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Paul Valencia

Stories by Paul

Garber defends 3A boys golf title

Frank Garber successfully defended his title Wednesday, going an extra hole to win the Class 3A boys golf state championship at Tri-Mountain Golf Course.

Juanita's Garber leads at 3A state boys golf

Defending state champion Frank Garber of Juanita fired a 2-under-par 70 Tuesday at Tri-Mountain Golf Course to lead after the first day of the Class 3A state boys golf tournament.

State golf takes over region today

The state championships for the Class 4A boys and girls and the Class 3A boys and girls tee off this morning in Camas, Ridgefield, Vancouver, and Woodland.

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S.W. Washington golf courses ready to host state

4A, 3A tournaments tee off on Tuesday

Terry Cavender was tired of athletes starting a journey from Clark County. He wanted this region to become a destination, the destination.

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State 4A, 3A golf tournament, course-by-course

Here is a quick glance at the four courses in Southwest Washington that are hosting state golf tournaments this week.

Skyview beats Heritage for place in 4A final four

Storm claims GSHL battle for baseball regional crown

Skyview (20-6) beat league rival Heritage 6-4 Saturday evening at Heidelberg Park in the finals of the Class 4A Tacoma Regional, qualifying for next week's final four in Pasco.

Skyview, Camas softball teams are off to state

Both teams win two games at bi-district softball tourney

TACOMA -- Camas and Skyview just might face each other Saturday in the finals of the Class bi-district softball tournament.

Union's Young, Prairie's Brooks make college choices

Two more Clark County athletes make college choices

Former Camas wrestling coach inducted into Hall of Fame

Hinds coached Papermakers from 1967 to 2001

The Washington Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame has announced that Camas' Charlie Hinds will be inducted for "Lifetime Service."

Battle Ground hires boys basketball coach

Armstrong coached previously at Rainier and Port Angeles

Wes Armstrong has been a head coach at two other high schools, and while he enjoyed his experiences there, he is really looking forward to the next stage of his career as the boys basketball coach at Battle Ground.

New coach brings optimism to Fort girls basketball team

Hinton played college basketball at Mississippi State

Arlisa Hinton has been a little bit of everything in her basketball career.

Hockinson boys soccer team on wrong end of historic victory

Sedro-Woolley notche 1st state win in school history

It was painful. It was frustrating. Season-ending losses will do that to a team.

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Paul Valencia: Injuries are particularly painful in postseason

There is never a good time for an athlete to get injured. There are, however, worse times than others to get injured.

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Skyview pitcher delivers when it counts

Brincefield shuts out Camas in 4A district softball title game

She knew it all along. Skyview junior pitcher Michelle Brincefield did not have to be told of her numbers after the Class 4A district softball championship.

Prairie fills girls basketball position

Former UO player Johnson takes over Falcons program

A former University of Oregon men's basketball player has been tasked with leading the Prairie girls basketball program.

Columbia River advances to state in baseball with ease

River will play in Pasco Regional

Clark Bryant threw a four-hit shutout, Oscar Golberg drove in three runs, and the Chieftains cruised past Shelton 9-0 in a winner-to-state game in the bi-district tournament at Heidelberg Park.

Mountain View looks to future after baseball season ends

Thunder fall 2-0 to Decatur

Decatur of Federal Way scored an unearned run in the first, got another in the seventh, and pitcher Chris Carns shut out the Thunder 2-0 Saturday in a Class 3A bi-district tournament elimination game.

Prep notebook: Prairie High promotes volleyball coach

Person takes over team that won 3A state title

The first head coaching job for Paige Person just happens to be one of the best volleyball jobs in the state.

Prairie softball rallies to claim district

Falcons take top seed to bi-district softball tournament

The Prairie Falcons scored in every inning Friday, including two in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Kelso 10-9 to win the Class 3A District 4 softball championship.

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Mountain View's rally not enough in bi-district baseball playoff

Thunder erase four-run deficit only to lose in 10th inning

The Mountain View baseball team worked all season to earn the right to have two chances to make it to the Class 3A regionals.

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Bartek stands alone, again, at district golf

Columbia River senior rolls to third consecutive title

It was another walk through the fairways to a district championship for Chloe Bartek on Tuesday.

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Cheng focuses on own score, takes home 4A district title

Senior shoots 82 to rally from six shots back to win

Union senior Belex Cheng maintained her focus and never varied from her strategy.

Prairie softball takes 3A GSHL title

Phares delivers RBI single to win it in the 11th inning

The Prairie softball team scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, rallied again in the bottom of the 10th for another tie, and then beat Mountain View.

Skyview hires Gruhler away from Hockinson to coach basketball

Coach led Hawks to 2A GSHL title in 2011

Matt Gruhler really enjoyed his time at Hockinson.

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Storm surge dooms Heritage

Skyview scores six in seventh inning to win district title

Reiley Henderson hit a bases-loaded, ground-rule double, capping a six-run inning to give Skyview an improbable 6-4 win over Heritage in the 4A district championship game.

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Skyview baseball team storms toward playoffs

After a bumpy start, Storm live up to expectation

A funny thing happened on the way to this league championship for the Skyview baseball team.

