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The champion Mason 4×800 relay team. / The Enquirer/Mike Dyer

Mike Dyer reports:

The smiles said it all.

The Mason girls’ 4×800 relay won the Division I state title in 9:11.06 late Friday afternoon at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

The four relay members – seniors Lauren Wood and Olivia Gaus and sophomores Delaney McDowell and Erin Brush – were exuberant after winning the state title and stood proudly on the podium representing the Comets.

Mason, which won the regional title in the event, focused on getting a medal and hence there was minimal pressure entering Friday, according to Mason coach Tony Affatato.

“Oh wow, oh man,” said a joyful Affatato as he walked around the other side of the stadium to greet the relay team.

Coaches hugged and families posed for photos during the Mason celebration.

The title was Mason’s third in the 4×800 since 2004. The Comets also won in 2006 and 2011. Gaus was a sophomore for the 2011 squad. She couldn’t find a better way to help complete her high school career with another state title. “It is so surreal,” Gaus said.

Affatato said all four ran their best time of the spring all at the same time.

“So Delaney’s job was to get us out in front and try to put us in the top four, Lauren’s job was to go make up any distance that was there and Erin’s job was to keep us in it and give Olivia the best chance she could,” Affatato said. “That was really our goal – let’s try to come here and win a medal. …It kind of all fell together for us and it doesn’t happen like that in sports all the time.”

Kelly Affatato, Mason associate head coach for distance, said all the effort and dedication exhibited significant character.

“I watch them with a lot of pride; they are great people,” Kelly Affatato said. “…I am so proud of them not just as runners but as young ladies.”

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Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: comets, cross country, delaney mcdowell, erin bush, kelly affatato, lauren wood, mason, mason high school, olivia gaus, tony affatato, track

The Mason starting lineup takes the field prior to the first inning of the OHSAA Division I semi-finals game between the Elyria Pioneers and the Mason Comets at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio, on Thursday, June 6, 2013.

Shannon Russell reports:

For the third time in Division I softball state semifinal history, Elyria proved to be a riddle that Mason couldn’t solve.

The Pioneers defeated the Comets in the 2007 and 2008 state semifinals – and repeated history Thursday night with a 5-0 victory under the lights at Firestone Stadium.

• Photos: Mason falls in state semifinals

Elyria (27-5), ranked third in the final Division I state poll, clinched a spot in Saturday’s 10 a.m. title game opposite two-time defending champion and No. 1-ranked North Canton Hoover.

It was a heartbreaking ending for a Mason team (23-8) that recorded its best season in years and upset No. 5 Northmont and No. 2 Lebanon en route to Akron.

Although the Comets left seven on base and allowed five runs for the first time in 17 games, seniors Sami Parave and Megan Warren – through smiles and tears – focused on the positives.

“Defense is one of our strong suits, and we got out of a few jams. They got some hits that got across,” Warren said. “But overall I feel like we played like we normally do. We just couldn’t score any runs. Throughout the season our goal was to have fun, and I think we had fun today.”

Parave said she “couldn’t be more proud” of the Comets, and coach Liann Muff shared the sentiment.

“To echo the girls, the coaches are so proud of how they stuck to how we play – just fighting and fighting throughout that whole game,” Muff said.

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Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: caitlyn minney, comets, elyria, lady comets, liann muff, liz hillen, mason, mason high school, megan warren, pioneers, sami parave, semifinals, state, tory stewart

Erick Spaw reports:

In a close contest throughout, Mason was able to outlast Moeller in a 13-11 victory for the Division I regional championship Saturday.

The Comets were led by senior DeClan O’Grady who scored a game-high six goals. Senior Tom Hirsch added four goals of his own for Mason. Kyle Robling, Adam Osika and Griffin Zink also scored. Junior goalkeeper Steven Glandorf had 10 saves in the Mason victory.

Mason trailed 4-2 after the first quarter, but was able to take a 8-7 lead into intermission. The Comets would never lose the lead for the duration of the game. Moeller finished their season at 13-7.

The Comets improve to 17-2 on the season, advancing to this week’s state semifinals. Mason will play Upper Arlington on tonight at Centerville at 7:30 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Adam Osika, comets, declan o'grady, griffin zink, kyle robling, lacrosse, mason, mason high school, steven glandorf, uper arlington

Mason senior Asad Maiden qualified in the 110 and 300 hurdles and in the 400 and 1600 relays. / The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Mark Schmetzer reports:

Chip Dobson’s pride in the performance of his Mason boys track team at last week’s Division I regional track meet was palpable.

He had reason. The Comets swept all four relay races on their way to easily winning the team championship with 103 points, the highest total ever compiled by a Greater Cincinnati team and the second-highest in regional history, he said in an e-mail on Monday.

But the realist in Dobson couldn’t let him get carried away when it came to discussing Mason’s chances at the next level – the state track meet.

