Camas, WA — Legendary Camas Football Head Coach Jon Eagle announced today he’s leaving his post after an amazing 17 years.
Camas High announced the move in a press release early tonight revealing that Jack Hathaway, a Camas assistant coach for the past seven years, will assume the interim head coach job for the 2021 fall season, said Rory Oster, the CHS athletic director.
Eagle’s 17-year tenure saw the program turn into a major force.
Eagle, 61, leaves with a 127-22 record, leading his Papermakers to two 4A state titles — in 2016 and 2019 — and close second place in 2013. He led Camas to nine Greater St. Helens League titles.
Eagle has coached high school football in Washington for 29 years. Prior to Camas, he coached at Evergreen and Redmond. His career record is 229-70.
“It will be a loss we will feel deeply throughout our community here in Camas,” Oster said. “He is a future Washington State Coaches Association Hall of Famer, and a leader who meant so much to our kids, our school, and our entire community.”
Eagle will be an assistant coach for Portland State under head coach Bruce Barnum.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/07222047/IMG_3516-e1623129737331.jpg10542037Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2021-06-07 22:34:002021-06-07 22:35:12Camas Football Head Coach Jon Eagle Resigns; Heads to Portland State
Camas sports teams performed well Monday night. Here’s a fun report about how they did.
Boys Golf
Last night in the match against Heritage, and the previously unbeaten team from Col. River, Camas won both matches with a score of 152. Camas @ 152 Col. River @ 169 Heritage @ 244. Eli Huntington, the match medalist, led the team with an even par 36. Owen Huntington @ 38, Evan Chen @ 38, & Caleb Shira @ 40 finished up the Varsity scoring. Cameron Miller with a 43 was the match medalist in the JV match. Varsity 10-0 JV 11-0
Volleyball
Camas Varsity wins 3-0
25-10, 25-9, 25-9
Varsity Stats:
Kiah Hollister- 3 service points, 5 Digs
Delaney Clark – 1 Dig, 5 kills
Grace Varsek – 5 Kills, 1 service point, 7 digs
Chloe Ascuitto – 8 Kills, 2 block
Jessie Westby – 2 digs, 1 ace, 2 service points
Sydney Moltrum – 30 assists, 11 Service points, 4 digs
Boys’ JV tennis beat Union 4-2 yesterday. Doubles were played in all 6 matches. Wins were earned by Aiden McOmie/Julian McOmie, Jeffrey Johanson/Ethan Tobey, Zach Mello/Logan Fishler and Kyle Wen/Jackson Waldbauer. C team also beat the Titans 3-0. Way to go, Camas!
Slow Pitch Softball
Chloe Parker did the opposing team no favors on Monday, picking up five hits over six at bats and leading the Papermakers to a 20-10 win over Skyview. Parker totaled 4 singles and 1 double with 6 RBIs. Piper Stroh also drove in 5 runs with her 4 hits for the game. Other standouts include; Lauren Baffaro 3 for 6, Ali Snyder 3 for 5 w/ 1 RBI, Maggie Lyons 3 for 5 with 1 RBI, Amelia Marcum 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Grace Barsness 3-5 2 RBIs, and Addy Cagle 2-2 with 1 RBI. Way to go Makers!
The CHS boy’s golf team beat Battle Ground 161 to 209. The team was led by the match medalist Owen Huntington @ 36. Eli Huntington @ 41, Evan Chen @ 40, Cameron Miller @ 44, and Drew Scott @ 50 also played in the Varsity match. The JV team of Caleb Shira @44, Leo Cassel @ 50, and Easton Rheaume @ 51 also beat Battle Ground’s JV.
