Friedrich Nietzsche

"The individual has always

had to struggle from being

overwhelmed by the tribe.

If you try it you will be

lonely often, and

sometimes frightened. But no

price is too high to pay for the

privilege of owning yourself."

T.S. Elliot

Men Live by FORGETTING,

Women live on MEMORIES.

Most recent video's of Mason running Indoor Track

I know it has been a LOOONNNNG time since I have posted how Mason has been doing at school and in his track and field accomplishments.

He did very well this year, and he qualified to go to 2010 Indoor Nationals in Fayetteville, AR.  He had a cold and did not pass the preliminaries but, he did give it his best shot. He also had to run the DMR the next day, so that tired him even more.

 He flew straight home from AR to visit during Spring break for a week.  And it went by to fast, way to fast, especially for him. I was really glad he was here though since he got food poisening and had to be admitted to the hopital from severe dehydration, hyperkalemia, kidney failure, etc, etc.  He snapped back real fast after getting fluids and meds, but, you could tell he was not 100% while he was here. 

I feel bad he could not spend as much time with his friends and of course US. 

So...we want a

DO OVER!! 

Bring him back!

Outdoor season is starting here soon and Nationals are going to be in Eugene, OR this year.  So of course we bought tickets and are planning to go. Hopefully he has gotten all those nasty little virus bugs out of his system and he will get his nutrition and training he needs to kick dust in the others faces.  Until then, enjoy the videos and get a look of what we are hoping he does in Outdoor Track.

Enjoy these video's! There are not long at all since it only shows the last part of the race.

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

FINALLY!!

Yes, FINALLY!

I have finished organizing the topics into separate folders that are listed below my header so everyone can find their favorite subjects a lot easier!

will have home made crafts or home décor and garden items that have been restored or made from recycled materials. .

Crafts for sale or Barter

I am hoping to have quiltings, and other sewn clothes and projects, Handmade cards, jewelry, knitting, crocheting as well as paintings.

I want to create a place where people will have a one stop center to shop for their home and garden, some hot fashions for themselves and hopefully some great designer kids clothes!

I am searching for other crafters and artists that would also like to sell some of their crafts or art on consignment. If you are an artist working in any medium, I would be glad to talk to you about posting your items for sale.

Send me an email if you are interested in showing off your talents and want to make some money to by clicking on the “Contact Michele” button.

Keep you eyes open for the first items to hit the blog for sale soon. I will have a contest to kick off the opening of the “store”.

Just for fun will be for contests and giveaways that your can enter.

is going to be all about US. Plus some rants for those bad days/weeks and of course some strong opinions I am passionate about. Also I am going to talk about family and friends, and our quirks probably more then our any of our perfections. We are empty nesters and have kids in the other 3 corners of the states from where we are which is in the very corner of the PNW. It is full of adventures and pitfalls and even simultaneous crises moments we just recently had to endure! And then of course I have to keep everyone up to date on our renovations inside and outside of the house including updates on the gardens we are trying to fix up around the house. It is slow going with my disability, but, progress is being made! I don’t like to talk about my disability and illness but, you might here some rants about some of it. Especially the difficulties we have to go through with only one income, a kid in college, the red tape of the health care industry and insurance industry that can really send me on a rant!

Family Adventures

 will of course be mostly all about our son who is on a scholarship at ASU. He is a very talented middle distance runner that won 2 consecutive State titles as well as breaking school, invitational, and district records while in high school. Then in his first year at ASU he was ranked as 2nd fastest in the nation. But, a couple illnesses last year and this year set him back a little. But, he still did wonderful the first part of the indoor season. We have some video’s we have yet to post of some races, including a special “Kick of the Week” and an interview put on by Flotrack at the MPSF’s in Seattle. It is a must see. So look out for that to get posted soon now that I have gotten things organized!

Sports and Videos

YEAH!!

Thanks Mason, my tech expert for helping me by setting up the new “Tabs” and showing me how to use them! You rock!

