Mason Comets Varsity Cross Country Opens Season with Decisive Victory at Loveland XC Invitational

MASON, OH – August 30, 2025 – The Mason Comets varsity cross country team kicked off their season with a dominant performance at the Loveland XC Invitational, securing a significant victory against a strong field of top teams from various divisions across the state.

Head Coach Tim Pitcher expressed satisfaction with the team's opening effort, stating, "What a fantastic start to the season for the Mason Comets varsity! Opening with a solid victory at the Loveland XC Invitational against some of the state's best teams is a testament to our athletes' hard work and dedication. We saw some truly encouraging individual performances and excellent team packing."

Senior Caden Winship led the Comets with a strong runner-up finish, just 15 seconds shy of his lifetime personal record in his first race of the season. He was closely followed by a tight pack of Comets, including Luke Berkibile (10th), Paras Yadav (11th), and Eligh Amshoff (12th), with Carson Wyss (16th) rounding out the scoring five.

Coach Pitcher also highlighted significant personal bests, noting, "It was particularly exciting to see junior Ojas Parekh and sophomore Isaac Mecum achieve impressive 30+ second personal records. This speaks to the depth and potential within our squad. Furthermore, the decisive win in the open division race demonstrates the overall strength of our program."

While pleased with the strong start, Coach Pitcher emphasized the road ahead. "This was a strong performance, and we should certainly be proud of this opening effort. However, this is just the beginning. We have our sights firmly set on the postseason in October, and there's a lot of work ahead of us to reach our full potential and achieve our ultimate goals. We're committed to continuing to push ourselves and improve with every training session and every race."

The Comets will look to continue their momentum this Saturday as they host many of the region's top teams at their home course.

The Mason Comets cross country team demonstrated their promising future and impressive depth with a competitive fourth-place finish at the recent Springboro XC Invitational. The young squad, featuring several underclassmen, delivered a performance that has Head Coach Tim Pitcher optimistic about the remainder of the season and beyond.

Sophomore Logan Mix led the charge for the Comets, opening his season with a standout fourth-place individual finish and a new personal record of 16:08. This time also marks the second fastest on the team this year. Mix was followed by Tommy Moran, Isaac Mecum, and Nathan Hayden, all of whom continued to achieve personal records, each shaving another 10 seconds off their previous bests. Senior Jackson Moellers rounded out the team's scoring, leading a strong contingent of other Comets across the finish line.

"I am very happy with the overall depth and performance of the team for this season and the future," stated Coach Pitcher. "Our younger runners gained valuable varsity experience, and their continuous improvement, coupled with the strong performances from our seasoned athletes, truly highlights the bright and strong future of this program."

The team's ability to compete at a high level with a youthful roster underscores the depth and talent within the Mason Comets cross country program. This strong showing at Springboro sets a positive tone as the team continues to develop and pursue their goals for the postseason.

Next up, Mason will compete at the Richard Spring Invite on Saturday, 9/20.

This past weekend the Comet Girls CC Team competed in the 51st annual Mason Cross Country Invitational.  Teams from 4 states were present, and many strong runners. 

The girls got out pretty well for this 5k contest, and were led by Atalia Hawkins who took 2nd overall.  Our next scorer on the day was Auna Korostyshevsky who ran well and placed in the top 15. 

After Auna, Emily Moran had a great day, and nearly broke 20:00, followed by Eva Mathur and Tessa Palmer. 

The team took 3rd overall behind a strong West Virginia team and Springboro and look to be improving each week. 

Mason will compete Saturday, 9/13 at the Troy Twilight Meet.

This past weekend the Mason girl’s cross country team traveled north to Troy for the Troy Twilight Invitationals. The meet is very large with many teams from the area competing.  The race is also at night, and is quite chaotic. 

As soon as the gun went off, Atalia Hawkins (11) went out hard and took the lead. She led this race of over 400 runners for over a mile, and then she filtered back a few spots to ultimately take 8th overall. 

Auna Korostyshevsky (11) also ran well, and placed quite high, and really helped the team out.  Emily Moran continues to run very well, and finished just behind Auna, with Evan Mathur (10) and Tessa Palmer (12) rounding out our final scorers. 

When the dust settled and the score was in, the Mason Comets took the win.  It is our first win of the season and quite a confidence booster for the team.  They ran tough, had lots of season best times and really appear to be coming together. 

Mason Girls CC will compete next Saturday, 9/20 at the Peoria Spring Invite.

