House Concurrent Resolution 69

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBIA ACADEMY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND HEAD COACH DUANE POWELL AND ASSISTANT COACH DAN FAILS ON WINNING THE 2010, 2011 AND 2012 Mississippi ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, the Columbia Academy Boys Cross Country Team and Head Coach Duane Powell and Assistant Coach Dan Fails won the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Mississippi Association of Independent Schools State Championships, thus continuing a dynasty in Mississippi sports; and

WHEREAS, the Columbia Academy cross country squad is the only team from any school in any sport to win six consecutive state championships in the history of Marion County, having also won in 2007, 2008 and 2009; and

WHEREAS, on October 26, 2010, the Cougars became only the second team in MAIS history to post a perfect score of 15, taking the top five spots to win their fourth consecutive title; and

WHEREAS, on October 24, 2011, they repeated the performance to become the only team in MAIS history to post a perfect score twice in winning their fifth consecutive championship; and

WHEREAS, on October 22, 2012, the following team members won the sixth consecutive MAIS State Championship: Tyler Berry, Luke Coleman, Trevor Dixon, Jon Luke Watts, Jonah Wood, Chance Barber, Sam Carr, Hayden Hartzog, Joel Hitt, Michael Maliden, Cody Nace, Michael Reid, Wesley Fortenberry, Evan Anthony, Kenny Price, Alex Redditt, Alexander Watts, Harrison Hartzog, Brent Mitchell, Price McNeese and Hunter Reid; and

WHEREAS, the following members have earned recognition on the MAIS All-State Cross Country Team: in 2010, Tyler Berry, Jeremy Moree, Tanner Pace, Michael Reid and Jon Luke Watts; in 2011, Tyler Berry, Caleb Coleman, Luke Coleman, Jeremy Moree, Michael Reid and Jon Luke Watts; and in 2012, Tyler Berry, Luke Coleman, Trevor Dixon, Michael Reid and Jon Luke Watts; and

WHEREAS, being incredibly well disciplined young men, the Columbia Academy boys run throughout the year, frequently running in whatever conditions that may stand in the way of the required training to run cross country, whether it is the Magnolia State heat and humidity, the cold or even the rain; and

WHEREAS, many of the Columbia Academy cross country members will remember the lessons learned through running for Head Coach Duane Powell and Assistant Coach Dan Fails including learning to push one's body past exhaustion, injury, pain, mud and other obstacles; and

WHEREAS, turning young boys into men, the Columbia Academy cross country program's future is bright with Head Coach Duane Powell and Assistant Coach Dan Fails at the helm bolstered with the guidance and support of the boys' local community; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend and congratulate 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 Columbia Academy Boys Cross Country Team and Head Coach Duane Powell for winning six consecutive Mississippi Association of Independent Schools State Championships and extend best wishes to the team members for continued success in all their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Columbia Academy, Coach Duane Powell, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.