B Team, New Swimmers Make Impact

12-0, and the B-Team is helping them all the way.
That’s the Camas High Boys Swim team’s record so far this season, and as they prepare for their final regular meet this year it’s a good time to reflect on the journey.
These swimmers are giving their all when they practice in the cold water at wee hours of the morning. They’re pushing their bodies to the limit at competitions, and demanding more of themselves each time they jump off the starting block.
And they’re winning and breaking records this season.
When a meet is scored, it’s based on individual and relay times.  We report on the winners of the events, but there’s more to it than that. When a team like Camas wins a meet, it’s based on the top five times for each individual event, and the top three times for each four-man relay event.
 
Camas, for example, has an A relay team, as well as B and C teams that contribute to the overall score, and their team’s success.
Leaders like Kasey Calwell and Lucas Ulmer have had an amazing season, winning numerous races, along with breaking several records, but they acknowledge and appreciate the strength of the B teams and lesser-experienced swimmers.
“The Freshman and B teams have been amazing this year,” said Calwell, a junior at King’s Way Christian, who swims for Camas. “We couldn’t have been an undefeated team without them. They’re doing a great job.”
Camas had their smallest victory last week against Union, and Calwell wholeheartedly acknowledges the strength of the B teams for pulling them through.
It’s young guns like Jeff Fadlovich, Colin Kuhta, Luke Albert, Kevin Chen, Tom Utas, Noah Macia and Kevin Wang (who just returned to swimming), to name a few, who are excelling this season. Then you have Cade Greseth, who is new to swimming altogether, having a tremendous time.
“It’s been a fun first season for me,” said Greseth. “It’s been a good start. I haven’t met a swimmer I don’t like, at least on our team. I’m a runner, and it’s much more difficult than running. I will swim all four years of high school.”
Wang has made a fun return to the sport after a multi-year hiatus.
“I’m surprised how well I did this season,” Wang said. “I met a lot of new friends and the team is performing extremely well overall. It was hard to get back into it at first, but you just have to pull through. The reward is definitely worth it when you put it all out there during meets. Overall, it’s been a fun season, but it feels like it went by too quickly. It’s a great experience everyone should try out if they like swimming.”
Fadlovich, a freshman who earned a spot on one of the A relay teams, has had an excellent start swimming for Camas.
“This is a great team,” he said. “We practice daily at 5:15 am, and these guys encourage me to do better. They keep me going. I’ve competed in the 500 Free, 200 Free, 100 Backstroke, and the 100 Fly. It’s been fun, and it’s a good challenge to race these events.”
Practices are tough. The boys swim about 140 laps every morning. And freshman Kuhta says it’s not for sissies.
“It’s helped me to be more disciplined,” Kuhta added. “It’s been difficult, but it’s also been pretty fun. I do the 200 IM and 100 Fly. I’ve been on the A 200 Relay. I’ve learned that it’s just hard to compete with the seniors.”
For his part, Kuhta has won several events this season, and is encouraged to keep pushing himself, despite the pain associated with super early and very vigorous practices.
Wang said he’s seen the swimmers improve dramatically as the season has progressed. They work hard during practices in the morning and it shows during swim meets.
Sophomore Noah Macia, agrees.
“We’re getting better, “said Macia. “We are training really hard in practices. We are stepping up the intensity at practices and that’s making the difference in the relays. Right now I’m shooting for a state time.”

Coach Mike Bemis said the B teams are making a huge impact this year to the team’s success.

“It’s a strong bunch, period,” said Bemis. “They take it seriously, and it shows at the competitions. Their times keep improving and I think we’ll do well at our last meet and at Districts. We may even see several of them at State. It’s a great season.”

Noah Macia, right, cheers on Jeff Fadlovich. Lucas Ulmer is seen at left on the starting block.

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Boys Swimming: 12 Wins For a Reason

With just one regular season meet left, the Camas Boys Swimming (12-0) is riding a wave of success.

But it hasn’t come easy.
Late last summer, the team learned practice times would move to 5:15 am at the Lacamas Swim and Sport Club. Immediately, the swimmers thought the early hour would affect morale, energy, grades, performance, etc.
But it didn’t.
They rose to the occasion, and like champions they pushed these obstacles out of the way. After a string of 12 victories, the boys, guided by Coach Mike Bemis, and assistant Leslie, continue their daily regimen of swimming 140 laps (3,000-3,500 meters) apiece.
It’s great conditioning, but like Freshman Kevin Chen says, “it’s hard to jump into that cold water at 5:15 every day.”
Swimming

 

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Team Work: Camas Swimming Defeats Union, MV

CAMAS — Unofficial results show that Camas beat Union 101-69 and Mountain View 120-50 at Lacamas Swim and Sport Club on Wednesday night.

