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Eleven Camas High School Students Sign Letters of Intent Wednesday

The Camas High School Athletics Department celebrated 11 student-athletes Wednesday who are making their commitments to higher institutions as part of national signing day by signing their National Letter of Intent.

Each of these seniors have made an impact in their particular sport and now look to challenge themselves at the next level.  

“We wish each of them the best as they forge their paths in the years to come both in the classroom and in their arenas,” the department said in a statement.

In Alphabetical Order:

Zach Blair is a four-year Football and three-year Baseball letterman who is committing to play baseball at Oregon State University.  Zach was part of a state champion football team in 2019, and won three league titles in football and one more in baseball over the past four years.  A first team all-league recipient in both sports, Zach also was named to the first team all-state team as a junior.

Gracie Buzzell is a four-year Cross-Country and Track letterman who is committing to run at Oregon State University.  Gracie was part of teams that placed second and fifth in the state meet, while also taking home two individual district championships.  She served as team captain and was a four time scholar athlete award winner. 

Adrianna Cortes is a two-year Soccer letterman at CHS who is committing to play soccer at Pacific University.  Adrianna was part of 2021 League, Bi-District, and State Champion girls soccer team.  She won accolades from Max Preps as the State Player of the Week, and looks to continue her work in sports medicine by pursuing a major in athletic training and/or physical therapy.

Campbell Deringer is a four-year Swimming letterman who is committing to swim for the University of Nevada Reno.  A four-time first team all-league athlete, Campbell was also the GSHL and All Region swimmer of the year this year.  She won four district championships and finished second in the state in two events this year. 

Maxwell Fraser is a four-year Baseball letterman who is committing to play baseball for Washington State University.  A two-time first team all-league player, Max looks to continue his success this spring.  He was a key part of the league champion team in 2022 that secured a state berth. 

Letter
Eleven CHS students participated in today’s event.

Boston Jensen is a four-year Baseball letterman who is committing to play baseball at Tacoma Community College.  Boston has been part of teams that have taken home both league championships and made it to the state sweet 16.  He has displayed his leadership on the field as a team captain and looks to continue to lead the Papermakers this spring.

Ryan McClaskey is a three-year Baseball letterman who is committing to play baseball at Lower Columbia College.  Ryan was part of a team that took home a league title on the diamond in 2021.  Ryan’s talents on the mound often turn heads in the stands, and he looks to build on his successes at the next level.

Riley Parbon is a two-year Track and Cross-Country letterman who is committing to row at the University of Alabama.  Riley placed second at the American Lake Fall Classic, first at the Portland Fall Classic, and first at a Dual Regatta meet.  Riley will pursue Elementary Education at Alabama and looks forward to contributing to their rowing program for the next four years.

Natalie Peddie is a four-year Cross-Country letterman at CHS who is committing to run for Seattle Pacific University.  Natalie was part of three district champion teams, she won the individual district title in 2022, and finished 16th in the state as well.  Off the course, she took home both the CHS Pride Inside award as a model student and the district wide Milltown Pride Award. 

Aaron Sung is a three-year Baseball letterman who is committing to play baseball for Whitworth University.  Aaron was a key part of the 2022 league champion team that secured a state berth.  After winning the team’s most improved player award in 2022, Aaron looks to build on his successes this spring and in Spokane with the Pirates.

Cami Young is a two-year Volleyball letterman at CHS who is committing to play volleyball at California Lutheran University.  Cami was a leader both on the court and in the huddle with teams that won league titles in 2021 and 2022.  Both years they continued on to the state tournament.  Cami also provided leadership by taking part in a sportsmanship summit her senior year.

Letter
The event was well attended.
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Camas Boys Swim Teams Wins Dual Against Rival Union

Kelso, WA — The Camas Papermaker Boys Swim team defeated the Union Titans 100-65 Tuesday night.

It’s a sport of numbers, seconds, tenths of seconds and even though Union won five events, including two relays, they didn’t have the sheer numbers to defeat Camas.

Union dominated the first event, the 200 Medley Relay (1:38.15) with powerhouse swimmers Owen Robertson, Steven Empey, Alex Wahlman, and Sammy Empey, a Jr. National athlete.

Sammy Empey won the second event, the 200 Free in a four-man heat with Papermaker Nathan Kim placing second. 

