The goal for Beggs senior Charles Mason this spring is simple. WIN IT ALL.
Mason is the defending state runner up in the Class 3A shotput but being the runner-up is not where it’s at for 6-3,300-pound athlete who also plays football for the Golden Demons.
“Going to state was a cool experience. I also went my freshman year and placed in the top 20 that year and then Covid wiped out our sophomore year. Last year I threw against Jeremiah Major from Millwood who I’ve known for a long time and in between throws we would talk with each other about technique. That’s one of the reasons I like track so much is that it’s an individual sport, but you can also be a teacher for other throwers as well. I’ve really been focused on taking the gold this year ever since Jeremiah beat me out last year.”
Charles and his sister got started in track around the fifth grade and he’s gotten most of his training from Will Wabaunsee with 3D Elite in Tulsa and some help from his dad as much as he can. He also gained a lot of experience from summer camps that featured some of the best throwers from around the nation. Mason’s quest for the state title is off to a good start this season.
“In our first meet this year I used a new spin move and set a new school record with a throw of 53 feet 10 inches and that was exciting and then a few days later I broke that record with a throw of 56 feet four-and-a half inches (over two feet further than the winning throw at state last year.)”
Not only does Charles want to win the gold, he wants to set a new state record and eventually go after the world record of nearly 69 feet set last year by Ryan Crouser. Mason is also proud of his Creek heritage and spends time in and out of school involved in that.
“I take an Indian education class where we learn the Creek language and history. I’m also in the Muscogee Creek Nation Youth Council which does community service work within the Creek reservation and I’m also learning how to make native Creek weapons such as bows and arrows and blowguns.”
Charles will attend Oklahoma City University next year on a track scholarship with an eye toward eventually studying architectural engineering.
