Senate Concurrent Resolution 507

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BOTH THE KOSSUTH HIGH SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS BOWLING TEAMS AND COACH MICHAEL LEE FOR SWEEPING THE STATE CLASS 1 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR 2017.

WHEREAS, high school bowling has grown into a highly competitive sport over the past few years and Kossuth High School has taken advantage to establish one of the best Division 1 teams in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Aggies and Lady Aggies Bowling Teams accomplished a feat this season that no other local school has ever done on the lanes: They swept the State Titles and brought the Gold back to Alcorn County; and

WHEREAS, Coach Michael Lee cheered and watched as both his squads went for the sweep, the girls over Richland and the boys over East Union. Before they could claim a State Crown, the Aggies and Lady Aggies had to bowl their way through the regular season and take care of business at district. Lee's bowlers both won their respective district matches at Southaven where the girls outdistanced Tupelo Christian Preparatory School 2,922-2,686 in total pinfall. They also won the Baker Round 3-1 against the Lady Eagles. The Aggies followed suit, outrolling the field and topping the second-place Urchins 3,642-3,485. Kossuth also topped East Union 3-1 in the Baker Round; and

WHEREAS, upon reaching the State Tournament in Jackson, Kossuth faced off against seven other schools for the title. When the last pin had fallen and the final frame had been bowled, the Aggies found themselves atop the eight-team field with a total pinfall of 3,664. East Union was once more the runner-up to the Crown as it bowled a total of 3,502. There are four games bowled by each school in the Championship Series and the Aggies placed First in the first and last games. They placed Second in the middle two games, both to the Urchins; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Aggies' journey to their second State Championship in three years ended joyously as they outrolled Richland. Kossuth's total pinfall in the Finals Series was 2,994. The Kossuth girls also topped the Lady Rangers 3-2 in the Baker Round. Both squads won preliminary matches against Mantachie prior to the State Championships; and

WHEREAS, "This makes three straight years for both teams in the finals and the girls won it two years ago," said Head Coach Michael Lee, who has quietly maintained a powerful program at Kossuth High School after Creighton Nelms got it rolling four years ago. Nelms is still at Kossuth, but is now coaching the Blue Mountain College Bowling Team, quite a testament to his knowledge and ability in the sport; and

WHEREAS, members of the 2017 Lady Aggies Championship Bowling Team were sophomores, Marlee Mask and Alison Patton; juniors: Kerissa Beth Martin, Avery Mullins and Ashley Winters; along with seniors, Macy Mask and Kaitlin Stagner; and

WHEREAS, Freshman, Hank Gardner; Sophomores, Peyton Lee and Rope Inman; and Seniors: Nik Wilcher, Kaden Cooper and Cody Weaver, formed the Boys Title Team; and

WHEREAS, Peyton Lee, son of the Head Coach, paced the boys squad with a 202 average for the season, which led the team. Kaden Cooper was second with his 178 average, and Macy Mask was the senior who led the girls squad to its second championship in three years. Kerissa Beth Martin's 148 average led the girls team; and

WHEREAS, Kossuth bowling is about family; and it is with great pride that we recognize two Championship Teams who have brought a special 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 both the Kossuth High School Boys and Girls Bowling Teams and Coach Michael Lee for sweeping the Class 1 State Championships for 2017, and extend our best wishes to the teams, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Michael Lee for both teams, forwarded to Kossuth Principal Travis Smith and the members of the Alcorn County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.