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I know there aren’t very many members, but, I do treasure all of you that have hung in there with me. It has been a very rough year, but, I am still keeping my New Years Resolution to "Keep the faith".  Even though I am moving slower then before, I am getting things done. I am still keeping the faith that this will be a good successful year!  I do hope I can provide some great items for you to see and buy or even custom order, let you know of some great contests that you can win, have some giveaways of my own, and provide some great stories of our adventures at being empty nesters, and have some totally cool videos of a phe-nom runner!

Testing, one, two, three

This is a test of 2cuhappy's blog site.  Please try to ignore the lack of technical knowledge I have, or at least don't laugh, as I keep trying to figure out how to do this!

Thank you!

Michele

I am Under Construction

Under Construction

In so MANY WAYS!

But, most important is that the Blog is getting ready for some real changes.  The wait is frustrating, and I am not known for my patience!  But, it must be done right!

A lot of other things we are trying to fix are also going on that are being delayed over and over again.  One is a surgery for my leg that I have been dealing with for over a year, hence the reason why I have not been blogging! 

I have not given up yet and will try to give updates as we go.  This is the month I should be able to get the site in order to where it will fit everyones needs and have the contests I am anxious to start having!  Giving away prizes is the best part of having a blog.  It is like Christmas all year long!

So, HANG IN THERE!!

Rome was not built in a year...lol!

Bellingham Herald "McHenry ready for test at USATF Championships"

Mason at the ASU Invitational back in March. Photo by David Daer

Bellingham Herald Article

Former Sehome standout Mason McHenry says he is not intimidated about going head-to-head with world champion distance runner Bernard Lagat, NCAA Champion 800 meter champion Andrew Wheating or the rest of the nation's best middle distance runners.

At the same time, he said he isn't setting his sights too high for this weekend's 800 at the 2009 United States Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., either.

"I just want to go out there and have some fun," McHenry said in a phone interview. "I had a pretty good season, so I'm looking at this as sort of a bonus."

If McHenry manages to finish well enough, he could receive another bonus - a trip to Berlin, Germany, to represent his country in the International Association of Athletic Federations World Track and Field Championships.

To earn that trip, McHenry would need to finish in the top three in the only event in which he will be participating. The first round of the 800 will be held Thursday, June 25, with the semifinals scheduled to follow on Friday, June 26, and the finals set for Sunday, June 28.

"I figure it will take about a (time of 1 minute, 44 seconds)," said McHenry, who just completed his freshman season at Arizona State University. "Probably not (something he can accomplish) this year, but it's definitely something I think I'll be able to do it in a year or two." McHenry's best time in the 800 is a 1:47.76 he ran during the NCAA Indoor season at a national championships qualifier at Iowa State.

His best time during the outdoor season was a 1:48.25 on March 28 at the ASU Invitational. At the time, that was one of the fastest collegiate times in the nation.

He was hoping to improve upon that mark at the Pac-10 Conference Championships in May, but a late-season bout with bronchitis slowed him and held him to a 21st-place finish.

"Initially, I was a little surprised by how things were going to start my freshman year," McHenry said. "It was a little rough at the end because of the illness. I wasn't happy with how the season ended there at the Pac-10 Championships, but overall, I thought I had a pretty good year." McHenry said the Sun Devils had him focusing almost solely on running the middle distance events, which helped him improve his times quickly in his first year in college.

Though he ran mostly the 800 - an event he won a 2008 Class 2A state championship as a senior at Sehome - the Sun Devils also used McHenry a little in the 1,500 and on the 4x400 relay. "Basically, I think it helped me to just be running all year and to have some really good training partners and coaches to work with," he said. "Coming to college, it was just a matter of stepping up to another level. I realized pretty quickly that if I did what they told me to do and start making the steps they asked me to make, I could be pretty successful."

Among the areas the ASU coaching staff had McHenry focus on was more weight training. They also tried to bring more speed to his middle-distance with some sprint-like training.

And now he hopes that work will help him this weekend in Oregon. "I'm not surprised that I'm running on this level," McHenry said. "I guess I always thought I could make it here. Maybe I am a little surprised that it has happened so quickly. I didn't think I'd make it here after my first year of running college track."

