The George Mason Mustangs (1-8) will travel to Manassas Park (6-3) on Friday November 12 to close out their 2010 football season. The Mustangs are in desperate need of a win to snap their six game losing streak, while Manassas Park is trying to improve their record in the Bull Run to 3-1.

The Mustangs are coming off of a tough 14-28 loss to the Strasbourg Rams, keeping them winless in the Bull Run district. Manassas Park had a strong showing against Clarke County in their last match, winning 21-14. A win for Manassas Park could potentially put them on top of the Bull Run if Clarke County beats Madison County on Friday.

Kick off will be at 7:30 p.m. in this crucial Bull Run district matchup, as the Mustangs look to spoil Manassas Park’s season. Students are encouraged to make the trip to Manassas to support their George Mason football team.

Mason’s cross country teams brought home the bacon at Panorama Farms. On Wednesday, November 3, the girls and boys cross country teams both took first place in the regional meet. Though it was the first time that the Mason boys cross country team won a regional title, the win was nothing new for the girls Mason cross country team, as this was their third consecutive Regional Title.

The boys cross country team finished with a score of 60 points. Only 10 points behind them was runner up Alta Vista with 70 points.

The boys’ team was led by senior Jordan Robarge, who finished fifth in the race with a time of 17:10; Robarge received All-Region honors. All-Region honors were also awarded to junior Jesse Schaffer and sophomore Jeremy K. Brown, who placed ninth and fourteenth respectively. Strong performances were also given by senior Daniel Drawbaugh in sixteenth, sophomore Jeremy M. Brown in twenty-fourth, senior Dane Warner in twenty-sixth and junior Paul Hennigner in twenty-ninth.

The girls cross country team left their opponents in the dust with a team score of 22 points, beating Strasburg’s second place by over 30 points. All seven ladies earned a top 12 finish and All-Region honors. Sophomore Julia Estrada placed second, junior Michele de Mars third, junior Eva Estrada fourth, junior Emma Vieillescazes sixth, junior Abby Perez seventh, senior Mollie Breen ninth, and sophomore Hannah Beaman eleventh.

Both teams will travel to Great Meadow to compete in the State meet on November 13. The boys will look for their first ever state championship while the girls will attempt to win their third consecutive state championship.

It is official: George Mason High School has joined Oakton High School to create a junior varsity hockey team. Many students in previous years were forced to join teams outside of school and play pick-up games, but now all of that interest has finally been put to use.

The first game will be Friday, December 3 at 6:45 p.m. against Washington and Lee/TC Williams at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. The rink is located above Ballston Mall, offering numerous other activities for students to do before and after the game, so everyone should come to support the new Oakton/Mason hockey team.

The team is hoping to begin its hockey history with a win against Washington Lee/TC Williams. The team is mostly made up of students who attend Oakland High School and about five students from Mason: goaltender Eddy Marshall and forwards Hans Olson, Connor Rhodes, Jack Stricker, Hunter Olson, and Adam Fendley.

Many students are also excited about the idea of a new sports team being added to the Mason roster.

Junior Jesse Litton said, “I think it’s awesome that we have a new sport to raise enthusiasm for. Also it’s a unique sport to take up and it’ll be a good addition.”

The team’s complete game schedule for the 2010-11 season is as follows:

Friday, December 3, 6:45 pm, vs Washington Lee / TC Williams, Kettler Capitals Iceplex

Friday, December 10, 9:20 pm, vs Freedom / Dominion, Ashburn Ice House

Saturday, December 11, 9:20 pm, vs Yorktown, Ashburn Ice House

Friday, December 17, 9:40 pm, vs North Stafford / Colonial Forge, Skatequest Reston

Saturday, December 18, 6:30 pm, vs Osbourn, Cabin John Ice Arena

Saturday, January 08, 9:20 pm, vs Briar Woods / West Potomac, Ashburn Ice House

Friday, January 21, 4:00 pm, vs South Lakes, Lumberyard Ice Rink (Haymarket)

Saturday, January 29, 10:20 pm, vs Flint Hill, Ashburn Ice House

Saturday, February 5, 9:20 pm, vs Woodson, Ashburn Ice House

Wednesday, February 9, 4:00 pm, vs Osbourn Park, Lumberyard Ice Rink

Tonight is George Mason’s football Senior Night! This night is designated to honor the seniors on the team and to acknowledge their time and role on the team as it is their final season. This is also the last game that will be hosted by Mason this year. The senior boys are excited for tonight’s game and ready to come out on the field with a rumble.

Senior Brandon Alexander says, “It’s bittersweet for me, I’m ready to play tonight but it also makes me a little sad because it reminds me that my football journey is coming to an end.”

Spirit Club will also be putting on quite a show for our seniors. Club members have been told to go all out in Mason attire. Red face paint, ribbons and large cheer signs are to be anticipated.

Living in such an exceptionally small town, one may think they know just about everything about everyone, but what's beneath the surface may come to be very surprising.

Freshman Jade Uyeda-Trackman has a very unique hobby not many people even know exist. Uyeda-Trackman practices the art of parkour multiple times a week.

Parkour is “a training methodology that involves getting over, around, and through obstacles to enhance physical fitness and mental preparedness” and is an extremely difficult skill to acquire. Uyeda-Trackman attends classes at Urban Evolution, and she says most of her classes include exercises like jumping off blocks of about nine or ten feet in height, avoiding obstacles while running, climbing pipes, and jumping up onto various types of blocks.

Uyeda-Trackman has been attending classes during the week at Urban Evolution for about two months now, starting at the beginning of her freshman year. Since parkour can be a grueling and demanding activity, Uyeda-Trackman prevents injury by only attending classes once or twice a week.

Unlike most sports, no special clothes or materials are required, just one’s self. Uyeda-Trackman says “It’s really fun, I enjoy doing it.”

Uyeda-Trackman partakes in parkour for pure fun, although it also provides the training and knowledge for if one is ever stuck in a situation where a quick escape is necessary.  She hopes to continue to the next courses offered at Urban Evolution; cross-fit, break-dance, capoiera, or free running.

After four years on the George Mason High School Varsity volleyball team, senior Katie Breen was voted unanimously by coaches in the Bull Run District to take First Team All District Honors.  Breen was presented with a small medal Thursday morning which she pinned immediately onto her sweater.

“This was my goal,” she exclaimed to Coach Rizzi while bouncing up and down and giggling with excitement.

“I think Katie exemplifies everything you would want in a volleyball player and teammate.  I am so proud of her.  She really deserves this,” said Rizzi.

Breen will be honored by the Bull Run District Saturday night at Strasburg.