A scoring system issue delayed results, but calculations made by Lacamas Magazine show a clear victory for the Papermakers.

At one point during the meet, it appeared that Camas was losing to Union, but the Papermakers pulled ahead in the last four events of the night: 200 Free Relay, 100 Back, 100 Breast and 400 Free Relay.

“I was getting worried,” said Junior Lucas Ulmer. “Union was getting really competitive.”

Coach Mike Bemis said he was getting worried, as well, but “they pulled it off, and it was nice to get the win.”

 

Team
Members of the Camas 400 Relay C team at the starting block. From left to right: Kevin Chen, Kevin Wang, and Cade Greseth.

 

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“Pink” a Successful Fundraiser

Editor’s Note: Dan Trujillo, of the Camas Post-Record, wrote the majority of this article.

The Camas High School basketball teams dominated their “Hoops for Pink” games Friday, inside the Camas warehouse.

A 22-8 scoring barrage in the first quarter helped the Papermaker boys beat Heritage 55-28. It was their first league victory of the season after falling behind early in their previous league games and not being able to catch up.

The Camas boy shared the basketball. Jordan Anderson and Trevor Jasinsky each netted nine points, James Price added eight, and Jordan Lenard and Nick Lopes both had six points.

The Papermaker girls pummeled the Timberwolves 62-20. Camas outscored Heritage 12-7 in the first quarter, 20-7 in the second quarter, 16-4 in the third quarter and 14-2 in the fourth quarter.

“Pink” Team Effort

On the receiving end of passes from Brenna Khaw, Rachel Rice and Meghan Finley, Nikki Corbett delivered 16 of her team-leading 22 points in the first half. She scored 10 of those points in the second quarter.

Khaw netted 13 points. Brenna Vargo and Teague Schroeder sparked the Papermakers off the bench. Vargo earned eight points and Schroeder added six.

The annual event raises money for the Kay Yow Foundation, which earmarks funds toward fighting breast cancer research.
Money was raised by selling T-shirts and through buying raffles to purchase donated gift baskets.
“The event was a real success,” said Nadine Knight, one of the parent volunteers. “We’re so grateful for the support of our community. Cheers to all of the businesses and individuals who donated for our baskets. Could NOT have done any of this without them. Thank you Camas for coming through again.”

 

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Multiple Records Shattered at Kelso Swimming Invitational

KELSO, WA – When swimmers from several regional high schools descended upon Kelso on Friday night they were determined to make a statement – and they did as eight meet records were shattered.
In addition to breaking many of those event records, the Camas boys won the meet by a landslide, racking up 668 points overall. Mark Morris placed second at 470, with Skyview third at 380 and Hockinson placing fourth with 377 points. Kelso rounded out the top five.
The Papermakers made a splash early on in the 200 Medley Relay with Kasey Calwell, Tom Utas, Lucas Ulmer and John Utas coming in at 1:41.19, breaking their team’s old Kelso Invitational record of 1:45.80 that was made just 12 months ago.
Moments later, Calwell would do it again in the 200 Free by finishing the race at 1:48.73, shattering Eric Bugna’s 2012 record of 1:52.40.
And these boys were just getting warmed up.
Prairie’s Jaron Hamlik, who practices daily with the Camas team, not only broke a meet record in the 50 Free, but also set a pool record and made a State cut as he came in at 22.10, breaking Chris Xue’s 22.24 record set in December 2012.
“It was the best start I’ve ever had,” said Hamlik. “I feel good.”
His coach, Mike Bemis, was equally impressed.
“And this isn’t his best event, either,” Bemis said. “This is like his third best event, and he hasn’t swam the 50 Free in some time. We’re really proud of him.”

Papermaker Lucas Ulmer placed second in the 50 Free coming in at 23.25.
Hamlik decided he wasn’t done. So after the 25-minute diving session, he nailed the 100 Fly coming in at 53.24, also breaking a meet record.