Now that he's here, it's not an opportunity he plans to waste. "I plan to use this as a learning experience," McHenry said. "I'm going to go out and do the best that I can do and see what I can do against the best runners in the country. If I make it (to Berlin for the IAAF World Championships) that would be really exciting, but this year I'm just trying to lay the groundwork for the years to come."

Reach David Rasbach at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2271.

USATF CHAMPIONSHIPS When: Thursday through Sunday, June 25-28 Site: Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore. TV schedule: Friday - 5-7 p.m., ESPN; Saturday - 4:30-6:30 p.m., ESPN; Sunday - 1-3 p.m., Ch. 5 800 meters schedule: Thursday - 5:35 p.m. preliminaries; Friday - 6:10 p.m. semifinals; Sunday - 1:53 p.m. final

We, Papa, Mama, your sisters, the Herald plus numerous folks in the community that have been supporting Mason are so proud that he made it this far his first year in Collegiate Track and Field.

Little did we know when he decided to quit baseball his sophmore year that his words "I am not quitting to Loose" would ring so true!

I guess it runs in the family since all our kids have the same determination. We are so proud of our children who all have worked hard to attain their goals no matter how hard it gets. They all have been through a lot but never loose sight of what they really want or loose their determination even if they have to walk through fire to get there. I could not be more proud of all of all of my children.

Your whole family and friends plus many in our community are proud of you son! We know that you will be going far in the years to come no matter what happens today.

Mason, off to the US Championships?

Yes, he has qualified, but, has yet to be declared. The coaches are taking him along with another 8 Track and field Athletes to compete against the best in the US and to see who will go to the World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

His illness for the past few months really set him back but, his fastest time of 1:47.76 during the beginning of the season, kept him on the list. Now we are waiting for him to be declared!

Though he says his training and strength is not back to 100%, we can't be more please that he will just be there! He will at least learn a lot of what it will be like when he returns the following year and hopefully take home the GOLD! He will at least be able to get over the nervousness of being around the best talent in Track and Field in the US including Pros and Olympic Contenders!

You go Mason, we hope to see you on TV, but, we will be patient and wait till next year if we have to. Either way, you are the Champ for everything you have accomplished your first year!

I'm Baaack!

This is Mason on the first lap.

Already out of breath.

Give me a little bit and I will be writing a post soon. We spent the weekend in Eugene, Oregon watching the PAC-10 Championships and drove home on Monday.

I just went through all the photos and Digitized them. I wish I would have taken some pictures of the great scenery while traveling since it was so beautiful, even from the freeway.

I did notice that in Oregon it is as green as Washington but, you have wide open spaces where you can see for miles with beautiful green plains and rolling hills, compared to Washington's, nothing but trees! It as if we are living in the rain forest! I think that is what I loved about Oregon when I lived there, the rolling green hills and wide open spaces.

It seems I might have brought back a case of what ever bug bit Mason these past few weeks. Of course it could be that the traveling just wore me out. But, I seem to have the headache and tummy ache Mason said he had at first. So, I am moving ever so slowly, even getting to unpacking my last bag!

At least coming back we did not experience a 3 hour delay due to traffic like we did when we went down on Friday. We made it home in record time and hit no traffic at all. Traveling at night is no fun. Can't see anything at all except lights, and unless you are going through the cities, you don't see a lot of those. I got up Monday, and could not hit the road fast enough. I love traveling in the early mornings as opposed to the humid evenings, especially when stuck in traffic going 10mph for 3 hours.

But, traveling and hotels do seem to take it out of you. Mason has regionals coming up the weekend after next. But, I do not think we will make it. And after seeing how ill Mason still is, I am not sure he will either. He did as well as we expected, and had some problems recovering at the finish line when he tried to catch his breath, so I am sure it is going to take a while to get him back into peek shape again. He has never come in less then 2nd place and to see him barely make the finish line was hard for a mom to watch. He says it is one thing to run while in pain, it is another when your lungs won't let you. Let us just hope he is seeing the doctor. He has not called us since Sunday...uh, hummm....Mason?

