The wait is almost over for the Mason High School wrestling team.

After making a run to the state tournament in the Ohio High School Athletic Association state duals last year, the Comets are ready for this years event, which begins Jan. 28.

Our kids are extremely excited, Mason coach Craig Murnan said. They have been focused on it and training for it all year. I think the experience of last year is something they want to build on. It is a true definition of a team.

For the first time, the road to St. John Arena runs through Masons gym.

The Comets dropped the first ever regional final at Centerville in 2013 before knocking the Elks out in the same round last year 37-18 to advance to state.

Mason was supposed to open the tournament Wednesday as the top seed against Middletown, but the Middies have withdrawn from the tournament. Centerville enters as the fifth seed and will battle Lebanon for the right to face Mason for a spot in the regional semis.

We are definitely in a good spot because we get to host it this year, Murnan said. Hopefully we will have two weeks of hosting.

Mason would face second-seed Fairfield or third-seed Springboro in the regional semis before facing the winner of region 7-B to go back to state.

We are going to have our work cut out for us, Murnan said. Fairfield is always good with their tradition and Springboro has a nice team. It seems Fairfield has more energy with Jason (Laflin) taking over. It is going to be a fun time.

And, it will be the first look teams in Cincinnati truly get at the Comets.

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Comets eager for state duals