Splash!
One of the Papermaker’s young guns, Jeff Fadlovich, keeps turning heads this season with his times. He won the 500 Free, coming in at 5:15.82 and also broke a meet record.
Incredible.
Columbia River’s Benjamin Grubb won the 100 Back event, coming in at 55.62, breaking the meet record set by Ulmer (56.16) in January 2012. Ulmer placed second in the event (56.05) on Friday night.

Calwell also won the 100 Breast with a time of 1:02.32, breaking another meet record, previously made by Camas graduate, Jake Yraceburu (1:05.06).

And to top off the night, the Camas 400 Free Relay A team brought strength and resolve, by setting a new meet record in that event with a time of 3:23.10. The A Relay consists of John Utas, Jeff Fadlovich, Ulmer and Calwell.

“It’s been another great meet,” said Bemis. “The B teams did very well, and our younger swimmers delivered tonight, too.”
There will be more on the younger swimmers in a follow-up article.
The journey continues.
The Camas 200 Medley Relay team won the event and broke a meet record (1:41.19).
Prairie’s Jaron Hamlik won two events — the 50 Free and 100 Fly.
Columbia River’s Benjamin Grubb (left) talks with Lucas Ulmer after winning the 100 Back event.
Kasey Calwell won the 100 Breast event (1:02.32) breaking a meet record.
Papermaker Jeff Fadlovich finishes his left of the 400 Free Relay. His four-member team won the event and set a new meet record (3:23.10).

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Prairie Senior Hamlik Breaks 2 Kelso Meet Records

KELSO, WA — It was a great night for Prairie senior Jaron Hamlik, who broke two meet records, a pool record and made State qualifying times at Friday’s Kelso Invitational.

Hamlik blasted his way through the 50 Free (22.10) breaking a 13-month old record, previously held by Chris Xue. Hamlik’s time not only broke a meet record, but also a pool record, and qualified him for State.

He also broke a meet record in the 100 Fly (53.24) and also made a State cut in that event, as well. The meet record was previously held by former Skyview swimmer, Eric Bugna. His time was 54.42.

“It felt really good,” Hamlik said. “It was the fastest start I’ve ever had.”

Prairie Senior Has Work Ethic

His coach, Mike Bemis, said Hamlik continues to be dedicated to excellent practices and behavior, just as he has for many seasons.

“He’s an incredibly hard worker,” Bemis said. “He has tremendous work ethic. And this was his day.”

And, Lucas Ulmer, a teammate from both the high school and club (Columbia River Swim Team, or CRST) teams, has nothing but high praise for his friend.

“Jaron is a competitor,” said Ulmer.

 

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Swim: Camas Boys To Compete at Kelso

The Camas Boys Swim Team face all competitors today at 3:30 at the Kelso Invitational.

In this photo, Papermaker John Utas finishes the 400 Free Relay events against Skyview/Fort Vancouver. Utas and his teammates (Lucas Ulmer, Kasey Calwell, and Jeff Fadlovich) are undefeated in the 400 Free Relay this season.

The boys have continued to dominate the season, led by Ulmer, Caldwell and Utas, who have already made State cut times (which means they have qualified to compete at State in several swimming events).

“The boys are here at 5:15 every morning,” said Coach Mike Bemis. “The lights are dim, and the water is cold, but they make it happen every meet, and at every practice. I’m really pleased with their performance.”

The A relay teams have been very, very strong, and continue to win all their meets. However, the B and C teams are also winning, and although they are slower, they are still winning their events, and adding to the overall team score.

“The B and C teams make all the difference,” said Ulmer. “We’re glad they’re so strong.”

Ulmer has been swimming competitively since he was 6.

Calwell, who attends a private school, has been swimming with the team since his Freshman year. He has his eyes set on winning a couple state championships before he graduates in 2015.

To learn more, visit www.camas.wednet.edu

Papermaker Swimming

 

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Swimming: Papermaker Boys Defeat Skyview/Fort Vancouver

VANCOUVER, WA – The Camas High Boys Swim Team dealt another blow to the competition Tuesday at Propstra Pool, beating past rival Skyview 122-44 and Fort Vancouver 139-8, continuing their undefeated status this season. The multiple dual meet had swimmers from other schools, as well, including Woodland, Hockinson, and Brush Prairie.

The swimmers competed in 11 events total, and even though it’s hard work they made it look easy.

“It speaks to the strength of the whole team,” said Junior Kasey Calwell, who attends King’s Way Christian, but competes with the Camas team. “Our B team relays are doing extremely well and they will help our team win districts.”

