News
Mason's Greg Bernadsky Repeats as Division I State Singles Champ
Press release by Mason Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen:
BERNADSKY MAKES COMET TENNIS HISTORY!
REPEATS AS OHSAA STATE SINGLES CHAMPION
MASON, OHIO – Mason senior Greg Bernadsky capped off one of the most remarkable careers in program history on Friday at the Linder Tennis Center by successfully defending his OHSAA Division I State Singles Championship, defeating his opponent 6-0, 7-6 (0) in the state final.
Bernadsky delivered some of his finest tennis of the season in the opening set, dominating from the first point and cruising to a commanding 6-0 victory. The second set presented a greater challenge as he fell behind 5-2, but the Mason standout demonstrated the resilience, determination, and competitive spirit that have defined his career.
Refusing to let the match slip away, Bernadsky battled back to even the set and force a tiebreaker. With the state title hanging in the balance, he elevated his game once again, playing clutch tennis and winning the tiebreaker 7-0 without surrendering a single point.
The victory secured Bernadsky's second consecutive OHSAA State Singles Championship and made him the first player in Mason Boys Tennis history to win two individual state titles.
Even tournament officials took notice of the senior's remarkable accomplishment, offering praise following the match. The second championship was especially meaningful for Bernadsky, who battled through a hand injury during the offseason and spent months working to regain both his health and confidence entering his final high school season.
The championship was a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary career that firmly established Bernadsky among the greatest players ever to wear a Mason uniform. His accomplishments, leadership, and competitive excellence have helped continue the tradition of one of Ohio's premier tennis programs.
First-year Mason head coach Brendan Reedy praised Bernadsky's performance and the legacy he leaves behind.
"Greg played some of his best tennis of the season in the first set and really set the tone early," said Reedy. "When he found himself down 5-2 in the second set, he showed the toughness, composure, and belief that have made him such a special player. He fought his way back, played some incredibly clutch tennis, and was flawless in the tiebreaker."
"It was a perfect ending to an incredible career," Reedy continued. "Greg has cemented himself as a legend in our program and made history as the first player in Mason Boys Tennis history to win two state singles championships. I couldn't be prouder of him and everything he has accomplished. While we're certainly sad to see him go, we're all excited to watch the next chapter of his journey as he heads to Cornell to compete at the next level."
Bernadsky leaves Mason as one of the most decorated athletes in school history and will continue both his academic and athletic career this fall at Cornell University, where he will compete at the NCAA Division I level.
DICK'S Sporting Goods Applauds GMC Baseball Stars
DICK'S Sporting Goods honors the overall quality of baseball talent showcased on the diamonds of the Greater Miami Conference (GMC). Each season, the GMC is exceptionally well represented in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state tournament. The conference’s incredibly tough competition prepares its teams well for the pressure-packed demands of postseason play.
At the conclusion of each regular season, GMC head coaches gather to assess the campaign just completed and undertake the difficult task of selecting the league’s top performers. From assembling the all-conference squads to naming the “Pitcher of the Year,” the “Athlete of the Year,” and ultimately the “Coach of the Year,” these decisions reflect the very best the GMC has to offer.
The 2026 season saw Oak Hills ace Ryan Murphy deliver a dominant performance on the mound. The Highlander junior led every major pitching category the GMC tracks. He posted a phenomenal 0.74 ERA to lead the league, recorded a conference-best 9 victories, and topped the GMC with 81 strikeouts.
Across his first two varsity seasons, Murphy has already amassed 133 strikeouts. Even more impressively, in 57 innings pitched this spring, he surrendered only 6 earned runs — a testament to his command, competitiveness, and consistency.
In a fitting nod to Ryan Murphy’s virtually untouchable performance this season, the GMC head coaches selected him as the league’s “Pitcher of the Year.”
Ryan Murphy Oak Hills Highlanders "Pitcher of the Year"
(photo compliments of Oak Hills Athletic Department)
An outstanding GMC baseball player for three consecutive seasons, Wil Kraus stepped forward in 2026 to make his presence felt on a highly successful Highlander baseball team. The Oak Hills senior finished third in the GMC with a .456 batting average and led the league in home runs with seven. While maintaining a remarkably consistent average, Kraus also hit with authority, posting a .937 slugging percentage. His production included 11 doubles and 3 triples to go with his 7 home runs.
Kraus’ varsity career has been nothing short of exceptional. His three-year batting averages — .382 as a sophomore, .433 as a junior, and .456 as a senior — reflect both steady growth and elite performance. Undeniably talented, he has earned First Team All-GMC honors in every season of his varsity career. A Wright State University baseball commit, Kraus has demonstrated leadership, maturity, and a complete offensive skill set.
Based on his outstanding senior season and his on-field leadership, the GMC head baseball coaches selected Wil Kraus as the conference’s “Player of the Year.”
Wil Kraus Oak Hills Highlanders "Player of the Year"
(Photo compliments of Oak Hills Athletic Department)
In a GMC race that went down to virtually the final series of the regular season, Head Coach Shawn Sowders positioned his Oak Hills Highlanders to compete for the coveted conference crown before finally succumbing to perennial power Mason. Ultimately, Oak Hills finished just one game out of first place with an outstanding 14–4 GMC record and a 19–7 overall slate. While the Highlanders and Lakota East tied with identical 14–4 league marks, this season represents Oak Hills’ highest finish since 2022.
Fundamentally strong on both sides of the game, the Highlanders scored 148 runs in conference play while surrendering only 52, a testament to their balance, discipline, and execution. Based on Oak Hills’ performance against a demanding GMC schedule — and in recognition of Coach Sowders’ program-building dedication — the GMC head coaches selected Shawn Sowders as the 2026 GMC “Coach of the Year.”
Head Coach Shawn Sowders Oak Hills Highlanders GMC "Coach of the Year"
(Photo compliments of Oak Hills Athletic Department)
Three GMC Softball Teams Qualify for "Sweet Sixteen"
Proving that Greater Miami Conference (GMC) softball is more than up to the challenge of the State tournament, three GMC schools have earned their way into the OHSAA state-wide "Sweet Sixteen", which is also known as the regional semi-finals.
League champion, Lakota East (17-1 and 24-5) plays league rival Mason (13-5 and 18-11) on May 27th at 5:00 PM at Miami University.
While Oak Hills (15-3 and 22-25) squares off against Grove City on May 27th at 2:00 PM at London High School.
Checkout the OHSAA State Championship Bracket link:
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GMC Track Records Fall
In the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Track and Field Championships just completed, three GMC records fell.
On the girls side of the track, Mason senior, Azarae Hawkins, bettered the previous 100 Meter Dash time by running a National Federation Accredited time of 11.92 seconds.
While on the girls relay circuit, the Mason 400 Meter Relay team of: Nora Moore, Kate Buckley, Taylor Birdsong and Azarae Hawkins set a new GMC mark with a time of 47.3 seconds.
Girls GMC Records Link: GMC Girls Track and Field Records
On the boys side of the all-weather oval, the Princeton Viking 400 Meter Relay team of: BJ Martin, Tyreke Smith, Jordan Hall and Monsanna Torbert posted a conference record time of 41.7 seconds.
Boys GMC Records link: GMC Boys Track and Field Records
