Fall Sports Preview 2019

Fall Sports Preview August 30, 2019

Team Roster Girls’ Tennis

Niraj Komatineni Senior

Akshay Joshi Freshman
Freshman
Team ScheduleVignesh Gogineni

FreshmanA0n9is/h0G3 anvgsavMaridamdletown
Senior
P0ra9n/a0v3ViswvsanFaatihrfaienld

SeniorA0n9e/e0s5h ZutvsshiHamilton
SophomoreS0am9/u0e6l Kinvgs Columbus Academy
SeniorA0rn9a/v09DivevkasrSpringboro
E0ri9c/T1a0ng vs SycamoreSophomore
SeniorD0a9it/o1n2SteevdslyPrinceton

09/17 vs Colerain

Team Schedule09/18 vs Oakwood
09/23 vs Indian Hill

09/24 vs St. Ursula

Photo by Chronicle Staff

Senior Ananya Aggarwal looks to lead the team back to another state championship

Comet tennis team looking for a threepeat in 2019

Aggarwal 5th straight Greater Miami Conference and it can be a little scary when (other wants to win every time they go head to
believes title. teams) play us with nothing to lose,” Ag- head, while also setting an example for
Comets are garwal said. “At the same time, though, her younger teammates.
the team to Senior Sanjana Reddy said that they it’s reassuring to know that other teams
beat know it won’t be easy, but they believe need to come through us if they want to “Whenever I am playing, I try to have
that a three-peat at state is well within win state.” fun and enjoy the game,” Reddy said.
Matt Smith | Sports Writer reach. “But at the same time when (Ananya
The team knows that talent alone and I) hit with each other I always want
The Mason Girls tennis team doesn’t “We have high expectations for the doesn’t win matches and champion- to be better than her. At the same time
plan to stop serving up dominant sea- year, but we know a lot of teams are ships, it takes practice and repetition both of us are improving as players too.”
sons this year. going to try and challenge us,” Reddy too. Working hard everyday to refine
said. “We’ve had a great start to our their skills is a daily goal for the players, At the end of the day, the team wants
Coming off of back-to-back state season the past two years, so we knew if and Reddy said that she can see this success, but to enjoy the process as
championships, the pressure is on for we wanted to win state again, we needed mindset whenever the team steps on the well. Reid has attempted to establish a
the program to continue dominating a strong start this year too, and we feel court. culture that does more for his team in
the state of Ohio yet again. like we have done that.” life than just learning how to hit a ten-
“As seniors, we try to show the under- nis ball. Aggrawal said that he strives
Already 5-0, the team hopes that this Having a target on their back has classmen how to work on their game to set up everyone on the team for life
quick start will propel them to their inevitably led to mixed reactions from and try to get better whenever we prac- after tennis.
third straight state championship and the team. Some see it as a confidence tice,” Reddy said. “We try to stay focused
builder, and others see it as pressure. and work hard because we know that is “Coach Reid focuses a lot on mak-
Senior Ananya Aggarwal, who plays the only way we will reach our goals.” ing sure everyone feels like they are
first singles, said that when every team apart of the team and contributing
wants to beat Mason, it can make her Practice can also bring out the ath- to something great,” Aggarwal said.
uneasy, but at the same time it says a lot letes’ competitive edge.For Aggarwal “We’ve learned a lot that will help us be
about the Mason tennis program. and Reddy, it’s chance to compete and successful, not only in tennis, but life in
outperform one another. Reddy said general.”
“In our opinion, we are the team to that being close friends with Aggarwal
beat in Ohio. Everyone wants to win brings out her competitive side as she
whenever they play against Mason,

August 30, 2019 Fall Sports Preview

Girls’ Golf

Team Schedule

Photo by Mia Sweitzer 09/03 New Albany
Junior Maddie Heister continues to work to improve her game to contribute to the team’s effort to qualify for state. Invitational

