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!

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?

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!

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!!

Mason and the Bellingham Herald

See the article and interview in the Bellingham Herald by clicking here:

Sehome alum sets ASU track record

"Freshman Mason McHenry has wasted little time in making his mark in the Arizona State track and field record book. In just his second race as a collegian, the Sehome alum ran the fastest time in ASU history while winning the 800-meter dash at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships at Dempsey Indoor Stadium on the University of Washington campus Saturday, Feb. 28."

We cannot say how proud we are and how happy I am to have been able to see him race. It was tense there for a while thinking I could not go.

Then the traffic jams made it so we got there just in time to watch the race! We owe a big thanks to Garret, his mom and Dad, Lori and Scott, for sending us text messages to let us know about the traffic so we could go around it. They sent it just in time for us to take the alternate route and arrive just in time! I would have been devastated if I missed seeing Mason.

Be sure you all watch the video's of the race and interview and see the pictures I was able to take.

Now, if we can only get to see him at Nationals in Texas in a couple weeks. That would take a windfall! I am sure he will make it, but, if not, definitely next year.

You all have to remember, this is his first time ever running indoors on the smaller tracks. Which are harder because of the tighter turns. This is awesome what he has accomplished his FIRST two races!

Mason, Wins 800m MPSF Championships, and breaks 24 year old ASU Record!

Watch the interview with Mason on Runnerspace here:

Runnerspace.com

More to come, but, here are the first links and pictures!

ASU Article

Video of Mason

Some Pictures of Friends, Papa and Mason! Click on Pictures to enlarge them.

Edited to add pictures of the race. It was hard to get good pictures with the digital camera indoors with the lighting and the speed of the racers! I did the best I could but, expect better ones when I can take photos when he runs in the Outdoor Track and Field Season.

Going to the Races! Video's and Pictures!

First off, bear with me as I try to type this post with only one and a half hands! I am sure to be making lots of mistakes, but, you will get the idea that I am pretty much just bragging again!

Mason will be in Seattle again this weekend competing in the MPSF (Mountain Pacific Sports Federation)

I found an article on Trackshark.com in the Elite College and Professional track and Field News, results and Coverage. I am going to cut and paste if you don’t mind…easier! I will leave out all the other stuff, but, you can read the whole article here: TrackShark

Championship season is upon the Arizona State University track and field program this weekend as the Sun Devils will travel to the University of Washington's Dempsey Indoor in Seattle for the 2009 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Championships on Friday and Saturday. The Sun Devil women will be looking to capture their third MPSF title in a row while the men are in search of their first. Action opens at 12:30 p.m. PT on Friday with the women's weight throw and concludes with the women's pentathlon 800m run at 6:55 p.m. Saturday starts at 11 a.m. with four events and ends at 3 p.m. with the women's 4x400m. Washington's site, GoHuskies.com, will have live result updates throughout the Championships.

SOLID OPENERS Five Sun Devils opened their indoor seasons on the weekend of February 13-14 with times/marks that were good enough to qualify them for the NCAA meet. In Seattle at the Husky Classic, four runners earned provisional qualifying status, including two men in the 800m run and two women in the 5,000m run. The men included true freshman Mason McHenry (1:49.71) and sophomore Nectaly Barbosa (1:49.74) while the women included cross country All-Americans Jenna Kingma (16:19.69) and Ali Kielty (16:33.72). In College Station, Ryan Whiting opened his NCAA title defense in the shot put with an NCAA automatic mark of 19.71m (64-08.00).

GREAT START True freshman Mason McHenry made an impressive debut in a Sun Devil uniform in Seattle (Feb. 14) as he clocked a time of 1:49.71 in the 800m run to provisionally qualify for the NCAA Championships in his first collegiate race. His time ranks him 20th in the nation currently and also stands as the second-fastest time run in Sun Devil history.

MORE IN THE BOOKS Right behind McHenry in the 800m run in Seattle was Nectaly Barbosa, who ran 1:49.74, the 21st-best mark in the nation this year. The outdoor All-American in the event entered the season ranked No. 2 in ASU indoor history and even lowered that time, but will have to settle for No. 3 on the list for now with McHenry just 0.03 ahead of him.

We are praying he does well, but, know this is a LOT to expect for his second race ever competing in a Indoor Track. While he has always surprised us with his athletic prowess, we do not expect him to qualify this time. Though I do think he will at least come in the top 5. That is just me thinking he is all that! All your prayers are needed!

