House Resolution 61

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2018-2019 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 FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

WHEREAS, the Gulfport High School Boys Admirals Soccer Team finished their 2018-2019 season with their second state title in as many years 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 and are the Division 8-6A champions for the third consecutive year, finished their season with a 19-2-4 record, 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, the Admirals Soccer Team outlasted, outplayed and ultimately overpowered Northwest Rankin High School in a 2-1 win, as their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they first walked onto the field until the referee blew the final whistle; and

WHEREAS, the 2018-2019 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 Lucas Ragula, Ashton LeBlanc and Gavin Taylor, is comprised of the following very talented and distinguished young men: Caleb Bergmann, Ethan Boles, Will Borden, Colton Bruni, Cade Burns, Edwin Carranza, Aubrey Christian, Ethan Crump, Joseph Cumberland, Isaac Cupp, Mohamed Diallo, Daxx Dodson, Jonathan Dubose, Aiden Flowers, Seck Fofana, Michael Hage, Noah Hernandez, Miguel Hernandez, Ivo Jimenez, Jacob Johnson, Gannon Key, Tres Ladner, Peyton Ladner, Teddy Madsen, Johnathon McCormick, AJ McNair, Adriann Melendez, Landon Miller, Durron Myers, Tate Myrick, Ethan Powell, Luis Ramirez, London Ratliff, Brooks Richardson, Hutson Rollins, Zack Rollins, Ford Symmes, Simon Thames, Hayden Thibeault, Carter Wilson, Matthew Wingerter and Christian Zavala; 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 the House of Representatives 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 field 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2018-2019 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 for the second year in a row 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.