Senate Concurrent Resolution 539

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE STONE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL "TOMCATS" TENNIS TEAM AND COACH FREDDIE WEGNER FOR WINNING THE 2019 CLASS 5A TENNIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Stone High School "Tomcats" Tennis Coach Freddie Wegner saw his mixed doubles team approach the net to shake hands with their opponents from Lafayette High School on May 31, 2019, and knew the dream had finally been realized. After eight futile trips to the Mississippi High School Activities Association 5A State Finals, his team had passed the ultimate test. The Tomcats were now, and will forever be recognized as, the 2019 MHSAA 5A State Champions; and

WHEREAS, the 6-3, 6-4 victory by Nick Alexander and Emily Luke at mixed doubles gave the Tomcats their fourth, and winning, point of the match and Alexander presented the ball which had been struck for the winning point to his coach; and

WHEREAS, "I think it validates the eight previous South State Championships," Coach Wegner said. "It is the first time in 12 years Oxford or Lafayette has not won the 5A Championship." In seven of those years, Oxford had beaten the Tomcats and, last year, Lafayette defeated Stone 4-3; and

WHEREAS, the Tomcats were dominating in the season's playoffs, winning 25 singles or doubles matches while losing only three. They finished the overall season with a record of 20-2. They defeated Wayne County 7-0 in the first round, Brookhaven 7-0 in the second round, and Long Beach 5-2 in the South State Championship. In the State Title match which they won 6-1; Lawson Pearson defeated Nate Leary 1-6, 6-1 (10-3); Orren Ladner and Kyle Bond defeated Dawson Welch and Barrett Childress 6-3, 6-4; He Feng Ou and Triston Hill defeated Sam Case and Brett Lampton 6-3, 6-3; Kendall Burn and Kaylen Bond defeated Sara Moore and Alexandra Lampton 6-0, 6-2; and Anna Stringer and Lainey Cunningham defeated Hudson Lindsay and Valerie Smith 6-3, 6-3; and

WHEREAS, Stone High Athletic Director Greg Amacker said, "It is a huge credit to the coaches and especially the parents that the program has experienced such consistency"; and

WHEREAS, the 2019 Stone High "Tomcats" 5A Tennis Team Roster is: Hank Rader, Triston Hill, Kyle Bond, Orren Ladner, Nick Alexander, Lawson Pearson, He Feng Ou, Tucker Smith, Christian Stonnington, Will Dedeaux, Noelle King, Kaylen Bond, Anna Stringer, Josie Lyons, Kendall Burn, Lainey Cunningham, Emily Luke, Jada Pittman and Koda Shaw; Coach Freddie Wegner; Assistant Coaches Kirk Ladner, Wynn Alexander and Eddie Brantley; 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 Stone County High School "Tomcats" Tennis Team and Coach Freddie Wegner for winning the 2019 Class 5A Tennis State Championship, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Freddie Wegner and Stone County High School Principal Adam Stone, forwarded to the Stone County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.