Young team plans to lead Comets to victory 09/08 Mason Girls Golf
through strategic practice Invitational

Rahul Parikh | Sports Editor concentrated improvement from each developed relationships. 09/09 Alter Invitational
Run it back. member of the team and an overall “Our team is a lot closer to each 09/10 Lakota West Match
The Mason Girls Golf team is shift in their mentality. 09/11 Lakota East Match
looking to repeat as champions in other this year than we have been in 09/17 GMC Tournament
the Greater Miami Conference after “The key last year was constant the past,” Zhang said. “It definitely 09/18 GMC Tournament
recapturing the title from Lakota East improvement,” Zhang said. “Even hurts with the seniors leaving, but 09/19 GMC Tournament
last season. improving by that margin helped us we know we have a lot of potential 09/21 St. Angela Merici
Led by Juniors Catherine Zhang, lose a lot of strokes and improved our and the friendships and personalities
Jenna Harter, and Maddie Heister mentality, which is a trait that we ab- within our group are different this Invitational
along with Sophomore Ally Madden solutely need to carry on this season, season and we’re excited.” 09/23 Dublin Jerome
and Freshman Karlie Dillon, the Com- along with more consistency.”
ets have their eyes set on yet another Madden said that Coach Chad Invitational
successful year. Madden, who has started out the Layton’s adjustments to tracking the
Zhang, already a two-time all GMC season strong with a 38.8 scoring aver- teams’ rounds have made it easier to
first team honoree and current GMC age, said that another key factor this focus on areas of improvements so far
scoring average leader, said that this year will be managing and routing the this year.
year the Comets hope to not only courses that will be played in order to
repeat as conference champions, but qualify to the state tournament. “This year Coach Layton created a
qualify to the state tournament and google sheet to track our round stats,
improve on their finish. “Something that got away from us whether it be fairways, greens, putts,
“We definitely think we can win the last year was practicing and under- or penalty strokes,” Madden said. “This
conference again and go back to state,” standing the courses for sectionals and has made it a lot easier for us to figure
Zhang said. “As far as state results go, districts,” Madden said. “Even if we out where to practice and fine tune
we finished 7th last year, so hopefully don’t play our best golf on those days, our games individually.”
we can qualify and improve on our the knowledge of the course will help
results there, but we have to take it us tremendously in getting through Zhang believes that, simply put,
one step at a time.” the qualifying stages.” dedication and practice will predicate
Zhang said in order for the team to how far the Comets go this season.
have so much success last year, it took This year’s Comet squad is younger
than those of previous campaigns, “I think that our work ethic and
with no seniors in the top six. Zhang focus on improvement will determine
said that the team has, and will con- how close we get to our goals,” Zhang
tinue to overcome the leadership void said. “How much we put in will lead us
with stronger internal bonds and more to what we get out of this season.”

Fall Sports Preview August 30, 2019

Boys’ Golf

Team Schedule

8/30-9/1 Van Buren Photo by Mia Sweitzer
Invitational The Comets have found value in new freshmen talent joining upperclassmen to enhance the strength of their team.

