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Camas, Washougal Girls Wrestling Continues to Gain Numbers

Camas, WA — Wrestling is traditionally known as a male sport, but over recent years girls wrestling has been making an upward trend, and Camas and Washougal are no exception. This is the part one in a two-part series that looks at the sport; part one will focus on Camas, and part two, on Washougal.

The Camas High School (CHS) Girls wrestling program had a good showing at the recent Clark County Wrestling tournament, with Eliana Sabatini, a Camas sophomore, winning her weight class (135). Sabatini is a team captain with Autumn Aho, and the team is determined to make a statement.

The Washougal Panthers Wrestling team won the meet outright, with Emma Seekins, a Washougal freshman, winning her weight class (100), pinning her opponent in the second round, which helped Washougal win. The Panthers are also tremendously proud of Abby Lees, a two-time state wrestling champion.

”We’re so pleased with the team,” said Seekins. “I like wrestling because it is a very difficult and challenging sport, and it pushes you to your limits.”

But, back to Camas.

“In the final, I wrestled McMillan from Hudson’s Bay,” said Sabatini. “And, Kiana Pullen won third place at 190. Ava Weatherl, placed fourth at 115 pounds. As a team, Camas took sixth place, and a total of eight Papermakers attended the tournament.”

Winning at such a major meet is quite prestigious, and it’s even more so given Sabatini’s relatively new exposure to the sport. She has just been wrestling for a year.

Girls Wrestling

Washougal won the Clark County Wrestling Tournament.

Girls Wrestling

The Camas Girls Wrestling team at the Clark County Wrestling Tournament.

Why wrestling?

“A coach at Skyridge got her interested,” Sabatini said. “And, I love being the only girl in my grade to wrestle. All the wrestling boys tell me that girls shouldn’t wrestle, but that got me motivated. I have an uncle who has wrestled and he taught me new moves. I feel like boys are always talked about, and the girls aren’t really acknowledge a lot, so it’s time to get the word out. Nobody knows about it.”

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www.Arktana.com

Sabatini said she wrestles boys in practice, which helps her.

“It’s not weird, it’s just an opponent, and boys wrestling is different than girls,” she said. “The types of moves they use.”

What does wrestling teach the youth?

“It teaches me a lot, it teaches me how to work hard, and gives me confidence, and it makes me want to help teach others to help grow the girls wrestling team,” said Sabatini. “I think girls are afraid to wrestle because it’s so new. They’re afraid of the toughness.”

Mark Yamashida is the girls wrestling head coach, and he works hard to teach his team the skills required to win — and learn.

He also is working to get the word out about the sport, and spends time at each match teaching the girls, and making sure they feel positive.

“He gives me self-confidence before a match, and helps the girls out with everything,” said Sabatini. “With school, with wrestling and it helps me push myself and reach my goals. I love the sport so much. I love the competition and I love to win. Getting my hand raised after a match is the best feeling I’ve ever felt in life. My coach always tells me I’m always smiling through everything even when I’m in so much pain trying to make a move or push myself in practice. I’m always smiling and having a good time.”

Their next tournament is next Friday, which is the RA Long Invite.

 

 

 

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Camas Boys Swim Team Wins Kelso Invite — Without 10 Swimmers

Kelso, WA — The back-to-back State Champion Camas High School Boys swim team handily won Saturday’s Kelso Invite — without 10 key swimmers — which is a testament to their depth, talent, and endurance.

The Papermakers earned 440 points, outscoring second place Union by 82 in the 15-team annual invitational where many Camas swimmers still hold years-old records in multiple events. It wasn’t looking good for the Papermakers, as they didn’t win an event until the 200 Free Relay, which is the ninth of 11 events. But, even without 10 swimmers, Camas held an edge with their numbers and earned enough points in all the heats to come out on top.

Even so, Union and Mountain View came on strong, topping multiple events, and setting state cuts throughout the meet.

