Hayfield’s Tapp is headed to Saint Thomas
Published 6:48 pm Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Mason Tapp may be holding down the shortstop role for the Hayfield baseball team that has been racking up wins this spring, but the senior recently made his announcement that his sports future lies on the basketball court.
Tapp, who had a walk-off RBI for Hayfield (16-2 overall) on Tuesday, has committed to play college at the University of Saint Thomas, a Division III school in St. Paul.
The Tommies have had Tapp’s eye ever since his cousin Isaac Tapp, a Stewartville grad, played at Gustavus from 2011-2015.
Hayfield’s Mason Tapp floats through the lane with a shot attempt against Lyle-Pacelli in Section 1A Tournament play Thursday night in Hayfield. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“I’ve always been interested in St. Thomas,” Mason said. “My cousin (Isaac Tapp) played in the MIAC and always heard about how good they were. When they started recruited me I was excited, because I knew about the great history of their program.”
Mason is also a cousin of former Gopher and current Team USA volleyball players Paige Tapp and Hannah Tapp,
He said that growing up in an athletic family has its benefits.
“I grew up going to all of my cousin’s events,” Mason said. “Everything we do as a family is competitive and we’re always pushing each other to become better athletes.”
Mason, who is a 1,000-point scorer made his own name for the Vikings basketball team this past winter after he struggled with injuries during his junior season. He averaged 20.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 blocks per game for a Hayfield team that won 19 more games than it did in the previous season.
“This year I really started growing as a player. I realized I could play in college,” Mason said. “I was just a sharpshooter last year, but I improved on my defense and learned to attack the hoop.”
Mason is hoping to bulk up before headed to UST next year, but in the meantime he’s hoping to help the Vikings on the baseball diamond as Hayfield is still looking for its first trip to the Minnesota State Baseball Tournament in school history.
“It’s been a lot of fun and we’ve been rolling,” Mason said. “Everything’s coming together and we’re hopeful that we can make a run at the end of the year.”
UST went 24-5 overall and lost to Guilford 80-73 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament this past season.
