MASON INVITE 2012 – BUCKEYE RUNNING COMPANY
GIRLS PREVIEW:
This year’s Mason Invitational should be quite the showdown. Carmel is coming to town again, and they are the clear favorite with 4 girls under 19:00 already this year! On the OHIO side, the showdown is between defending state runner up, Beavercreek (# 2 Ohio Rank) and the team that just missed, Mason. (#1 Ohio Rank) These two teams tied through 5 runners, and Beavercreek took the runner up trophy on the 6th runner tie breaker! Both teams were only 5 points out of winning the whole state meet outright. They will face off for the first time this season. Beavercreek has most everyone back and will be led by Sidney Leiher. Sidney has already logged an impressive sub 19:00 time, and should be one of the girls at the front of the race. After that, the two teams match up quite well. Mason has Lauren Wood at 19:08 and then a pack of girls that run tightly together and they will have to work hard to take down the forces of Beavercreek. After these two teams, it should be a war. Sycamore looks great, led by Sam Siler, Ursuline is off to a strong start with Christine Frederick and lastly, Dublin Scioto has a solid pack as always and should be in the mix as well. Moving up into the D1 race are the girls of Kettering Alter. They will no doubt be looking to take down many Division 1 teams, and make their mark in Southwest, Ohio. Also, in the mix will be Crow of Lebanon, Grone from Alter along with Bosworth of Dublin Coffman. Overall, a stellar field with quality up front and depth throughout.
BOYS PREVIEW:
The boys race will feature the 8th ranked team in Indiana, in Lawrence North. This team is loaded and will give the Mason Comets everything they can handle. The race at the front will feature local favorite Tom Clark of Mason going against John Sotos of Dublin Coffmann, who placed just outside of All Ohio at last year’s state meet. They clearly will all be chasing Sam Wharton of Tippecanoe if he choses to race in this venue. The race will have several top notch boys all running tightly toward the front including, Blake Meyer of Oak Hills and the ever-improving Tallin Forshey of Sycamore. Alex Notton of Mason will be sure to mix it up on his home course as a Senior as will Steiner of Elder. The team score will be tight, with Lawrence North clearly leading the field and not too far behind the boys of Mason. Centerville appears to be solid and will be led by the veteran, Josh Stieble, and then a tight pack to follow. Fighting for fourth place will be the young squad of Sycamore, the boys of Turpin, Beavercreek and the Purple Pack of Elder. Look for surprises from the young Grismer of Mason, the talented Tirba from Turpin. A great battle up front, with lots of teams close behind.
