Mason Invite Preview 2014
This year’s Mason invite appears to be shaping up to be a great showdown on both the girls and the
boys side of things. The Mason teams appear strong, but so too do the challengers, especially the
Gahanna Lincoln girls along with Wayne. On the boys side the big gun appears to be Mason and then
right with them Centerville and Don’t count out St. X or Sycamore. They are both pretty loaded and
should trade blows all night in each event. The race of the night will be the 1600 or the MILE, as some
of the top 10 runners in the state on both sides will battle it out in what could be a state preview.
Girls events to watch:
In the 100 Dash, Autumn Heath of Lakota East is the favorite, but Freeman of Walnut and her
teammate Mbah won’t be far behind.
The 200 will feature the same people (possibly) as they vie for the title of top sprinter at the meet.
However, look out for Kari Winters of New Albany who has posted one of the fastest time in the state.
The 400 could be the race of the night on the sprint side of the meet. It features six girls who have
gone under the 1:00 mark, with race favorite, Kari Winters of New Albany with a time of 56.83. Not
far behind will be Shaw of Gahanna Linconln and Sharpe of Westerville North.
The 800 race could be very hot depending on who runs. The top 8 girls all have times under 2:23,
with Jennings of Centerville as the favorite at 2:17. Not too far back will be Hook of Wayne, Degenero
of Granville and never count out Heffernan of Ursula coming back off of the mile.
The 1600 (Angela Bizzarri Mile) is loaded!!! There are 6 girls with PRs of under 5:03. This is the race
of the night. It features 3 sub 5:00 girls and many other great ones. We should see Heffernan get a
nice test, but clearly with a converted time of 4:47, she is the favorite. Studebaker, Crow and others
will be on her, but heads up in that 3rd
The 3200 features a few of the girls who will most likely be fighting it out at the Regional meet in a
few weeks, including Hefferan who intends to TRIPLE it appears. It also features Mary Kate Vaughn
of Oakwood who is a D2 superstar. There could be 3-4 sub 11 minute girls in the race, and plenty of
bodies to bang it out for 8 laps.
Both the 110 and 300 hurdles will be a war between Horning of Mason and Daniels of Gahanna along
with Walker of Wayne and Mikesell of Miamisburg.
The relays will be a battle between Mason and Gahanna Lincoln. All are loaded and will be going at it
on Friday night. The 4x100 appears to be tight between Mason, New Albany, Wayne and Gahanna all
recording times under 51.0 this year so far. In the 4x200, Mason, Gahanna and New Albany all have
times of under 1:46 this season, and all appear to be clicking on all cylinders as they prepare for the
post season.
lap, she (Annie) is vicious.
The 4x400 could be a war! The teams of Mason, Gahanna Lincoln, Wayne, Westerville North and
Miamisburg all have times within 2 seconds of each other. It should be a fun way to end the night.
The 4x800 is also a loaded field, with 8 teams entered at sub 9:53 times and 2 at or below 9:40. This
could be flying if the conditions are right and the relays are loaded.
The field events look to be solid as well, with the Shot and Discus led by Carpenter of Walnut and
Makey of Wayne along with Brown of Mason and Coffee of Ursuline. All of these ladies have
recorded big marks and strong performances this season.
The jumps might be a big factor with Horning and Springer of Mason and Ursula battling it out in the
high jump and Mbah of East along with White of New Albany and Broner of Centerville. Also don’t
count out Cayla Carey of Ursuline with the leading mark in the long jump, a very impressive 18 Feet 11
½ inch. (#2 in the state)
The pole vault could also be an event to watch with the top 6 entries all at or above 10’6” this season,
with Kay of Centerville and Stein of Mason leading the way. (Kay 11’6” this year already)
Boys Events to Watch:
On the boys side, it will be closer than the virtual meet appears. Mason may be the favorite, but the
teams of Centerville and St. X have many great athletes, and when they all get rolling they will be
regional contenders. The sprints should be solid, the field very good, and the distance races amazing
if all goes according to plan.
100 DASH
This race appears to be anyone’s game. It appears that Lenfest of Granville will not run the 100, so it
will be a tight race between Elliott of Mason and Williams of Sycamore. Williams took the last dual,
but it is Elliott’s home turf.
200 DASH
In the 200 dash, again, Lenfest appears to be staying home, but it should be a nice battle. Blanton of
Northmont is running very well, and should be challenged by Maity of Mason, Morgan of Wayne or
Elliott of Mason in what appears to be a nice regional preview.
400 DASH
The 400 has many talented athletes in the field. Maity is the favorite, but Cedillo of D2 Madeira is
heading north for a battle and Hickman, Borden and Harmon should all be players as well in this 400
contest. It appears that at least 4 men could go under 50, and it may take 49 low to win.
800 RUN
The 800 features a very talented Otterstedt from Granville (1:53) and then Valentine of Mason and
Larrick of Westerville North. The St. X men will sit this one out, but it should still be a great race.
1600 RUN – Angela Bizzarri Mile
This could be one of the better fields assembled in this area in years. There are 5 men with PRs of
under 4:21 and a few with sub 4:15 credentials. Hall and Vetucci just came off their 1:52s in the 800
at Wayne and look to be on a mission to go sub 4:10. Brumfield of Butler and others will do their
best but these two men appear to be playing chess while the rest of the field is playing checkers. It
appears that to score you may have to run 4:22-23, which in most high school races wins. It should be
a great show.
3200 RUN
This race will not be too shabby. Clark of Mason (top 5 at State last year) and several others have run
sub 9:40 this season. If conditions are right, there are at least 8-10 people who could go under 10:00
in this race. Parkhurst of Westerville, Maloney of New Albany and McKay of Northmont should all be
in the mix as well.
110 / 300 HURDLES
In the 110 Hurdles it should be a nice race between Vuotto of Sycamore and Hickman of Nortmont
and Latimer of Wayne as well if he chooses to run. In the 300s, there is a great field. Hickman,
Disilvestro and Lynette have all been sub 40 and it appears they are ready to go even faster.
4x100
Sycamore is the team to beat, but Mason, Winton Woods and Wayne are close behind.
4x200
Mason has a great time, but Winton Woods has slipped ahead of them of late, and Northmont and
Centerville are not far behind.
4x400
Mason has one of the top times in the state, but heads up for Centerville, Westerville North and
Gahanna Lincoln.
4x800
This should be a good battle, but I believe some teams will hold out their best guys in leiu of the
looming Mile battle. Who knows who the favorite is, it is hard to say without knowing who is loading
it and who is not.
Field:
LJ / HJ – Simple… Latimer is the overwhelming favorite. The only one close in the LJ is Motley of
Centerville.
Shot / Disc – Lewis and Landers of Sycamore and Wayne are both solid in the Shot, but the disc has
several contenders including Lassiter of Walnut and Plescia of New Albany.
Pole Vault – Well… if he comes, Granville has a super star in Spurill, but after him it should be
between Rook of Mason and Champen of Northmont, both of whom have gone 14’00 this season.