Papermaker James Crawford won the 200 IM (2:03.30).

Mountain View’s Owen Wong won the 50 Free (:22.15).

Sammy Empey earned another victory in a brilliantly executed 100 Fly (50.26) with Nathan Kim placing second.

Titan Alex Wahlman placed first in the 100 Free (50.28).

James Crawford also won the 500 Free (5:05.62). 

Swim
Union High School swimmers (from left): Alex Wahlman, Steven Empey, Owen Robertson, and Sammy Empey.

Camas swimmers Nathan Kim, Henry Webster, Sahn Kim, and Ryan Tanner won the 200 Free Relay (1:31.08) missing the State cut by .5 seconds.

“Don’t worry, we will get the State cut at Districts,” said Webster.

Papermaker Aarmav Krishna won the 100 Back event (1:00.78).

Papermaker Sahn Kim handily won the 100 Breast event (1:01.78).

And, Union’s powerhouse relay team (Wahlman, Robertson, Empey and Empey) won the 400 Free Relay (3:17.39) earning a State cut. The Camas relay placed second, also earning a State cut.

The boys compete next at Mark Morris this Saturday.

Swim
Camas swimmer Henry Webster.
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Camas Boys Swim Team Prevails at Kelso Invitational Saturday

Kelso, WA — The Camas Boys Swim Team prevails at Saturday’s Kelso Invitational with 593 points with Union placing second (489 points).

Papermaker co-captain Issac Yim and Junior Sahn Kim talk about today’s strengths and challenges with missing two key swimmers.

“We were down two key swimmers,” said Kim. “We only won one event, but we did so well across the team, we ended in first place.”

Senior Henry Webster showed improvements in multiple events.

Union won two relays with powerhouse swimmers Doc But, Owen Robertson, Alex Wahlman, and Steven Empey.  

The boys next face off at Kelso with a dual vs. arch rival Union on January 24.

Swimming
Union Swimmer Owen Robertson.
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Three Camas Wrestlers Take 1st Place at Clark County Championship; 7 Make Finals

Camas, WA (Union High School) — The Papermakers wrestling team (boys and girls) sent seven of their athletes to finals at this weekend’s Clark County Wrestling tournament. 

The two-day event was hosted by Union, a wrestling powerhouse, and regular winner of the annual meet. 

Junior Jackson Lougan (182) and seniors Regan Fallon-Small (125) and Ava Addie Wunderli (140) won their weight brackets after some hard fought matches.  

Four other Papermaker’s made it to finals: Luke Wagner, Elliott Scott, Simon Jarrell, and Avery Vega- Padilla, a freshman. 

Union finished the tournament with the most points in the boys division with 234 points. The Titans got first-place finishes from Jordin Jimenez (126), Noah Koyama (132), Armando Nicacio (152) and Clayton Maus (215) — see his victory in Stories.

The Papermakers finished second with 199 points led by  champion Lougan.

Champions in the boys tournament included Liam McKee (106) of Hockinson, Brody Davis (113) of Washougal, Owen Pritchard (138) and JJ Schoelein (170) of Skyview, Tennyson Kurtz (145) of Columbia River, Nathan Wadleigh (160) of Mountain View, Seth Blick (195) of Prairie and Austin Steinbach (285) of Heritage.

Washougal edged Union 99-96 to win the girls title, thanks to Panther Kiersten Lees. 

Union earned championships with Niah Cassidy (120) and Janessa O’Connell (130) and Virginia Thomason (190) — see Stories.

Other girls champions were Maritza Sanchez (105) of Hudson’s Bay, Delilah Governor (110) of Hockinson, Uruwa Abe (115) of Ridgefield, Kaytlynn Honga (145) of Kelso, Sofia Aragon (155) of Seton Catholic, Aaliyah Young (170) and Faith Tarrant (235) of Prairie.

Wrestling
Camas wrestler Addie Wunderli.
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Sports Conspiracy Theories That Could Be True — What Do You Think?

Revisiting certain events from the sporting world could result in you stumbling down a rabbit hole of sports conspiracy theories that could be true.

“Everything is pro wrestling” is an adage people use when explaining an event that lacks legitimacy. We all know professional wrestling has pre-determined outcomes, yet fans suspend their beliefs and enjoy the show. And maybe that’s what the folks behind the sports conspiracy theories that could be truewere also hoping for. 