In the 200 Free Medley Relay, Mountain View’s Timothy Huang, Justin Xue, Christian Madden and Fred Grimshaw won the event with a state cut (1:42.90). Union placed second; Skyview third.

Evergreen’s Ilya Zablotoviskii’s strength in the water was on display as he narrowly defeated Washougal’s Isaiah Ross in the 200 Free with a final time of 1:47.66; Ross clocked in at 1:48.21, and Skyview’s Jace Creech placed third. Papermaker Jack Harris, fourth.

Union swimmers Tony Kajino (2:08.41) and Jack Gallo (2:09.31) took the top two spots in the 200 IM, with Columbia River’s Sam Walker placing third (2:10.74) and Kelso’s Grant Eastham, fourth.

In the last of 18 50 Free heats, Mountain View’s Grimshaw (22.52) barely defeated Liam Johnson (22.58) and Mountain View’s Justin Xue (22.60). Papermaker Ben Taylor placed fourth.

Kelso

Off the starting blocks.

Grimshaw would do it again in the 100 Free (50.14) barely beating Battle Ground’s Alex Curran (50.54) and Papermaker Taylor (50.87). Washougal’s Daniel Brown placed fourth.

Ross topped the 100 Fly (52.46), one of his specialties, barely beating Zablotoviskii (52.60). Union’s Val Tikhomirov placed third, and Liam Johnson placed fourth.

Grimshaw delivered a win again in the 100 Free (50.14) outpacing Curran (50.54) and Taylor (50.87). Brown placed fourth.

Madden was victorious in the 500 Free (5:05.24), followed by Columbia River’s Liam Noftsker (5:12.76) and Prairie’s Jonah Colagross (5:33.57). Mark Morris’s Andrew MacDonnell placed fourth.

Camas won the 200 Free Relay (1:32.86) on the strength of Taylor, Luke Bales, Austin Fogel and Emanuel Crisan-Duma. Skyview placed second (1:33.90), Union third (1:34.46) and Kelso, fourth.

 

Swimming

Camas Freshman, Josh Swenson.

Curran would win the 100 Back (52.76) outpacing Skyview’s Jace Creech (55.69) and Union’s Tony Kajino (56.77). Columbia River’s Daniel Ishchuck placed fourth.

Tikhomirov won the 100 Breast (1:00.52), with Union’s Nick Wahlman (1:01.94), Xue (1:02.08) and Fogel (1:03.75) rounding out the top four.

Mountain View came out on top in the 400 Free Relay (3:27.62) — with Madden, Xue, Huang, and Grimshaw. The Camas A Relay team of Taylor, Crisan-Duma, Bales and Harris placed second, with Mark Morris placing fourth.

”I’m shocked we won,” said Harris. “We’re down so many swimmers due to the Science Olympiad.”

Kelso

Skyview’s Liam Johnson.

Kelso

Austin Fogel dives in.

 

 

 

 

Team Scores:

1. Camas — 440

2. Union — 358

3. Mountain View — 335

4. Columbia River — 330

5. Kelso — 285

6. Mark Morris — 247

7. Skyview — 200

7. Battle Ground — 200

9. Prairie — 183

10. Hockinson — 86

11. Washougal — 82

12. Evergreen — 64

13. RA Long — 41

14. Hudson’s Bay — 36

15. Heritage — 16

 

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Papermaker Varsity Boys Wrestling Team Rolls Over Skyview Storm, 63-12

Camas, WA — The Camas High School Boys Wrestling team rolled over Skyview Wednesday night, 63-12, in a meet filled with intense throwdown’s and fast pins. It was also a night to honor the team’s seniors.

Papermmaker Sam McCormick started out the night defeating Amman Au quickly in the 120 pound weight class, and he was followed by Chris Goodnight, who defeated Sonny Ly.