River wins game, Mountain View wins toss

Class 3A GSHL baseball race endswith a three-way tie

The Columbia River Chieftains did their part, the Kelso Hilanders took care of their end of the deal, and the Mountain View Thunder lost but felt relieved Friday afternoon.

New Fort Vancouver coach ready to build

Todd Quincey wants Friday nights to be cool again at Fort Vancouver High School.

Columbia River win keeps 3A GSHL baseball race jumbled

Chieftains' victory could lead to title tie among three teams

The Columbia River Chieftains gave themselves a chance.

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Skyview's Colby Gilbert finds inspiration in his mother's words, even after her death

Senior is one of area's top distrance runners

There were so many tough days for Carolynne Gilbert in her eight-year battle against breast cancer, but rarely was it too tough for her to show her support for Colby.

Prairie’s Woodward enjoys chance to play with best

Oregon finishes with 99-70 win over Washington

Cori Woodward would have preferred a longer opportunity to find her rhythm on the basketball court Saturday afternoon, but she also understood it was special just to compete in the Northwest Shootout.

Hubbard throws no-hitter for Camas

Papermakers top Storm 2-0 to open 4A GSHL schedule

CAMAS -- Camas pitcher Harli Hubbard knew she had a no-hitter in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game against Skyview.

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Injury alters outlook of Woodland's Nigro, but not her resolve to go to state

Senior hurt her knee in spill at meet last month

When Kelly Nigro crumpled to the track at Battle Ground's District Stadium last month, she was screaming mad. The sound came from pain, but fear and anger could be heard in that outburst, as well.

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Prairie golfer Stilwell has a drive to succeed

Hard work turns Prairie senior into top-notch golfer

Prairie senior Jamie Stilwell started thinking about the possibility just minutes after making a birdie on the third hole at The Cedars on Salmon Creek.

Paul Valencia column: Weather, camaraderie warm Camas baseball

If all went according to schedule, the Camas Papermakers returned home around midnight Wednesday.

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Skyview's Dobbin back on softball diamond

Two years ago, Emily Dobbin was a blur for the Skyview softball team, helping the Storm reach the Class 4A state softball semifinals. Last year as the season began, she needed a scooter just to get around school.

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Prairie girls basketball seeks coach ... again

Mike Smith resigns from program after just one season

When he took the job, Mike Smith said he hoped he would be the coach of the Prairie girls basketball team for many, many years.

Prep roundup: Thunder go out of March with a bang

Baseball team is 5-0 in 3A GSHL after win over Columbia River

The Mountain View baseball team, with three returning varsity players on the roster, has completed the first round of the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League schedule undefeated.

Paul Valencia: Track has event for all athletes

Commentary: Paul Valencia

It was only his second official race at this particular distance, and when it was over, Hudson's Bay freshman Cristian Velez was exhausted.

Prep highlights: Skyview baseball team hands Union first defeat

Alec Chaney broke out of a slump at the perfect time for the Skyview baseball team. Brooks Hanson was clutch all day, too.

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Senior soccer star on scoring spree for Seton

Powell's prolific start to season hard to ignore

Erik Powell cannot help but smile. He does not really want to hog all the attention, but he understands this streak of his is something special.

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Heritage baseball rebounds after being thrown to wolves

Character-building season sets Heritage up for success

He was supposed to be a role player last season. He turned into The Guy.

Former Fort Vancouver coach Furno dies at 92

He led 1958 Trappers to 10-0 season, witnessed Pearl Harbor attack

Chuck Furno took a whole lot of good players and made them perfect in 1958.

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Clash of champions kicks off prep tennis season

Hampton vs. Baba show what's good about prep tennis in Clark County

Sammi Hampton described it as nerve-racking, and she is the one who won in straight sets.

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Near-perfect spring opening for Evergreen pitcher

Plainsmen's Thorpe opens season with a no-hitter

The Evergreen baseball team sported a new look Tuesday, and the Plainsmen looked good as new in their first game of the season.

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Prairie senior is All-Region girls basketball player

Cori Woodward does it all for Prairie girls basketball

She could score when she needed to, or find an open teammate. She would get the big steal, or maybe make the pass that led to the pass the led to the easy basket.

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Columbia River senior is All-Region boys basketball player

Isaiah Smith has several college offers

Isaiah Smith took a gamble on himself this school year.

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28-year-old Clark freshman is mom, model and basketball player

Tanya Martin is a Hudson's Bay graduate

Tanya Martin has defeated time. She scoffs at its attempt to slow her down. She is too busy with her life. Basketball season is over now for the Clark College women's team. The Penguins just finished a successful season with a sixth-place finish at the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges tournament.

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Heritage senior is All-Region gymnast

Britni Atwell won nine state titles over four years

Britni Atwell had to find gym time wherever, whenever it was available.

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King's Way student is All-Region swimmer of the year

Calwell shined at state for Camas High swim team

Kasey Calwell was born in Texas, went to elementary school in Michigan, attended middle school in Ohio, and now calls Southwest Washington home for his high school years.

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