Here is a video of his last race for those of you that missed it. Don’t know how you could have since I have sent it to everyone I know and I think even to people I don’t know! Just click here: Video Of Mason's 800m Race

Here are some pictures also that Nic sent to us. Mine…well did not come out very well. My arm is not working too well and I think My settings were a bit off. So, a huge “THANK YOU” to Nic for providing these great photos!

Mason's ASU Profile

Mason's Profile

Click above to see the profile they posted on Mason at ASU.

Pretty cool!

He also was in the local newspaper again now that they are starting the Cross Country season.

PREP CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW: Sehome

Have not heard from him in a while. Ok..few days! It is hard not to know what he is doing daily and to poke our nose into everything he is doing and what time! Hard to let go for both of us. Though it is nice to have the house and cars all to ourselves, and much less laundry to do, dishes to clean, meals to make and tons more groceries to buy! We miss him very much, just like we do Sarah and Michael. The distance is what is so hard. You can't just drive even a few hours to see them.

Sarah and Michael won a beautiful diamond heart necklace worth 900 dollars this past week! Needless to say, I have been sending Michael lots of contests to enter. I remember my first big win was a diamond heart necklace, but, it was only worth a couple hundred. But, it took years of entering to win just that! Hopefully Michael will have better luck, that is if he catches the bug and enters the contests regularly.

I still have to plan our trip to see them with the Amtrak win I got. It is a long trip,but, will be so cool if we pick the best scenic routes. I received the picnic basket and blanket already, they are too cool! Not cheap at all! Dishes, cups and silverware for two and enough room for LOTS of food and the blanket. Click on the pictures to view larger images.

I am recovering a little bit from all the work we have been doing with the house. I guess it catches up with you sooner or later, and I would rather recover then keep taking drugs to keep going. Plus I want to be spending time with Papa while he is home, then being burnt out on the couch!

Hopefully we will get the rest of the stuff out of storage and get some fall planting and preperations done. We have much to much stuff and need to really have a sale very soon. For all my good friends I will list some things here or tell you when I list stuff for sale.

We are going to have a washer and dryer set, very nice set, then a very nice laundry center that is a rolling cart with 3 seperate bags and a pole you could raise or lower to hang clothes. Here is a picture. I love it, but, have no where to keep it anymore. Besides, I don't have half the laundry I have to do anymore!

Sleeper Sofa, Chairs, Blue Willow Dishes and a lot of decor. I will start taking pictures here very soon. We have no room for it all! Plus, I just don't want a whole lot of clutter. You just have to clean it!

I want to send out a special thanks to my good Friend Kathy and her Mom. More for Kathy though since she does all the work. She has been clearing her moms land and bringing us perfectly sized wood for our fireplace and she even picked me up a huge bag of pine cones. Not only do I use them in crafts, but, they are perfect fire starters. If you have never tried them, you should. They work perfectly! Thank you so much, Kathy. You have done so much more also I want to thank you for. I know I am now 4 miles more away from you, but, I hope we can still get together the rare times we are able too!

Well, time for more rest and something to eat. I will post again soon!

How scary is that?

Well, Mason's first couple of weeks at ASU have gone well. He had fun at camps and enjoyed his classes and teachers. I think he misses us since he calls a LOT. But, it could be he just wants us to send him more things. Which we did just the other day. Cost a pretty penny for 3 big boxes!

We sent more sheets and blankets, his stereo, guitar for his game and I snuck in a few little surprises like some of his favorite cookies, SnickerDoodles, and a couple other things.

He had his check up with the sports doctor at ASU. Remember me telling you all that he was playing on a bad leg that showed a pending possible fracture on MRI while he was in the beginning of his track season at Sehome?

Well, it did fracture! Then continued to run in districts and state. He was so lucky it was not worse, he could have have a pin placed. How scary is this? But, the new MRI showed the fracture has healed and he is in good shape for the Cross Country season. I hope that he does not have any further problems with it! Imagine how well he did on the bad leg, breaking records and winning state. Now imagine how much better he will do since it has healed! Go Mase!

We are completely moved into the new house. I still have pictures to take but, have been almost bed ridden because of my legs giving out. But, soon, real soon I will take some pictures to post for you all to see. We just love it so much and are so blessed to have gotten it. It was almost a miracle in how we found it and was able to negotiate it. Now comes decorating and doing some remodeling, gardening, etc. Things I love to do and hope my body lets me! So far it is save, save, save, so we can do what we want to decorate and put in a fence the way we want. Time to start selling some things, garage sales and selling some crafts. Who says I am not resourceful?