Volleyball
Varsity – Camas won
25-17
22-25
25-18
25-22
Stats: Emmy Hansen- 17 kills, 5 digs, 3 service points Sydney Moltrum- 26 assists, 2 aces, 3 digs, 2 kills, 4 service points Grace Varsek- 5 kills, 2 blocks, 5 digs, 2 service points Alliyah Barnes- 5 kills, 3 blocks, 2 service points Jessie Westby- 4 aces, 2 digs, 4 service points Chloe Asciutto- 4 kills, 2 blocks Halle Reiter- 17 digs, 7 service points, 1 ace
Camas, WA — Camas High School Athletic Director, Rory Oster, announced today that Papermaker sports events will resume Monday, February 22 after an 11-plus month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“With sporting events/games starting on Monday, please be aware of the spectator guidelines with regards to each sport,” Oster said.
GSHL Spectator Update by Sport
Spectators that attend any GSHL event must wear a mask for the duration of their time on school facilities, indoors and outdoors. Spectators must also social distance with a minimum of six feet between individuals outside of their family.
Volleyball – Each athlete, manager and coach will be allotted TWO entrance tickets to their specific contest only. Doors will open for entrance ten minutes before the contest scheduled start time at the North Commons/Gym entrance only, and gyms will be immediately cleared at the conclusion of the contest.
Varsity games will begin at 7:00 pm with a 6:50 pm entrance.
JV games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
C games will begin at 7:00 pm with a 6:50 pm entrance.
4th team games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
Girls Soccer – Each athlete, manager and coach will be allotted TWO entrance tickets to their specific contest only. Main gate will open for entrance ten minutes before the contest scheduled start time, we ask that spectators of the game that has finished, immediately leave the facility.
Varsity games will begin at 7:00 pm
JV games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
C games will begin at 5:00 pm with a 4:50 pm entrance.
Cross Country – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced along the course and wear a mask at all times.
Boys Tennis – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced along and wear a mask at all times.
Boys Golf – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced along the course and wear a mask at all times.
Slow-pitch Softball – Spectators are allowed for contests please keep these to no more than two per contestant. Stay socially distanced and wear a mask at all times. Spectators may need to bring chairs to set up along the outfield fence.
Football – No spectators are allowed at any football events at this time. This includes JV and C team games. We continue to advocate for changes to this rule with the Governor’s office and local department of health and we will immediately adjust if we are able to.
All contests held at Camas High School Gymnasium and Doc Harris Stadium will be live streamed athttps://www.nfhsnetwork.com/ subscriptions can be purchased which will give you access to all volleyball, girls soccer and football games played at Camas School District sites. Other GSHL schools will also be streaming their contests and we will update you with locations of those streams. If they use the NFHS network, your subscription will work for those games as well.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/19113809/E42995F3-7016-48B5-8140-2DF75B82656A.jpeg395938Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2021-02-19 11:57:212021-02-19 11:57:31Camas High School Sports To Resume February 22 After 11-Month Hiatus
Washougal, WA — About 200 Camas High School Papermakers gathered at the Port of Camas Washougal at 6:30 am Thursday to hold an annual tradition — the Senior Sunrise.
The Class of 2021 is starting their school year with remote learning, and will likely stay in this state for at least a couple months, so decided they wanted to gather and feel a sense of normalcy.
“This is just one of the senior year traditions where everybody gathers early in the morning to watch the sunrise,” said Dave Peddie, a Camas High School senior, and State Champion swimmer. “Other schools in the area did it and we wanted to do it too to keep the tradition alive. We got the word out and everyone is here.”
Reactions to the way the school year is starting is mixed. Some say it’s working well, for them, while others would prefer to have school in the classroom.
“It’s going better than we thought,” said Peddie. “The teachers are putting in a lot of work, and they are making sure we’re learning the material we’re supposed to learn. It’s a smooth transition so far.”
Prior to departure, the Camas Swim team decided to provide water entertainment by stripping down to their competition swim suits and plunging into the cold Columbia River.
“We decided to hop in,” said Peddie. “It was Jack’s (Harris) idea. He texted us late last night and he’s like bring your speedos and we’ll do a little swim. It was fun!”
CHS swimmers, wearing competition suits, got into the cold Columbia River.