Senior Jack Latimer has been having a great wrestling season, winning some major championships: Gut Check, PAC Coast and Rose City. He also placed third in State last year, and is keeping his eye on the top wrestling prize. Wednesday night, he was in a good battle with Logan Smith, which he ultimately won.

State Champion, Tanner Craig, didn’t miss, and threw down his opponent, Bryson Doman, multiple times, winning his match. Senior Isaac Duncan quickly pinned his opponent, Brock Pierce.

Papermaker Dominic Fujihara battled it out with Caleb Stockman, with Camas coming out on top.

Camas junior, Gideon Malychewski, didn’t dissapoint, manhandling Tristan Stice with several throwdowns ultimately winning by pin. Senior Dustin Hubbard trounced Brian Lloyd.

Skyview wrestlers William Peterson and Quang Train handily defeated their Papermaker opponents, Anthony Choi and Josue Espinoza.

Wrestling

Chris Goodnight battles Sonny Ly.

In the final match, Porter Craig, Tanner’s younger brother, defeated Blake Doman in the 106 pound weight class.

”We’ve been working really hard at practices,” said Latimer, who expressed his gratitude to wrestling partner, Malychewski. “We make each other stronger.”

Malychewski concurred: “We work it pretty hard every day, and tonight was a fun match!”

 

Gallery

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Camas Gymnastics Gains Momentum with Saturday’s Solid Victory

Vancouver, WA — The Camas Gymnastics team continues to gain strength, winning Saturday’s meet against Skyview and Ridgefield with a final score of 179.85. Skyview placed second (164.9) and Ridgefield placed third (137.25).

“This team has shown me the meaning again of E Pluribus Unum — out of many came one,” said Camas Gymnastics Head Coach, Carol Willson. “They are right where they need to be. Depth is key. I rotate out top girls and they still surpass my goals. We are on our way to a great place to be at Districts and State. With Peyton Cody coming back after a concussion and Lili Ford understanding what needs to be done for the transition to high school it’s looking good. We’re also adding to a solid group of All-Arounders with Joy, Morgan, Olivia and Annika.”

All-Around:
Anna Sugarman — SV 36.7
Lili Ford CHS — 35.150
Joy Marsh CHS — 34.450
Madison Martin CHS — 34.250
Morgan MacIntyre CHS — 33.650
Olivia Bane CHS — 33.6

Vault:
Lili Ford CHS — 9.050
Anna Sugarman SV — 9.0
Joy Marsh CHS — 9.0

Bars:
Shea McGee CHS — 9.5
Lili Ford CHS — 9.4
Peyton Cody — 9.2

Beam:
Shea McGee CHS — 9.3
Anna Sugarman SV — 9.1
Joy Marsh CHS — 9.0

Floor:
Anna Sugarman SV — 9.6
Joy Marsh CHS — 9.55
Olivia Chou SV/Lizzy Wing — 9.2

Next week, the team travels to the WOWI meet which does not do team scores, and Willson expects the girls will be in a very strong position with their team score on January 19 when they compete Varsity at Naydenov at 9 am.

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Swim to Win: Camas Boys Team Narrowly Defeats Evergreen Schools

Vancouver, WA — The 2x State Champion Camas High School Boys swim team hosted Friday’s meet at the Cascade Athletic Club’s “bubble” and narrowly edged out Evergreen Schools — Evergreen, Union, Mountain View, and Heritage — by just a few points.

Camas was down a few athletes (Zach Macia, Chris Xia, and Jack Harris), but the Evergreen swim competition is simply getting better.

”Since we practice with them,” said Camas Assistant Coach, Leslie Levesque, “we can see how much they’re improving. They swim well.”

Mountain View came out strong winning the 200 Medley Relay (Tim Huang, Justin Xue, Christian Madden, and Fred Grimshaw) with a time of 1:43.30. Union placed second; and Camas, third.