I am resting up now and will post pictures and such the next time! Here is the front of the house that was taken before we moved in.

Dreams come true and Prayers are answered.

It was the 11th hour and 59th minute! Papa and Mason had to get in a couple more bits of information to the NCAA to hopefully get them to approve Mason’s scholarship to ASU and participate in Running track. Something he has been working so hard and done so well in. He even worked hard on his grades to get on the Honor Roll this his last Semester!

We were prepared to wait, like they told us. We knew we would have to send Mason to ASU, and most likely have to pay to bring him home once the NCAA made their final decision if they determined that he did not meet their guidelines. But, it is something we are willing to risk, in fact, we were doing everything they asked us to do to try and get his clearance, and more but the NCAA was being obstinate. We had a prayer chain going from all over the world so that the Good Lord would help the NCAA see that Mason was worthy of the chance.

And it worked. Papa and I cannot stop crying because there are no words to express how happy this makes us! For our son to have this chance means everything to us and Mason is so happy to be getting what he has wanted and worked for the last couple of years! There are no words to express our gratitude to all that prayed, Suzanna from the ASU compliance office and Julie from Sehome who worked diligently to get all the paper work from the school and to the NCAA so that they would make the right decision!

Our house closed on Thursday, so we have our new home and are moving, then Friday we got the email that Mason was all cleared for landing and attending ASU. Wow! We are truly blessed with all that has gone on. Just when we think all is lost…it is found once again! We are jumping, and crying with joy and we wanted to be sure to let all of you that have helped know how much we appreciate your help and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our heart and soul!





I have never seen my son so happy, not to just be able to move out, but, to have the opportunity to do what he has wanted for years now, attend college and participate in sports. And he does so well and is so motivated to do even better by hopefully doing well enough to take it all the way to the Olympics.

Next, well, it will be trying to pay for all this. Getting my craft room together and making great art pieces to sell to support this venture. Then it will be keeping up with all of Mason’s accomplishments as a runner at ASU and hopefully maybe be reporting on his venture to the Olympics! Got to have a goal!

PREPS ALL-WHATCOM COUNTY PREPS: Boys’ athletes of the year finalists bios

Here is the picture they put in the Herald Paper, one of our favs!

Andrei Lintz, and Brady Bomber Both 3 sport athletes took 1st and second. But, they weren't picked for the best in their individual sports. Mason was the only one in his two sports, to be picked number one in both.

PREPS ALL-WHATCOM COUNTY PREPS: Boys’ athletes of the year finalists bios
MASON MCHENRY School: Sehome Year: Senior What he did: Won the Class 2A state championship in the 800- meter run and set a meet record with a winning time of 1:52.53 … Finished second in the 1,600 this year behind teammate Colin Flynn … Holds the 2A state meet record with the winning mark of 4:15.70 in 2007 … Led the Sehome boys to their second straight state championship … Finished seventh at the state cross country meet in 2007; the Mariners finished second behind Burlington-Edison … Will run at Arizona State University next year ... Was named The Bellingham Herald’s All-Whatcom County Runner of the Year in cross country and track and field. Coach’s quote: “Mason is the most gifted athlete I have ever worked with. In his two seasons of track, he has established himself as not only one of the greatest middle distance runners in the state of Washington but one of the top in the country. His accomplishments and talents on the track, along with his positive attitude and fun-loving personality, will leave an incredible legacy.” — Sehome track coach Jen Leita

Hard to believe that the Greater Bellingham Running Club denied Mason the award for the best runner in High School isn't it? I wrote to them and asked them why they awarded it to another athlete that had not half the acommplishments, but, have not yet gotten back to me to give me any reason's as to why he was not considered as the top runner in the County, much less the State.

The other athlete is a great kid and I congratulate him. I would never consider the award taken from him. He is a great kid. Not as talented, yes, but, a hard worker and who did his best and who Mason respects very much.

Now, with the NCAA taking so much time approving his transcripts and us getting the financing, we have no idea how we are going to afford getting him to ASU. Eash day it costs more and more money, which we cannot afford without me working. What a pickle. You get your son where he needs and wants to be, but cannot afford to send him. Talk about stress. Wish us luck, or if you want to help, you can hit the donate button.

