House Concurrent Resolution 60

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MEGAN HEGGIE OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, FOR BEING NAMED THE 2016 STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI "YOUTH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR."

WHEREAS, each year, the State Games of Mississippi recognizes an outstanding youth, male and female athlete from each of the individual sports, nominated based on their merit and sportsmanship by coaches, officials, athletes, volunteers and spectators, but only three athletes are chosen to receive the elite honor of "Athlete of the Year"; and

WHEREAS, Megan Heggie of Meridian, Mississippi, a 12-year-old swimming phenomenon who has been participating in the State Games of Mississippi since 2012, is the 2016 "Youth Athlete of the Year" and personifies the ideals of the State Games movement, including participation, sportsmanship, special attributes, achievements, efforts and positive attitude; and

WHEREAS, swimming as if she has fish fins, Megan has won 17 gold medals in individual events and five in relay events since she began competing in the State Games of Mississippi, and during the 2016 games, she swam with the largest age group at the meet yet still finished with high honors, including placing in the top eight in all of her events and breaking eight team records; and

WHEREAS, Megan's immense talent has propelled her to Lincoln, Nebraska, for the 2016 State Games of America swimming competition, where her athletic prowess won her a bronze medal in the 400-meter free style event; and

WHEREAS, her form, poise and buoyancy in the pool and particularly during competition are truly unparalleled, and during her 2016 Mississippi Swim Association (MSA) meets, she crushed 20 individual 11-12 MSA Girls' team records and helped her teammates break four different relay records, proving that her aquatic abilities truly rival the likes of legendary swimmers such as Katie Ledecky; and

WHEREAS, Megan benefits the Mississippi Swim Association with her expertise and capability from the moment she dives into the pool until she towels off, a fact authenticated by earning, for the third year in a row, the Coaches Award, Most Improved Swimmer Award and Most Outstanding Swimmer Award at the Mississippi Swim Association banquet held each year; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding young Mississippi athletes, especially those such as Megan Heggie, who has exceeded all expectations of greatness and brought honor to her school, the City of Meridian and to the great Magnolia State:

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 Megan Heggie of Meridian, Mississippi, for being named the 2016 State Games of Mississippi "Youth Athlete of the Year" and express best wishes for continued success in all of her future athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Megan Heggie and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.