A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE BLYTHEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM FOR A SUCCESSFUL SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THE TEAM MEMBERS AND COACHES ON WINNING THE 2024 CLASS AAAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Whereas, the Blythewood High School girls track and field team experienced a historic 2024 season that included victories at the Diamond Hornet Invitational, the Cavalier Relays, the Blazer Twilight Invitational, and the Golden Corner Invitational; and

Whereas, the Lady Bengals delivered dominant victories in securing the Richland County Championship, the Region 3 AAAAA Championship, and the AAAAA Upper State Championship; and

Whereas, the girls culminated their remarkable season on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Columbia by winning the 2024 Class AAAAA State Championship. They scored 86 points, outpacing their nearest competitor by 36.5 points; and

Whereas, the Lady Bengals defended their 2023 state championship, becoming the first team in Blythewood High School history to win back-to-back state championships; and

Whereas, the team victory was achieved through exceptional skill and depth, with sixteen different girls qualifying to participate in the state championship meet, accounting for points scored in fourteen of the eighteen events competed; and

Whereas, this depth was led by individual state championships from Peyton Hightower in the 400 meters and Aminah Rhone in the 100-hundred-meter hurdles; and

Whereas, the 4x400 meter relay team of Madison Ross, Patience Lisbon, Alexandra Francique, and Peyton Hightower also won the state championship in their event; and

Whereas, these athletes were joined in being named to the Class AAAAA All-State team by D'ara Bolt, Hayley Hightower, Mallorie Hogue, Anna Kelly, Olivia Taylor, and Jurnee Warren; and

Whereas, the outcome of the state championship is evidence of the continued excellence of the program under the outstanding leadership of Head Coach Aleshia Hawkins and assistant coaches Shonda Harvey, Steve Inabinet, Daniel Flores, and Patrick Kelly; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in recognizing the accomplishments of the athletes and coaches of the Blythewood High School girls track and field team and the members look forward to hearing about the future achievements of these young athletes. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the Blythewood High School girls track and field team for a successful season and congratulate the team members and coaches on winning the 2024 Class AAAAA State Championship.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Matt Sherman and Coach Aleshia Hawkins of Blythewood High School.

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