On Friday, August 8, the Comets Boys Golfers competed in the 17-team Mt. Vernon Invitational at Chapel Hill Golf Club in Mt. Vernon.  Mason posted a solid team score of 304, averaging 76.0 for the 4 counting scores, and finished 6th among the 17 mostly-Columbus-area teams.  The Comets were led by junior Jaxson Hutzelman with an even-par round of 72, followed by seniors Curtis Crimmins (75), Alex Chamberlain (78), Drew Freeman (79) and Sam O'Donnell (80).

Starting on holes 17, 16 & 15 in the shotgun-start format, the Comets got off to a hot start by playing the 17th hole in a total of 2-under par, recording 3 birdies, one par and one bogey.  Some of the players played more consistently after that, only recording a few bogeys, while others had a wild round at a difficult but scoreable golf course.  Jaxson Hutzelman's scorecard showed 5 birdies, 3 bogeys and a double bogey for a total of even-par 72.

On Sunday the MHS Boys Golf Team played in the St. Xavier Invitational, competing in an elite field of 16 teams from all around Ohio.  The event was moved from its usual site of Maketewah Country Club to a first-time host venue, Stonelick Hills Golf Club in Batavia - a course that no one on the team had played before.  Mason's players didn't fare as well in the difficult conditions as some other teams did, with the Comets posting a season-high team total score of 344 and finishing last among the 16 teams. 

Sophomore Logan Harter had the team's best score by two strokes with an 84.  Other team scores recorded belonged to seniors Curtis Crimmins (86) and Alex Chamberlain (87) and juniors Andrew Atchley (87) and Jaxson Hutzelman (88). 

The team competes next in the Kettering Alter Invitational at Country Club of the North in Beavercreek, Ohio, TODAY, Monday afternoon, August 25th.  This will be the team's 3rd tournament in 3 days around Southwest Ohio, but it's important this time of year that the Comets are competing and preparing to play multiple days in a row.  The GMC Championship starts in only 15 days!

The Comets Boys Golfers competed in a rare 9-hole dual match against league rival Lakota East on Thursday, August 28, at Heritage Country Club.  Mason posted a season-low 9-hole total score of 148 and recorded a 4-shot victory over a very talented Lakota East squad. 

Senior Curtis Crimmins was the match medalist with a score of 3-under-par 33.  Junior Jaxson Hutzelman recorded a score of 2-under-par 34 to become the runner-up medalist in the match.  Also posting counting scores (best 4 scores comprise team total) for the Comets were senior Alex Chamberlain (39) and either of junior Jack Hellmann and senior Drew Freeman with 42's. 

The team has a few days off from competition before hosting a tournament for the second time this year, the Mason Invitational at Miami Whitewater Forest, on Wednesday, September 3rd.

On Saturday, September 6, the Mason Boys Golf Team traveled to Findlay Country Club to compete for the second consecutive year in the highly selective Findlay Invitational.  On a difficult day for scoring due to the wind and dry course conditions, senior Drew Freeman led the team's scoring with a round of 87.  The team posted a total score of 359 to finish 12th in the 12-team field.

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@ Upper Arlington

Mason Boys Soccer won, 3-1, Saturday, 8/23, at Upper Arlington HS to open their 2025 campaign.

The Comets were able to grab an early lead on a well timed header by Captain Mitch Crissman off Captain Eddie Zha's perfectly placed corner kick.  With 15 minutes to go in the first half, John Harris pressed the UA defense, stole the ball off the UA goalkeeper's foot and put it in the back of the net.

Ten minutes into the second half, Landon Miller intercepted a UA pass, took a deft touch and drove to goal, scoring on a hard shot into the corner.

Mason Boys Soccer shut out Moeller 2-0 on Saturday night at home. It was a huge early-season win over the always highly rated Crusaders. Landon Miller and Edward Zha both scored goals in the match for the Comets. Sophomore keeper Landen Darling earned the shut out in the nets behind the Comet defenses excellent play.

Mason (3-0, 1-0) visits Colerain on Thursday, 9/4.

Mason Boys Soccer moved to 4-0 on the season (2-0 GMC) on Thursday with an 8-1 win at Colerain. No other details available.

The Comets host Milford on Saturday, 9/6, varsity starting at 7:15 pm.

Mason Boys Soccer continued its perfect start to the 2025 season with a 3–0 shutout victory over Milford on Saturday at home.

The Comets controlled the pace throughout the match, with goals coming from John Harris, Shunya Kashiwakura, and Grayson Stern. Playmaker Edward Zha was instrumental in the attack, recording two assists to spark the Mason offense.

With the win, Mason improves to 5–0 overall and 2–0 in GMC play, keeping momentum rolling as conference action heats up.

Next up, the Comets will return home on Tuesday, September 9, to face Middletown in another key GMC matchup.

