The firestorm surrounding the Camas High School cross country team continues to build due to the presence of a biological male competing on the girls’ team after beginning the season running for the boys’ team.
On Tuesday, 12 members of the girls’ team walked off the course during a dual meet with Battle Ground. On Sept. 15, two runners from Skyview High School did the same.
This past weekend, the Papermakers traveled to Lakewood High School in Arlington to compete in the Nike Hole in the Wall XC Invitational. The biological male competing on the Camas girls’ team finished 39th in the Women’s 5,000-meter Elite Division.
Clark County Today has learned that on Monday, Camas High School Principal Travis Drake reported an incident that happened on the trip to the Camas Police Department officer assigned to Camas High School. The Camas Police Department responded to a Public Records Request by stating, “Our agency has no responsive records or reports regarding the provided incident.’’
Camas PD Administrative Sergeant Chuck Nadgwick told Clark County Today that Drake made a verbal report to the Camas High School Student Resource Officers, who are members of the Camas PD. Nadgwick said the incident involved two individuals, neither of whom made a complaint. The complaint was made by a third party.
Nadgwick said it was determined that no crime was committed during the incident so no report was made or case number assigned. He did indicate that Camas SD officials had referred the incident to Education Service District 112 for a third-party review.
Camas School District Communications and Media Manager Doreen McKercher confirmed that Drake made the report.
“Principal Travis Drake informed our Camas Police Department SRO on Monday, October 12,’’ McKercher said in an email reply to a request for comment.
Clark County Today has requested comment or further information from Drake or the district about the incident he felt obligated to report. However, that request was denied.
“Given the high volume of media inquiries, we are not scheduling interviews at this time,’’ McKercher said.
Biological male assigned to room with girl
Clark County Today has learned that during the trip to Arlington, the team members were lodged in a hotel at the expense of the Camas SD and that the biological male shared a hotel room with a girl member of the Camas team.
“Coaching staff coordinate room assignments for overnight athletic trips and may consider student-athletes' preferences,’’ McKercher said Wednesday. “We can confirm that no student was required to share a room with someone they were uncomfortable rooming with. To protect student privacy, we will not discuss individual room assignments or accommodations.’’
A source involved in the situation reported that at least one member of the team quit after the events of the weekend and others have left the team throughout the course of the season.
“No student has been dismissed or removed from the cross country team by coaching staff or school administration,’’ McKercher said. “Some students have left the team voluntarily. We will not discuss individual students' decisions or circumstances.’’
McKercher said that none of the runners who refused to run in Tuesday’s race will be disciplined.
“Students have the right to express their views through peaceful protest,’’ she said. “Students who chose to walk off the course during the October 13 meet will not face disciplinary consequences.’’
Transportation expense to out of town event
Because of the issues surrounding the Camas cross country team, the district elected to charter a bus to transport the athletes and coaches to the meet this past weekend in Arlington rather than use one of the district’s buses. The cost for the charter was just under $5,000.
“The district considers charter transportation for trips exceeding 140 miles and frequently for overnight trips,’’ McKercher said. “This is an established practice used by a variety of teams and programs, including cross country.
“In this instance, we also considered the significant online attention directed at our team, including comments about identifying and approaching student-athletes at events,’’ she said. “Using an unmarked charter provided additional privacy and safety during arrival and departure. The charter cost $4,772 and was paid from the district's general athletics transportation budget.
Our responsibility is to support the safety, privacy, and well-being of all student-athletes while following applicable state law and WIAA requirements.’’
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