Tag Archive for: Sports

Commentary: CHS Homecoming Prince, Grant Heiser

COMMENTARY: I don’t always pay too close attention to the winners of the Camas Homecoming Court. It’s surely a good thing, and I’m sure the kids are deserving of the honor, but the current Camas High School Freshman class nailed it when they voted Grant Heiser as their Homecoming Prince. Why?

Well, my family has known Grant since he was 8 years old. He played in Camas Little League, and he was one of those diamonds in the rough. I saw how this happy kid really struggled at the plate. I saw how he struggled with the mechanics of learning a very tough sport.

I replied to his stepfather years ago: “Grant has the raw skills. If he works at it, he’ll be a rock star.”

Turns out my prediction was right. Grant is a rock star.

He’s superb at baseball, and has turned into a stellar all-around athlete. Why? Because he worked at it. He worked harder than anybody around him. He cared more than anybody else. Plus, he was fair and caring, and wanted the best for his team. But, it’s more than that. It’s more than athletics.

Grant is a good person, and one day he will be a good man. He has a competitor’s heart, but he also has a tender heart, and you can see that in his countenance. The boy loves life, and those around him. He works hard for his achievements and expects nothing less from those around him.

And, you know that scar by his left eye? A Geigenmiller gave that to him. Yes, it was a total accident, during a little warming up for a sandlot during an All-Star game. For years I cringed every time I saw that scar, knowing one of my sons gave that to him. I remember the entire event like it was yesterday.

But now, I look at that scar as a permanent connection to a person, and to a family that I love.

So, to the Freshman class: You got it very right this year. Grant is a prince, and you’re lucky to have him.

Godspeed, Grant.

Sincerely,

Ernie Geigenmiller

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Undefeated: Camas Football Continues Winning

The Papermakers continue to dominate this season (7-0). Here is a photo from last Friday’s game against Union. Camas QB Liam Fitzgerald throws the ball as he’s being sacked.

 

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State Champion 2x: Calwell Thrives

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

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

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

 

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Camas Boys Swim Team Wins District Championship

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

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

Swim Team Reflection

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

 

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Camas Boys Swim Team Wins Dual Meet at Propstra

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

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

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

 

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

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Anderson: Camas Alum Sets High Collegiate Track & Field Goals

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

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

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

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Coaches: Reason #5 Why Papermakers Rock

Coaches.

They provide leadership, mentoring, coaching, and life skills to their players. The Camas Varsity football coaches continue to amaze and impress. Thank you to Coaches Jon Eagle, Dan Kielty, Justin Wochnick, Les Albert, Craig Hardin, Rick Copsey, Darren Alcorn, Jack Hathaway, Rick Harrington, Will Ephraim, Matt Loop, Dale Rule, Dave Morris, Tom Schroeder, Manny Melo, Kendall Thieman, Allen Jones, Rick Devereaux, and Matt Codino!

Coaches

 

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Papermakers Rock. Reason #3. The Marching Band.

Can you imagine a game at Doc Harris without the Marching Band? We give many thanks to this amazing group of talented musicians and leaders who give these games style and pride. And they even play the opposing team’s song during pre-game. Class!

 

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Papermakers Rock. Reason #2: The Students.

From Red-outs to Black-outs, White-outs and everything in between it’s refreshing to see so many students support the Papermakers. They’re great, even when they drop baby powder all over your camera equipment! Love them!

 

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