The Comets defeated Middletown 9-0 on Tuesday. Of note, John Harris (senior) had four of Mason's goals. Jake Dobrowski recorded 3 assists.

Next for Mason (6-0, 3-0) is a home match vs. Fairfield on Thursday.

Mason overwhelmed Fairfield on Thursday 6-0 in a home match. John Harris led the Comets with 2 goals while keeper Landen Darling earned the shutout.

The Comets stay undefeated on the season at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the GMC.

Next up is a home match versus St. Xaiver on Saturday with a varsity start time of 1:00 pm.

Mason and St. Xaiver, two of the top teams in the Region, hooked up for 1-1 tie this past Saturday. Landon Miller (soph) score the Comets lone goal on the day assisted by Edward Zha.

Mason (7-0-1, 4-0) will visit Oak Hills on Thursday, 9/18.

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St. Ursula defeated Mason Girls Varsity soccer 2-0 on Saturday, 8/16 for the Comets home season opener. St Ursula scored a goal in each half of the game.

Next up, Mason hosts Mount Notre Dame, Wednesday, 8/20.

Girl's soccer lost by a score of 2-1 to Dublin Jerome in Columbus on Saturday. Anna Habra scored on an assist from Liana Kim at the 36:08 mark in the first half. Dublin scored on a corner kick at 34.31 in the first and scored on a penalty kick at the 39:09 mark in the second half.

Next up, (0-2-1), the Comets play at Princeton on Tuesday, 8/26.

Mason Girls Varsity Soccer defeated Princeton 9-0 for their first win of the young season.  Mason scored six first half goals and three second half goals.

Goals scored by Bella Anderson, Anna Habra (2), Maddy Mcaster, Leighton James, Maelyn Kowalski (2), Allyson Canham, and Ella Harris. Assists by Allyson Canham (2), Anna Habra, Payton Sherz, Leighton James, Liana Kim, Bella Anderson and Maelyn Kowalski. Mason had 21 shots on goal and 12 corner kicks. Cloe Wellington and Ella Krippinfort combined for the shut-out.

Mason (1-1-1) will host Colerain on Thursday, 9/4.

Mason Girls Varsity Soccer defeated Colerain 9-0 on Thursday. Cloe Wellington and Ella Krippinkort combined for a shutout. Goals scored by Bella Anderson, Anna Habra (2), Allison Canham, Maylyn Kowalski, McKenna Wellington (PK), Allyvia Chatham, Haley Hommel and Paiton Smith.

Assists by Maddy McCaster (2), Allyvia Canham andPaiton Smith.

Mason (2-1-1, 2-0) will visit Seton on Saturday.

Mason Varsity Girls Soccer earned a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Seton on Saturday, using a first-half strike and a strong defensive effort to secure the non-conference win.

The lone goal came with 32:51 left in the first half when Liana Kim finished off a well-placed throw-in from Anna Habra. From there, the Comets relied on steady defending and the play of goalkeeper Chloe Wellington, who made several key saves and provided strong leadership in the back to preserve the shutout.

With the win, Mason improves to 3–1–1 overall and remains unbeaten in GMC play at 2–0.

Next up, the Comets will travel to Middletown on Tuesday, September 9, for another conference test.

Mason Girls Varsity Soccer defeated Middletown 9-0 on Tuesday. Ella Kripenfort and Alexis Vick combined for the shutout.  Goals by Allyson Canham (2), Maddy McCaster, Maelyn Kowalski, Camryn Renske (2), Allyvia Canham, and Eva Bruner (2).

Hailey Hommel, Maelyn Kowalski, Peyton Scherz, Maddy McCaster, Paityn Smith, Ella Harris, and Allyson Canham all had an assist each.

The Comets move to 4-2-1 overall and 3-0 in GMC play. They visit Fairfield on Thursday.

Mason Girls Varsity Soccer remains undefeated in the GMC after beating Fairfield 1-0 on Thursday in an away contest.  Anna Habra scored the game’s only goal on a breakaway with 8:22 minutes left in the first half. The Comets outshot the Indians 15-5. Chloe Wellington picked up 5 saves in the shutout.

Next up, Mason (5-2-1, 4-0) will visit Walnut Hills on Saturday.

Mason Girls Varsity Soccer lost to Walnut Hills 1-0 on Saturday, 9/13.  Mason dominated possession and out-shot Walnut Hills 17-2 but could not find the back of the net.

The Comets (5-3-1, 4-0) will host Oak Hills on Thursday, 9/18.