Michael Phelps’ Gold Rush

There weren’t many bigger names in 2008 than Michael Phelps. The swimmer took the country by storm when he won multiple golds at the Beijing Summer Olympics. Phelps’ end game was to break the record set by fellow American Mark Spitz for most gold medals during a single Olympics.

Everyone knew that the 100m butterfly would be his most challenging race since it was his weakest stroke, and anything can happen during a 100m race. But Phelps defeated Milorad Cavic by a hair. From the instant replay, it appeared Cavic got to his side faster, but Phelps emerged victorious. Many theorists proclaim that the higher-ups rigged Phelps’ platform to be extra sensitive, considering he was the media darling.

Robbery of the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team

Before the U.S. Olympic basketball team was crushing teams by double-digits in the Olympics, they had to fight and claw their way to reach the podium. During the 1972 Munich games, basketball may have been the furthest thing from people’s minds, so the swindling of the U.S. team is easily forgettable. 

The squad lost 51-50 to Russia after a controversial out-of-bounds decision not only gave the ball back to Russia but added additional time to the clock, allowing them to score the game-winning basket. The U.S appealed the results and lost when three of the five members, who had ties to the Communist Bloc, voted against them.

Riggs Takes It Easy in the “Battle of the Sexes” Match

The “Battle of the Sexes” showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was an exhibition to determine if the world’s best women’s tennis player could take it to an average male player. Riggs wasn’t a stranger to gambling debts and was the favorite to defeat King, but Billie Jean wiped the floor with him. 

Because of Riggs’ money troubles, it seemed apparent that Riggs lost the match on purpose. He did trounce the number one female player, Margaret Court, to prepare for his match against King beforehand, so it is suspicious. Regardless of if it was authentic or not, its cultural impact on athletics is what truly matters. 

Michael Jordan’s Flu Game 

Michael Jordan is no stranger to wild conspiracy theories directed at him, particularly involving his two-year sabbatical. But there’s no secret suspension talk involved his Jordan’s infamous “flu game.” Did MJ have the flu when he dropped 35 points on the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the NBA Finals? And if it wasn’t the flu, what was it?

Jordan’s trainer blames the pizza they ordered the previous night, claiming that the Jazz faithful tampered with it. Food poisoning and the flu are virtually identical, so the official diagnosis doesn’t matter. 

Looking back at the sports conspiracy theories that could be trueis entertaining to ponder under the proper context. These may be fiction, but who doesn’t love some controversy?

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Why Horseback Riding is the Perfect Hobby

Anytime you can get outside and enjoy Mother Nature, you must take advantage of it, especially if you can do it on the back of a beautiful horse. For that and the following reasons, horseback riding proves to be the perfect hobby. 

Mental Boost

Few things are as relaxing as strolling on a trail atop a horse. Not only is it a serene setting to forget about the stresses of everyday life, but it’s nice to have a confidant along for the journey. Having a horse as a companion has a soothing effect on your mind when feeling overwhelmed. 

From staying active and spending time with a furry friend, the serotonin boost you get helps push you through any psychological obstacles in your way. Additionally, riding a horse requires a strong mental acumen, considering you must keep an attentive eye, balance and focus while on the saddle. 

Strengthens the Body

As wonderful as horseback riding is for your mental well-being, it’s just as beneficial physically—for you and the horse. Although horseback riding is a leisurely activity, it requires a lot of physical prowess to control a horse, particularly if you enjoy kicking it up a notch and cantering. 

If it’s your first ride, you’ll likely feel sore around your abdominals and lower back the following day. As you ride more regularly, those aches and pains will fade away.

Riding a horse requires excellent posture; therefore, your hamstrings and quads will feel the brunt of the pain as they keep you upright. But your posture from your strengthened core and upper leg muscles will make any schoolteacher proud. 

Teaches Responsibility 

Being responsible is an essential component of owning and riding a horse. If you are negligent in your care, the horse’s health suffers, making it impossible to ride them. For parents, this is an excellent opportunity to teach their children accountability.

Simple things like brushing their coat, feeding them and changing their water give kids a chance to prove they can put more on their plate. You can also do these tasks together as a family, giving you an opportunity for quality time. 