I talked to the coach, who was at the Olympic Trials this week and finally found out when Mason has to be there. He needs to be there before the dorms open, so we will have to find a Hotel room for him also. No, I am not stressed at all! LOL! We ALL are.

We are very proud and hope he makes it to the Olympic Trials the next time. Looking at all the athletes he has a long way to go and lots of hard practice. Something he is good at. Wish us luck!

Mariner Champs Poster From Bellingham Herald!

Thought you all would like to see a picture of the Whole Gang! Click on the picture and it should take you to a link of the poster size...if not, click here:

Bellingham Herald Poster

State Championship Videos

Mason gave it a good go for the 1600m race and came in second behind his teammate Colin Flynn. I have to admit I am so proud he was even able to run that long a race with his leg. Last year he was able to take first in the 1600m, to beat out the favored Isak Bergman, that is a good ending! So, I know he could have done it. But, he was able to take first place in the shorter 800m race the next day. So he is the State Champ this year in the 800m, and his school also won the State Championship also...GO MARINERS!

Thanks to Papa for editing the videos so they are not long and boring! I have yet to master this without obliterating the video!

Because of his leg, and with the ASU's advice, he won't be going to California for the Golden West Invitational. I am glad and I am sure going to graduation instead will be just as fun. Besides..we already bought the cap and gown! I am sure there will be some parties here and there. On Prom night he was the designated driver for a lot of kids which made me proud. He choose not to go...but, was there for his classmates and friends. I have a feeling he will be doing the same

Now we are on too ASU. This will be a great new adventure for him and I know he is looking forward to it. Mama and Papa too!

Enjoy the video's! There won't be any more, unless we travel to his events when he runs at the UofW!

Mason wins 800m in State, setting, school, district and State records

Video to follow once we are able to get it downloaded.
Mason has been running on a bad leg and was not able to out run his team mate Colin Flynns last blast from behind! Though Mason Still holds the state record time for the 1600m, Colin really was able to pull it out and speed past everyone for the win. Wait till you see it on video. It gave Sehome 18 points by having Colin in first and Mason in second.

The 800m gave the 17 points by having Mason in first and Colin in third. Mason set the state 2A time, not to mention district and school records. All this on a bad leg.

We are hoping to post videos this week, they are very exciting! Papa worked hard fighting a HUGE crowd. Ma was able to attend the first day, but, had to baby sit the dogs on the really hot day in the car. So sad!

Oh, here are some links to the Bellingham Herald and Tacoma Tribune that posted some good pictures. This will tide you over till the videos come.

Mariners rule 2A boys’ track

McHenry ready to run at state meet

It was a hard trip for us, since we had to take our precious pets with us. The first day was cold and windy, so we were ok that day, but, the next day was way to hot and sunny to leave them in the car.

The other bummer was that, being handicapped, the stadium had the elevator shut down. The only way to get up to the top was to climb the stairs which was devastating to my legs which gave out and I almost pulled Papa backwards. There was a very kind man standing on the crowded stairs that caught me…but, it was enough to put me and my husband in danger.

I cannot believe that the school would schedule a maintenance time during a huge event as this and cause me injury and Papa to nearly fall backwards from me holding on to him.
By the time we left it was useable, but, I can’t help but think who the brain fart was that thought this up or did not recognize this would be essential to have during a huge event as this. Thanks, a lot…my legs are still recouping from this! Tahoma High School gets a Failing mark for that one!!

Ok, so everyone look for the video’s to come!

We are still deciding Golden West Invitational, with his leg being injured…we will ask the ASU coaches and see. Gosh…would love to see that!

Video's of the Finals in the 800m and 1600m.

Here is the finals for the 1600m at Districts at Cedarcrest High School. Mason’s time was 4:19.5 I think. Nathan Seely is on his back pretty much the whole race. Nathan always seems to ride Mason’s wind every race! If you watch most the video’s you will see this. Maybe this is why he fell in the 4x400, following to close? Mason set records for both the 1600m and 800m at Cedarcrest, but, they were only a year old and Mason was taking it easy because of his leg.

Shoreline Invite at Lakewood

Beautiful day for a race! Mason won the 1600m run in 4:12.56! So far this puts him as number 1 in the state and number 3 in the country for High Schools so far. He has dropped from number 4 in the 800m to number 7. But has not run the 800m in several weeks. His numbers at Shoreline qualifies him to participate in the Golden West Invitational in Sacramento this June!

