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(Photo compliments of Jenny Walters Photography)

MALIK HARTFORD - LAROSA'S MVP FEATURED ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

NAME: Malik Hartford
SCHOOL: Lakota West High School
SPORT(S): Football
GRADUATING YEAR: 2023
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Committing to Ohio State U.
BIRTHDATE: 3/19/2005
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’3”-175 lbs.
RESIDENCE: West Chester
PARENTS: Jim & Zainab
BIGGEST INFLUENCE: Parents
FUTURE GOAL: "Play in the NFL"

Next fall, highly recruited senior safety Malik Hartford will be taking his all-star football play up I-71 to the Ohio State University, but for now the Adidas All-American is concentrating on winning the GMC title and helping lead the Lakota West Firebirds to a run in the state playoffs. He is the No. 3 player in Ohio for the Class of 2023, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and he was named preseason first-team all-Tri-State Football as a defensive back. He had helped lead the Firebirds to a 5-0 season so far.

His junior season, Malik had 58 tackles (38 solo), two interceptions, one sack and one pick-six TD for the Firebirds. His talents were recognized by being named first-team all-GMC, first-team all-city (Div. I) and first-team all-Southwest Ohio District. He also played on special teams and at times offense for the Firebirds who went 11-2 last season and were conference champs for the second straight year and were regional finalists. He has the talent to make plays sideline to sideline and has been invited to play in the 2023 All-American Bowl January 7, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.

A good student (4.2 GPA) who is active in community service, Malik’s favorite athlete is Tom Brady, favorite entertainer is Robert Downey Jr., favorite book is Lord of the Flies, favorite movie is Training Day and most-like-to-meet is Kam Chancellor. He also played lacrosse for the Firebirds.

Coach’s Quote – “One of the best all-around athletes I have ever been around. He combines strength, speed, and smarts into the complete package.” – Tom Boldin, Varsity Football coach

GIRLS' TENNIS CLASSIC WINNERS AGAIN!

(Press release and photo are compliments of Mason SID, Dan Hilen)

GMC CHAMPIONSHIPS THURSDAY/SATURDAY

For another year Mason Tennis captured the Coaches Classic Flight A Championship on Saturday winning the title in run-away style. 

Team results: 1. Mason A 2. CHCA 3. Mason B 4. Indian Hill 5. St. Ursula 

Individual flight winners for the Comets: 1s. Aggarwal 2s. Chaudhuri 2d. Reddy- S. Marla.

DICK'S Sporting Goods appreciates the outstanding efforts displayed in the Greater Miami Conference Boys Golf Championships.  Mason's Timmy Hollenbeck and AJ Wilhelm tied for co-medalist honors with identical two-day rounds of 69-70 for totals of 139 thus making them GMC "Co-Athletes of the Year".  For each player, it was their second conference "Athlete of the Year" recognition during their high school careers. They led the Comets to a GMC two-day record total of 564, smashing the previous record of 574 held by Lakota East.  Congratulations to the Mason Comets placing 5 golfers in the top 5 finishers.

GMC "Co-Athletes of the Year" 

Mason's Timmy Hollenbeck (left) and AJ Wilhelm (right)

In a vote of his coaching peers, Mason Head Boys Golf Coach Tim Lambert was selected as the GMC "Coach of the Year" for 2022. For Coach Lambert this is the third consecutive time he has been honored by his coaching contemporaries and the fourth of his Comet career.  Under Coach Lambert's tutelage the Comets have captured three GMC titles in a row and four in the school's GMC history. 

 GMC "Coach of the Year" 2022

Mason Head Golf Coach Tim Lambert

Mason Sports Information Director, Dan Hilen, Press Release:

Mason Boys Golf  “Run-Away” with GMC Title 3-Peat!

2022 Comets Shatter GMC Tourney Records

Photo compliments of Mason Sports Radio

The Mason Boy’s Golf team didn’t surprise many yesterday at the 2022 GMC Championships at Walden Ponds GC.  The Comets were heavily favored with a bevy of outstanding players on their 2022 squad.  They didn’t disappoint snaring their third consecutive and fourth overall league title (2012, 2020, 2021,2022) while shooting a dominating team score of 564.  Lakota East (622) was a distant second, 58 strokes behind Mason’s two-day totals (278-286).

The Comet’s team score of 564 is a GMC record-shattering the 2019 Lakota East mark of 574.  Mason’s 1st-day team score of 278 is a new “under-par” total also besting a mark of 283 set by both East and Mason in 2020.   

All five of Mason’s players were listed at the top of the individual leaderboard with each earning 1^st Team All GMC recognition.  Seniors Timmy Hollenbeck and AJ Wilhelm were named GMC Co-Players of the Year for their two-day totals of 69 and 70 (tied at 139).  Both of these standouts were previous POY honorees: Timmy 2021 and AJ 2020.  This marks the third consecutive season that a Mason boy’s golf athlete has won the award.  Senior Nate Vonderhaar was a 2019 recipient.