Fun With or Without Company 

When something is equally enjoyable on your lonesome as it is with a group of friends, it’s an activity worth exploring. Horseback riding falls into that category because hopping on the horse and wandering through the wilderness is as fun by yourself as it is with a company. However, if you are a novice, you should go with a guide or someone else capable of assisting you if an issue develops. 

These reasons prove horseback riding is the perfect hobby for anyone needing a mental and physical boost. There should be an opportunity to hop on a horse regardless of where you live, so take advantage of it. 

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Speedo Sectionals Returns to Mt. Hood CC; 4 Make Olympic Trials Times

Gresham, OR – Nearly 600 athletes from all over western part of the United States returned to Mt. Hood Community College this past weekend to compete at the Speedo Sectionals swim meet.

It’s the first time in three years that Mt. Hood CC hosted the event due to COVID-19 shutdowns and massive facility renovations. And, the meet didn’t disappoint: FOUR athletes made Olympic Trials times, with many other making Nationals and Future cuts.

“We were closed for more than two years,” said Andrew Jackman, Aquatics Manager for the Mt. Hood CC Long Course pool. “And, we just re-opened in May.”

Jackman said the pool renovations were extensive, which included new pumps.

“We were ready for Sectionals,” he added. “The total count according to my records was 59 total teams, representing 594 student-athletes, from seven states. The meet went great! We were so excited here at MHCC to be able to host a large national-level swim meet after the long closure from March 2020-May 2022. It was very successful and everyone seemed very pleased with the results. We are also looking forward to hosting OSI Championships this coming week from 7/21-7/24 as well with over 700 swimmers expected to be in attendance.”

Four swimmers made Olympic Trials qualifying times: 

  • Michael Hochwalt, SWAT (Spokane), 400 IM (4:23.8)
  • Diego Nosack, Tualatin Hills Swim Club (Beaverton), 400 IM (4:22.00)
  • Katherine Adams, Tualatin Hills Swim Club (2:29.41)
  • Helen Noble, Phoenix Swim Club, 100 Back (1:01.24)

“I’ve been swimming for 10 years,” said Hochwalt. “I’ve been working three years to get that cut. Driving to practice every day, working hard. Putting all that effort in, and it feels nice that it pays off. I’m happy but not satisfied with it.”

He explained that he needs to qualify for the Olympic trials beginning in November (when the 2024 qualifying period begins), so this time doesn’t guarantee a spot.

Video Report

Click here to watch the video report: https://youtu.be/Q6miUkI2WG0

“I have to get the cut again, but considering I got it now, and I have two more years to get it again, and I’m dropping pretty rapidly right now I should continue to get even more than that cut,” he said.

Sectionals
Diego Nosack completes an event. He made an Olympic Trials cut in the 400 IM.
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Skyview, Camas Baseball Games Postponed Due to Alleged Racial Slurs

Camas, WA — All games between Camas and Skyview High School baseball teams have been postponed— some say indefinitely — due to allegations of racist taunting at Wednesday’s junior varsity game at Camas. Both teams are Class 4A Greater St. Helens League contenders.

Eyewitnesses from both teams allege that a Camas JV player hurled racial taunts at a black Skyview player during Wednesday’s game.

“He made ape sounds against a black Skyview player,” a Camas parent said, on condition of anonymity.

At least two Skyview parents, and one Camas parent, have the alleged incident on video. Lacamas Magazine hasn’t seen those videos.

“I didn’t actually hear it myself,” said another Camas parent. “I was there to watch, but I know other parents do have evidence of what happened.”

He said this case is similar to a recent racial taunting incident at a Vancouver youth soccer game.

Skyview Baseball issued the following statement on Thursday: “We are postponing tonight’s game with Camas due to some serious incidents that took place at yesterday’s JV game at Camas. Skyview families, please watch for a message from Principal Andy Meyer. The message will be sent to Skyview staff and families.”

Baseball

Camas High School Athletic Director, Rory Oster, issued this statement Thursday afternoon:

“Hello Papermaker Families,

“This morning, we received a report that CHS athletes on the field used racial slurs during a baseball game against Skyview HS. We take these reports seriously and are currently working with Vancouver Public Schools to determine precisely what happened during the game. As a result, today’s Skyview/CHS Varsity and JV games have been postponed. 