9/9 Alter Invitational

9/13 Elder/Anderson/
Mason

9/14 Springboro
Invitational

9/16 Lexington
Invitational

9/21 Bishop Watterson
Invitational

9/24-25 GMC
Tournament

Class gap between golfers leaves room to shape future of team

Cody Allgor | Staff Writer “That will put a lot of pressure on them especially me in this position,” Vonder- know the freshmen early on, but con-
to become leaders because we have a lot haar said. “I only had one chance to necting with them has gotten them
The upperclassmen on the 2019 Ma- of freshmen, and they’re pretty quality become a four-year varsity Letterman. closer.
son Comets boys varsity golf team are players. The longevity of the program And it’s important that you work hard
going to be counted on for a lot more is in the hands of them just to be role to get to where you are.” “In our past seasons. we had a lot of
than just turning in low scores. They models.” older kids on Varsity A, we all knew
will be responsible for helping to shape From previous experiences but each other really well,” Satterthwaite
the future of Mason golf. Satterthwaite, who is one of the especially for this year, Coach Lambert said. “I didn’t really know AJ and Nate
seniors, said the upperclassmen have said that it is important that everyone that well until this season, as we keep
Three seniors, Matthew Scheid, Ben done everything they can to prepare the realizes and understands their spot on going on, getting to know them better
Satterthwaite, and Rahul Parikh along freshmen for their upcoming year. the team. is helping us become more close, which
with lone junior Charlie Gorski are very will make our golf better.”
capable golfers but these four upper- “I am trying to play with them a lot,” “I’ve had young teams like this,”
classmen will be charged with helping Satterthwaite said. “Any day that we Lambert said. “It affects the team in Lambert said the Comets have a
mentor two very talented freshman don’t have tournaments to make them the sense that you have to get the up- chance to be an underdog that succeeds
Nate Vonderhaar and AJ Wilhelm, who know what varsity golf is all about. I perclassmen to realize that the young this year, motivated by people who
have already made their mark on the like to take them out, and just play guys are actually quality players. And it don’t think they can go far.
varsity squad early on this season. rounds of golf and know what their also forces the young players to realize
game is, and get them more prepared to your quality players can beat the up- “The Mason Comet boys have a great
Head coach Tim Lambert believes play in higher tournaments.” perclassmen. It’s something that it’s an opportunity to be that dark horse,” Lam-
these talented young freshmen put pres- individual challenge more than a team bert said. “Currently, not many people
sure on the upperclassmen, especially Vonderhaar, one of the two freshmen challenge, per se. We get each player to think we have a chance to move on to
the junior class. on Varsity A, said he has learned to accept their role and their abilities to state, which I think we do. It all boils
value this opportunity and not to take it perform.” down to the fire in their bellies, we’ll see
“It puts pressure on the junior class, for granted. how they react, we’ll see what happens.”
we only have two players that will be Satterthwaite said that he compares
coming back next year,” Lambert said. “It’s important to learn that you get this season to past ones in that he didn’t
certain opportunities only one time,

August 30,2019 Fall Sports Preview

Girls’ Volleyball

Team Schedule

Photo by Mia Sweitzer August 29th vs Centerville
Behind the power play of sophomore Kalli Wall the Comets hope to claim a fourth straight GMC title this season. September 5th @Oak Hills
September 9th vs
Volleyball team in pursuit of another GMC title McNicholas
September 10th vs
Indranshu Das | Sports Writer to the season Middletown
“Having that experience of playing in the District Finals September 12th @
Being a powerhouse in a sport is more than talent, it’s con- Lakota West
sistency. was important and awesome to have,” Popplewell said. “We September 14th @
just want to get better and not finish the same way as we did Olentangy Orange
Albeit huge departures like 4 year varsity member Maggie last year.” September 15th Columbus
King, this year’s Mason Girls Volleyball Comets will look to Power Tournament
accomplish something that they’ve never done before: achieve Being a student-athlete is no easy feat, and with the de- September 17th vs
a four-peat. mands Comets Sports has, it can oftentimes be very stressful Lakota East
and tiring. Head Coach Tiann Myer, four time GMC Coach of September 19th vs Ursuline
Senior Bailey Flowerdew is excited for this season as her the Year, believes that being a compassionate coach is very September 24th vs
and her senior teammates are on a quest to bring the fourth important to getting the best out of your players. Sycamore
consecutive Greater Miami Conference title this year--some- September 26th vs
thing that has never been done before. “I believe that as a coach I have to adjust to the personalities Princeton
of the team. However, my beliefs and my philosophy never September 28th @
“Going through the grind the past three years with my changes regardless of the group I have each year,” Myer said. Mt.Notre Dame
teammates as given me a lot of experience and memories I “Time management is a key aspect for players to understand October 1st @ Hamilton
will never forget,” Flowerdew said. “I am looking forward to and I too know that it is not easy to show up to practice after October 3rd @ Colerain
giving it my all and having one last ride with my teammates, school with a ready to play mindset.” October 8th @ McAuley
hopefully with the GMC title that we all are working for.” October 10th vs Seton
Coach Myer said that she preaches a volleyball only men-
Flowerdew, who played a key role in last years undefeated tality once those girls walk into the gym and despite it not
Conference record, said the culture of this program has moti- always being 100% successful it has proven to yield them
vated her, and the team to continue working hard and achiev- strong results week by week. Myer said she uses volleyball as
ing their goals. a platform to help teach her kids important life skills that they
need later in their careers.
“Everyone on the team is really nice and gave me a warm
welcome to the team when I joined the varsity group as an un- “Although I love the sport of volleyball and I love to be a
derclassman,” Flowerdew said. “Volleyball is a team sport and coach, it is not my life,” Myer said. “I want these girls to know
I love that about it since it isn’t all about yourself but rather that too and show them that there is more to life than this
about working together for a common goal.” sport. Being a good person by heart, a great time manager,
and a team-player is all important in becoming the best you
Junior Marilyn Popplewell knows that there is always room can be.”
for improvement and is looking forward to picking up from
where they left off last year, which was a bittersweet ending

