House Resolution 129

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE WEST JONES HIGH SCHOOL SEASTANGS GIRLS SWIM TEAM FOR WINNING ITS FIRST MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR AN OVERALL OUTSTANDING SEASON.

WHEREAS, the West Jones High School Seastangs Girls Swim Team reigned victorious at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A State Championship, winning their first state title; and

WHEREAS, the outstanding state champion Seastangs began the championship meet where they ended the 2023 Pine Belt Conference Championship and the Girl's South State Championship tournaments, on top of the podium, with a three-year undefeated Pine Belt Conference winning streaks since its founding in 2021, and the team's third South State title in school history; and

WHEREAS, the swim program was established in 1995 with only four swimmers by Meg Moore, who grew the team to an average of 30 swimmers during the course of her 18 years as head coach before passing the baton to Lyndie Lyon who has continued the legacy of greatness established by her predecessor; and

WHEREAS, with extraordinary aquatic acumen, tremendous dedication and fortitude, the Seastangs invested countless hours of consistent training throughout the season and strived to win with unparalleled motivation and determination during the championship meet, and their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they dove in until the end of the meet signaled their victory, which also resulted in nine individual event state medalists; and

WHEREAS, the team had an overall outstanding season, and the key to their success was the tremendous team spirit and exceptional perseverance, which spawned a rapid succession of amphibious attacks at each swim meet; and

WHEREAS, the Seastangs were exceptionally coached and tremendously inspired by Coach Lyon, who has grown the team to an average of 40 swimmers and broadened the team's knowledge of the sport and refined their skills in execution, which has manifested in the team's top 10 finishes in the past eight years, as well as 2023-2024 Swim Coach of the Year accolades from the Mississippi Association of Coaches; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend outstanding student-athletes, especially those such as the West Jones High School Seastangs Girls Swim Team, whose agility and speed in the swimming pool brings honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the West Jones High School Seastangs Girls Swim Team for winning its first Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 2A State Championship and for an overall outstanding season, and extend to the team best wishes for success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to West Jones High School, Coach Lydie Lyon and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.