“All students deserve to feel respected and supported, including students visiting our campus.  Harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including racial slurs, are not tolerated in our school community. We will work to make sure that we get to the bottom of this, including assigning discipline as appropriate. Our goal is to make sure that learning happens for our students and that repair and restoration are made to those harmed.”

Skyview High School has filed a complaint with WIAA, and there’s been limited discussion about cancelling all games with Camas for the remainder of this season.

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Wrestling Season Suspended Due To COVID Outbreak at 4 Tournaments

Vancouver, WA — Local high schools are following Clark County Public Health recommendations and suspending the current wrestling season for two weeks due to multiple COVID-19 outbreaks that have been linked to high school wrestling tournaments in Washington. 

Thirty COVID cases have been linked to local wrestlers.

The DOH is investigating outbreaks at four different wrestling tournaments that all happened Dec. 4, and pushed for the suspension.

The department said the number of cases linked to the events is estimated to be between 80 and 90 statewide. The Snohomish County Health Department said there are at least 33 confirmed cases in their county.

“This would be considered a very large outbreak,” said Dr. Scott Lindquist, the state’s top epidemiologist with the Washington State Department of Health. “This does not bode well. Really the icing on this cake is these are turning out at least some percentage of the omicron variant that is much, much more infectious,” Lindquist said.

The cases are among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, the DOH said.

The tournaments are:

• John Birbeck Invitational in Lacey, Washington.

• Ed Arima Duals in Sumner, Washington.

• Lady Jags Kickoff Tournament in Puyallup, Washington.

• Yelm Girls Varsity in Yelm, Washington.

Students from Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Skagit, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties were in attendance. A high school in Oregon also sent students.

The DOH is continuing to investigate the outbreaks and will share more information as it becomes available.

“My hope is that the state allows wrestlers who are vaccinated or test negative to continue their participation in wrestling,” said John Constien, Camas Boys Wrestling Head Coach. “My hope is that there are alternatives to just cancelling the season that still allow us to compete against other schools safely and have a post-season.”

None of these new cases have been traced to Camas wrestlers.

“I am hurting for our seniors who have dedicated 7+ years to me and this program who are looking at the possibility of not having an opportunity to compete for state titles as upperclassman,” Constien said.

Wrestling
Papermaker Porter Craig wrestles teammate Jackson Lougan.

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Camas High School Sports Update: Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Swimming

This is a roundup of Camas High School sports (football, soccer, volleyball, swimming) over the last few days.

State Football Playoffs! Camas Defeats Puyallup 17-7; Advances to Quarterfinals 

Camas came from behind in the third quarter Friday night (7-3 at halftime) to score two touchdown passes from QB Taylor Ioane to Brock Thornburg and Mark Thorkelson, which would seal the deal and advance the Papermakers to State Quarter Finals this weekend.

Twenty-six flags were called tonight (16 against Puyallup that cost them 180 yards).

Sports
Camas Football advances to State quarter finals.

State Playoffs: Camas High Girls Soccer Team Defeats West Valley (Yakima) 3-2; Advances to Final Four

The Papermakers hosted the Rams at Doc Harris Saturday with Emerson Grafton scoring the first goal. The Rams tied it up in the second half, and Papermaker Maya Parman answered back with a 30-yard goal! She was followed by a goal from Bella Burns to seal the victory.

Camas heads to Puyallup for the last leg of the State Tournament. Final Four!

Volleyball Moves Onto State

After losing their first Bi-Districts match last week, the Camas Volleyball team fought their way back through the loser’s bracket and will compete at State.

Girls Swim Team Wraps Up Season 

Federal Way, WA — The Camas Girls Swim team returned to the WIAA State Swimming and Diving Championships this weekend for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic.

The Papermakers sent seven athletes overall to compete in three relays and four individual events. 

The Camas 200 Free Relay team (Sophia Wade, Zoe Chapin, Campbell Deringer, and Sydney King) took 11th overall at Saturday’s State Swimming Championships. Deringer competed at Finals for both her individual events (200 IM and 100 Breast) finishing 5th and 11th in state respectively. 

Lila McGeachy and Sophia Wade made finals for the 500 Free and the 100 Free respectively. 

“It’s an honor to represent Camas at State,” said Deringer. “It was nice to have so many of us there. We had several PR’s.”

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