Clyde's Mason Gurney knows where to find a little extra strength when he reaches for it

Athletes of all ages at every level often look to the stands where family is seated.

Someone is missing for Clyde's Mason Gurney. His mother, Chelsey Carter, died from colon cancer last December.

Carter is on Gurney's mind more often than not. The senior spends several minutes before games sitting where his mom used to sit.

She loved to watch him play baseball and golf. He plays football now as well.

He earned player of the year status for golf, carding a 78 and overcoming a playoff for a win at the Sandusky Bay Conference tourney. He's the place kicker and punter for the football team.

"That's one thing I pushed for all four years," he said. "Last year, I came pretty close. I do everything for her and push myself to be great for her. After not being very good freshman year, to win player of the year is an extraordinary feeling."

His mom was with him as he hit his first playoff shot into the rough, surrounded by trees. He punched an iron to within 12 feet for par, compared to a double-bogey for his counterpart.

He brings his mom with him everywhere.

"I have a special routine, especially for baseball," he said. "I sit where she sat and think about her and keep her on my mind. I think about her and what she's done for me."

Gurney averaged fewer than 16 putts per nine holes in events to finish the season, although he carded an 85 at sectional and didn't move on.

He shot 77 to win the Hohenstein Invitational. He shot 74 to finish second at Glenmoor Country Club in Canton to finish second.

"Winning tournaments is the biggest thing," he said. "Me and Josh Swartz push each other."

He averaged 77 for 18 holes and shot 38.5 per nine in the regular season.

Gurney typically heads from a short golf practice to the football field. He'll miss football practice for golf tournaments.

"It's worked out pretty well," he said. "I don't see a challenge. The golf pressure atmosphere helps with Friday night lights. Golf helps with football and football helps with golf. It's calm both ways. Mentally, it helps a lot."

He booted a 42-yard field goal late in the second quarter in a win over Toledo Start.

"It gave us a running clock," he said.

Football provides Gurney another opportunity to escape a little bit.

"I got the friendships back for football, going from middle school football to playing golf," he said. "Those friends were playing football. I have those friendships back."

He tries to set an example for 13-year-old brother, Blake Gurney.

"Help him push through school and make sure he's doing the right things and nothing he shouldn't be doing," he said. "The right things in the classroom and to help him succeed in life. He can come to me first with anything because I understand more than anybody else does."

Clyde coach Rob Jennings helped Gurney develop his game. Gurney didn't simply try to stack rounds on different courses.

"Practice," he said. "In the summer, I spent 10 hours on the course practicing something different every day. Not playing holes, but putts and on the range. That really helped."

Gurney carded 2-under at Eagle Creek as a junior to broaden his horizons. He finished the season first-team all-conference.

"Junior year is when everything started to kick off and improve," he said.

Gurney plans to continue his golf career at Heidelberg University.

"It's close to home," he said. "It was a great atmosphere on my visit. Everything feels like it fits perfect. Great coach, great kids, great campus — you couldn't ask for better."

He dreams of playing on the PGA Tour after college.

He wanted to play football as a sophomore two years ago. His parents weren't sure it wouldn't be too much balancing two sports with school.

"The encouragement and discipline and focus to do both at one time," he said. "It takes a lot out of you doing both, with school."

He didn't want to graduate with regrets. Carter's death instilled a new determination in everything Gurney does.

"I know she'd want the best for me and want me to push harder. I try to improve everything for her. Keep my mental game strong. I've worked harder at everything I've done. In the weight room doing more, get that little bit of sadness off me.

"She doesn't leave my mind for a second of any day. She helps me a lot from up above. She's my savior and guardian angel. She passed away when I was 16, but knowing she'll be part of my life for the rest of my life helps."

She's always seated in his heart.

mhorn@gannett.com

419-307-4892

Twitter: @MatthewHornNH

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: After losing his mom, Clyde's Mason Gurney has new determination