Columbia River boys soccer team among the many with perfect finishes
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
There was a perfect soccer team from Columbia River High School.
A tennis duo from Columbia River, too, had a perfect finish, too.
It was a perfect day for tennis players from Camas, as well.
Oh, and a number of athletes had perfect conditions in track and field.
Spring sports for Washington high school sports concluded over the weekend at WIAA state championships throughout the state and Clark County athletes had several shining moments.
The Columbia River Rapids completed the perfect boys soccer season, rallying from a second-half deficit to win the Class 2A state championship.
Columbia River went 24-0 in Matt Newman’s first season as head coach. The Rapids outscored their opponents 114-9.
Truly dominant, but they did have to go to battle for the title.
North Kitsap took a 2-1 lead early in the second half Saturday in the championship match. It was the first time all season that the River defense had allowed more than one goal in a match.
Still, there was no panic for the Rapids. They responded with three goals for a 4-2 victory.
This is the second state title in program history. The Rapids also won it all in 2018.
River advanced to the final four in 2019, and returned to the final four in 2022 after two years with no tournament.
Now, the Rapids are back on top of the 2A Washington soccer world.
In tennis, Camas rules Class 4A.
Hailey Kerker won her second consecutive Class 4A girls singles championship, and the Camas doubles team of Taryn Kerker and Fiona Zou won their state championship. That combination led the Papermakers to the team title. Oh, that’s two team titles in a row for the girls program, too.
Camas was not done, though.
Aiden Brasier reached the semifinals and finished third in Class 4A boys singles. Andrew Zhao took fourth place. They led the Camas boys to the team title.
In Class 2A tennis, the Dreves sisters — Lauren and Sydney — won the doubles championship for Columbia River. The Rapids finished second in team points.
In track and field, Alexis Leone, the star runner from Seton Catholic, won two state titles in the Class 1A girls meet, claiming the 1,600 and 3,200 titles. She also finished third in the 800.
The Camas girls 1,600 relay team of Rebecca Peddie, Kalei Moravitz, Amara Harris, and Eliisa Marshall won the Class 4A state championship.
And in 2A girls, Sydnee Boothby of Washougal won the 800 championship.
Back to traditional team sports, the Ridgefield Spudders had an incredible run at the Class 2A state softball tournament. Ridgefield had no trouble in its first two games Friday to reach the semifinals, but then fell behind by six runs Saturday in the semis. The Spudders rallied to victory, earning a spot in the championship game.
There, top-seed North Kitsap got the best of the Spudders. Ridgefield finished second in state.
Note: Look for more reaction from Columbia River later this week after interviews with some of the state champions.
Also read:
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Former NBA stars Gary Payton and Robert Pack will coach opposite each other when the SuperHawks visit the undefeated Vancouver Bears in a marquee USBL matchup.