Harris admitted it was his idea.
“Once I heard about the planning of this Senior Sunrise thing, I thought we’d do the best we can to make memories this year considering everything that’s going on so I thought it would be really funny if me and the guys decided to hop in front of everyone,” said Harris, a CHS Senior and member of the school’s swim team. “I thought it would be something fun to talk about as a good memory. The water wasn’t that bad, but it was refreshing.”
Getting in was the hardest part, said CHS senior, Alex Duma. “Nobody actually wanted to get in, but once we got in it was good.”
Peddie isn’t sure what other events are planned, but he said it was good to gather and connect with friends.
About half the students wore face masks, and they mostly stayed in smaller groups, except for one larger group by the river’s edge. The event lasted about 45 minutes, after which many headed out to eat breakfast.
Hanging out at Senior Sunrise.Friends at Senior Sunrise.Alex Duma exits the river, followed by Nathan Kim.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/03192846/F4BF0692-EC7D-4519-85B4-E4E772226110.jpeg7261280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-03 19:44:392020-09-05 23:19:42Camas High School Senior Sunrise Event Kicks Off 2020-21 School Year
Rory Oster, Camas High School Athletic Director, issued this statement today regarding sports programs:
On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 the athletic directors of the Greater St. Helens 4A/3A League voted to move all high school athletic programs offered during season one to season three of the modified WIAA calendar. While league officials strongly believe in the growth that interscholastic education based athletics provides and want to return student-athletes to the field as soon as possible, we also believe this decision is best for the health and safety of the student athletes, coaches and communities which is always the top priority.
Updated modified schedules for all sports within the league will be released during the early winter months of 2020 on the league website.
Oster also answered frequently asked questions about athletic eligibility. He said the folllwing:
Camas High School has been receiving questions in regards to transferring schools and how that affects athletic eligibility moving forward as a Papermaker. Here are some insights to those questions based on the current WIAA handbook. Please remember that all transfer eligibility rules are for varsity competition only. All registered Camas High School, Hayes Freedom High School and Discovery High School students are eligible to participate at the non-varsity level of the programs offered.
18.11.2 The following students who are attending a member school shall be deemed to meet the residence rule requirement and transferring student rule requirements: A. A student whose transfer is based on a bona fide change of residence to a new school (district) due to an actual physical relocation of and with the entire family unit to a different residence and preceded by termination of all occupancy of their previous residence.
FAQ: Can our daughter begin school in Arizona since they are allowing students to attend regular class, but transfer back to Camas High School once they return students to the classroom and be eligible for athletics?
Answer: As long as the entire family unit (everybody that currently lives in current home) moves to Arizona to attend school, and then has the entire family unit move back to Camas is eligible for varsity competition. Please note that entire family unit must move, one parent cannot stay at the house in Camas while another is with the child in Arizona.
FAQ: Can our son enroll in a local private school this fall that is offering in person learning and return to Camas School District once they return to in person learning and be eligible?
Answer-As the WIAA handbook currently reads, the answer is no. They made the move for academic purposes and in that choice forfeited varsity eligibility for one calendar year upon the return to CSD.
18.13.3 There can be no evidence that either the student transferred for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics or transferred as a result of having been recruited for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics.
FAQ: Can my son who is a senior transfer to play football this fall in South Dakota and return to Camas High School in January to participate in football in the spring?
Answer-Any student who is deemed to transfer strictly for athletic purposes are ineligible to compete at the varsity level for one calendar year.