Fall Sports Preview August 30, 2019

Girls’ Cross Country

Team Schedule

08/31 Loveland Invitational Photo by Chronicle Staff
09/07 Mason Invitational Top runners Maddie Ullom, Brooke Harvey, Faith Min, and Kennedy Rader stress the importance of team unity.
09/14 Cedarville Invitational
09/21 Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational “I think we can compete against
09/21 Centerville Saturday Nights anyone, we just need to work
together.”
Invitational
09/28 Culver Invitational
09/28 Fairmont Firebird Cross Country

Invitational
10/12 GMC Championship
10/19 OHSAA District
10/26 OHSAA Regional
11/02 OHSAA State Championship

Comet cross country hopes to cross finish line as GMC champs

Anna Kinasewitz | Sports Writer first season on the cross country team, come and it’s a large meet overall. the front so while they may not have
Last season Lakota East shocked she distinguished herself as one of the It’s our home meet too, so we want to the top runner, they have a solid core
the Mason Comets girls cross country league’s top runners. perform and run well.” right up at the front few.“
team when they captured the Greater
Miami Conference championship and So far, she’s off to a great start turn- Rader said it took a lot of preparation Like Rader, the entire Mason Girls
prevented the Comets from winning a ing in one of the league’s top times in and determination to become the only Cross Country team has worked tire-
ninth straight conference title. the early stages of the season. Ullom’s Mason underclassman near the top of lessly in pursuit of success this fall.
The Comets want to regain the top early season success has her pushing the conference.
spot but according to senior Maddie herself even harder which has given Rader said the offseason training has
Ullom reclaiming the title is going to her a different perspective on leading “Last year I was around 14th on the contributed to their early bright spots.
take a lot of hard work. Ullom, who the team on and off the course. team and at the end of the season I
currently ranks as one of the top run- thought, ‘okay next year I really want “We’ve been training all year round,”
ners in the GMC, believes the whole “It’s definitely a weird feeling to be to make it to state, I’m going to work Rader said. “Dobson’s philosophy is, the
team realizes that it’s going to take a out in front but I have to continue to really hard,’” Rader said. “So over the more miles the better. Other schools
group effort in order for the team to push myself because that can ultimate- summer, before we started practicing might focus on working speed, but
stand atop the podium at the conclu- ly help the team at the end,” Ullom again, I ran a lot more distance, like 45 mileage is big when we train.”
sion of the season. said. “Some girls are pressured by how miles a week. It feels really nice to see
“Our competition is going to be very fierce the competition is, so learning my hard work pay off because this is With it being her Senior year, Ullom
tough this year,” Ullom said. “I think to relax and making sure we stay as a not what I expected at all.” said she has been able to reflect on
getting our pack together is something pack is huge. That’s done by motivat- the importance of this season and the
we need to do because East runs really ing each other because running really Rader also said the team views reign- meaning it holds to everyone in the
tight. We get spread out and that’s is a mental game.” ing GMC champs, Lakota East, as the program.
something we need to work on. So pull- team to beat.
ing everyone along, no matter what On September 7th, the Comets will “For most seniors it’s their last year
place in the ranking they are, is impor- host their home meet, the always “I think we can definitely compete running,” Ullom said. “I plan to run in
tant. As Coach (Chip) Dobson likes to challenging Mason Invite. Breakout against anyone, we just need to work college, but it’s my last year running
say, ‘A rising tide raises all ships.’” sophomore Kennedy Rader, who cur- together,” Rader said. “We have a very with this with this group of girls. Like
Even though last year was Ullom’s rently holds a top ten GMC time, said split group. So, it’s Maddie and then every year, this team is unique to this
the team has had its calendar marked this huge space and then a few of us season only. As a group we’ve focused
for the meet. are spread throughout the rest of the on working more towards team goals,
lead group. We need to score lower rather than individual. This season
“The Mason Invite is really impor- points. That’s how (Lakota) East works, is really special and I think everyone
tant,” Rader said. “A ton of good teams they have a super tight group right at feels that way.”

