Three from Clark County have advanced to semifinals in same classification
It is possibly, most likely, probably a first.
There are three Clark County teams in the state’s final four in one classification in Class 2A girls soccer, which will be played this week in Shoreline.
Ridgefield, Columbia River, and Hockinson make up 75 percent of the teams remaining in the bracket. With Ridgefield and Hockinson set to play in one semifinal, Clark County is guaranteed to have at least one team in the finals. And if Columbia River beats Selah in the other semifinal, the county will be assured of having a state championship squad.
Please take a look at our video of the three teams celebrating each other’s accomplishments.
It very well could be the first time that three teams from the county have made it to the semifinals in any sport sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Let’s call it unprecedented* with an asterisk.
OK, the WIAA’s archives show brackets from 2003 to present or 2001 to present, depending on the sport. All previous tournament archives are sometimes difficult to read and there have been some miscues in those archives.
Still, even without all the data from previous years, it would be unlikely for three teams from the same league to make it to the final four in any sport because years ago it was rare for three teams to even qualify for state.
Just in case we’ve missed something, we’ll use the asterisk.
Regardless, an impressive feat from an impressive league.
Last week, the Ridgefield Spudders won their second consecutive 2A state volleyball title. There is a 75 percent chance of a soccer title. And Hockinson has won the past two football titles and remains alive in the quarterfinals this fall.
Looking back, that is eight state championships in traditional team sports in the past seven sports seasons for the league, with five schools represented.
Fall of 2019: Ridgefield volleyball
Spring of 2019: Woodland softball
Winter of 2018-19: Washougal girls basketball
Fall of 2018: Hockinson football, Ridgefield volleyball
Spring of 2018: Woodland softball, Columbia River boys soccer
Fall of 2017: Hockinson football
(Oh, and some athletic directors like to point out that Mark Morris won the bowling title in the winter of 2018. Yes, a team title, but not a traditional team sport. Although the WIAA did consider bowling only a team sport when it as first sanctioned.)
As a reminder, a traditional team sport, by our definition, is a sport that does not also have individual champions.
Class 2A state girls soccer
Semifinals and Finals
Shoreline Stadium
Friday
6 p.m.: Hockinson vs. Ridgefield
8 p.m.: Columbia River vs. Selah
Saturday
Championship match:
4 p.m.: Friday’s winners
Third-place match:
Noon: Semifinal losersTickets: $11, $8, $8 for a daily ticket for adults, seniors/military, students or $20, $14, $14 for two-day pass.