He did finish his meds, but, I think a chest film is necessary at this point. He had better be getting one or coach might be hearing from mom.

I did find out how to spell Mason's mumbling. You know how you ask your kids something and you have to ask them to repeat themselves because you did not understand one word except for maybe a "no" or "yeah"? Well, we sent a text to Mason asking him if he could spend the next day with us since he would not be racing and what time we could get together, have breakfast, etc.

The message we got back?

"Uh, nah, ineahne anha"

And he TELLS me all the time to "clean out my ears?" What, does my cell phone need to clean out or do I need to learn how to read a special "text language"?

This is a "Mumbling response in Text" from a freshman in College.

Now I know for sure, I do NOT need to clean out my ears and that you can actually spell out your "mumbling" in a text message.

He wrote this, I guess before he was actually awake. He did text us an hour later after we decided to go out for a walk and said, "come get me now to go to Breakfast." We were pretty much at his beckon call, or text. After getting him he let us know we only had about an hour before he had to go. But, he would meet up at the track later.

I guess since we have no heard from him in a couple days, a mumbling text is better then no text!

The Championship will be on TV this afternoon, so I might watch it. They most likely will not show the prelims, which Mason was in. But, we can watch the thrilling 5000m run we watched while there that Mason's team mate Brendon Bethke,won. If you saw the post where Flotrack did the "Work out Wednesday" you will see that Mason was practicing with Brendon. It was thrilling down to the last 10th of a second race! I was so sad we had forgot the camera that 2nd day. Especially since Mason's friend Garrett and his parents where there also. We got to see Garrett up close but, waved while I sat in Handicapped and they were waaaay up in the stands.

So, look for a new post soon. I promise more details. And more pictures. Hopefully it will be soon.

Go, Go Garrett Dorough and Sehome!

It is hard to believe the season is just about over and I only was able to get out to see Garrett, number 7, play.

Today is a home game at civic field starting at 4:00 p.m. Oh, how I wish I could go! It will be an exciting game Between Sehome and Meridian. I wish I was able to be there! They are in 4th so far in the conference with 9 wins and 2 losses. Civic field is pretty close and a great arena to watch from. But, I have no car and even if I did...LOL, I could not drive!

They have been doing so well and I am so glad to see the pictures of Garret enjoying himself as he plays. I was able to get this great shot from his mom that the Herald took. Nothing like a great picture of your kids! But, these were taken when Sehome beat Squalicum 4-3, mom said it was a good game. By the score I can tell it was! I am just so behind on posting! Or even getting out to watch him play for Sehome. We don't get videos of this, whine, whine....

I really hope they do well and wish them luck today. I know it was a great Season for Garrett and we will be seeing him real soon when we go down to Eugene. Miss that smiling face!

Mason Runs at Sun Angel Classic and PR's by about 6 seconds in the 1500

This is Mason's first time running the 1500m in Outdoor Track, and was able to improve his time be a whopping 6 seconds to come in 13th! It was a thrilling race with everyone coming down on the field to watch the finale.

Brandon Bethke, who did the interview with Mason on Flotrack last week was able to place 3rd! A very thrilling race to watch and great interview with Mason after the race is a great watch. So thankful for Flotrack, it is almost like I get to see him more now then when he was at home, with him either training, spending the night at friends or in his room playing video games.

So, a huge thanks to Flotrack for all their work and videos for all the teams!

Work Out Wednesday!

Click on the picture above to go to the site and read the comments along with watching the video.

A Day in the life of Mason as he practices at ASU in 90 Degree Weather this morning!

He will be running in the 1500m run at The 30th Sun Angel Classic on Saturday.

Boy, does he look like he is getting a tan, or what?

Sehome tops Blaine!

GO, GO, DOROUGH!

Bellingham Herald Article!

They did it again! Go Sehome! What a pool of talent Sehome has!

It only makes me more proud to know that my son attended that wonderful school and helped to make him the man he is today!