A student-athlete may always apply for a waiver/hardship exception when they are deemed ineligible. Those cases are heard by a local committee and decided upon at that time. They fall under the rule listed below:
18.13.0 RESIDENCE RULE WAIVER – Transferring students, unless eligible via 18.10.0 through 18.11.0, shall be deemed to have transferred at will and must apply to the WIAA District Eligibility Committee for a waiver of the Residence Rule. Such an application shall be processed under the appeal provisions contained in Article 19 of this Handbook. The procedure for evaluating a transferring student’s application will be as follows: 18.13.1 The student must meet all other eligibility requirements of Article 18 of this Handbook. 18.13.2 The student must establish a hardship as defined under the provisions of Article 19.1.0 and as determined by the District Eligibility Committee. 18.13.3 There can be no evidence that either the student transferred for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics or transferred as a result of having been recruited for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics. 18.13.4 In addition to the above requirements, the District Eligibility Chairperson shall, as an added condition of eligibility, require that a transferring student submit a WIAA Previous School Statement. A copy of the signed form must be retained on file in the school office for the duration of the student’s attendance at that school.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/07094625/08BAFC4D-E895-488F-A25A-5F82AD09B5F0.jpeg6421690Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-08-13 17:43:342020-08-13 17:43:43Greater St. Helens League Moves All Season 1 Sports to Modified Season 3
RENTON, WA — Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) issued this statement Tuesday evening:
The WIAA Executive Board took action on Tuesday to modify the 2020-21 WIAA sports season calendar in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes will create four WIAA-sanctioned seasons and will also move moderate- and high-risk team sports, originally scheduled for the fall season, to the WIAA Season 3.
The fall sports of cross country, slowpitch softball, as well as alternative seasons for golf and tennis, have been determined to consist of WIAA Season 1 and will each begin practices the week of September 7, a date determined by the Executive Board at a previous meeting. The viability of girls’ swim and dive taking place in WIAA Season 1 is dependent on more information from the Department of Health.
The remaining fall sports of girls’ soccer, 1B/2B boys soccer, volleyball and football will now be scheduled to begin in the early spring of 2021 as part of WIAA Season 3.
The Board recognizes that participation in any fall sports will depend on county progression through the phases laid out in Governor Inslee’s Safe Start plan over the coming weeks. The Executive Board will create benchmarks on July 28 to be met in order for WIAA Season 1 to take place. If the benchmarks are not met, the Board will plan to move the remainder of fall sports to WIAA Season 3.
Traditional winter sports will all take place in WIAA Season 2 with the expectation to begin in late December or early January. Traditional spring sports will occupy WIAA Season 4 to end the school year.
The supporting document below provides tentative dates of when seasons could potentially start and end, but a final decision has not been determined by the Board.
“Since March, the philosophy of our Association has been to allow students every chance to participate,” said WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman. “We’ve asked our Executive Board and planning committees to be as creative as possible in allowing for those opportunities. These are tough and unprecedented decisions to make, but it has been inspiring to see so many people around the state come together to work on behalf of students.”
The WIAA Executive Board and planning committees are working under the Return-To-Activity Guidelines supported and co-authored by the National Federation of High Schools, Washington Department of Health and the Governor’s Office, as well as sport-specific guidelines set forth by WIAA committees made up of coaches, athletic directors, students, officials and local health professionals. Those guidelines can be found on the WIAA Website.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074251/3D350052-E9D8-4AA1-B190-88BEC1703AC7.jpeg6461280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-07-21 19:08:002020-07-21 19:08:07WIAA Releases Modified 2020-21 Sports Season; Moves Football to Spring
Camas High School will be honoring several Papermakers as they sign their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 at Camas High School North Commons beginning at 9:00a.m. You are welcome to attend the event. The following student-athletes will be signing:
SOPHIE FRANKLINwill be signing to play softball for the Wolves of Western Oregon in Monmouth Oregon. Sophie will finish her high school career earning a very impressive eightvarsity letters from Camas High School. Sophie lettered all four years in both slowpitch and fastpitch softball. She has been instrumental in leading the Papermaker slowpitch softball team to two league and two district titles, along with two trips to the state tournament. Sophie’s fastpitchteams have reached the state tournament during all three of her varsity seasons so far earning a 4th place finish in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, and a 7th place finish her junior season. Sophie has earned GSHL All-League 1st team honors all four years in slowpitch, capped with a Player of the Year honor her Junior season. In fastpitch Sophie was GSHL All-League 2ndteam her sophomore season and GSHL All-League 1st team her junior season, with her senior season still to come. While in Monmouth, Sophie will be studying social sciences and American Sign Language.
