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The Mason Comets and the Greater Miami Conference were represented in fine fashion at LaRosa's Hall of Fame and MVP recognition banquet this past week. Ashley Volpenhein, multiple state champion swimmer, earned top honors as the "Female Athlete of the Year". Elle Buffenbarger, first team all-state softball pitcher, was also honored as finalist in the athlete of the year consideration. As another highlight of the evening, Angela Bizzarri, multiple state distance running champion in high school, two-time NCAA champion and nine time All-American , was selected as a LaRosa's Hall of Fame inductee in her very first year of eligibility. The Greater Miami Conference salutes the accomplishments of these athletes and sincerely appreciates their efforts.  GMC proud!

 (Pictured left to right - Ashley Volpenhein, Angela Bizzarri, and Elle Buffenbarger)

(Photo compliments of Mason Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

At the annual LaRosa's Awards on Sunday, former Mason running star Angela Bizzarri was inducted into the Buddy Larosa Hall of Fame along with 5 other former HS athletes.  A four-time state champ in the 3,200 in track, Bizzarri finished with eight state track championships and became the first Comet to qualify for state in four events in track. Bizzarri also earned a pair of state cross country titles before going on to the University of Illinois where she was a NCAA champion in cross country and a nine-time All-American.

Bizzarri will become the 16th athlete in LaRosa’s history to be inducted in her first year of eligibility.

“My coaches (at Mason) were able to make it something I really enjoyed,” Bizzarri said. “I have a lot of memories of celebrating with teammates. Running cross country was fun, running the 4x800 relay was fun, but I think it’s because I liked the team-based events.

“I enjoyed athletics. It was something I wanted to sustain in as I went on.”

Now, Bizzarri runs for fun when she has time while finishing medical school.

(Article content compliments of Mason Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

Ashley Volpenhein has added another honor to her Mason HS swimming career.  The vaulted senior swimming standout has been named the Cincinnati's Female Athlete of the Year for 2017.  

Ashley Volpenhein was named the girls High School MVP of the Year at the annual Buddy LaRosa’s High School Sports Hall of Fame banquet held in Studio A of CET along with St. Xavier's Grant House this past Sunday. 

Volpenhein is one of the most decorated swimmers in Cincinnati history. A seven-time state champion, she won six individual state titles during her career and one relay state championship. In her four years at Mason, the Comets placed second in the state twice and third in the state twice.

“It’s been a great experience to do this with somebody that has helped bring Cincinnati swimming into the foreground, there are some great athletes that have gone through local swimming programs and this area is really a powerhouse when compared to some other sports,” Volpenhein said. “I think it’s great to get more exposure for swimming and I’m honored to get this award with Grant, since we’ve had mirrored high school experiences.”

House and Volpenhein will continue to see each other at the collegiate level as they are both heading out West and to the Pacific-12 Conference – House will swim at Arizona State while Volpenhein will compete for Stanford.

The swimming duo were just two of 12 individuals that were named MVP of the Year Finalists. Mason softball pitching standout, Elle Buffenbarger, was an MVP finalist and also recognized at the event for her tremendous high school career.  This past season she was named GMC Co-Softball Player of the Year and selected 1st Team All-State.  She is headed to Youngstown State University next fall to continue her softball career on the collegiate level.  

(Article content compliments of Mason Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen)

After an extensive talent search, the Sycamore Aviators opted to select a boys head basketball from within the Sycamore "coaching community" by naming Andrew Ovington as the Aviator program head coach.  After serving the past two years as a varsity basketball assistant, Coach Ovington's familiarity with the program as well as the community proved to be undeniable assets for a smooth transition.  The responsibilities of being a head coach are not new to Andrew Ovington as he led the Sycamore Aviator girls golf program to a GMC title and state championship berth this past fall.  His leadership within this program earned him the appreciation of his GMC peers who selected him girls golf "Coach of the Year" for the 2016 season.

Mike Dyer, a true supporter of interscholastic sports in Greater Cincinnati, shared his insights and details on this high profile GMC hire. See his Facebook link below for "the rest of the story" -

(Andrew Ovington Takes the Reins at Sycamore)

Best of luck to Andrew Ovington as he assumes this leadership role at Sycamore High School!

DICK'S Sporting Goods appreciates the outstanding efforts of all Greater Miami Conference student-athletes and especially applauds the 2016-17 "Athletes of the Year" in all conference sports.

Spring Sports

Baseball - Jake Kates 12 (West)

Softball - Rachel Lewis 12 (East) and Elle Buffenbarger 12 (Mason)

Boys Track - Dustin Horter 11 (East)   Boys Field -  Zach Richardson 12 (Sycamore)

Girls Track - Serena Clark 9  (East) & Ellie Brush 12 (Mason)  Girls Field - Amaya King 11 (Mason)

Boys Tennis - Niraj Komutineni 10 (Mason)

Boys Volleyball - Max Chenoweth 12 (Fairfield) 

Winter Sports

Boys Basketball - Eddie Puisis 12 (Mason)    Defensive POY - Matt King 12 (Mason)

Girls Basketball - Sammie Puisis 10 (Mason)   Defensive POY - Samari Mowbray 12 (Mason)

Wrestling - Zachary Donathan 12 (Mason)

Boys Swimming - Ethan Devyak (Mason)

Girls Swimming - Allison Bloebaum 11 (Mason) and Ashley Volpenhein 12 (Mason)

Boys Bowling - Evan Haas 11 (Mason)

Girls Bowling - Paige Weitz 10 (Sycamore)

Chess - Anagh Kulkarni (Mason)

Academic Quiz Team - Michael Mendoza (Princeton)

Fall Sports

Football - Defensive - Kyle Bolden 12 (Colerain)    Offensive - RaVonn Bonner 12 (Sycamore)

Girls Volleyball - Maya Krause 12 (West)

Boys Soccer - Ramon Bajeca 12 (Middletown)

Girls Soccer - Paige Knorr 12 (Oak Hills)

Boys Cross Country - Dustin Horter 11 (East)

Girls Cross Country - Ellie Brush 12 (Mason)

Boys Golf - Kyle Schmidt 10 (East)

Girls Golf - Natalia Sompolvorachai 10 (West)

Girls Tennis - Emily Thomas - 11 (Princeton)

Congratulations to all these outstanding athletes on a job extremely well done! GMC proud of your efforts.