Senate Concurrent Resolution 525

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL "WARRIORS" OVERALL TENNIS TEAM AND MISSISSIPPI HALL OF FAME COACH LYNN WOOD FOR WINNING THEIR 11TH CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Corinth High School "Warriors" Tennis Team compiled a total of 17 points on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, to win the Class 3A State Championship for the 2005-2006 season; and

WHEREAS, thirty-five-year veteran and Mississippi Hall of Fame Coach Lynn Wood and his championship squad won an unprecedented 11th State Championship for the Corinth High School Tennis program; and

WHEREAS, Corinth won four of five semifinal matches early and needed just one point in the championship round to hold off Newton County. The squad got the point with its first boys' doubles championship since 1998 and added two more titles to successfully defend its 2005 title; and

WHEREAS, the Warriors' 17 points and three-event championships tied a pair of school marks. Wood's 1981 and 1991 squads both netted 17 points, with the 1988 team matching the 1981 edition with three-event titles; and

WHEREAS, "This championship is just as sweet as the first one," said Coach Woods. "All of them feel the same, but are different because they involve a different group of kids. Everybody played with a big heart"; and

WHEREAS, team and individual state championships compiled by the Corinth tennis program is as follows: Team titles (11): 1981, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2002, 2005 and 2006. Individual Titles (26): Girls Singles (4): Antrice Kay, 1980 and 1981; Haley Huggins, 2005 and 2006. Boys Singles (3): Moore Hallmark, 1986 and 1987; Bobby Middleton, 1991. Girls Doubles (8): Lisa McFall/Mary Pierce, 1981; Catherine Smith/Nancy Smith, 1988, 1989 and 1990; Elizabeth Perry/Courtney Rogers, 1993; Courtney Coleman/Anna Lambert, 2004 and 2005; Abby Lambert/Courtney Puckett, 2006. Boys Doubles (6): Jeff Lansdale/Mark McFall, 1986; Torey Hammett/Neil Jones, 1988; Todd Archer/Jason Counce, 1990; Niel Hora/Jason Kay, 1992; Joshua Bryant/Jay Shipp, 1998; Luke McCullen/David Palmer, 2006. Mixed Doubles (5): Sammy Kay/Lisa Mills, 1981; Robert Williams/Kathi Merwin, 1988 and 1989; Michael Wood/Elizabeth Perry, 1991 and 1992; and

WHEREAS, Haley Huggins capped the championship and her stellar tennis career with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 win over Mooreville's Brittany Harris in girls' singles. The lone Corinth High School senior, who joined Antrice Kay (1980-1981) as the lone Lady Warrior to win consecutive championships in the event, finished the 2006 season 17-3 and dropped just two other sets outside of her three losses; and

WHEREAS, Abby Lambert and Christina Puckett followed with a three-set win over Newton County in girls' doubles. The pair dropped the first set 4-6, but bounced back with convincing 6-1 and 6-2 wins. According to Wood, Abby Lambert is the first eighth-grader he's had to win an event title; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments of this group of student athletes who have again brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Corinth High School "Warriors" Overall Tennis Team and Mississippi Hall of Fame Coach Lynn Wood for winning their 11th Class 3A State Championship and for their outstanding 2005-2006 season, and wish them continued success in their future athletic and scholastic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Lynn Wood and the Principal of Corinth High School, and be made available to the Capital Press Corps.