August 30, 2019 Fall Sports Preview

Boys’ Cross Country

Team Schedule

Photo by Chronicle Staff 08/31 Loveland Invitational
Senior Johan Meyer is seeking his third consecutive spot on the GMC first team and hopes to lead the team to victory once again. 09/07 Mason Invitational
09/14 Cedarville Invitational
09/21 Trinity/Valkyrie

Invitational
09/21 Centerville Saturday

Nights Invitational
09/28 Culver Invitational
09/28 Fairmont Firebird

Cross Country Invitational
10/12 GMC Championship
10/19 OHSAA District
10/26 OHSAA Regional
11/02 OHSAA State
Championship

Meyer expected to lead young team to another GMC title and maintain success

Rahul Parikh | Sports Editor roles and make a meaningful impact. always look out for new guys and the next guy up to
They’re back, and they’re hungry for more. “We’re actually a pretty young team this year,” Rapp step up and lead,” Rapp said. “The older guys also do a
The Mason Men’s Cross Country Comets have great job of building the state of mind into the younger
returned to action, and are poised for yet another suc- said. “So, our newer guys are going to have to learn guys, which is always helpful.”
cessful season. Last year, the Comets concluded their fairly quickly about the scoring of varsity, which is a
campaign with a 4th straight Greater Miami Confer- different level of pressure. But it also brings about more With the team constantly losing players and pick-
ence title and their 8th in the last 9 years. motivation to those guys and for the team to succeed ing up new ones, coaching is extremely important to
Coach Tom Rapp’s squad this year figures to be led this year.” maintain success.
by Senior Johan Meyer, who is looking to earn his 3rd
consecutive spot on the GMC first team, as his current Meyer believes that the biggest advantage the Comets Meyer said that Coach Rapp’s dedication to the team
time is good for 2nd in the conference at this early possess, year in and year out, is the environment that and constantly improving the system has put the team
stage of the season. surrounds the team and how it impacts their perfor- in a great position to succeed year after year.
Meyer said that this year, the cross country team mance.
hopes to finish in the top 2 at the state meet, after quali- “Coach Rapp took off track season this past year to re-
fying last year and earning the 3rd place spot. “You ask anybody who plays on a team, and they’ll ally dive into making this team better,” Meyer said. “He
“We really want to be top 2 this season,” Meyer said. tell you the culture is what’s most important and has talked to coaches from Michigan, Colorado, Florida,
“Last year our goal was to make the top 3, and even the biggest effect on the results,” Meyer said. “Team all around talking about things like training, recovery,
though we did that everybody walked away disappoint- chemistry and culture is the ultimate winner, you train sleep, and really anything to make this team better. He
ed because we know we could’ve done better.” and recover as much as you want but if you don’t work really works on the most effective method of training
Coach Rapp knows that in order for the Comets to on that you won’t be successful.” us, we’re so lucky for the dedication of our staff.”
get where they want to this year, the new and younger
athletes, such as Sophomore Alex DeRoussel and Fresh- Rapp agrees that culture and leadership is vital to a Rapp said improving the team in all aspects of the
man Issac Schacleiter, have to step into their varsity winning program, but it’ll be easier said than done for sports is critical to its success, and not just working on
the Comets this year after losing key seniors, like Jag- the physical part of cross country.
ger Vetter and Isaiah Kelly.
“We have a system, and I’m lucky to have guys that
Rapp said he knows his current upperclassmen will buy into the system,” Rapp said. “But we’re constantly
do everything in their power to fill the void and keep tweaking and adjusting the system to account for each
the team on the right track. athlete’s mental makeup and physiology as well.”