Whatever they are doing, I hope they keep it up!

I am so proud art of the team, and Garrett! I am glad to see that he is having a wonderful time since he made the decision in switching to soccer and seems to be having a lot of fun playing! I hope you keep it up!

They have a lot of wonderful players on the team. Including Nino Tursic. It looks like he was able to score three goals against Blaine! Dewees and Klien scored a couple each also!

Way to go all of you!

Now go do it again!

Mason In the Bellingham Herald and another picture by David Daer

The Bellingham Herald

Though he's less than a year removed from Sehome High School, Mason McHenry is already making a name for himself with the Arizona State track and field team.

The video is above, so be sure to watch it. It is awesome! He won by 2 seconds which is about 20 meters or so. You have to see it!

The picture above was taken right before the finish line. Notice how he is not struggling as the other runners are. When I was able to talk to him he said that it was a smooth run and did not take much energy.

The only weird thing for us when we watch him run, now that he is in college, is his new stradegy of running in the back and then kicking it at the end. If everyone remembers seeing his videos from when he was in High School, you will remember how he and Jake Riley were always in front. Now Mason starts in the back. Though it worries us, we are getting use to it!

After the article you will be glad to see I left a comment. As a proud, biased mom usually does. I have to remember to go and leave a comment about Kristen Carter who was mentioned also that did a wonderful job also.

Mason is going to be running at the 30th Sun Angel Classic in Tempe on Saturday. Be sure to look for updates then.

Right now he is ranked first in the nation. It may change any day now as more races and times come in. The true test will be at the West Regional’s were he has to place in the first 5 to be invited to the National Meet.

Keep up those prayers and especially VOTES! I can tell when you vote…MASON! I am thinking of having a contest. Just trying to figure out what kind of prize people would want. Any ideas…send my way! I don’t think an Autographed picture of Mason will be that desirable until he makes it to the Olympics! LOL!

Special thanks to Lori and Whoever is voting from Lynden area. Email me so I know who you are! I see you voting daily, but, can't figure out who you are!

Sehome handed Lynden Christian a 7-1 Northwest Conference loss

GO SEHOME!!!

From the Bellingham Herald Article,

Nino Tursic scored a hat trick and Sehome handed Lynden Christian a 7-1 Northwest Conference loss on Monday, March 30, at Bender Fields.
Sehome started quickly, with goals from Max Dewees, Tursic and Mike Klein, who scored twice, to take a 4-0 lead into half.
"They're incredibly explosive," Lynden Christian coach Brent DeRuyter said in a phone interview. "They really got it going in the first half when we just didn't communicate in the back."

The Lyncs' Alex Hansen collected eight saves on 19 Sehome shots. Kevin Lee scored for Lynden Christian in the 64th minute.
Garrett Dorough had a goal and assist for the Mariners.

Ah, Garrett, my Fav...

Go, Go Dorough!!!

David Daer's Photography, Pictures of Mason!

Isn't this a great photo?

Isn't he handsome?

We found some wonderful pictures of Mason on David Daer's website that can be purchased.

We will probably buy so that we can post on our site, but, if anyone wants to purchase any of these photos, visit his page here: http://milestogo.azrunning.com/mtgcontent/gallery/2009_Baldy_Castillo_Pt2

There are about five pictures of Mason on page four.

It is great to know that there is somebody out there taking pictures when we can't.

To show our appreciation, you want to give everybody a heads up to his web site.

When you see the pictures, you are going to have to admit, they are great photos! Of course, it is Mason, he always takes a great picture!

I am a mom and can be biased!

More to Come, watch for post tomorrow

The last two races, the Baldy Castillo Invite and the ASU Invitational, went very well for Mason. It is Mom that has fallen behind on her posts lately!

At the Baldy Castillo, Mason was able to come in first in his 4x400m heat, coming from 30m behind to win by 4 seconds. This put them in 8th overall. His split was 47.3! That is pretty good from what I hear!

Then last night, he ran the 800m at the ASU Invite and came in first and got the Regional qualifying time of 148.25.

