WHEREAS, Michael Battista, a sophomore at Broad Run High School in Loudoun County, won an individual state wrestling title at the 2015 Virginia High School League Group 5A wrestling championship meet; and

WHEREAS, Michael Battista defeated Garrett Griffith of Potomac Falls High School in the 160-pound weight class at the championship meet; the title matches were held on February 20, 2015, at James Robinson Secondary School in Burke; and

WHEREAS, the final score in the double-overtime match was 8 – 7; Michael Battista was nearly pinned in the first period, but he did not let that deter him, remaining focused throughout the rest of the competition; and

WHEREAS, it was the fourth time that the two wrestlers had faced each other during the 2014 – 2015 season, and with the win at James Robinson Secondary School, Michael Battista took home his first individual state title; and

WHEREAS, Michael Battista's impressive performance was gratifying to JJ Totaro, head coach of the Broad Run High School wrestling team, who knew that the talented athlete would do whatever was needed to best represent the school and the wrestling team; and

WHEREAS, Michael Battista is the first wrestler to win an individual state title in wrestling for Broad Run High School since 1999; the entire wrestling team worked well together throughout the season; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Michael Battista of Broad Run High School hereby be commended for winning the 2015 individual state wrestling title in the 160-pound weight class at the Virginia High School League Group 5A wrestling championship meet; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Michael Battista as an expression of the House of Delegates' congratulations and admiration for his outstanding achievement.