MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) McMahan, Bryan, Barnett, Jackson (32nd), Jolly
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL "GOLDEN WAVE" BOYS SWIM TEAM AND COACH LUCAS SMITH FOR WINNING THEIR 10TH CONSECUTIVE MHSAA STATE TITLE.
WHEREAS, "Dynasty. Domination. Dadgum good." All three would easily describe Tupelo High School's success in the state's swimming pools since 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Golden Wave Boys Swim Team won their 10th consecutive Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) State Swim Championship on October 29, 2016, at the Tupelo Aquatics Center. Tupelo scored 128 team points to defeat challenger, second-place Oak Grove, with 75 points; and
WHEREAS, the Golden Wave Boys Swim Team opened the Meet with a big splash, setting a state record in the Class II 100-yard Individual Medley Relay with a clocking of 1:37.49 by Drew Sullivan, Hayden Henderson, Harrison Whitaker and Donovan Crossen. Henderson, in the breastroke, gave the Golden Wave the lead on the second leg. "Hayden is our secret weapon," said teammate Harrison Whitaker, who swam the butterfly leg. "I just tried to do my part," Henderson said. "It feels really good to get our names in the record book"; and
WHEREAS, Tupelo broke its own state record of 1:37.95 that was set in the morning preliminaries. Donovan Crossen came back to win the State Championship in the 200-yard Freestyle in 1:43.68. Tupelo's Donovan Crossen, Hayden Henderson, Cooper King and Cameron Hunt won the 200-yard Free Relay Title with a 1:30.11 clocking; and
WHEREAS, the 2016 Tupelo Golden Wave Boys Swim Team include: John Michael Caldwell, Taylor Chapman, Landon Craig, Ethan Criddle, Donavan Crossen, Rahul Dey, Gatlin Farrar, Garrett Grayson, Hayden Henderson, Ransom Henderson, Cameron Hunt, Cooper King, Trey Loden, Cole Lothorp, John Luke Marlin, John Henry McDade, Patton McNeal, Skyler Michael, Garrett Michaels, Eric Morgan, Bryce Roby, Keelon Solomon, Drew Sullivan, Garrett Timmons, Desman Watkins, Ross Weeden, Harrison Whitaker and Jake White; and Head Coach Lucas Smith, Assistant Coach Patty Norwood and Athletic Director Dr. Eddie Moore; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special 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 Tupelo High School "Golden Wave" Boys Swim Team and Coach Lucas Smith for winning their 10th consecutive MHSAA State Title, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for an eleventh straight State Title in 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Lucas Smith for the Golden Wave Boys Swim Team, forwarded to Tupelo High School Principal Jason Q. Harris and the Tupelo School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.