Several fast times were produced by the men as well,

with Mason McHenry taking the spotlight. A true freshman, McHenry won the 800m run by nearly two seconds, breaking the tape in 1:48.25 to record one of the top times in the nation this year. His time also stands as the sixth-best in program history.

Now ranked 6th best in ASU history for Outdoor Track in the 800m.

I will post more info later.

We both could not be more proud! We know he is up against some really tough competition in Outdoor Track and glad he is off to a great start!

This will take you to stats and video.

Go, Go Garrett Dorough!!

After talking incessantly about my son Mason, this is a nice break to talk about another Whatcom County athlete that is a close friend of the family.

Garrett is a kick in the pants and like Mason, tends to keep his parents on the edge with his antics and changing directions, at the last moment!

Though I know Garrett has played soccer quite a bit in the past, he was running track the last couple years. He was on Mason’s team with Sehome. I should have asked his Mom, Lori, when he decided to run track. I am sure when he told her he was going to switch, it threw her for a curve. Just like it threw us for a curve when Mason, after playing baseball since he started T-Ball in the first grade, decided to switch to running track in his Jr. Year of High School.

Granted, Mason was running cross-country, but, baseball was his whole life…and Papa’s! Mason had his hand in a lot of things, and did very well. But, baseball was the priority, every year! He even went to pitching and hitting camps, batting cages, etc.
He was one of 2 sophomores in high school to play on the AAA, Post 7 Senior legion team that went on to play in the senior legion National World Series the following summer, which he passed up the chance to be a part of BECAUSE he switched to track!

So, when Lori told us about Garrett choosing Soccer this year, his senior year, I could only remember the shock, disbelief and worry about Mason changing his mind at the last moment, “What are you thinking!” quitting a sport you love and do well at to switch to a sport you have never participated in?

I remember his answer and always will. “I am not quitting to loose.” He told us confidently.

OK. Though my parents were very strict about us starting a sport or activity and quitting, I did not want my kids to loose out of the ability to go with their heart and choose what path they wanted to take. Sometimes, we may think we will enjoy it, then after getting involved, we decide it is not for us. So, we should have the option to change to find our true path. We also have to live with those consequences of changing and hope that it helps you in determining what your true calling is.

I am so glad that Garrett decided to go after what he wanted to do. It matters not that they become the next phenom at what they choose to do. It matters that they are doing what they enjoy most and that it brings them the most thrill, passion and satisfaction in their lives. It does not matter if it is a sport, or other activity such as music, science club, chess, etc. Just as long as it is what THEY want to do, or pursue. It might not be the first few activities they choose at first, since they will find their way eventually. It takes a lot of patience. For the parents, it is a continual learning process, and with enough patience, tolerance and support, the kids will find their way and be much better, well rounded and confident in their decisions.

Even if it means your child quitting after giving one activity a try, so they can try another. Like the time Mason tried Football in Middle School. It can get expensive and it can also be a pain changing your schedule to meet their needs of transportation, buying new equipment, etc. But, this is the only way, we as parents, are able to foster our kids needs to find their path and be able to envision their future goals.

I would rather go through these kinds of inconveniences, then not let them have the chance to be find an of activity or sport that brings them a passion in their lives to keep them focused, educated and healthy in mind and spirit. (I know that Papa had a real hard time with Mason decision since he was SO OBSESSED with Mason and baseball, but, he did good in letting loose and knowing it was not all about Papa) It is much better then us worrying about them sitting around playing video games or watching TV for hours upon hours a day, loitering at the mall, or getting involved in non-productive activities where they become lost from knowing what their talents and future goals are and discovering what talents they might have..

So, I hope all you kids know….we parents go through so much when you make ANY decision! Does not matter what it is, is will throw us for a loop because we are only concerned that you are doing what you need to do to stay on the path you chose, stay focused and accomplish your long range goals.

I am sure Garrett made this decision wisely, since his Mom told me that he has always enjoyed playing soccer. Garrett, to me, and you can tell by the photos I posted, is a real character!

