion in the 100m, 4x400m Relay and High Jump (6-6), and placed second at State in the High Jump. He also competed for Mountain View.
“I’m really looking forward to the Sprint,” he said. “I’m good at it!”

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Top Local Swimmer Attends National Meet

Federal Way, WA — Top local swimmer Kasey Calwell has qualified and will attend the Speedo Junior National Championships to be held this week (Dec. 10-13) at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington.

Top high school aged and future collegiate swim talent from all over the country will attend this once a year meet and compete at the highest level. Calwell will be competing in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 200 and 400 Individual Medley.
“I’m really excited and a bit nervous about the whole thing,” said Calwell. “These guys swim crazy fast! We’ll see how it goes.”
Kasey Calwell (left), with fellow teammates, Jonah Rodewald, Lucas Ulmer
and Chris Xue at the King County Aquatic Center. Photo by Max Dolbinin.

 

Calwell is an 18-year-old Senior from Camas and swims for both the Camas High School team and Columbia River Swim Team in Vancouver. He is the only male Clark County swimmer to qualify. Calwell has had a successful swimming career. He moved to Camas prior to his Freshman year. Before that, he lived in Ohio.
Cassidy Brennan of Camas, who swims with Tualatin Hills in Oregon will also be in attendance. Calwell has verbally committed to the University of California-Santa Barbara to swim next fall.

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Camas Pop Warner Cheer Team Heads to Nationals

The girls practice three times a week.

 

When the Camas Pop Warner Cheer team won the Pacific Northwest Junior Midget regional competition in October, their hard-earned victory earned them a coveted spot to compete at this week’s National Pop Warner Superbowl in Orlando, Florida.

Since that moment, the girls and their coaches have been actively preparing for the national competition by getting physically, mentally and financially ready for their big moment, which happens this Wednesday at the Wide World of Sports complex at the Disney World resort.

“We’ve been fundraising like crazy,” said coach Tami Simms. “It’s a great opportunity for the girls. “We practice three times a week, up to two hours each day to get ready.”

The girls only get one chance to show the judges their 2:30 routine, and will be competing with approximately 100 other teams from across the nation.

Simms, Tamara Tilton, Julie Alger and Dianne Christenson work closely with the 16-member team to incorporate different elements with varying degrees of difficulty into their routine.

“For every element you hit you score points,” said Simms. “We only get a two-minute, thirty-second shot at this.”

The Pop Warner Cheer program is scholastic in nature, and the girls have a cumulative GPA of 3.8. The girls, ages 11-13 are in grades 7 and 8.

The 16 member team is comprised of Anne Marie Albright, Josie Buzzell, Emily Christenson, Kalel Coleman, Nicole Gilstrap, Cassandra Jones, Bree McClelleland, Abigail Olsen, Kamrin Parry, Clara Sharp, Ashley Simms, Hannah Sturgis, Janessa Terry, Hannah Toops, Kourtney Wilds, and Amelia Wong.

Their student coach is Peyton Boatwright.

The girls have been together since August and are thrilled about the opportunity to compete at the national level.

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