On February seventh, fourteen Camas High School students publically declared their intent to play sports in college on the National Letter of Intent Day. CHS honored its students and gave them the opportunity to speak about their decision.

Peyton Bates: With seven varsity letters and three state championship appearances, Bates signed on to play softball with the College of Idaho. She “always wanted to attend a private school for a closer one on one relationship with professors.” “Party in the USA” is her go-to song to listen to before competition. 

Perrin Belzer: Grand Canyon University felt like the right place for Belzer to play soccer since meeting the coach and team. While playing at CHS, girls’ soccer has achieved four league titles and one state championship in 2016. Belzer has been the captain of the soccer team, and off of her high school coach Roland Minder’s playlist, “Amena” is her go-to song before games.

Trevor Bentley: Even though Bentley has lettered in baseball and football at CHS for three years, he chooses to play baseball at Mt. Hood Community College. “My brother goes there, and I love the environment, close bond of all the players on the team, and the coaches.” His most memorable moment from his athletic experience at CHS is winning the football state championship in 2016. “Real Good Man” by Tim Mcgraw is his song to prepare him for competition. 

Courtney Clemmer: Oregon Institute of Technology offers Clemmer “the ability to play basketball, a rodeo, my dream major, and a smaller community.” She is the 2018 Winner of the Greater Saints Helen League 4A player of the year award and has been a starter since freshman year. Going to the Tacoma Dome last year was the highlight of her high school career, and she hopes to make it again this year. The song she listens to before basketball games is “Road Less Traveled” by Lauren Alaina.

Alexa Dietz: At San Diego State University, Dietz, “wanted to go there when I met the girls on the team. They made me feel really accepted.” She received two varsity letters, one in gymnastics and two in track; however, she will be rowing at San Diego. Throughout her athletic experience at CHS, achieving second place at the gymnastics state meet in 2017 is her highlight. “REDMERCEDES” by Amine is her pump-up song. 

Kennedy Ferguson: Greater Saint Helen’s League first team winner in 2016, all regions player of the year in 2017, and league champion in 2017, Ferguson made her mark on CHS softball. She lettered for three years in fast pitch and is now going to the University of New Mexico to continue playing softball. Playing with her team and creating memories with her teammates lead to unforgettable experiences at CHS. Carrie Underwood’s song “Champion” is her pre-competition jam.

Dominic Fewel: In 2016 and 2017, Fewel was the soccer team captain at CHS. He is a four-year letterman and signed with Oregon State University. OSU is perfect for him because “family members who went there always liked it, [so I] had to go.”  Scoring a diving header to win a game against Skyview is his high school crowning moment. “Amena” is also this soccer player’s favorite before-game motivational song.

Maddie Freemon: Playing basketball at Cal State Fullerton University was not a preplanned dream, but when the opportunity arose, it was a perfect fit. “It felt so right; the family feels, coaches are amazing, teammates are awesome, and the campus is beautiful.” Freemon was team captain her junior year, but an injury early this season prevented her from playing her senior year. “My House” is her favorite song to listen to before basketball games.

Mark Kim: After five state championships, four league titles, and lettering for four years, CHS swimmer Kim has signed with the United States Military Academy (West Point). His most memorable moment is winning the 4A state championship. It is an achievement that has not happened for a school south of Tacoma for fifty years. His two pump-up songs are “Till I Collapse,” and “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. 

Hailey Oster: As a four-year letterman and a person who made it to the top ten in the past two Washington state tournaments, signing at Montana State University is a chance for her to continue playing golf. Taking second in state competition the past two years is her favorite CHS athletic experience. At MSU Oster “really liked how closely bonded the team was, and I made a close relationship with the coach.” Any throwback songs are her preferred method to prepare for a competition. 

Madison Pfaff: She lettered in volleyball for three years and has been the 2016 and 2017 team captain. Receiving the league championship titles all three years is a memorable accomplishment, but beating Battleground in five sets during her sophomore year is her athletic highlight at CHS. She will continue to play volleyball at Corbin University. Drake’s song, “God’s Plan” is her go-to song at the moment. 

Madalyn Sherwinski: At the University of Mary in North Dakota, Sherwinski is looking forward to swimming and competing with the girls’ national-level swimmers. The weather there was not a big selling point, but it is a Division II school that offers her the programs she wants. She lettered for three years in girls’ swim and likes to listen to “Oh My Love” by the Score before meets.

Joshua Schneider: Willamette University has the “small town feel, [and] a team that made me feel accepted,” Schneider says. “From the beginning they made me feel like they wanted me a lot, and I wanted to be there.” He lettered in soccer three times, and “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor continues to be on his pump-up playlist before soccer games.

Abbi Wong: The small, close-to-home school of the University of Puget Sound allows Wong to experience a different level of competition than she is used to. After playing softball throughout high school and receiving four letters and two fourth-place state championships, Wong is eager to meet new people and make new memories. The artist Eminem is always on her pre-game playlist.

All the athletes would like to thank their parents, their coaches, their teammates, and friends for pushing them and having a huge contributing role to their success.