Senate Concurrent Resolution 578

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH PIKE HIGH SCHOOL "EAGLES" WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM FOR WINNING THE MHSAA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, AND SENIOR POWERLIFTER CHRIS ABRON FOR SETTING 11 STATE RECORDS.

WHEREAS, South Pike High School Senior Powerlifter Chris Abron led the way in helping the "Eagles" capture the Mississippi High School Activities Association's Class 3A Powerlifting Championship on Friday, April 9, 2006, at Madison Central High School; and

WHEREAS, Chris Abron established five more state records as South Pike won the meet with 36 points. It was South Pike's first state championship in the sport; and

WHEREAS, Chris Abron won the 181-pound class with a total weight of 1,580 pounds, a 3A state record. Abron set 3A records in winning the squat (635 pounds) and deadlift (630 pounds). He also set marks for overall classes in the squat and total weight. Abron has 11 state records; and

WHEREAS, lifters participating in the State Championship included: Lance Brown, Kendric Butler, Patrick Webber, Chris Abron, Rovon Johnson, Jonathan Hodges, DeMario Richard and Randy Carter; and

WHEREAS, South Pike Senior Randy Carter won the 308-pound division. Carter won with 1,570 pounds and set a state record in the squat with 605 pounds. The remaining Senior, Pat Webber, finished third in the 165-pound division with 1,235 pounds; and

WHEREAS, "It's been great. My Seniors dedicated themselves to the weight room," said South Pike Powerlifting Coach Tyrone Varnado. "They rallied the other kids. Their dedication was the biggest thing that helped us be so successful"; and

WHEREAS, DeMario Richard captured the 242-pound class with 1,550 total pounds, a state record. He also set a new mark in the deadlift with 600 pounds. Jonathan Hodges finished second in the 220-pound class with 1,370 pounds. Rovon Johnson was third in the 198-pound class with 1,240 pounds. Lance Brown (123 pounds) and Kendrick Butler (132 pounds), son of State Senator Kelvin Butler, placed fourth in their respective classes. Brown had 780 total pounds, while Butler had 935 pounds. South Pike finished second in the 2004 meet in Class 4A behind Pearl; and

WHEREAS, earlier South Pike placed third in the Natchez Invitational, second in the South Pike Invitational and Region 4 District 7 Runner-Up in the 2006 3A Region 4 District 7 South State Championship. The team has won the South State Championship three years in a row. Two of these were in 4A classifications and one in 3A. They also have finished in the top five in the last three years and were State Runner-Up to Pearl High School in 2003-2004; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this achievement by a 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 South Pike High School "Eagles" Weightlifting Team for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Championship, and particularly recognize Senior Powerlifter Chris Abron for setting 11 state records, and extend to them the best wishes of the Legislature in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Principal of South Pike High School and Coach Tyrone Varnado for the team and be forwarded to the Pike County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.