News

Press release and photos compliments of Mason SID, Dan Hilen:

The Mason Boys Cross Country Team rolled to victory in the Greater Miami Conference Championship on Saturday at VOA Park. This was Mason's 4th consecutive title and 13th overall title in the past 15 years. Mason's miniscule total of 18 points tied their second-lowest point total ever. 

Junior Caden Winship took control of the race early and never looked back as he recorded a dominating individual victory. This outstanding feat merits Winship being named Runner of the Year. His time of 15:28 places him number six on Mason's all-time list. 

The 1-2-4-5-6 places for the Comets earned a low score of 18 points. This ties Mason's second-lowest score ever. Second place went to Sycamore with 66 points. 

Congratulations also goes out to head coach Tom Rapp, who will retire after the 2024 season. 

Mason Boys Cross Country - GMC Champions

This past Saturday the Comet girls ran well at the GMC meet on a fast course, logging many season bests, and personal bests en route to a hard-fought victory.  Mason had the low score on the day with 35 points, well ahead of 2nd place Oak Hills who scored 68, and West who scored 71.

The team was led by Efa Paschka, who was the Comet's 1st runner and 2nd overall in the race.  Atalia Hawkins had a great day, and was the Comet's 2nd runner across the line, with a new PR. Next was Addi Stephens who battled tough and took 7th overall.  

Mason's 4th runner was a surprise; Auna Korostyshevksy, ran great, had a huge PR, and scored for the first time this year, with Bella Teply just behind her.  All of these young ladies were first team all GMC and put together a low score of 35 to win the day!  

Emily Moran and Tessa Palmer also ran well to round Mason's varsity team and seal the deal on the Mason girl's 5th straight GMC Title and 13th overall since 2010. 

Mason Girls Cross Country -  GMC Champions

DICK'S Sporting Goods takes great pride in honoring the Greater Miami Conference cross country "Athletes of the Year".  From Lakota West, junior Ava Shepard won her first GMC "AOY" award by posting the winning time of 17:55.30 in the GMC Championship meet held this past Saturday (October 5th) at Voice of America Park in West Chester.  She bested second place conference rival, Efa Paschka (Mason), who registered an admirable time of 18:18.20.

Ava Shepard - Lakota West   GMC "Athlete of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Darren Walters, Lakota West SID)

From the GMC champion Mason Comets, junior Caden Winship posting the winning time of 15:28.90 to win his first GMC "AOY" honor. He bested second place teammate Jason Xu who finished with outstanding time of 15:50.80. 

Caden Winship - Mason    GMC "Athlete of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Mason SID, Dan Hilen)

DICK'S Sporting Goods takes great pride in reinforcing the positive influence made by coaches in all sports. On this occasion, DSG congratulates the hard work and dedication of coaches from the Greater Miami Conference Cross Country programs. "Coach of the Year" designations are extremely meaningful because they result from head coach voting. Being selected by one's peers for this recognition is special because it directly reflects not only program success but also hard work and dedication.

GMC Girls Cross Country "Coach of the Year"   Shellie Hageman - Oak Hills Highlanders

GMC Boys Cross Country "Coaches of the Year"   

Rich Shomo - Sycamore (left)  David Fultz - Middletown (center)  Tom Rapp - Mason (right)

Press release and photo by Mason SID, Dan Hilen:

Jordan Drake - Mason Boys Volleyball Head Coach

Jordan Drake has been appointed as the next head coach of the Mason Boys Volleyball Program, pending BOE approval. Drake will take over from long-time coach Paul Melnick, who led the team for an impressive 20 seasons.

Currently a high school math teacher at Mason, Drake also serves as the JV Girls Volleyball coach for the Comets. From 2019 to 2021, she was the coach of the Piqua High School Girls Volleyball team. Drake brings a wealth of experience, with seven years of coaching at the high school level and nine years of coaching in club volleyball.

"I am incredibly honored and excited to take on the role of Varsity Boys Volleyball Coach at Mason," said Drake. "This is a tremendous opportunity to work with a talented group of student-athletes who are not only passionate about the sport but also dedicated to growing as individuals and as a team. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish this year."

Coach Drake will officially begin her duties in the spring of 2025. Last season, the Mason Boys Volleyball team finished with a 14-8 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the GMC, placing fourth in the conference.

The M.H.S. Athletic Hall of Fame Committee will hold our 20th induction ceremony on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Wildwood Golf Club.

The Athletic Inductees for 2025:
• Carlos Brooks- Class of 1989- Football and Basketball
• Matt Current- Class of 1988- Football, Basketball, Baseball
• Zach Edwards- Class of 2012- Football, Basketball, Track and Field
• William “Lucky” Ford- Class of 1987- Football, Track and Field
• Conant Smith- Class of 2019- Cross Country, Track and Field

The Skeeter Payne Award Recipient for 2025:
• Jayna Vaughn- Class of 1977- MHS Administrative Assistant

The Hall of Fame was established to identify and honor, in a permanent manner, individuals who exhibited high ethical standards and integrity while achieving excellence in high school athletics, as well as others who have distinguished themselves by virtue of exemplary contributions to the advancement of interscholastic athletics at Middletown.

Anyone wanting to donate to the M.H.S. Hall of Fame, please make checks payable to MHS Athletic Hall of Fame and mail to:
Middletown High School
Attn: Hall of Fame
601 N. Breiel Blvd.
Middletown, Ohio 45042