A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SCOTT'S BRANCH BOYS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2018 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that the members of the Scott's Branch boys track and field team of Clarendon County captured the state title at the championship meet held at Spring Valley High School's Harry Parone Stadium in Columbia on Saturday, May 12, 2018; and

Whereas, to the delight of their exuberant fans, the Scott's Branch Eagles defended the class A state title by edging out a competitive Military Magnet Academy to garner the team's second consecutive state trophy, 96-93; and

Whereas, in the 4x400-meter relay, Robert Matterson crossed the finish line for Scott's Branch in a near-photo finish just ahead of Military Magnet's runner to help the Eagles win the final and decisive event of the meet; and

Whereas, when the last relay began, Daquan Brock and Keondre Tappin took the first two legs, hoping to increase the Eagles' paper-thin lead of 86-85 over Military Magnet; and

Whereas, senior Robert Matterson, who had won the 110 hurdles and finished third in the 400 hurdles, was well aware that the defense of the team's 2017 state title hung in the balance as he took the baton from Treyshawn Moore to begin the anchor leg for Scott's Branch. The Eagles ran the 4x400 in an impressive 3 minutes, 31.42 seconds a half step ahead of Military Magnet to hold on to the title; and

Whereas, classmate Josh Pringle took a blue ribbon on two events for the Eagles, the discus toss and the shot put, while teammate Keondre Tappin took first place in the 400 run and Vaquan Wilder won another gold for Scott's Branch in the pole vault; and

Whereas, Levontae Fleming added to the championship score with second place in the high jump and fifth in the long jump; the 4x800 relay team finished second; Amonte Brown took third place in the 110 hurdles; and Je'Shawn Green finished third in the shot; and

Whereas, Eagle Treyshawn Moore was fifth in the 400; Keondre Tappin placed sixth in the 200; Daquan Brock took seventh place in the 400; and Terrence Yon was seventh in the 110 hurdles; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands endurance, versatility, and stamina, Head Coach Kevin Miller and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and training to build a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the track and field; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly values the pride and recognition that the Scott's Branch track and field athletes have brought to their school and their community, and the members look to hear of their continued achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Scott's Branch High School boys track and field team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2018 South Carolina Class A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Corey Burgess and Coach Kevin Miller.