Mountain View’s Madden also won the 200 Free (1:53.39). Union’s Jack Gallo placed second; and Papermaker Austin Fogel placed third. Mountain View also won the 200 IM with Xue wining the contest, with Washougal’s Isaiah Ross placing second, and Union’s Nick Wahlman placing third.

Camas won their first event of the night as Jaden Kim won (23.06) with Papermaker Ben Taylor (23.11) placing a close second, and Union’s Val Tikhomirov placing third. Kim handily won the 100 Fly (53.73) with Washougal’s Daniel Brown placing second, and Union’s Ethan Chuang placing third.

Swim

Camas swimmer, Jaden Kim, center.

Evergreen’s star swimmer, Ilya Zablotoviskii, won the 100 Free, barely edging out Taylor (49.89) and Union’s Grimshaw (53.03).

Washougal’s Ross handily won the 500 Free (4:56.74), followed by Madden (5:03.06). Gallow placed third (5:06.86).

Mountain View also won the 200 Free Relay (1:33.88) narrowly edging out Camas (1:34.58) and Union (1:38.88).

Ilya would also win the 100 Back (58.65) followed by Union’s Tony Kajino (1:00.16) and Mountain View’s Timothy Huang (1:02.31).

In the 100 Breastroke, Union’s Tikhomirov placed first (1:04.02) followed by Wahlman (1:06.36) and Xue (1:09.36).

Camas made up their point deficit in the night’s final event — the 400 Free Relay — by handily winning (3:37.09). Union placed second (3:56.64) and the Camas B Relay placed third (4:06.48).

Despite the win, it wasn’t the best Papermaker performance in the pool.

“The swimmers are doing their best to adjust to the new pool, but since we can’t all practice at the same time it’s created some challenges with team cohesion,” said Levesque. “Our foundation was taken away, and we’re still adjusting. The boys work really hard to accomplish what they have always done in the past.”

They are preparing for two more meets next week: one at the YMCA in Vancouver, and one at Kelso.

 

 

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Camas Boys Swim Team Handily Defeats Vancouver Schools

Camas, WA — The Camas Boys swim team (2-2) handily defeated Vancouver Schools (Skyview, Hudson’s Bay, Fort Vancouver and Columbia River) at Wednesday’s meet at Lacamas Athletic Club.

”It was strange to be visitors at a pool that’s always been our home,” said Camas senior, Jake Duerfeldt. “It’s all been strange this year, but we’re overcoming it, and we have a lot of new talent.”

Two swimmers also made State cuts Wednesday: Washougal’s Isaiah Ross in the 200 Free and 100 Fly; and Papermaker Jaden Kim in the 100 Fly.

Camas got off to a great start winning the 200m medley relay. Washougal’s Ross won the 200 Free, followed by Papermaker Dave Peddie, a sophomore.

Kim won the 50 Free, followed by sprinter Ben Taylor, who keeps gaining momentum.

”We’re really pleased with the speed of Ben and Luke (Bales),” said team co-captain, Austin Fogel, who has two State champion rings. “We’re overcoming a lot this swim season, and it’s great to see team members stepping up. The pool change has really created some challenges as some have trouble getting to Cascade to even practice.”

Peddie said the team got off to a bumpy start by facing Curtis (near Seattle) at the season opener.

”They had like three times our numbers, so it made it really challenging,” said Peddie. “Then when we went to Pasco, we only had like 11 swimmers. We made it up at Kelso, and we’re getting better every practice.”

 

Final team scores:

Camas 211, Skyview 66

Camas 171, Columbia River 113

Camas 225, Hudson’s Bay 33

Camas 272, Fort Vancouver 11

Official and final individual scores haven’t been reported as yet, as they weren’t yet provided by the host. As soon as those numbers come in, we’ll update this article.

 

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Camas Wrestling Team Wins First Dual Meet of the Season

Camas, WA — The Warehouse was well attended Tuesday night as Camas hosted Heritage for their first wrestling dual of the new season. Camas won, 59-21.