Taking pictures and watching him play soccer for the first time, I could see how much he enjoys it! Very passionate, but, might want to hold back a little bit of those emotions that can go against you! Believe me, we know how hard it is to reign in those frustrations when the adrenaline gets going, especially when a player takes too long to tie his shoes!

Garrett’s School, Sehome High School and team, the Mariners, are now 2-1 after playing his first three non-conference games! GO, GO GARRETT DOROUGH! And SEHOME!

Last year Sehome beat Cheney, 2-1 for the 2A State Soccer Title! Garrett was on both 2A State Track and Field title teams the last couple of years. I got a great photo of him below when he was running the Steeplechase at the Birger Solberg Invitational, where he came in 1st place!

So, we are going to be keeping an eye on him for the season. We are not able to attend our own son’s meets, so we have decided to stalk Garrett for his senior year. I got permission from his mom, don’t worry!

We will keep a watch out and try to attend your home games, as long as the weather is good! So, be on your best behavior, because you never know if we get it on video! LOL! So, GO SEHOME and

GO, GO, Garret DOROUGH

Mason Makes "ALL AMERICAN" status!

An All-American "team" is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players, those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position, who are referred to as All-America or, less precisely, All-American athletes.

ASU Press Release

In all, the Sun Devils qualified eight athletes to the meet, including three men and five women, with all five women scoring points toward the team total and two of the three men doing the same. All eight, however, each earned at least one All-America honor on the weekend, including true freshman Mason McHenry in the men’s 800m run.
Mason learned a great deal about running Indoor Track and Field for the first time with the top collegiate runners when he went to nationals and came within 1/10th of a second in beating out top runner Jacob Hernandez in qualifying for the final round on Saturday.
8 Jacob Hernandez SR Texas 1:49.75q

9 Mason McHenry FR Arizona St. 1:49.85
IMHO, (In my humble opinion as a biased parent), when you watch the video we took of the race on our computer, you can see at the beginning where Mason was thrown off by a runner, was blocked by others from advancing and then at the end, looks like he was shoved back at the end right before the finish line. It was a surprise to me that contact is allowed in Indoor track, since we have never seen or had known the rules for Indoor track and Field events. But, from what Mason says, it is allowed and from interviews from other players, it makes it a lot more difficult in running a righteous race. For a better understanding I included these videos of interviews with the wnner, Hernandez and another runner.

Interview with Hernandez

Great interview that talks about getting stuck in the trash in the back, which looks like what happened to Mason.

Interview with Boase

Outdoor is different where contact or even getting into another runners lane is cause for being disqualified. Well, in High school I know it was. Not sure about College. We will find out.
If you look at the video and the pictures we tried to blow up, maybe you will see what we are trying to explain. We feel (As bisased parents) that if Mason was not pushed back by the players outstretched arm, he would have definitely made up that 1/10th of a second. Mason feels differently, since he knows more of what went on and what is allowed. He has accepted the results and tells us it was a huge learning experience. I am sure you won't have to tell him twice!! If you look at the video and the pictures we tried to blow up, mabye you will see what we are trying to explain. We feel that if Mason was not pushed back by the players outstretched arm, he would have definitly made up that 1/10th of a second.

Yes it is very hard to see, but, when we watched it on the live feed, it was very obvious, yet very legal. But, we are over this, and ready to move on.
Mason ran wonderful, and still holds the second fastest times this year in Indoor Track on the 800m run. None of the men that advanced to nationals beat his times. In fact, they should be embarrassed by the slow times they did. Remember, Mason's 2nd fastest time in the nation, collegiately, was 147.76 and at national, the First place was a 148.04. then last or 8th was a measly
152.28! So, IMHO, Mason's times for the season are proof enough of being a big winner! Until some one else comes along and can break his record times at ASU or in the Nation, he is my hero and hopes he knows how well he actually did his first season in indoor track. If he did in fact beat out Hernandezes times. Since him and Wheating were ranked to be the best, there would have been some very upset folks and most likely would have put out a contract on him..LOL! So it is good he did not upset the pack!