“When we talk about culture and leadership, we

Fall Sports Preview August 30, 2019

Team Roster Football

Team ScheduleRMSLCSJABSBLLMSSEMMBTEKZueaiaylraaoooririaamllLASSaleeaaiiilslduuirmetpptkegiyaeeenrdaggCseeaaurrnyahhyhKaceeiBaakppoLnKGeCgBMsiiBtEannnAnnreoueabdreottylroulruutofeeinrSolnbtaaSSnNCEHlthoegMksgalconovnmmttalaWrapteBeohkEkoahepnirnrCuaneofEc3tdCnbbreefoznohrooiam0oelrceeeclgfalltsknslafrkahrrusetnnn61sygovt3reshtslhSovpvsrsLinagSbaSSSSSSSSoFFllooooooooerrrppppppppoSSSSSSSJJJJJJJeehhhhhhhhssoooooooouuuuuuueeeeeeehhmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmooooooooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiooooooooooooooaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnneeeeeeee Photo by Mia Sweitzer
Team ScheduleSeptember 20th @ Oak Hills
Offensive Line Coach Bill Lapthorn works with (left) Jackson Norman, (right) Paul Rodriguez, and the rest of the Comets to
MaSrechpt2e9mthb- e@rA2l7pthhar@etta (GA) enhance the team’s game for the season.