Heritage had some impressive athletes, but they weren’t able to overcome Camas.

The Papermaker wrestlers are off to a great start this season — they notched two individual wins at Rose City two weeks ago — with seniors Jack Latimer and State Champion, Tanner Craig. And, last weekend, junior Gideon Malychewski won his weight class at Tri-State.

In addition, Latimer was named Athlete of the Week by The Columbian newspaper.

”In the last couple of hours I took first, so that was really cool for my team,” said Latimer. “I’m really happy about that. We’re off to a great start.”

Here are the Varsity wrestling results:

106 pound weight class:

Heritage’s Israel Gonzalez defeated Porter Craig

120 pound weight class:

Papermaker Ryan Bell defeated Kyle Killiam

126 pound weight class:

Heritage’s Bodee Parker defeated Devin Padilla

132 pound weight class:

Papermaker Chris Goodnight defeated Wyatt Scott

Wrestling

Isaac Duncan won by pin against Alex Newberry.

138 pound weight class:

Papermaker Jack Latimer won by forfeit

145 pound weight class:

Papermaker Tanner Craig defeated Juan Castillo

152 pound weight class:

Papermaker Isaac Duncan defeated Alex Newberry (pin)

160 pound weight class:

Heritage’s Timmy Carbollo defeated Mason Gross

170 pound weight class:

Dominic Fujihara won by forfeit

182 pound weight class:

Papermaker Gideon Malychewski defeated Andrew Cowley

195 pound weight class:

Papermaker Colby Stoller won by forfeit

220 pound weight class:

Papermaker Dustin Hubbard won by forfeit

285 pound weight class:

Papermaker Josue Espinoza defeated James Cook

 

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Camas Gymnastics: State Champions Win Weekend Meet; Gain Strength

Vancouver, WA — The Camas High School (CHS) Girls Gymnastics team continued their winning streak over the weekend dominating the competition with a final score of 180.05 over second place Mountain View (136.450), and third place Prairie (125.10).

The state champion gymnastics team has an even more talented team this season, and it’s showing in all performances.

“We are in a great position to defend our title with Saturday’s scores,” said Camas Head Coach, Carol Willson. “We have a lot of errors (easy ones to fix) and freshman Peyton Cody is still out with a concussion and if she can get back healed she’ll be up there with Shea, Alyssa and Lili. Madison Martin has really upped her skill level and Joy and Morgan are adding strength and depth. Lizzy is up there on floor. Freshman Olivia Bane is a strong All-Around.”

She said that Freshman Julia Marsh and Lauren Meyer are strong on Beam and Floor and Freshman Delaney Anderson is strong on Beam.

“We are in a much better place early in the season and all 40 know that it’s hard to make our top 6 for each event. I asked them for a 178 yesterday, they delivered a 180. They really know how to come together for a team goal. They want to defend their place in the State and they are building strong friendships, and a stronger work ethic because of it. The four captains Joy, Madison, Annika and Lizzy are strong leaders. My parents are amazing. Camas leadership is incredible and helping us navigate so many athletes!”

Here’s how the girls did in the various events:
All-Around
Shea McGee CHS 37.5
Alyssa Shibata CHS 36.9
Lili Ford CHS 35.750
Vault
Shea McGee CHS 9.5
Lili Ford CHS 9.4
Katie Stevens WHS 9.2
Bars
Alyssa Shibata CHS CHS 9.3
Shea McGee CHS 9.0
Madison Martin CHS 8.4
Beam
Alyssa Shibata CHS 9.5
Shea McGee CHS 9.45
Lili Ford CHS 9.250
Floor
Shea McGee CHS 9.55
Alyssa Shibata CHS 9.2
Joy Marsh CHS 9.25
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Camas High Gymnastics Team: Defending Their State Title

Camas, WA — As their new season begins this Saturday at 2 pm at VEGA, the reigning State Champion Girls Gymnastics team is putting in the hours, the sweat, and strategy to defend their State title.