So, we are now onto Outdoor Track and field! Woohoo! Mason says he will be running the 4x400 this coming weekend and might be running in the longer distance races. Don't know why since he seems to do very well in the 800, but, that is the coaches call...not the mothers! So look forward to these updates as he races. We will not be able to go to any except the ones in Oregon, whine, whine. But, we are really looking forward to hopefully making it to Oregon for the championships!
Keep those good vibes and prayers coming and please be sure to vote above for the scooter I am trying to win for Mason. It would be a nice way for him to get around while living in AZ for the next few years.
It is so hard to have the kids so far away. Sarah is in Ohio and Mason in AZ. Hopefully we can at least come together once a year like we did during the holidays. It was so special to have them both here. They both miss eachother so much, so it was so nice to have them here and actually getting along!

Mason punches his ticket to Nationals!

Here is the link to the ASU Article: McHenry Smashes School 800m Record to Auto Qualify for NCAA Meet

He has come so far from a little boy and having his hand into everything from Chess, video's, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Baseball, bowling, Cello, Bass and Bass Guitar and other stuff, to finally running track in his last 2 years of high school.
BTW, I wanted Sharla to see these pictures of Mason, when he was a young boy! Wait till I start telling stories of the first time he started throwing us into a state of shock! That will be a long post...edited by Papa so I don't embarrass Mason! These pictures are so valuable when they get older, so be sure to have these and any videos kept safe. Believe me, you will need them for the High School Parent ads in the Year Books, as well as providing them to girlfriends and other friends and family when they do things that make you proud! Anyway, I am so happy I made it to the MPSF Championships to see him win. I so wish I could go and see him at Nationals and it IS KILLING ME knowing I won't be there to see how he does and embarrass him by crying and hugging and doing all that other stuff proud mama’s do. Yesterday I was having a fit waiting for Flotrack to post the video…and then when the video got cut off at the end…I almost had a heart attack…I swear my chest started to hurt! Thanks to the mom and dad of one of the other runners for providing their personal video to Flotrack so we could see the end. I recommend that you watch both..so that you can hear the announcers.
We were shocked...which is an understatement on his time of 1.47.76 when he called and told us after he ran! I am sure everyone was, including the announcers as well as coaches and all of Mason’s friends and supporters!
At the last chance races for indoor track in Aimes, Iowa, Mason broke his own record he set the week before in Seattle for ASU's fastest 800m run. As I told you in the blog before that record was set 24 years ago. His time now, puts him 2nd in the nation after Andrew Wheating who was a member of the 2008 Olympic team in Beijing!!!
He will now run in Texas with the fastest 800m indoor track runners in the nation, including Andrew Wheating, and Jacob Hernandez who has a time of 1.48.04 who won Nationals last year
. He has really thrown all of us for a loop with how he has shaved so much time off his high school times in the little time he has been at college and just in the 3 races he has run! I had a feeling once his Stress Fracture healed, with as well as he was running while injured, he would do very well. Imagine my surprise at HOW WELL!
There are a lot of people in the running community, here locally as well as his sister and my other friends all over the states, that are very excited as well as supporting him and wishing him well. Here is the link to the Bellingham Herald Article Just click here: "WHATCOM CONNECTIONS: Squalicum alum gains NAIA All-American status" Mason is in the middle of 3 athletes in the article that have made their marks at the collegiate level. GO WHATCOM!
I really want to thank Lori, Scott and Garrett for all their kind support by traveling to Seattle to cheer him on. So sorry Alex and Mason's other friends got stuck in the traffic and missed it. But, a huge thank you to Lori and family for being there not only for Mason, but, for us also!!
Now it is time for a prayer chain to help guide Mason as he embarks on this very important journey to Nationals that will at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas on Friday and Saturday this week!
I will be sure to make a post, but, just him going to Nationals is a HUGE honor! We will be so happy if he just makes it across the line! Again, thanks to all of you and please put in a good word to the Lord above for Mason to do his best at Nationals. BTW…yes…I balled like a baby when Mason called!!