Seeking to more closely identify itself with its community, Lacamas Little League has decided to change its name to Camas Little League.
The league’s board of directors approved the name change at its Dec. 3 meeting. The change will be implemented during the 2013 season, and the league’s website is now www.camaslittleleague.com.
“Changing the name to Camas Little League helps to define and align ourselves more closely with our community and sponsors, and shows our community pride when representing Camas at many regional and state tournaments,” said Pat Hunt, the league’s information officer. “We are extremely excited about the change and will be rolling out updated logos, branding, and signage throughout the upcoming 2013 season.”
Lacamas Little League was formed in 1958, Hunt said. The league offers baseball and softball for boys and girls ages 5-18, and had about 500 players in 2012.
Registration on deck — The 18 Little Leagues in Southwest Washington will be registering players for the 2013 spring/summer season during January. Many leagues offer online registration for returning players.
The Columbian plans to publish a list of Little League signups in its Jan. 1 edition. Registration details for the eight District 4 leagues are available at http://www.district4wa.com. Links to the 10 leagues in District 6 can be found at http://www.district6wa.org.
Swimmer earns all-American status
Julia Sanders achieved the automatic time for high school All-American status in the 50-yard freestyle on Saturday at the Washington State Senior Short Course Championships at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
Swimming for the Columbia River Swim Team of Vancouver, Sanders finished the race in 23.44 seconds. She finished ahead of two other high school state champions.
Representing Hockinson High School, Sanders recently won the Class 2A 50 freestyle championship at the high school state meet. In Saturday’s race, she finished in front of Class 3A 50 free champion Anna Keane and Class 4A 50 free Kenna Ramey.
Saturday’s race was the first time the three state champions have competed head to head in a championship meet. Sanders, a senior at Hockinson, has signed a letter of intent to swim for Texas Christian University.
Nosack, Zhividze lead Timbers Academy
James Nosack of Ridgefield and Timur Zhividze of Vancouver each scored three goals for the Portland Timbers Academy on Sunday in a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency at South Surrey Athletic Park in Surrey, B.C.
The hat tricks in the under-18 age division match were the first for the Portland Timbers Academy program, which is in its first season. Five of the six goals came in the second half as the Timbers Academy U-18s rallied for the win.
The Timbers U-18s have a record of 5-6-2 and are in fourth place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Northwest Division. With his hat trick, Nosack has a team-best seven goals, while Zhividze scored his first three goals on the season.
Also over the weekend, the Timbers U-16 Academy lost 2-0 to Whitecaps FC Residency. The Timbers U-16s (4-5-4 are in fifth place in the Northwest Division. The Timbers Academy teams are idle until Feb. 2 matches against the De Anza Force at De Anza College in Cupertino, Calif.
Prep hockey team falls
Team West scored a late goal on Sunday to defeat Team North 8-7 in a Winterhawks Varsity Hockey League game at the Winterhawks Skating Center in Beaverton.
Jimmy Scott, who attends Union High School, scored three goals and had one assist for Team North.
Matt Latshaw, who attends Skyview High School, scored twice. Columbia River student Logan Anderson had one goal and three assists.
Tristain Swanson from Kelso also scored a goal for Team North, which includes players from Southwest Washington and North Portland.
Winterhawks Varsity Hockey is a first-year league for high school hockey players from the region. Team North next will travel to the Tri-Cities for a tournament Jan. 4-6.
Corral hoops camp this week
Former USC and Prairie High basketball player Ashley Corral is coaching a basketball camp for boys and girls on Thursday and Friday.
The camp for all ages runs 9 a.m. to noon both days at Liberty Middle School, 1612 Northeast Garfield St., in Camas.
Cost is $100. In addition to Corral, former Arizona State women’s basketball player Alex Earl and other area players will serve as coaches.
To register, or to learn more, send email to ACBCamp@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY SPORTS NEWS is published each Tuesday. Submit items for consideration by sending email to paul.danzer@columbian.com, or by calling 360-735-4521.