Parents Joe and Anneli Franklin – Placing 4th in two state tournaments, and all the bus rides to state and bi-district tournaments.
BRYCE LEIGHTONis the next Papermaker kicker from a long line of excellence to be moving on to play football in college. Bryce will be playing for the Bobcats of Montana State in Bozeman Montana. Bryce is a three year letterman in football. He is a two time GSHL All-League 1st team award winner, and during his senior campaign was also recognized as 1st team All-State and the very first Papermaker Under Armour All-American. Bryce was an important piece to the Papermaker undefeated state champion team his senior season. While in Bozeman, Bryce will be studying environmental engineering.
Parents Ryan and Lori Leighton – Memorable moment was winning the 2019 Washington State Championship.
ELIZABETH PARKER is also headed across the river, and she will be playing soccer for the Western Oregon Wolves in Monmouth Oregon. Elizabeth lettered in soccer for the Papermakers three years. During those three years, her teams were GSHL league champions twice and finished with a 3rd place state finish her sophomore year and a 2nd place state finish her junior year. Elizabeth has been recognized as a GSHL All-League player during all of her three seasons with 2nd team honors her sophomore and junior seasons and 1st team honors her senior season. She is a two time GSHL academic All-League award winner, and will study elementary education while playing for the Wolves.
Parents Scott and Tamar Parker – Memorable moment playing for the state championship in 2018, and Coach Minders stories and his attempt to teach me German.
RUSH REIMER will be joining his teammate on the football team in Bozeman Montana to play for the Bobcats of Montana State University. Rush is a two year letterman in football and also received a letter for winter cheer. Rush has received GSHL All-League 1st team honors his junior and senior seasons, and was also recognized as 1st team All-State his senior season. His efforts on the offensive line helped the Papermakers to an undefeated season and the schools second state championship in 2019. While playing for the Bobcats, Rush will be studying engineering.
Parents Eric and Jamie Reimer – Memorable moment winning the state championship in 2019.
ALEXZANDER SAMODUROV will be traveling further than any Papermaker has traveled as he will be playing soccer for Liverpool John Moores University in Brownlow Hill Liverpool United Kingdom. Alexzander will be a four season letterman for the Papermakers lettering in soccer for three seasons and lettered in cross country one season. He has been recognized as GHSL All-League 1st team his sophomore and junior seasons with still his senior season to play. Alexzander also received All-Region selection his junior season for leading the GSHL in assists on the season. In Liverpool Alexzander plans to study engineering.
Parents Cliff and JenniferSamodurov – Memorable moment goal against Issaquah in the 2019 season.
RILEY SINCLAIRis our first Papermaker baseball player to sign in 2020. Riley will be playing for the Redhawks of Seattle University in Seattle next year. Riley will end up a three year letterman for the Papermakers, and led his team to a GSHL league championship, district championship and an appearance in the state tournament his junior season. He was selected as GSHL All-League 1st team and 1st team All-State his junior season with his senior season still yet to play. Riley will study sports science and physical therapy while attending school in Seattle.
Parents Eric and Marin Sinclair – Memorable moment sweeping Skyview High School junior season.
TRISTAN SOUZAwill be headed east to play football for the Cougars of Washington State University. Tristan is also a three year letterman for the Papermakers and will leave Camas High School as a state champion winning a league and state championship during his senior season in 2019. Tristan has received high recognition playing on both offense and defense for the Papermakers. He is a GSHL All-League 1st team offensive and defensive lineman, along with an All-Region and 1st team All-State defensive lineman. Tristan is undecided on what he will study in Pullman
Parents Aaron MacDonald and Emily Tanner – Memorable moment winning a state championship in 2019.
