Bill Text: MS HR20 | 2010 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Resolution 20 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Columbia Academy Cross Country Team; commend on winning three consecutive MAIS Class AA State Championships.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-02-10 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR20 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2010-HR20-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Morgan

House Resolution 20

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBIA ACADEMY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND COACH DUANE POWELL ON WINNING THE 2007, 2008 AND 2009 MAIS CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, Columbia Academy Boys Cross Country Team and Head Coach Duane Powell won the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 2A State Championships, thus starting a dynasty in Mississippi sports; and

WHEREAS, the Columbia Academy cross country squad is the only team from any school in any sport to win three consecutive state championships in the history of Marion County; and

WHEREAS, on October 26, 2009, the Columbia Academy cross country program had one of the most dominating performances in MAIS meet history by placing six runners in the top ten and scoring a near perfect 18 points (out of a perfect 15) in winning their third straight state championship by 50 points; and

WHEREAS, the Columbia Academy cross country program produced two individual state champions: Evan Powell, 2007; and Channing Stringer, 2009; and

WHEREAS, in 2009, Channing Stringer was undefeated in MAIS competition and had the top pace of 5:47 per mile and the fastest time of 17:59.72 for any MAIS runner at the state championship meet; and

WHEREAS, the Columbia Academy cross country program has placed 13 total runners on the MAIS All-State Cross Country Team including, Evan Powell, Channing Stringer, Jamie Thweatt, Reece Berg, Adam Ham, Issac Hitt, Jeremy Moree and Jon Luke Watts; and

WHEREAS, adding to the trophy case, the Columbia Academy cross country program won the 2009 State Games of Mississippi Cross Country Championship on June 6, 2009, in Meridian; and

WHEREAS, being incredibly well disciplined young men, the Columbia Academy boys run every day, frequently running in whatever conditions that may stand in the way of the required training to run cross country, whether it is the Magnolia State heat and humidity, the rain or even the cold; and

WHEREAS, in order to be three-time champions in 2009, the two-time defending MAIS Class 2A State Champions Cross Country Team had to put in a lot of additional hard work that began in the early spring months of 2008 and continued through the fall of 2009; and

WHEREAS, during a typical build, a cross country runner may run weekly running mileage ranging from 25 miles per week up to 60 plus miles per week; and

WHEREAS, Columbia Academy's cross country program's rapid ascent to the top is unique in the Magnolia State, particularly in the short period of time the distance running program has been around; and

WHEREAS, many of the Columbia Academy cross country members will remember the lessons learned through running for Head Coach Duane Powell and Assistant Coach Dan Fails, such as pushing one's body past exhaustion, injury, pain, mud and any other obstacles; and

WHEREAS, many of Columbia Academy distance runners are multi-sport high school athletes, thus having to balance not only school work during the day but multiple training sessions beginning as soon as the school day ends; and

WHEREAS, being both athletically and academically gifted, some of the Columbia Academy cross country program members have gone on to attain collegiate distance running status; and

WHEREAS, Coach Powell's wisdom and relentless preparation have equipped all his runners for another sometime inequitable challenge that they will all face: life; and

WHEREAS, turning young boys into men, the Columbia Academy cross country program's future is bright with Coach Powell at the helm bolstered with the guidance and support of the boys' local community; and

WHEREAS, the members of the 2009 Columbia Academy Boys Cross Country Team are as follows: Gage Bass, Isaac Hitt, Alex McKenzie, Nick Sanders, Brent Sandifer, Channing Stringer, Jamie Thweatt, Adam Ham, Kris Kennedy, Jeremy Moree and Jon Luke Watts; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend such a superb group of student athletes who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Columbia Academy Boys Cross Country Team and Coach Duane Powell for winning the 2007, 2008 and 2009 MAIS Class 2A State Championships and extend best wishes to the team members for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Columbia Academy, Head Coach Duane Powell, Assistant Coach Dan Fails and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.