March 30th - @ Northview (GA) Returning Comets aim to rebound from playoff loss
Sycamore
Indranshu Das | Sports Writer their team,” Castner said.“Nothing matters beyond the
April 2nd - Vs Sycamore The Mason Comet Football team will look to tackle campus walls. As far as promoting our social media
the little things before they kickoff the new year. page goes, it is great for the fans and families to stay
April 4th - @ Fairfield With a strong returning core coming back after a connected, but we’re not going to get distracted by
October 4th vs Hamilton successful 2018 campaign which concluded in a first that.”
round playoff loss, the program has their sights set on
April 11th - Vs Oak Hills a deep run into the playoffs and an improvement on Although there is a strong leadership group from
their 8-3 record. upperclassmen in the program this season, it’s never
ApOrilc1t6otbhe- rV1s 1LathkovtsaLWaeksot ta West Senior wide receiver Alec Dardis said it’s important the wrong time to prepare for the future.
April 18th - @ Loveland for the team to learn from their playoff loss last year
and not repeat the same mistake again. Junior lineman Paul Rodriguez believes it’s im-
ApOrilc2t3orbde- r@1I8ntdhia@n HCilol lerain “We’re using that game as the level of which we need portant to continue mentoring the underclassmen
April 25th - @ Sycamore to perform every week regardless of the team,” Dardis and prepare them for the varsity level when the time
said, “One thing we didn’t do last year was come out comes.
ApOrilc2t7otbhe- r@2S5pthrinvgsbMorioddletown stronger after halftime and play harder, which is what
April 29th - @ Mount Notre Dame we are looking to improve upon starting Friday.” “I want to show the ropes to the kids that really don’t
Coach Brian Castner knows that in order for the have any varsity experience that are newer to it,” Ha-
ApNriol 3v0etmh -bVesrF1aisrtfi@eldPrinceton Comets to make a longer run into the playoffs this glage said.”Hopefully with my help they won’t show up
May 2nd - Vs Lakota East year, they’ll have to challenge, and hopefully take game one nervous, rather they would be used to how
down longtime Greater Miami Conference superpower fast paced it is.”
May 4th - Vs Olentangy Colerain Cardinals.
Castner said that the key to dethroning the Cardinals With standout players filling the roster this year,
May 9th - Vs Summit Country Day is to simplify the game and continue to stay humble Senior Linebacker Jack Haglage, who led the team in
week in and week out. tackles in 2018, knows that team chemistry is crucial if
“GMC-wise in all my years as a head coach, from top they want to succeed this year.
to bottom, is as good as it has ever been,”Castner said.
“It all starts with practice, we’ve got to make sure that “Coach Castner has this philosophy of implementing
practice is the most important thing all season and not the culture of this program day in and day out and he
just overlooked by the repetition of drills, but also to continues to emphasize to do team bonding activities
make sure that the tempo is played at a high level.” like go to Top Golf for example,” Haglage said. “Our
Castner said he’s told team to stay focused and not senior saying goes off of that and as a result we can be
succumb to the outside noise and expectation that’s a strong unit and not just a group of individuals.”
been set from last year. Castner said the best approach
is to take it one game at a time and not get carried Castner is excited for what this season will bring for
away by the occasion. the team, and knows how crucial it is for his team to
“To me, there is none. There is no outside noise. I focus on the smaller aspects of the game instead of get-
tell my guys to take care of themselves, their unit, and ting caught up in the hype.

“Well, we got to do a better job of holding everyone
accountable to those little things, and to make sure
that we’re not just saying it but also doing it,” Castner
said. “Last year it caught up to us a little bit and we
didn’t finish. As long as we can continue to do the little
things at a high level consistently, I can’t wait to see
how far we go this year.”

August 30, 2019 Fall Sports Preview

Boys’ Soccer

Team Schedule

Photo by Mia Sweitzer 8/31 @ Centerville
The Comets find importance in making all of their players feel like a part of the team and contribute to their overall goals. 9/5 vs Fairfield
9/7 @ Liberty
Comets focused on capturing another GMC title 9/12 @ Oak Hills
9/14 vs Pickerington North
9/17 @ Lakota West
9/19 vs Lakota East
9/21 @ St. Xavier
9/24 @ Hamilton
9/26 vs Sycamore
9/28 @ Loveland
10/1 vs Middletown
10/3 vs Princeton
10/8 @ Colerain

