Senate Concurrent Resolution 659

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH PIKE HIGH SCHOOL "EAGLES" WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM FOR WINNING CONSECUTIVE MHSAA CLASS 4A STATE POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, a late push by South Pike Head Coach Tyrone Varnado's Powerlifting Team helped the "Eagles" to win back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A Titles on April 14, 2012; and

WHEREAS, when South Pike super heavyweight powerlifter Jaswon Jackson was eliminated from the competition, Coach Tyrone Varnado's team came together for one final push. Kentrelle Allen and Chris Brumfield, South Pike's only two competitors left, told Varnado to relax, it was in their hands. Allen and Brumfield did exactly that and both placed second in their respective weight classes to help South Pike clinch its second-consecutive Class 4A State Powerlifting Championship. South Pike's 46 points were enough to edge Pontotoc, which scored 44; and

WHEREAS, "We are super proud to go back-to-back. I've been coaching at South Pike for 10 years, and to do it back-to-back is awesome. We feel like we are blessed. You can fight through adversity," Varnado said; and

WHEREAS, South Pike picked up 36 quick points early in the State Championship Meet, which is divided into two flights. Jackson, Allen and Brumfield were the only three left to compete in the second flight. South Pike's three individual winners and several second- and third-place finishes gave the Eagles the Title; and

WHEREAS, junior Chris Pittman highlighted the first flight by earning his second-straight State Championship. Pittman won the 132-pound weight class in 2011 and won the 148-pound weight class in record fashion. His three-lift total of 1,340 — 540 on squat, 235 on bench press and 565 on dead lift — shattered the previous 4A state record of 1,305. Pittman's squat also broke both the 4A and all-time record (505 pounds), which were previously set by Yazoo City's Travis Knight in 2005 and his dead lift broke Nicholas' record of 555 pounds; and

WHEREAS, South Pike had two more State Title winners. Eighth-grader Corey Pittman won the 114-pound weight class with a combined total of 780. Desmond Robertson totaled 920 pounds to take home the 123-pound Title; and

WHEREAS, the Eagles had won at South State and Regionals, but the pressure at the State Meet is different than in the earlier rounds. It is also the final step. There is not anything after the State Meet. The pressure at state is squarely put on doing the one thing that is happening, making the lift. That is where the Eagles' determination came through. The determination was focused on making the lift, which was exactly what the Eagles needed and what Coach Varnado wanted; 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 back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A State Championships, 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, be forwarded to the Pike County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.