“Lakewood St. Edward’s will be very tough to beat,” Dobson said. “You need superstars, and they have four. They beat us pretty handily at the state indoors. It would be good to be runnerup. Obviously, you want to win. You always want to finish first, but that will be a steep challenge. If we could go up there and sneak out with runner- up, that would be great.”

Mason, the No. 2 team in the Enquirer’s Division I coaches poll, is sending 13 competitors – the largest group of qualifiers among Division I boys schools – to the state meet, and they don’t just try to get by on talent, Dobson said.

“They have great ability, but they work their tails off,” he said. “They get it done.”

Ohio’s 106th annual boys track and field tournament is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Jesse Owens Memorial at Ohio State University in Columbus. Boys and girls teams in three divisions will compete starting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday.

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Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: asad maiden, chip dobson, comets, cross country, lakewood st. edward, mason, mason high school, track

Shannon Russell reports:

Mason’s Liz Hillen couldn’t shake a case of the nerves preceding her second at-bat in a scoreless Division I regional championship game against Lebanon at Northmont High.

The Comets were down to their final out in the top of the fourth inning when Hillen approached the plate.

“Senior Sami Parave grabbed me by the shoulders and said, ‘Liz, you can do this. I know you can.’ I just went up there and felt it right off the bat,” Hillen said.

The junior pounded a rise ball over the fence in left field for a solo home run that proved to be the game-winner in Mason’s 1-0 thriller victory over the Warriors Saturday afternoon.

Buoyed by stellar defense, the Comets (23-7) ended Lebanon’s season (26-3) and clinched a state semifinal berth for the first time since 2008. Mason faces Elyria in Thursday’s 12:30 p.m. semifinal at Akron’s Firestone Stadium.

The Comets burst into celebration after the final out against the Warriors. Pitcher Tory Stewart jumped into the arms of catcher Megan Warren as other Comets players hugged, cheered and wept.

“I’m so proud of this team and love every single person. We have the best chemistry, and I feel like it showed today,” Stewart said. “Words cannot describe how happy I am right now.”

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Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: alex johnson, comets, elyria, lady comets, lebanon, liann muff, liz hilen, liz hillen, macy hubbard, mason, mason high school, megan warren, sam showalter, samantha hayner, sami parave, softball, tory stewart, warriors

Kevin Kelly reports:

Chuck Harlow was going to allow himself and his players from Clayton Northmont until 2 p.m. Friday to savor what they accomplished Thursday.

“Until 2 o’clock, it’s a party going on,” the Thunderbolts coach said.

Northmont pulled off what few anticipated Thursday, handing top-ranked Mason a 6-1 loss in a Division I regional semifinal that will stand as the Comets’ first and final defeat of the season.

The Thunderbolts (23-7) advance to the regional final where they will play Moeller at 5 p.m. Friday at Marge Schott Stadium.

The defending Division I state champion Crusaders defeated Lakota East in Thursday’s early game.

“Moeller’s been there many times and we’re Cinderella,” Harlow said. “But we’re a Cinderella that’s working pretty hard. We’re going to show up tomorrow, I can tell you that.”

Mason’s undoing was four-run top of the first by Northmont. In an uncharacteristic display from a team that had allowed just four runs combined over its previous seven games, the Comets (26-1) made three errors, issued two walks and hit a batter.

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Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, clayton northmont, comets, mason, mason high school, moeller, regional semifinal, thunderbolts, undefeated

Kevin Kelly reports:The Enquirer

Mason, the No. 1 team in the state according to the Ohio baseball coaches’ poll, remains undefeated (26-0) and captured its first district title since 2010 in a 3-1 win over Milford on Saturday afternoon at Centerville.

The Comets were impressive again behind the pitching of senior T.J. Zeuch (Pittsburgh signee) who threw a complete game three-hitter with 11 strikeouts.

Junior left fielder T.J. Dunn and junior third baseman Connor Bryan made the difference offensively. Both went 2-for-3 and Dunn belted his second home run of the season while Bryan added a two-run single in the fourth.

Mason will meet Northmont in a regional semifinal on Thursday at the University of Cincinnati.

The Comets haven’t won a regional title since 1987, according to coach Ken Gray.

“We feel confident in our chances every game,” said Gray. “Now everyone’s 0-0 on the season and they’ve bought into it and put the work in.”

Softball

Mason 8, Fairfield 3, Division I district final: Mason won its second consecutive district title behind junior pitcher Tory Stewart’s complete game with eight strikeouts. Senior shortstop Samantha Hayner and sophomore third baseman Gabby LaSala each went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Mason will play Northmont in a regional semifinal on Thursday at 5 p.m. at a location to be determined.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, Connor Bryan, district title, gabby lasala, ken gray, mason, mason high school, milford, softball, sports, tj dunn, tj zeuch, undefeated

Kevin Kelly reports:

The baseball season isn’t over, but Mason has finished as the state No. 1 in Division I.

