Tag Archive for: State Champions

Camas Papermaker Swimmers Place 2nd at State

FEDERAL WAY, WA — Where’s Camas?

That was one of the questions Camas Senior, Kasey Calwell, got after winning his Swimmer of the Year award, and after his team placed second in a 36-team competition on Saturday.

The Papermakers earned 185 points yesterday, just behind meet winner, Newport (Bellevue). It was the team’s best showing — ever. And it was the best performance of any Southwest Washington boys swim team. The  overall score reflects a team that planned for this. It was a calculated performance driven by its seniors, but veraciously supported by its underclassmen.

The eight-member team took down some of the larger, competitive teams who have divers, which adds to the overall score.

2015 Camas Boys Swim Team. Top, from left: Luke Albert, Lucas Ulmer,
Tom Utas, Jeff Fadlovich, Kasey Calwell, Finn McClone, Mark Kim, John Utas.
Coaches: Mike Bemis and Leslie Dahlen. Photo by Dan Trujillo.

In addition to the 2nd place trophy and the Swimmer of the Year award, Camas took home several titles and accolades, including three individual state titles.

Calwell earned the State title for the 200 IM event (151.10) and with it an All American consideration. He also won the 100 Breast (56.53) and an All American time. Senior Lucas Ulmer won the State title for 100 Fly (51.10). He then placed sixth in the 100 Backstroke event.

“This is our best performance in school history,” said Calwell. “I’m so proud of our team. We really pulled together. We gave it our all. I don’t know how we could have swam any better. It was fun to be a part of this.”

The boys placed fourth in all the relays, and were pushed by brothers John and Tom Utas. This was also John’s final State meet.

Camas Freshman, Mark Kim, placed fifth in the 500 Free. He also assisted in the relay events.

Kasey Calwell won two State titles (100 Breast and 200 IM)and earned an All American time. Photo by Dan Trujillo.
Lucas Ulmer at the start of the 100 Back. Photo by Dan Trujillo.
Kasey Calwell on the podium for the 100 Breast win.
Photo by Dan Trujillo.

 

Calwell’s 1st place medal. Photo by
Dan Trujillo.
Caldwell received the WA 4A State Swimmer of the Year Award.
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Camas Machine JBO Baseball Team Wins State Title

CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Camas Machine JBO Senior National baseball team won their division’s State Championship this past weekend, beating McKay 8-3 in a hard-fought tournament.

At state, the Machine needed to win five games to win the Championship.  They won their first three games handily, and then the fourth game became a long, hard-fought 10-inning battle against McKay – a team from Salem.

“They gave us probably the best game we have seen all season,” said Camas Machine’s assistant coach, Keith Upkes.  “Score was tied at 0-0 going into the seventh.  In the seventh, we scored one, and McKay as the home team answered our run with a run of their own.  Going into extra innings we were tied.  In the eighth, we quickly scored two to go ahead 3-1, they again answered our score putting up two of their own sending the game to the ninth inning tied at three. In the ninth, they shut us down and then we answered back.

JBO
Camas Machine: The JBO Senior National Baseball State Champions.
 
 
Brannon Meriwether
Brannon Meriwether on the mound against McKay.
 
JBO

 “Going into the tenth we were tied at three. As visitors we scored two going into the bottom of the tenth we were up 5-3.  They quickly scored one making it 5-4, then we shut them down and prevailed with a final score of 5-4.  We advanced to the championship round on Sunday.”

But it wasnt over with McKay.  They moved into the loser’s bracket having only lost to the Machine.  According to Upkes, they won their loser’s bracket game setting up a re-match for Sunday’s championship game.

Camas Machine came out ready to roll, but couldn’t get the bat’s going along with McKay’s good execution of a short game and they prevailed 10-3 in the Championship game.

But it still wasn’t over.

Being a double elimination tournament, the Camas Machine got a second chance. With a 60-minute break in 90 degree weather, the Machine fought their way back. Behind the pitching of Brannan Meriwether and Dillon Mickalson, along with a strong defensive stand, said Upkes, and with bats that started lighting up, the Camas Machine prevailed 8-3 over McKay to win the 2013 JBO Senior National State Championship.

 
JBO
“It was a great feeling,” said Mike Colvin, the team’s manager. “It bodes well for the future of the sport in Camas and in the community at large. Not only did these JBO teams do well, but all three Camas Little League teams won their district championships and went to State.”
Colvin said the boys wanted something that couldn’t be given to them.“They had to earn it,” said Colvin. “They had to work really hard. Every kid stepped up and made plays. They played their hearts out.”

Until the playoff, Joe Gaudio was the team’s manager, but he left for an extended time.  Colvin took over as manager for the playoffs both District and State. Assistant coaches are Toby Mickalson and Upkes.

The Machine finished first in league play with a record of 13-1, and took first place Districts.
The Machine roster includes:
  • Ryan Behnke
  • Wes Colvin
  • Caleb Field
  • JD Fuller
  • Grant Gaudio
  • Josh Hibbard
  • Shane Jamison
  • Brannan Meriwether
  • Dillon Mickalson
  • Connor Shira
  • Haruki Takada
  • Patrick Upkes

 

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