GMC Champ Academic Team set sights on regionals

Jack Mendelsohn | The Chronicle

After an undefeated regular season, the Mason Academic Team secured its fourth consecutive Greater Miami Conference (GMC) championship. With a streak of excellence showing no signs of stalling, the team has established itself as an academic powerhouse in the GMC. However, the Comets have shifted their focus to making a regional championship run.

The Ohio Academic Competition (OAC) begins on April 12 and the Comets have high expectations. MHS English teacher Thurman Allen, Mason’s Academic Team coach, said with the right outlook, the team has the potential to make an exciting run at regionals.

“There’s been a kind of change in the mindset this year,” Allen said. “We have already won the GMC, and now we’re looking beyond that and are fully focused on preparing for regionals.”

Although the season ultimately went well for the Comets, Allen said they initially were unsure they would reach the same level as previous years. With many seniors graduating last season, the team faced a fresh start. 

“We didn’t feel much pressure going into this season,” Allen said. “We had lost a significant number of seniors, so we anticipated a bit of a drop-off. But as the season progressed, I realized we’re still a really strong team.”

Much of this season’s success can be attributed to the underclassmen who stepped up to fill the shoes of the graduated seniors, including junior captain Keyur Yathavakilla. Yathavakilla said he has embraced his leadership role, helping to guide the team with his experience and strong performances in key matches.

“Being a captain this season has been an incredible experience,” Yathavakilla said. “Watching us grow as a team has been really motivating, and everyone on this team has the same idea of what we want to accomplish.”

Yathavakilla said one of the biggest challenges the team has faced this season was rebuilding their team chemistry with their new lineup, but as the season progressed, the team  worked together and quickly found their rhythm. Yathavakilla said he believes the team’s strong desire to succeed made this transition easy. 

“This season, we have been reliant on our younger members to step up,” Yathavakilla said. “Everyone has embraced their role on this team and have been working hard to get to where we are now.”

Another major focus this season has been creating a fun and supportive environment, which has played a key role in their growth as a team. This positive atmosphere has motivated the team to put in extra effort and push each other to improve.

As the team looks ahead to regionals, the Comets have also been focusing on the culture they are creating. The team is working to build a sense of unity, resilience and perseverance. Junior Mikhail Devassy said he believes his team has what it takes to compete with the other top teams in the state. 

“We learned that when we work together as a team, good things happen,” Devassy said. “After that, we just ran with it, and it definitely worked.” 

Known for his competitiveness and ability to thrive in high-pressure moments, Devassy has embraced his role as a leader, helping guide the team toward success. He believes that their teamwork, determination and shared commitment will be the driving forces behind their regional championship aspirations.

“I’m confident that our team will be regional champions,” Devassy said. “The culture we’ve built this season, our commitment to each other and our shared drive to succeed has prepared us to come out on top.”