Archie Barton | Staff Writer on Varsity but the team has rebuilt. Senior Ben Damge, “I tried to be a leader with my voice and make sure
The Mason Boys Soccer team are determined to re- who is a University of Kentucky commit and 4 year I was heard encouraging players to take people on and
tain the Greater Miami Conference title this season. varsity forward, said the focus is on the new generation get back on defense,” Damge said. “I am focused on
After recapturing the championship last year for the of players and the leadership of those returning. acting as a leader even though I couldn’t be on the field
first time in 4 years, the Comets are eager to go back with them.”
to back in the conference and hopefully make a deeper “The younger guys played really well in the win over
run into the state tournament. Springboro and they showed that they deserved to be in With coaching being an integral part to any success-
Already beginning the season with a 3-2 victory over the team,” Damge said. “The older guys showed great ful program, Marlow said that he has confidence in
Springboro and maintaining a 0-0 tie against Moeller, leadership and the way we all play, we should have a Coach Mike Combs’ leadership and decisions.
the 17th ranked team in the country, the Mason Varsity successful season ahead.”
team has high expectations for the year. Junior Gabe “I have full confidence in Coach Combs,” Marlow
Marlow, a team captain and third-year varsity player, Marlow said that strong leadership from the seniors said. “I think that each drill during practices and com-
said that the season outlook is positive and the team is and the embracing of younger and older players has munication helps us improve. Coach has a game plan
stronger than ever. resulted in the powerful team chemistry and backline that he talks us through for each and every game, he is
“Two games into the season and I am very excited for the team possess early in the year. always prepared which means we are always prepared.”
what this team can bring to the table,” Marlow said. “I
feel like the cohesion is really good this year, which is “There is a good amount of seniors and juniors but Another tight GMC race inevitably lies ahead, and
what I think is going to take us to the next level.” some younger guys as well,” Marlow said. “I have a good Senior Colby Kramer said the Comets goal of winning
The Comets suffered a monumental loss of 15 players bond with senior Colby Kramer that was developed the title will drive them this year.
last year and the addition of senior Evan Hancock and
junior Micah McReynolds has made the defense secure.” “Something that is important to the team each and
every year is obtaining the GMC title,” Kramer said.
Although unable to start in the first game due to in- “That goes in the record books and permanently lives
jury, Damge said that he still felt it was his duty to lead on the Mason Soccer Program.”
his team both on and off the field.

Fall Sports Preview August 30, 2019

Girls’ Soccer

Team Schedule

9/03 @ Fairfield HS Photo by Mia Sweitzer
9/07 @ Ursuline Academy The Comets are preparing themselves for adversity and are ready to battle to build a legacy for their team this season.
9/12 vs Oak Hills
9/14 @ Loveland Youngest team in over a decade already
9/17 vs Lakota West finding success early in ‘19 season
9/19 @ Lakota East
9/21 vs Notre Dame Abby Miller | Sports Writer the younger girls on the team. One “We’ve done a lot of practicing,
They’ve already scored goals, but of the team captains, senior Bethany we conditioned all summer long, we
Academy now they’re setting even bigger ones. Moser, said she feels like it is impor- lifted all summer, and then we lift
9/22 vs West Jessamine The season has begun for the tant to prepare the underclassmen through the season, too,” Onweller
9/24 vs Hamilton Mason Women’s Soccer team, and and help them in anyway possible. said. “Lots of practice and getting
9/26 @ Sycamore their offense has already proven to familiar with each other because we
10/01 @ Middletown be explosive with 8 goals scored in “We are focusing on leadership a brought a lot of kids up this year, so
10/03 @ Princeton the first two games. lot … we’re focused on giving them team chemistry is really important.”
10/08 vs Colerain Head Coach Andy Schur said that the experience that we had and mak-
10/10 vs Milford HS this year’s team has already outlined ing sure that they get how to face the This team may be young, but
their goals, and focusing on the adversity that we’re going to face,” they’re powerful. Schur said he
details will be vital. Moser said. believes that this team has a lot of
“We want to be really really good potential to build a legacy.
in certain areas during every game,” This is the youngest team in 11
Schur said. “We want to try and get years. Despite the youth, includ- “It really, I think, gives us a look at
as many shutouts as we can, we want ing 8 sophomores and 1 freshman, a very bright future, and something
to be really good on 50 50 balls, and the team feels they are not lacking we’re really excited about,” Schur
we want to be really unselfish.” leadership. said. “I think it’s great that these
The team has high hopes for the young players have such strong older
season, but along with success on The seniors on the team don’t just players to emulate and learn from
the field, some of the upperclassmen bring energy and positivity, but also over the course of this season, so that
are hoping to be good mentors to enthusiasm. Senior Nicole Onweller, when they’re in that same position,
3rd year varsity forward, feels like they can take players under their
the team has appropriately prepared wing, and teach them what it means
for this season, and are ready for the to play in this program.”
challenges that lie ahead.