CAADYN STEPHENis the third Papermaker offensive lineman to be recognized today, as he will be playing football in Los Angeles California for the University of Southern California Trojans. Caadyn played his freshman and sophomore years in Anchorage Alaska before moving to Camas. He will earn two football letters, one basketball letter and one track and field letter as a Papermaker. Caadyn is also involved with the Camas High School unified basketball program. Although he was injured for most of his senior season, he played a large part in the Papermakers second state championship in 2019. While playing for USC, Caadyn will study business and entrepreneurship.
Parents Jeremiah and Camie Stephen – Memorable moment winning state championship in 2019.
LAURISSA TSUKIMURA is signing to play soccer for Pacific University in Forest Grove Oregon. Laurissa has been a part of the girls’ soccer program as well as the Camas High School unified soccer for two years. She is an honors scholarship winner, and has been recognized for several academic awards at Camas High School. While playing soccer for the Boxers, Laurissawill be studying education.
Parents Lance and Tish Tsukimura –
KENNETH WRIGHT is our fourth Papermaker state champion football player that is moving on to play football at the college level next year. Kenny will be playing for the Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines in Boulder Colorado. He is a three year letterman in football and a one year letterman in basketball. Kenny served as captain of the state championship team and is a four time GSHL scholar athlete award winner, along with a National Football Foundation scholar athlete award winner and to take it a step further he is also a National Merit semifinalist. While in Boulder and wearing Blaster the Burro mascot, Kenny will be studying Civil Engineering.
Parents Nick and KristenWright – Memorable moment winning the 4A team state championship.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/07074130/4D812A26-7EEE-4415-A7FD-CF19F5BB8A14-e1580873655757.jpeg6491280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-02-04 19:37:292020-02-04 19:37:41Camas High School Letter of Intent Day This Wednesday
Meet 14 year-old Ben Schluter, a Camas High School freshman and two-time Oregon State Champion boxer with an eye on a National title.
Ben won his second consecutive State title on November 30, and even though he lives in Camas, his gym is in Portland, so he fights out of Oregon.
“I won the State title in Medford, then I go to Regionals in Boise, Idaho on January 6,” Ben said. “If I win that I go to Nationals to compete with kids in the 114-pound division — up to 16 years old. You have to meet certain weight classes and they fight each other, and depending on age it’s 1 minute, 1-minute-30, 2 minutes and 3-minute rounds.”
Ben competes in 1:30 and 2:00 minute rounds. Has never been knocked out, but has been knocked down.
“It’s a win by decision at this age group,” said Tim Schluter, Ben’s father. “They place a great deal of emphasis on safety. If they notice a kid getting overwhelmed, they’ll end it. All these bouts are pretty competitive. A vast majority by decisions. It’s not cumulative scoring, it’s round by round. If he wins more rounds than his opponent, then they award him the decision. You don’t know results until they announce it.”
Everyone has three rounds in amateur boxing, and a win is defined by one of these areas:
Knockout
Judge stops the fight
By decision (if it goes all the way to the very end)
A boxer for seven years, Ben trains at West Portland Boxing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“It’s a little drive but it helps me a lot,” said Ben, the second of four brothers (he’s the only boxer; his brother Cole wrestles for Camas). “My workouts last two hours, but I usually get there early and go run on a treadmill. On my off days I work out at home. I usually run 3-4 miles and work out inside my garage. I do this year round. It helps me with self-discipline. I like getting belts, trophies and lots of wins. And I like hitting people.”
Ben loves being a boxer. With his father, Tim Schluter. Photos by Nest and Love Photography. www.NestandLove.com
And, what does mom say?
“My husband goes to the majority of the matches, so he actually travels with Ben often,” said Kim Schluter, Ben’s mother. “Sports like boxing and wrestling are so different, and it’s very one-on-one and individual and it’s given him so much determination, drive and character. It helps in maturity because it’s very individual. He has some great coaches and mentors. I hesitated when he started.”
