House Concurrent Resolution 83

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2017-2018 GULFPORT HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER TEAM, HEAD COACH HENRIK MADSEN AND ASSISTANT COACHES PATRICK WADSWORTH AND FREDY CLAVIJO UPON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 6A BOYS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Gulfport High School Boys Admirals Soccer Team finished their 2017-2018 season by raising the coveted championship trophy high into the air when they reigned victorious at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A Boys Soccer State Championship; and

WHEREAS, commanding the attention of their opponents much like the ruthless Admirals for which they are named, the Gulfport High School Boys Soccer Team charged against their opponents like an ambushing cavalry during the championship series, pulverizing the championship dreams of each of their foes on their way to the ultimate victory; and

WHEREAS, the MHSAA Class 6A Boys Soccer State Champions, who are ranked number four in the nation out of 14,000 boys soccer teams by MaxPreps, finished their season with an 18-4-3 record and on an 11 game winning streak, outscoring the opposition by a score of 31-2, a true testament to each players' unrivaled skill and ardent determination to win; and

WHEREAS, playing with clear eyes, full hearts and unimaginable amounts of strength, on February 17, 2018, at Ridgeland High School in Ridgeland, Mississippi, the Admirals Soccer Team outlasted, outplayed and ultimately overpowered Madison Central High School in a 2-1 win; and

WHEREAS, the championship victory was truly an upset for Gulfport High School, as Madison Central High School, a four-time state champion, was the top ranked soccer team in the state according to MaxPreps, but the Admirals kept their focus and played one of their best games of the season during the championship match, as their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they first walked onto the pitch until the referee blew the final whistle; and

WHEREAS, the 2017-2018 Admiral team statistics were impressive, and there were outstanding headers, strikes, penalty kicks and goals by individual players, but the key to this team's consistent success has been the constant team atmosphere and year-round hard work; and

WHEREAS, the Gulfport High School Boys Soccer Team, led by senior captains Christopher Bruni and Eli Cupp, is comprised of the following very talented and distinguished young men: Caleb Bergmann, Ethan Boles, Christopher Bruni, Edwin Carranza, James Christian, Joseph Cumberland, Eli Cupp, Mohamed Diallo, Matthew Hagin, Miguel Hernandez, Ivo Jimenez, Jacob Johnson, Gannon Key, Wallace Ladner, Andrew Ladner, Ashton LeBlanc, Cason Lizana, Theodore Madsen, Ahmaud McNair, Adrian Melendez Luna, Joel Morales-Reyes, Durron Myers, Tatum Myrick, Lucas Ragula, Londin Ratliff, Hutson Rollins, Christopher Smith, Tedford Symmes, Gavin Taylor, Blake Wilson and Matthew Wingerter; and

WHEREAS, the Admirals have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Henrik Madsen, who has broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution, and Assistant Coaches Patrick Wadsworth and Fredy Clavijo helped the players reach their fullest potential on and off the field and played a huge role in the success of the Gulfport High School Boys Soccer Team; and

WHEREAS, Coaches Madsen, Wadsworth and Clavijo continue to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in their ability to produce high caliber players and plays and the team's successful season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the superb accomplishments of Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the Gulfport High School Admirals Boys Soccer Team, whose excellence on the pitch and in the classroom bring honor to their school, the Gulfport community and 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 2017-2018 Gulfport High School Boys Soccer Team, Head Coach Henrik Madsen and Assistant Coaches Patrick Wadsworth and Fredy Clavijo upon winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A Boys Soccer State Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Henrik Madsen and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.