Athlete of the Year, boys soccer: Quinton Beasley, Camas

Quinton Beasley, Camas senior, is The Columbian's all-region boys soccer player of the year. (The Columbian/Steven Lane)

Yes, Quinton Beasley thought about getting the opportunity to play in four high school state title matches for the Camas boys soccer program.

The senior was on state championship Papermaker teams in 2006 and 2008, and the 2007 runner-up club. But Beasley's senior season ended in the state quarterfinals at West Valley of Yakima.

He scored two goals that day, giving the future Washington Huskies' forward 79 for his four-year varsity career. This season, on a young Camas team, Beasley had 18 goals and added five assists as the Papermakers won the 3A Greater St. Helens League championship and reached the state playoffs for the 11th year in a row.

Those credentials earned Beasley the opportunity to play college soccer for the University of Washington. They also earn Beasley The Columbian's All-region Player of the Year honor for boys soccer, the third year in a row a Camas player has been so recognized. Greg Beasley, Quinton's older brother, was the 2007 player of the year, and Brent Richards was the newspaper's choice a year ago.

What does soccer mean to you? "Soccer means a lot to me. I've been playing soccer since I was little. It's helped me go places. It's helped me become a better person, so I definitely cherish that and also cherish it for where it will take me in the future."

How did you decide to make soccer a priority instead of football or another sport? "I definitely saw myself going farther in soccer. I lifted (weights) every day in the summer before my junior year, and I probably gained five pounds. For my size, I didn't think I was going anywhere (in football). In soccer, I'm pretty physical and can hold my own. It's not like constant contact."

What was the most memorable moment for you this season? "The most memorable part of this season was the Yakima (playoff) game. It was a lot of fun. It was a team bonding experience. It was really nice to come together. It was a young team, and it was really nice just to finally realize that we are a team."

What was your busiest week this spring between your Beaverton club team and the Papermakers? "The week of the regional qualifier (for club), it was three games for high school, then I flew off Saturday morning and I played, I think, four more games that weekend in Arizona. That week really wore on me."

How did playing for Camas help you mature and grow in terms of character and personality? "The dedication and the commitment to the Camas High School program that they've built probably focused me a little more. I wanted to work hard and let my play do the talking."

What hobbies do you have? "I play a lot of basketball. And I like to play video games, Halo 3 or Call of Duty."

What's one big goal you have for yourself in soccer? "Complete my career at the University of Washington and develop into the player I have the potential to be."

What advice would you give to a young player? "I'd have to say, if you can commit to something, put all of your effort and energy into it because it truly does help. Some people have that natural talent where they can just sit back, but putting in that extra commitment and following through will help a lot in the end."



What's the most unique thing about playing for Camas coach Roland Minder? (Laughs) "Just seeing the other side of Minder. People always say he's this blue collar guy who's just tough. Being on the team, and sharing this family experience, you see the other side of him. He's kind of like a father to all of us. He's a funny guy. He's a character."



When did you get serious about soccer? "Probably my junior year. I was really focused on football going into my junior year, so I kind of dropped soccer and ... not really playing to my full potential. Then after the football season it hit me that I could be something at soccer, and that's when I joined the (Columbia) Timbers and we went on to be regional qualifiers."



What does it mean to you to be The Columbian's All-Region Player of the Year? "It means a lot. It is definitely a compliment about my character and my performance on the field. I hope it gives younger players an example that anything's possible as long as you focus and keep your work before play."



Do you regret your decision this spring to join an Oregon premier club whose season overlaps with the Camas High season? "I don't regret it. It's prepared me a lot. The physicality of it. We play men's teams that are really physical, and that gives us that aspect. And we play teenagers that are really quick, so we get the agility and pace. So, I feel like that's really going to get me prepared (for college soccer)."



What was the bigger challenge for you this season: Was it the wear and tear of playing so many matches, or was it being on a team where opponents were going to put extra defenders on you?
"In the first game we played Mark Morris, and they literally had a guy on me the entire time. That was new to me because we've always had pretty solid players around who took some pressure off of me.

"That first game, he got under my skin just because it was new to me. After that first game, I kind of realized the situation and kind of let it go. Then it was just about building this young team to the potential we had. There is so much skill and talent on the team. Although we didn't make it to the state finals like we wanted to, I def feel like a lot of those players will develop into great players."



What was your most embarrassing moment in soccer? "It was my sophomore year, and in a game I was just running and I completely missed my front step, and just fell on my face. I was looking around to see if anyone saw it, and no one caught it.

"So, I was feeling good about it. We go to watch film the next day and we're watching and it's coming up to that part and I'm just praying he'll fast-forward it. He doesn't. He just goes right to it and shows me hitting my face right on the turf and everyone in the locker room just cracks up."





What was it like playing with your older brother Greg for a couple of years? "It was fun. He's a big guy. His style of soccer is definitely different from mine. It was fun building what we had as brothers, not only on the soccer field, but on the football field, too. Playing with him, I feel like it brought us closer in some ways."



Greg played one year of soccer at Willamette University before giving up competitive sports in college. What has Greg told you about what to expect as a college athlete?

"He told me I really have to have passion for the game if I want to go off to college and succeed, and really stick with it."



Have you met any famous people? "I don't think I have met any famous people."





Did you play basketball as a kid? "I made JV freshman year, and after that I kind of just lost interest in it. (Basketball season) took place when we were doing a lot of the soccer conditioning, so it was something I felt I had to give up. I thought about playing it this year."



Did you think much about the possibility of playing in four state finals? "I had been thinking about it a lot. It would've felt really good, but the fact that it didn't happen, I'm still satisfied with where I went."





Do you have a favorite professional team? "My favorite international team would be the Tottendam Hotspur over in England. I don't know (why). I just like rooting for the underdog. I started liking them when they were at the bottom of the standings.

"I used to like the Boston Celtics, too, but now I can't stand them. I like teams before they get good, then when they get too good I can't like them anymore."