The Comets received 23 first-place votes in the final Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association state poll released Monday. Moeller was No. 2 and Lakota East was No. 6.

“It’s an excellent honor for our student athletes,” Mason coach Ken Gray said. “They deserve the credit. They’ve really worked hard.

“As a coaching staff we kind of figure we’re just going along for the ride with them. Those guys have gone out and worked their tail ends off and they’ve had some success because of that.”

The Comets (24-0) finished the regular season undefeated for the first time and became the first Greater Miami Conference team to go 18-0 in conference play. Ranked No. 19 nationally by the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings, they also won The Enquirer Division I area baseball coaches’ poll.

Mason plays Ross in a district semifinal at 5 p.m. Thursday at Harrison and Gray said he’s leaning toward starting senior right-hander Andrew McDonald, who is 6-0 with a 1.06 ERA this season. Mason was scheduled to scrimmage Harrison on Monday.

In the Division III state poll, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) finished No. 3 behind Ontario and Carlisle. Badin was No. 11 and Madeira was No. 17. Cincinnati Christian finished No. 8 in the Division IV state poll.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, comets, ken gray, mason, mason high school, ohio high school baseball coahes association, state poll

Mason Drew Johnson (2) congratulated by teammates after scoring on Rodney Hutchison single up second base against Princeton in the first inning on April 25, 2013. The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II

Mike Dyer reports:

Longtime Mason baseball coach Ken Gray knew the Comets would have a special team this spring but he didn’t believe it would be undefeated going into its sectional opener earlier this month

Mason (24-0) is the only undefeated team in the state coaches’ association poll regardless of division. The Comets won their second straight Greater Miami Conference title this spring.

Mason defeated Northwest 11-1 in the Division I sectional Thursday.  The Comets face off at 5 p.m. Thursday against Ross at Harrison.

Mason is not only ranked No. 1 in the Division I state coaches’ poll, but the Comets are No. 19 nationally by the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings.

The Comets are hitting .371 as a team and have a 1.38 ERA as a pitching staff. Besides McDonald, pitchers TJ Zeuch (Pittsburgh), Rodney Hutchison and Seth Bowles (Ohio Dominican) have been very efficient. Zeuch is 6-0 with a 0.80 ERA. Bowles leads the GMC with seven wins. He has a 1.10 ERA.

“We just got to keep playing efficient baseball,” said Gray, who has over 760 career wins. “…They are great kids to work with.”

Offensively, Mason has been led by several players including RJ Thompson (.500 batting average), Lee Sponseller (.431), Drew Johnson (.431) and Connor Bryan (.404).

Senior Connor McVey, the 2012 GMC player of the year, has also been the “glue that holds us together,” according to Gray.

“He has made numerous great defensive plays at opportune times, at shortstop to get big outs in critical innings,” Gray said. “He also has had several key hits for us.”

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, coach, Connor Bryan, connor mcvey, drew jackson, ken gray, lee sponseller, mason, mason high school, northwest, RJ Thompson, Rodney Hutchison, ross, Seth Bowles, sports, tj zeuch, undefeated

Mason’s Luke Tsai and Miguel Cepeda were state champions in doubles last year. Tsai defeated Cepeda in the sectional finals Saturday. Enquirer file

Mark Schmetzer reports:

Alex Taylor didn’t derive any extra incentive from going unseeded into the Division I Mason boys’ sectional tournament.

He just played like it.

The Sycamore freshman upset fourth-seeded Nick Lang in the second round on the way to reaching the semifinals and earning an automatic berth in next Thursday’s and Saturday’s district tournament at Centerville High School.

“I knew I could get to this point,” Taylor said Saturday morning, after losing to top-seeded Luke Tsai, 6-3, 7-5, in a semifinal at Riverside Athletic Club in Hamilton. “I knew I had the ability to beat Lang.”

The top four singles players and doubles teams in each of four sectional tournaments qualified for district tournament. Saturday’s matches determined the seeding for the district draw.

The second Mason semifinal matched Comet seniors Jeremy Schneider and Miguel Cepeda, and the second-seeded Cepeda prevailed over the third-seeded Schneider, 6-4, 7-6, setting up a finals matchup between the players who formed last season’s Division I state doubles championship team won by Tsai, 6-0, 6-2.

The sectional champion admitted it was difficult to play a teammate, but he needed a strong match to sharpen his game for the district tournament.

“This match was really good for my confidence,” Tsai said. “In the first match today, I felt like I was out of focus and struggled. I needed to come back and perform well.”

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Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: alex taylor, comets, jeremy schneider, luke tsai, mason, mason high school, mason invitational, mason semifinal, miguel cepeda, nick lang, tennis