Since winning State last February, the team has only lost one athlete, Jax Purwins, and they’re pretty excited about new star power — Peyton Cody and Lili Ford — along with several athletes that are new to the sport. While focused and grateful, they also begin this season with a lot of confidence.

“Our team has almost doubled in size,” said Head Coach, Carol Willson. “I think winning State helped draw a lot of new kids, but it’s also a new adjustment. We enter this season with strength, and just hope that everyone can stay healthy.”

Given the team’s size, practices are spread all across the week, and into the weekends, and seldom are the JV and Varsity squads practicing together, but we caught up with the girls during a rare session when the team was all together, in one place, at the same time.

“We won state so that shows them we’re the real deal, and that we’re serious,” said co-captain, Madison Martin. “We have a lot of new freshmen that are really good. Winning Sate was a good moment, it was a real bonding experience for everyone. It makes us more motivated to hold onto it — to keep the title.”

Co-captain, Annika Affleck, agrees.

“Having so many more athletes on the team really helps out,” said Affleck. “We have a lot of experience.”

Co-captain Joy Marsh, who did All-Around last season, said the size of the team is challenging, which is why they split practices into two groups.

“We have to make each practice count, and stay focused on our goals,” said Marsh. “We have a good team, and good coaches with Carol and Trisha. We also have strength in the All-Around.”

The new team size is also a blessing because it gives them more depth.

“We’re up to 40+ kids, and they have to work harder to make a spot,” said Willson. “We are coaching seven days a week, and Sunday afternoons are the only time we get the whole team together, which is essential for team bonding. The girls put in the time, and we’re excited to officially get the season started on December 8!”

Photo Gallery

 

 

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Camas Swim Team: 2X State Champions Adjusting to Vancouver Pool

Camas, WA — The two-time, back-to-back State Champion Camas High School (CHS) Boys Swim team lost their home pool several weeks ago as negotiations between Lacamas Athletic Club and the CHS Athletics Department failed to reach an agreement.

Fortunately, Cascade Athletic Club stepped up and took in the displaced team, but it hasn’t been without challenges. The venue change has forced the Varsity swimmers to begin practices at 5:30 am, which gives the boys ample lane space to maximize workouts. Junior Varsity practices in the evenings, beginning at 7:15, which alleviates lane congestion.

It also forces the champion athletes to get up before 5 am, travel to Vancouver, practice, then rush to shower, change, and drive or bus to CHS. It’s not ideal, but the team is adjusting.

“It takes an extra 10 minutes to get here,” said CHS sophomore, Jack Harris. “We have to get here pretty early. It’s not too bad, at least we have afternoons to get homework done, but it’s still a big change from last year. We’ll do our best given the situation.”

On day one, Head Coach Mike Bemis gave the entire team a tour of the facility, and thanked Cascade for their generosity. The team practices alongside competitors at Union, Mountain View, Evergreen, and Heritage.

“We’re treating this season like a new season,” said co-captain, Chris Xia. “We’re not really gonna focus on our past titles, we’re just going into this year trying our best and yeah we have some swimmers who have left, but we’re just gonna try to make up for them, and do the best we can.”

Swim

Camas Swim team captains, from left: Chris Xia and Austin Fogel.

The team won State titles in 2017 and 2018, thanks to amazing talent, and coaching strategies. But, they also lost three star athletes — Finn McClone and Mark Kim — to graduation, as well as Eric Wu, who dropped the team this year because of losing Lacamas Athletic Club as their home pool.

“The Camas High School Boys swim team is about to start training for our third state title,” said Wu. “I find it near impossible if we can’t do that without our pool. The past few seasons we were able to train in the afternoon at Lacamas. Not only does swimming in the morning affect our training, but it affects our whole day during school. Without proper sleep and a home pool, how will we put together another strong state team?”

