House Concurrent Resolution 141

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE KOSSUTH HIGH SCHOOL AGGIES BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND HEAD COACH CHRIS BUTLER FOR WINNING THE MHSAA 2009 CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Kossuth High School Aggies Boys Cross Country Team under the direction of Head Coach Chris Butler and Assistant Coach Charla Essary won the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State Cross Country Championship; and

WHEREAS, adding to the Aggies distance running trophy case, many of the same members of the 2009 Aggies Boys Cross Country Team also won the State Championship in 2007; and

WHEREAS, in the 2009 State Meet at the Choctaw Trails, the Aggies dominated the 3.1 mile/5k event, placing five runners among the top seven finishers with all of them going under the time of 19:30 in the 5k at a pace of 6:17 per mile; and

WHEREAS, Casey Parks, who claimed second place and the Silver Medal, led the Aggie runners with a time of 17:46 at a pace of 5:43 per mile; and

WHEREAS, Bronze Medalist Nick Thompson crossed in a time of 17:55 at a pace of 5:46 per mile, while the all important fourth, fifth and seventh spots also went to Kossuth runners; and

WHEREAS, Kyle Suitor posted a fourth place time of 18:12 at a pace of 5:52 per mile followed by fellow sophomore, Connor Martin, at a time of 18:21 at a pace of 5:54 per mile; and

WHEREAS, Andy McElyea came home with the seventh place mark of 18:23 and Slater Smith clocked in at 18:37 at a pace of 6:00 per mile to finish eleventh and Jordan Peters rounded out the Aggie participants with a twenty-second place time of 19:27 at a pace of 6:16 per mile; and

WHEREAS, the following team members participated in the State Meet and attained the indicated individual honors: Michael Ginn, Clint Jones, Connor Martin, All-State Team - fifth overall at the State Meet, time of 18:21; Andy McElyea, All-State Team - seventh overall at the State Meet, time of 18:23; Tanner Mills, Avery Parks, Casey Parks, All-State Team - second overall at the State Meet, Silver Medal time of 17:46; Jordan Peters, twenty-second and overall at the State Meet, time of 19:27; Chase Peterson, Daniel Shawl, Slater Smith, All-State Team - eleventh overall at the State Meet, time of 18:37; Blake Strachan, John Parker Suggs, Kyle Suitor, All-State Team - fourth overall at the State Meet, time of 18:12; Dalton Taylor, Nick Thompson, All-State Team - third overall at the State Meet, Bronze Medal time of 17:55; Carington Walls, Cody Hilliard and Manager Whitney Shipman; and

WHEREAS, being incredibly well-disciplined young men, the Aggies had a 2009 team record of 106-2, with its only losses to Corinth High School and to Randolph High School in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Kossuth High School's cross country program's rapid ascent to the top is unique in the Magnolia State particularly in the period of time the distance running program has been in existence; and

WHEREAS, many of the Kossuth High School cross country members will remember the lessons learned through running for Head Coach Chris Butler and Assistant Coach Charla Essary, such as pushing one's body past exhaustion, pain, mud and any other obstacles; and

WHEREAS, the Kossuth High School distance runners balance not only school work during the day but multiple training sessions beginning as soon as the school day ends; and

WHEREAS, being both athletically and academically gifted,

some of the Kossuth High School cross country program members have gone on to attain collegiate distance running status; and

WHEREAS, Coach Butler's and Assistant Coach Charla Essary's wisdom and relentless preparation have equipped all of their runners for any challenges they will face through life; and

WHEREAS, turning young boys into men, the Kossuth High School cross country program's future is bright with Coach Butler at the helm; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such a superb 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Kossuth High School Aggies Boys Cross Country Team for winning the 2009 Class 3A State Championship and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Kossuth High School, Head Coach Chris Butler, Assistant Coach Charla Essary and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.