Getting to know TWHS Junior Midfielder, Mason Wendle

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- In Anthony Demaio's first two seasons as The Woodlands High School lacrosse team's head coach, the young coach has led the team to two straight state championship games.

How has such a young coach managed to be so successful right out of the gate?

There are two reasons:

He is excellent at developing young players and a great role model on and off the field.

Case in point, take this week's profile subject, attackman Mason Wendle. Before the 2024 season, on the depth chart Mason was a role player in that he was projected to be just a cog getting playing time when the more experienced players needed a rest. It wasn't until after the beginning of last year's season when Wendle's ascent to the top of Coach Demaio's depth chart took shape. His hard work was paying off.

Do we write stories on young people simply because they excel on the field? No chance!

With the assistance of Coach Demaio, Wendle's excellent parents and his strong faith, Mason has morphed into a role model for younger players in the organization on and off the field.

You'll see how and why he possesses such great character in this week's Woodlands Online student athlete profile...

1) How long have you been playing lacrosse?

I started playing lacrosse in 4th grade, because my grandma, who played lacrosse in high school, gave me a stick for my birthday. Ironically, when I first tried lacrosse, I absolutely hated it. I could not stand the heat of the pads and the bulkiness of the helmet in the Texas heat. My mom wanted me to try it out one last time and I somewhat liked it, so she signed me up for the 4th grade season and my passion for the game grew from there. Growing up, I played a lot of sports, including football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. Once I got to 4th grade however, I knew I wanted to keep playing football, so it was a decision between soccer and lacrosse as my second sport, in which I ended up picking lacrosse.

2) Describe the 2025 TWHS Lacrosse team and why you enjoy playing for the Highlanders:

Our 2025 TWHS lacrosse team is incredible. This team is most definitely the most talented team I have ever played on and with Coach Demaio driving us to do our best everyday, I think there are big things in store for this team. Everyone on the team seems to just fit in this year, team chemistry follows.

3) Do you like TWHS?

Yes, I like TWHS. I enjoy the huge feeling of the school and the almost college feel of it. I enjoy seeing new people everyday, purely because that is how large the school is.

4) What colleges are you looking into attending? Your major? What do you hope to be doing after you graduate from college?

In college, I am looking to attend Penn State or the University of Texas to pursue a chemical engineering degree. I would not play lacrosse at either of these schools. However, if I get a division one offer to a highly regarded academic school, I would be willing to go there instead of Penn State or UT.

5) What do you enjoy doing away from school and sports?

Away from school and sports, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, playing video games, and working out at the YMCA.

6) Who are your role models for Lacrosse?

My biggest role model for lacrosse has got to be Coach Anthony Demaio. Like me, he is not very big or tall, but he is shifty and quick, and with a D1 national championship under his belt, I think it is safe to say he has found quite a bit of success playing lacrosse. I also admire his mindset, as he is always pushing for us to go harder and give 110% every rep of every practice.

7) Describe how supportive your family is in everything you do in your life.

My family is beyond supportive in everything I do, from lacrosse and traveling all across the country to tournaments or with school and helping me apply myself in clubs. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

8) If you were given a million dollars and had to give it to one charity, which one would you choose and why?

Definitely National MS Society, which is a charity that helps those with multiple sclerosis (MS) in need. MS is an auto-immune disease that damages nerves, and in some cases, can lead to completely paralyzing someone. Unfortunately, my dad has MS and has lost most of his movement in his body, except for some in his hands, so I would 100% donate the million dollars for further research in this field to hopefully find a cure.

9) Three things that people don't know about you.

I lived in Belgium, Europe. I play football. Me and my dad are die-hard Penn State football fans.

10) What is your favorite song in your phone now? Do you have a favorite group?

My favorite song right now is Member Only by Drake. Drake is by far my favorite artist and I listen to him plenty everyday.

11) Your favorite movie of all time.

Rocky 4. An absolutely unreal movie. If you haven't watched it, do yourself a service and go watch it.

The Woodlands High School varsity lacrosse coach, Anthony Demaio talks about Mason's meteoric rise to being a key player on the 2025 TWHS lacrosse team:

"Mason is a joy to coach. I told the team last week I have not seen a player take his game to the next level as fast as Mason has in the past two years. He is a very humble kid who is just focused on getting better each day and doing the little things to the best of his ability. He is a great teammate who always puts the team first and does whatever it takes to win. He never complains and gives 100% effort day in and day out. I can’t wait to see Mason have a great season in helping the team reach its goal of winning a state championship this spring!"

Family and town sources describe Mason's character off the field...

For Mason being one of four kids and the only boy out of the four, he has had to be a team player his whole life and voice his opinion if it differs from the girls. With that being pointed out, Mason was really good as a kid in doing what others wanted to do instead of what he really wanted to do.

For example, he would go on summer trips with his extended family that included six boys total, with Mason being the oldest by two years.

As the kids were growing up, the cousins would argue about what to play next or whose turn it was. Mason would never involve himself in the arguing. He was always mediating and would give up his place to let one of the cousins go first.

Mason also displayed this kind of behavior when he played with two younger twin boys that lived across the street. If they were arguing about what to play or the rules or whose turn, Mason would be the one to help resolve the issue and miss his turn or play something he didn’t want to play just to keep it peaceful and everyone happy. The parents of the twins talked about Mason like he was an impromptu third parent.

Will Mason help the lacrosse team take it one step further and win the THSLL (Texas High School Lacrosse League) state championship?

We'll all be observing to see if that elusive goal is within the team's grasp.

Wendle is no doubt hoping the season has a similar outcome as the movie Rocky 4.