Losing Wu was a blow, but the team is soul-searching, and working hard to fill in the gaps.

”We’re still gonna try hard to defend our State title,” said co-captain, Austin Fogel. “Hopefully some of the underclass men will step up and fill those shoes. We have some really fast swimmers.”

Their first meet of the season is today at Curtis High School.

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Background

So, how did a two-time State Championship team lose their home pool?

Several months ago, Denise Croucher, owner and operator of Lacamas Athletic Club, expressed her desire to have a member of her club staff serve as assistant coach to both the boys and girls Camas High School (CHS) swim teams. Athletes from several private clubs swim for CHS, including Lacamas Headhunters, Columbia River Swim Team (CRST), Portland Athletic Club, and Mt. Hood.

CHS and Bemis say Croucher wanted to be head coach, which Croucher denies.

Croucher’s demand to coach was met with resistance from CHS, whose loyalty remains to Bemis, who has brought home two back-to-back state champions. Negotiations between the two entities ended with the girl’s team being forced out and finding a new, temporary home at Cascade Athletic Club.

“Yes, we will continue to swim at Cascade Athletic Club for the boys season,” said Rory Oster, CHS Athletic Director. “We are grateful for the great management and leadership at Cascade who is willing to do whatever they can to help our program, and we will make it work. Again, our preference would be to swim at the local Lacamas Athletic Club and are disappointed an agreement could not be made.”

Swim

Front, left to right: Jack Duerfeldt and Luke Bales. Back, left to right: Zach Macia and Ben Taylor.

Croucher said she thought they were still in negotations, and was shocked when the girl’s team switched over to Cascade. At the time, CHS had hoped they could salvage the relationship and keep the Lacamas pool for the boy’s season.

There’s been bad blood between Croucher and CRST for more than 15 years, but Darlene Hill, owner and operator of CRST, says “There’s nothing there that can’t be fixed — the focus should be on the kids who all get along very well. The swimming community generally gets along well. This is very obtuse.”

Bemis said over the years Lacamas Athletic Club has manufactured tensions, but “we always found a way to work it out.”

Parents have complained that Lacamas Athetic Club management was seldom prepared for home meets, and that facilities haven’t been properly maintained. Croucher said their facilities were vandalized during home meets, and that the costs of opening the pool for the CHS team were too high. CHS pays $20,000 each season to Lacamas Athletic Club to lease lanes at their facility, said Croucher.

“They pulled all shower plumbing off the locker rooms, they played with heaters and they ruined a locker room heater,” said Croucher. “Other teams would leave a mess in the locker room after each swim meet. We had a huge mess every single day after practice. Garbage strewed across the locker room. The attitude was very negative from outside swimmers. They don’t respect it like its theirs.  Honestly, sometimes I don’t think we want them back here. It has been so nice to have our team, staff and employees without the high school teams.”

But, she also feels bad a deal couldn’t be worked out.

“It’s not something we really want,” said Croucher. “We want the kids to be able to swim, so I’m a supporter of that. But, we have to find a way that it doesn’t impact the business so much. I also want a member of my staff coaching the team, that way our interests are represented at every practice, and at every meet. I’m open to suggestions.”

Swim

From left: Chris Xia, Dave Peddie, and Austin Fogel.

Bemis said the politics of the situation have been a challenge for more than a decade, and that they’ve always found a way to work it out. But, not this year.

“Leslie (the assistant coach) and I aren’t even allowed on the Lacamas Athletic Club premises anymore,” said Bemis. “It’s gotten that bad. Denise wants to coach both Camas High School teams, and if she doesn’t get that, then the Camas teams aren’t allowed to practice or compete there. It’s not a good decision.”

Bailey Segall, of the CHS Girls swim team, said that Lacamas Headhunter swimmers even petitioned Croucher to change their minds.

”They went in there and begged Denise to change her mind, but she wouldn’t listen,” said Segall. “Nobody is really happy about this.”

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