He will have a great time staying with his Uncle Bob who is a Triathelete and use to be a sports trainer! I have a great picture of him when he was into body building. Yeah, I know..he is pretty ripped. Mason will be in good hands. Mason looks up to him as a mentor, though he is horrible at calling or texting like he should!

Anyway, here is another picture of my bro, take when he was younger, but, I believe he is still involved in doing triathalons, etc..I am sure he will help Mason along. Mason probably will not win, this is his first time competeing at the national level. But, this will be good for him. We are not sure what heat he will run yet. I am so excited for Mason and wish we could go and watch also. Well, at I wish that at least Papa could go so he can Video tape! Oh, wait, we can send the camera with Mason and Uncle Bob can take the videos! I live for watching the videos of the kids from when they were babies to now. They are memories that I truly treasure.

I have tons of pictures I would love to scan, put on disc and make flip books with. It is a good way to keep your pictures safe, especially if you get a fire Proof box to store them in. A lot of our pictures we would also like to pass onto the kids..but, keep! So, these would also make great gifts, and a way to keep them ourselves also, expecially when you can load them into picture frames and have the pictures change every few minutes, these are so cool.

I bet I hear from my girls about this! Especially Sarah. I think all kids start wanting family heirlooms and photos more as they get older. I know I do, and Sarah, since she is the oldest, has been telling me how important our family tree is to her. So I will have to make her something soon.

This is also a good way for families to come together, especially when everyone is so apart. Blogging has been great for our families and friends. It is good to hear how every one is doing lately and not worry about cell phone charges! LOL! Especially when I write novals for a text message!

We will be posting the 4x400m run that Mason also did at Shoreline as soon as we get it loaded. It seems that my sound (only the internet sound) is all weird since we loaded the software for copieing the video. So, we worked on trying to fix that for a long time yesterday! It is ok on other computers, just mine is screwy. So, bear with us as we try to fix this!.

Birger Solberg Invitational - 2 Golds For Mason

Sprinters make their mark at Birger Solberg meet

Click the link above to read the Bellingham Herald's News story for all the information.

What a beautiful day for a race! And a popular race it is becoming!

There was lots of excitment and shocking outcomes, the kids efforts really paid off.

Even Nathan Seely, pushed himself and almost over came Mason in the 800m. Really made Mason work for his first place medal with Nathan Coming in second.

The sprinters and the girls 1600m were all very exciting, and quite the upset in the 1600m with Annie Moore taking the gold by a pinch. Go Annie!

Mason claimed the 800 in 1:54.38, inches ahead of Seely’s 1:54.89 in a tight race, and he also won the 1,600 in 4:19.54 to lead the defending state champion Sehome boys to second with 87 points behind Class 4A Tacoma Wilson. So far, Mase has not lost a individual race this season.

But, he needs to run a 1:52 or better to qualify for the race down in Sacremento.

It was the best day weather wise, in months. I think a lot of us, including Mason got a tan that day!

Now I can't resist posting this picture of one of Mason's buddies that ran and won the seldom-run 2,000 steeplechase. He is a kick! His time was 6:40.32, and was well ahead of the others. Here he is, looks like he is just out for a jog?

Bedlington Twilight Invitational

Turn down the sound on the video to hear the music without the crowd.

Have fun watching this video of 1600 of Mason. It also includes Jonathan Lafler from Tahoma High School, who took 4th at the Cross Country Championships, Fall of 2007. If you notice going out the first lap, no one seemed to want to pass Mason. Josh Simpson, from Burlington-Edison High School, who came in 6th for 2A, the same year. Did not seem pleased at Mason's pace, and was telling Mason "I hate you, I hate you" as they were running the backside of the track. Funny!

Good race guys!

Last night Mason ran the Arnie Young Invitational and broke the met, stadium, and school records for the 800m dash. The school was his own. He is now listed on Athletic.net as number one in the country, but, is still not on Dyestate as number 4 in the nation. He was selected as the "Male Track Athlete of the Meet".

He did good and wish I was there to see it! But, long drive and not knowing the stadium set up, I could not risk it. But, Papa brought home the video and I will post that as soon as he gets it on CD. It is exciting to watch.

You can see him in the paper by clicking here: Bellingham Herald

His goal is to run a 152 to qualify for the Adidas Invitational in California in June. If he does, he is going on a trip and he will be able to see his Uncle, who is a great athlete himself as well as a trainer. So, he will be in excellant hands!

More Later!