Although Ben has boxed since second grade, Tim said it’s only been the last three years where it’s been his singular focus.
“I’ve always been a fan on the sport and we watched it together and he pursued it,” said Tim. “When he was young, it was more casual. The last three years he was single-minded to this sport. There are so many misconceptions about boxing — it’s far more of a mental sport. There are so many kids that are bigger, stronger and faster, but they don’t make it because there’s no drive, persistence or grit. It’s like all sports — it’s an allegory of life. You’re just competing against yourself.”
“It’s just seeing the satisfaction of winning, I have a really great coaches: Jason Marquiot and Victor Morales, Sr., and a great mentor with professional boxer Victor Morales, Jr. who attended Union High School,” said Ben. “He has 13 wins, 7 knockouts, and he’s shown me how to keep pressing forward.”
Ben is satisfied with the personal development, which Tim said is hard to see day to day, but comparing past videos makes it more clear.
Coaching is about learning the basics: straight punches, feet work, how to move, your reaction time, learning learn how to counter. There are lots of workouts, hitting the bag, shadow boxing.
“There’s a group that trains together,” said Ben. “There’s a big group. We have 25 people there, and five or six of them are competing, while others are there to just work out. I really saw that when I first started, then I saw others getting trophies, and belts and wins. There’s a lot of self-motivation. At home workouts, I shadow box at the gym, so here I do jump ropes and running, push ups, sit ups.”
“When I’m done with a tough opponent, a lot of times I feel like I’m gonna throw up. A lot of time I’m really gassed which is why we don’t have two fights in one day.”
Last year, Ben competed in the 13-14 year bracket at Nationals in Kansas City, Missouri. There are eight regions that meet at Nationals. USABoxing.org is the governing body for all the amateur tournaments.
“I want to win Nationals, just one step at a time,” he said. “It’s a very mental sport, and you try to figure out how to punch and control your anger.”
After literally a year of preparation, the 2019 Camas Football team clinched Washington’s 4A State Title defeating Bothell 35-14 Satuday bringing home the trophy, a perfect 14-0 record, and the satisfaction of meeting a lofty goal. The Revenge Tour is a wrap.
Lacamas Magazine has reported on the team through 14 game videos, many individual interviews, some articles and a lot of social media posts. After working through the weekend to get those reports to our readers, I had the chance to listen to — and view — those earlier reports and found some common threads about the Revenge Tour.
I also reflected on pre-game conversations with team members at the field and in my own house. I recall when Papermakers Jackson Clemmer and Colin Pearson came home with Jordan Geigenmiller (my third son) following a hot August practice to raid our pantry. It was Clemmer who told me “Papa Giggles, we’re gonna win State this year!” Colin nodded, and Jordan aka “Giggles” just said “yep, dad!”
A few days earlier, I spoke with Papermaker Kenny Wright during the team’s pre-season kickball event. In his interview he said “we’re gonna win them all!” See the video here: https://youtu.be/on-cQ_kY26U
So, that brings us to the first common thread: Determination.
In every interview, whether posted or not, each player was determined to get the win. They were determined to overcome any obstacle. If someone got injured, a player filled the deficit. There was never any doubt about the outcome because it was decided a year ago they’d win the State Title.
I’d hear doubts come from fans, other reporters, and people on the street about the impacts and effects of injuries on key players. Observers said “well, maybe they have a chance at State …”
Note to the doubters: That only fueled their determination. They read those articles, watched those videos, and heard those comments. These boys never doubted they’d win State.
Tai Tumanuvao, O/DL, a talented athlete and well spoken dude, said it best following the win in the semi-finals: “Play where you are … focus on where your feet are, that’s what coach always says …”
So, that brings us to the second common thread: Focus.
I watched several pre-season practices, listened to observer perceptions and could tell they were focused on what they were doing at that moment. Then, after the first quarter of the first game, I really saw it. Following seven years covering CHS sports I thought I’d seen it all, but then I saw the 2019 team in real action. The sideline talk was kept to game focused plays, and there wasn’t a lot off-topic discussions happening. They were focused on the game plan, focused on what the coaches told them, and focused on winning despite whatever mistake may have happened.
