Senate Concurrent Resolution 566

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SIMPSON COUNTY ACADEMY CROSS COUNTRY "LADY COUGARS" FOR WINNING THE 2017 MAIS DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, we join the students, coaches, parents and faculty of Simpson County Academy in honoring the "Lady Cougars" Cross Country Team for winning the 2017 MAIS Division II State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the young team competed in Varsity Meets for the majority of the season. Simpson County Academy opened the cross country season on August 28, 2017, at the Jackson Academy Invitational. They finished 7th with a team average of 19:32 for a 4k. The field that finished in front of Simpson County Academy was comprised of Division I schools, with the exception of Lamar who finished fifth. August 28, 2017, would be the first and last time during the season that Simpson County Academy was defeated by anyone in their division. They raced again on September 11th at the Jackson Prep Invitational, finishing 6th right ahead of Lamar. For the next four meets, Simpson County Academy held a 5th place overall team finish and was second to none among Division II schools. At the Cathedral Cross Country Invitational, the team raced under the Junior Varsity Division and won with 17 points over Silliman Institute. The win at Cathedral foreshadowed what was to come on October 24th at the MAIS AMA Division II Overall Varsity State Meet. Simpson won the Meet coming in with 46 points and improving their team average by over a minute, now averaging a time of 18:23 for a 4k; and

WHEREAS, the team was coached by Emily Craft and included 6th graders, Callie Grace Clayburn and Claire Mitchell; 7th graders: Carson Carter, Elliot Rankin, Bailey Blakeney, Mary Madelyn Grubbs, Emma Wallace and Emma Overstreet; 8th graders, Cameron Bishop and Mary Margaret Rankin; 9th graders, Blair Smith and Mary Margaret White; and All-State Carson Carter and Mary Margaret Rankin; and

WHEREAS, Coach Craft commented, "The girls really worked hard this season and remained dedicated to the goal. They proved they knew not only how to run well, but how to race well and that is what made us Champions"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have 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 Simpson County Academy Cross Country "Lady Cougars" for winning the 2017 MAIS Division II State Championship, and extend our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Emily Craft for the team, forwarded to Simpson Academy Headmaster Billy W. Hankins, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.