Warren senior Mason Francis, center, signs Tuesday inside Warrior Coliseum a National Letter of Intent to continue his swimming career at Ohio State. He is pictured with his mother, Zandra, and father, Mike. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

VINCENT — Mason Francis’ father remembers his son winning a race at a club swim meet while in junior high.

It was at the point in time, Mike Francis asked his son if he was ready for this ride. Mason answered, “I’m ready.”

Now a senior at Warren High School, Mason Francis confirmed the next step in his swimming career. On Tuesday afternoon inside the high school gymnasium, with his parents (Mike and Zandra Francis) at his side, he signed a National Letter of Intent to join the swim program next year at Ohio State University.

Francis enters his final season with the Warriors as the defending state champ in both the 100 and 50 freestyle in Division 2.

“It was a lot to take in when I visited the school,” Francis said. “You walk in any other buildings around the campus and it’s the wow factor. The team itself, I could really sense how close they were and the work ethic they have.

“One of my favorite parts, they lift a lot compared to other schools.”

The Ohio State University men’s program placed 13th at the NCAA Championships earlier this year, which ranked second best among Big Ten Conference schools.

“Absolutely not,” Francis replied when asked if the moment had sunk in. “I don’t know if I am doing it all right. I’m feeling I am here now, but the daily practices will really decide where I am at whenever I get there.

“I just told them my story and it stood out to them a lot. I just try to work hard and I think they appreciate that.”

Francis’ offseason workouts, which includes training in the Ohio River, have been well-documented. When he was introduced to the coaching staff, his unorthodox training path did not fall in deaf ears.

“It’s hard for a swimmer to find a place to swim in this area,” said Mike Francis, who serves a dual role as his son’s coach. “It’s been a huge struggle to get to his level in this area. It’s tough.

“Mason’s first time at Ohio State, he shook the coach’s hand and the coach said ‘You are the kid who swims in the river,'” his father said. “So they know, too.”

Mason Francis, who plans to major in exercise science, still has unfinished business as a high school swimmer. His quest includes repeating as a two-time individual state champion. In his event of choice, the 50 freestyle, he placed runner-up as a sophomore.

In the 100 freestyle that same year, Francis placed fifth. Whether he returns to specialize in that event or something else like the 100 butterfly, that decision is yet to be determined.

“I want to go two-for-two (at state) again – I don’t know what my second event will be this year, but my first event is definitely going to be the 50 free,” said Francis. “And my goal is to beat the state record. We will see how that goes. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s where I am putting all the work in for.”

Francis is coming off several prestigious awards after being selected the Southeast Ohio Swim League Male Swimmer of the Year for the second straight year and receiving the award as the 2024 Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Male Swimmer of the Year.

Of the 11 events in high school swimming, Francis owns the school record in all but one – the 500 freestyle, which he held until last year when teammate Elijah Watkins surpassed the mark.

“This year, I’ve ramped the training up a lot,” Francis said. “Last year, I practiced just in the evenings. Now I’m doing double what I was doing in the morning plus what I would do in the evenings. It’s a lot. Doing five lifts and nine swims each week.

“I feel I have a big bull’s eye on my back this year. But that’s what drives me. It’s really exciting. As far as the school record in the 500 freestyle, I’ll try to bury it this year.”

As for the relationship between father and son, swimmer and coach, Francis said he owes so much to the sacrifices made by his parents over the years.

“I never really expected any of this,” Francis said. “Before high school, I didn’t expect any of this. It was consistency that brought me here.

“I would not be here if not for my parents. Swimming, it’s all over the place and it’s every night for like six years they have taken me everywhere.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com