“We focus on the moment,” said Charlie Bump, WR. “You shake off what happened five minutes ago, and make the moment you’re in count.”
Undoubtedly, CHS has been coached by the best in the State, and probably some of the best in the nation. Using their God-given talents they’ve led by example and encouraged their players to lead on and off the field making it clear that character counts.
Camas 2019 Football team at the State Championship.The Seniors. Class of 2020.
So, that brings us to the third common thread: Leadership.
During these games, I look for the leaders, and typically it’s one of the quarterbacks, but that isn’t always the case. I could see leadership qualities in Tumanuvao, but I also saw them in Jake Blair, Blake Asciutto, Randy Yaacoub, Dante Humble, Tyler Forner, and many others.
So, one night I asked my son about leadership. I asked “which player is leading this team, son?”
His reply: “Dad, it depends on the situation. Sometimes it’s Tai, sometimes it’s Blake, it just depends. We all know when to lead and when it’s time to step back and follow. It’s a brotherhood.”
During his State Championship interview, I asked Wright what are the ingredients to a successful team?
His reply: “Love, friendship, hard work, persistence, we bought into it and believed in ourselves and each other …”
So, that brings us to the fourth common thread: Love.
Yes, you read that right — love! These guys love each other as brothers. They fight as brothers. They correct each other as brothers. They poke fun of each other as brothers. And, when one man is down, they stop what they’re doing and lift up that brother. It’s what families do, and this team was — and probably will forever be — a family.
That love has built up over the years as these boys played CCYF football, Little League, basketball, rugby and other sports together over the years. They built up a working chemistry and connection since elementary school that’s transferred into young adulthood and onto the field.
The Columbian’s sports writer, Tim Martinez, wrote a brilliant piece a few weeks ago, which we now call the Nebula story. In the article he said: “Part of Camas’ success In 2019 could be rooted in the fact that the Papermakers don’t have a star. They have a nebula. Camas has a roster of really good players who can seemingly step into a key role and perform in a big way. The Papermakers have done it all year.“
Martinez was right. I thanked him personally for writing that article. He nailed it.
So, that brings us to the fifth common thread: Athletic Talent.
You can’t build a State Championship team without athletic talent, and it went all across the spectrum. Camas has the best O Line in the state. QB Jake Blair is gifted, and when he broke his collarbone, Blake Asciutto stood right next to Blair as they assessed his condition. Asciutto took that mantle without missing a beat. Clemmer is a talented wide receiver. Running Back Jacques Badolato-Birdsell is a star. There’s Tyler Forner, Dante Humble, Randy Yaacoub, Bryce Leighton, Rush Reimer, Tristan Souza, Tumanuvao, Tyler Criddle, Bump, and many more.
The doubters kept telling me all week, “but Bothell has an amazing quarterback!”
My reply: “Yes, and that’s what they said about Mount Si. What else would you like to add?”
These boys know they’re talented, and sometimes they do show off, and I think they’re entitled to that, but most of the time they’re focused on getting the job done.
But, why isn’t athletic talent at the top of the list?
“You have to have heart,” said Head Coach Jon Eagle in one of our first interviews. “We can coach anybody who has heart.”
The athletic talent would be nothing without Determination, Focus, Leadership and Love. It would be hollow. See our Championship post-game interview with Coach Eagle, who explains this: https://youtu.be/on-cQ_kY26U
It was great to interview so many players moments after their big State win. It was a surreal moment captured after 12 months of determination, focus, leadership, love and sheer athletic talent. Nicely done, boys. We look forward to seeing what your future brings.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074243/69CDAA83-F210-4D62-98C8-CAFDC5D69EF4.jpeg6061280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-10 20:19:352019-12-10 20:19:46Camas Football 2019 State Champions: 5 Common Threads
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