Swimming Domination

The Papermakers got off to a rocking start by winning the 200 Medley Relay. The four-man team consisted of Calwell, Tom Utas, John Utas, and Lucas Ulmer. Their time was 1:42.3. Hockinson placed second with 1:46.79 and the Camas B Relay team placed third, at 1:57.98.

Jonah Rodewald, of Hockinson, won the 200 Free with a time of 1:59.3 with Papermaker Jeff Fadlovich placing a very close second, at 2:00.59. Camas swimmer Luke Albert placed third, at 2:01.59.

“Our relays did really well at this meet,” said co-Captain Xianguang Yan. “I’m very impressed with what’s happening on our team overall.”

The 200 IM went to Brush Prairie’s Jaron Hamlik, who clocked in at 2:05. Ulmer placed second at 2:09.44, followed by Papermaker Colin Kuhta at 2:20.46.

Calwell won the 50 Free at 23.43, with Xiaguang Yan second (24.20) and Tom Utas third (24.50).

Calwell did it again in the 100 Fly, winning with a time of 55.71. Cullyn Newman, of Hockinson, placed second (58.81). Camas swimmer Max Urbanek placed third (1:03.68).

The Utas brothers, John and Tom, took first and second, respectively, in the 100 Free. Older brother John, a Junior, came in at 51.17. Tom’s time was 53.84. Skyview’s Garrett Jensen came in at 57.54.

Ulmer, who rarely competes in the 500 Free nonetheless won the event Tuesday night, coming in at 5:15.72. Jeff Fadlovich came in at 5:17.43, and Hockinson’s Will Morris placed third, at 5:39.47.

The brothers Utas, along with Yan and Kuhta won the 200 Free Relay, coming in at 1:37.62. Skyview’s relay with Jensen, Nick Anderson, Alex Osler and Matthew Gaylor, came in second (1:45.09). The Camas B Relay team with Luke Albert, Noah Macia, Xinyang Chen, and Nicholas Burton placed third (1:48.76).

Prairie’s Hamlik won his second event of the meet in the 100 Back coming in at 57.51. Hockinson’s Rodewald was in second (1:01.40) followed by Skyview’s Dalton Harvey (1:09.58).

Xiaguang Yan won the 100 Breast (1:10.90) and Joey Wunderlich placed second (1:11.80). Hockinson’s Dylan Osborne came in third (1:1519).

In past years, Skyview was generally a threat, said Calwell, but not this year as key athletes either graduated or are focusing on club swimming.

That leaves Union and Evergreen as the Papermaker’s biggest rivals. They’ll face each other this Friday at the Kelso Invitational. The meet begins at 3:30.

The journey continues.

Swim Team
Camas swimmers Jeff Fadlovich (left) and Joey Wunderlich (right) dive off
the starting blocks in the final heat of Tuesday’s 400 Free Relay.

 

Camas swimmer Noah Macia on the starting block.
Kasey Calwell
Kasey Calwell dives into his lane as John Utas completes his leg of
the 400 Free Relay. Camas won this event Tuesday night.
Colin Kuta
Camas Freshman Colin Kuhta finishes the 400 Free Relay.
Undefeated: The Camas 400 Free Relay team, from left to right:
Freshman Jeff Fadlovich, and Juniors John Utas, Lucas Ulmer and Kasey Calwell.
Camas 400 Free Relay B team, from left to right: Luke Albert, Colin Kuhta,
Joey Wunderlich and Max Urbanek. The B teams are doing very
well this season, according to their team captains.

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21 Points Scored by Papermaker Nikki Corbett

The Camas Girls Varsity Basketball team had a great game Friday, and Papermaker Nikki Corbett scored 21 points as her team beat Evergreen in a 4A Greater St. Helens league win at home Friday night.

Camas was ahead in the second quarter and pushed their lead to 22 points at halftime.

The final score was Camas 54, Evergreen 29.

Rachel Rice scored 9, Emma Jones 8, Rachel Gray 4, and Brenna Khaw 4.

The annual “Hoops for Pink” fundraiser, which raises money for breast cancer research, is scheduled for January 17 at Camas High School.

Corbett





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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.

Lucas Ulmer

“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.

 

Jaron Hamlik

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

 

 

John Utas
Camas Junior John Utas won the 50 Free event.
 

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