Mason opened their 2025 season at Indian Hill on Wed. 8/20 coming away with a 4-1 victory. See scores below:

Singles: Thompson (I) def. Cassidy 6-1, 7-5; Wagner (M) def. Daoud 6-0, 6-0; Podili (M) def. Esterly 6-0, 6-0. Doubles: Moreno-Soundar (M) def. Nguyen-Chasar 6-0, 6-0; Gotike-C.Zhang (M) def. Perry-Hazen 6-1, 6-0.
Order of Finish: 3-5-4-2-1

Mason defeated Princeton 5-0 on Thursday, 8/21. No details were available of the match.

Next, Mason (2-0) will host Turpin, TODAY, 8/25 and then play at Colerain on Tuesday.

Mason defeated Turpin 5-0 on Monday. See scores below:

Singles: Wagner def. Waits 6-0, 6-0; Sa.Reddy def. Surface 6-0, 6-1; Srinivasan def. Baldasare 6-0, 6-1. Doubles: Chaudhuri-Moreno def. Dittmann-Malone 6-1, 6-1; Hu-Mittal def. Schweikert-Dunkle 6-1, 6-0.

The Comets shutout Colerain 5-0 on Tuesday. See scores below:

Singles: Podili def. Johnson 6-0, 6-1; Soundar def. Philips 6-0, 6-1; Mittal def. Goode 6-0, 6-0. Doubles: C.Zhang-Singidi def. Heibel-Cruz 6-1, 6-0; Gotike-J.Zhang def. Kay-Ritzi 6-1, 6-0.

Mason Tennis (4-0, 2-0) will visit Hamilton TODAY, Wed. 8/27 and then host Middletown on Thursday.

The Comets produced two more shut out wins on Wednesday. See results below:

Mason 5,  Hamilton 0
Singles: Srinivasan def. Houston 6-0, 6-1; Mittal def. Metzler 6-0, 6-0; Panyala def  N/A default    Doubles: Podili-Singidi def. Davis-O'Hara 6-0, 6-1; Hu-J.Zhang def. Overbey-Lartey 6-0, 6-0. [Coach Reid: 3 singles forfeit]

Milford

OTCA STATE TEAM TOURNEY MATCH

Mason 5, Milford 0
Singles: Moreno def. Martin 6-0, 6-0; Soundar def. Gallagher 6-0, 6-1; C.Zhang def. Snyder 6-0, 6-1. Doubles: Chaudhuri-Wagner def. Lane-Worthington 6-0, 6-0; Gotike-Sa.Reddy def. Blanc-Leppar 6-1, 6-0. [Coach Reid: OTCA State Team Tournament Match]

Next, Mason (6-0, 3-0) will host Fairfield on Tuesday, 9/2.

Mason Girls Tennis continued their shutout ways last Thursday, defeated Middletown 5-0. No scores provided yet.

Mason (7-0, 4-0) will host Fairfield TODAY, Tuesday, 9/2.

Mason earned another 5-0 shutout over Fairfield on Tuesday, 9/2. See scores below:

Singles: Moreno def. Freeman 6-0, 6-0; C.Zhang def. Kane 6-1, 6-0; J.Zhang def. Reist 6-1, 6-1. Doubles: Gotike-Singidi def. Grooms-Przytulski 6-1, 6-0; Mittal-Hu def. Peters-Marquette 6-0, 6-0.

Comet Girls Tennis moved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the GMC with a 4-1 win at Oak Hills on Thursday. No details available yet.

Mason will host West on Tuesday, 9/9.

Mason Girls Tennis blanked West on Tuesday 5-0. See scores below:

Singles: Chaudhuri def. Krause 6-1, 6-0; Soundar def. Strittholt 6-0, 6-1; J.Zhang def. Pearson 6-1, 6-0. Doubles: Gotike-Singidi def. Borovskis-Silvis 6-1, 6-0; Mittal-Hu def. Willbrand-Brehm 6-0, 6-1.

Next for Mason (10-0, 7-0) is a home match vs. Springboro TODAY. They will host East on Thursday.

Mason Tennis continued their undefeated campaign on Wednesday with a 5-0 defeat of Springboro. See scores below:

Singles: Wagner def. E.Frost 6-1, 6-0; Srinivasan def. Wipperman 6-0, 6-1; J.Zhang def. Coomer 6-0, 6-0. Doubles: Chaudhuri-Soundar def. McNealy-Isgro 6-1, 6-1; Mittal-Hu def. Burkart-Foley 6-1, 6-1

The Comets earned another 5-0 win over Lakota East on Thursday.

Next up, Mason (12-0, 8-0) will host Centerville on Monday, 9/15.

Mason Tennis sent their record to 13-0 on the season on Saturday with a 4-0 shutout at Loveland. See scores below:

Mason(13-0, 8-0) will host Centerville TODAY, Monday, 9/15.