House Resolution 104

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBIA ACADEMY LADY COUGARS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND THEIR COACHING STAFF UPON WINNING THE 2025 MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (MAIS) CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Cross Country Team completed a remarkable and record-setting 2025 season by capturing the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 3A State Championship, demonstrating excellence, discipline and perseverance throughout the competitive season; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Cougars secured the championship title in dominant fashion by placing five runners among the top 10 finishers and defeating the defending champion, Kirk Academy, by an impressive margin of 24 points, a testament to the depth, endurance and competitive strength of the team; and

WHEREAS, this victory marks the fourth state championship in the history of the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Cross Country program, further establishing the Lady Cougars as one of the premier distance-running programs in the MAIS; and

WHEREAS, Team Captain Briley Speights delivered a historic performance by finishing in first place to become the first individual Lady Cougar Cross Country State Champion in Columbia Academy history, while also setting a school record with four consecutive regular-season victories; and

WHEREAS, throughout the regular season, the Lady Cougars displayed exceptional competitive consistency, winning eight of ten invitational meets, including a string of six consecutive victories, among them the Columbia Academy Caleb Coleman Invitational and the Blue Division of the prestigious "Watson" Invitational hosted by Mississippi College, the largest cross country meet conducted in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the championship season was the culmination of more than 20 weeks of rigorous preparation, during which these young student-athletes trained tirelessly on trails and tracks, completing hundreds of miles of distance running and extensive interval training while enduring extreme summer heat and adverse weather conditions, demonstrating remarkable grit, dedication and determination; and

WHEREAS, the members of the 2025 Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Cross Country Team include: Briley Speights, Ansley Armstrong, Emmi Burrell, Bryleigh Robertson, Alli Burrell, Charlee Kate Bond, Kortlyn Bracey, Harper Jones, Selia Kilpatrick and Kenedy Morgan; and

WHEREAS, the outstanding accomplishments of this team were made possible through the commitment and support of their coaches, parents, families, school administrators, fellow students and loyal fans, all of whom contributed to an environment that encourages excellence in athletics, academics and character; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the achievements of student-athletes whose discipline, teamwork and dedication bring pride and distinction to their schools and communities throughout the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Cross Country Team upon winning the 2025 MAIS Class 3A State Championship, and extend best wishes to the team and its coaching staff for continued success in future seasons.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Cross Country Team and coaching staff, the administration of Columbia Academy and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.