MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Frazier, Horhn, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Lee (35th), McDaniel
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL "ARROWS" BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM AND COACH OF THE YEAR GEARY HOWELL FOR WINNING THE CLASS 6A MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, THE FIRST STATE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
WHEREAS, the Clinton High School "Arrows" Boys Cross-Country Team completed their season at Choctaw Trails on November 6, 2010, at the Class 6A Mississippi High School Activities Association Championship Meet accomplishing what many may have considered an impossible feat. With temperatures just above freezing, the boys raced to their first cross-country title in school history. The Tupelo Golden Wave had won nine consecutive cross-country titles and the streak came to an end with Clinton winning 54-69; and
WHEREAS, the Arrows were led by senior William Kazery who finished fourth overall with a time of 16:45 and sophomore Conner Graham who placed sixth overall with a time of 16:55. Junior Alex Maisel took the eighth spot for the Arrows, posting a time of 16:59 and senior Ben Barnett placed 16th just ahead of junior Baxter Howell who finished 20th with a time of 17:33. Nonscoring runners included senior Devin Carr who finished in the 37th position with a season best time of 18:11 and Harrison Maisel who was 97th with a time of 19:49; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the State Championship, Coach Geary Howell was named Coach of the Year in Boys Cross-Country by the Mississippi Association of Coaches. "I am excited about receiving this honor," he said. "This is my first time to win this award and this is a tribute to our athletes and their dedication to running. It is a privilege to work in the Clinton Public School District as both a science teacher and a cross-country and track and field coach. This is a special moment for each of these athletes and I know they will remember this race for the rest of their lives"; and
WHEREAS, after a strong showing at the regional competition, four Clinton High School Cross-Country Team members are competing in the U.S. Track and Field National meet. Members of the Clinton High School Boys Cross-Country Team competed with Peak Performance Track Club out of Monroe, Louisiana, during the regional competition in Hoover, Alabama, representing the Southern Association, which is made up of teams from Louisiana and Mississippi. Clinton High School Girls Cross-Country members Jordan Hester and Megan Hodges ran separate from the team and finished in the top 10 in the Intermediate Division. The 2010 National Meet was hosted by the Alabama Region on December 11, 2010, at Spain Park High School in Valleydale, Alabama, and it is the second time that Clinton High School students have participated in the national competition. The selection of Jordan Hester, Megan Hodges, Devin Carr, and William Kazery to attend in the national meet caps off a stellar year for the cross-country program at Clinton High School; and
WHEREAS the Cross-Country Team is coached by Geary Howell and the 2010 team roster is: Vance Accardo, Andrew Armstrong, Ben Barnett, Chad Blissett, Devin Carr, Jimmy Doonan, Alex Dougherty, Conner Graham, Shawn Gompa, Dean Harrison, Bailey Howard, Baxter Howell, William Kazery, Colton Kelley, Alex Maisel, Harrison Maisel, Reagan Mcllwain, Bailey Morton, Parker Purvis, Brad Robbins, Aaron Thompson, Daniel Williams, and David Williams; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought honor to their school, their parents, 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 Clinton High School "Arrows" Boys Cross-Country Team and "Coach of the Year" Geary Howell for winning the Class 6A Mississippi High School Activities Association State Championship, the first State Title in school history, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, sponsors and parents for future successes in regional and national cross-country competition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be presented to Coach Geary Howell for the team and Clinton High School Principal Dr. Eddie Peasant, forwarded to the Clinton School District School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.