House Concurrent Resolution 44

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2023-2024 NORTHWEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM AND HEAD COACH JAMES BEATTIE UPON WINNING THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NCJAA) REGIONS 23 WOMEN'S SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Northwest Community College Lady Rangers Soccer Team continues to amass trophies as they defeated the Pearl River Community College Lady Wildcats Soccer Team 3-0 in Ellisville, Mississippi, to emerge as the National Community and Junior College Athletic Association (NCJAA) Women's Soccer Region 23 Championship title holders on Sunday, November 5, 2023; and

WHEREAS, in becoming the 2023-2024 NCJAA Women's Soccer Region 23 Champions, the Lady Rangers, with an extremely impressive 21-2 season, invested countless measures of hard work above and beyond the efforts of other teams, outscoring their opponents 118-6 in the season, only allowing their opponents to score in the two games which denied them amassing a perfect season record; and

WHEREAS, in their ascent to the Region 23 championship victory, the Lady Rangers clinched their first berth to the championship by taking down the Copiah-Lincoln Lady Wolves in the tournament opener by the score of 7-0, followed by a 1-0 win over the Lady Bulldogs of Holmes Community College, and it would not have been possible without the robust, energetic and driven collective efforts contributed offensively and defensively by the Lady Rangers; and

WHEREAS, striving to win with unparalleled motivation and ardent determination, the Lady Rangers played their best game of the season during the state championship match, as their mental stamina and athletic prowess never wavered from the moment they exited the locker room until the final buzzer signaled victory and they raised their well-deserved championship trophy; and

WHEREAS, the 2023-2024 Lady Rangers' team statistics were impressive, but the key to this team's consistent success has been the constant atmosphere and year-round hard work by the following talented and distinguished players: Abby Tutor, Anna Kathryn Harrell, Allie Reed Greer, Addison Vargas, Raylin Dixon, Bre'Aunna Harps, Alexandria Warner, Mari Julia Delgado, Sophia Lopez, Jadyn Duran, Emma Wilson, Amaya Andrews, Avery Hooker, Mia Kate Cade,

Madyson Helm, Julia McPherson, Emma Earwood, Hudson Lindsay,

Evie Crawford, Brandy Hernandez, Raegan Tucker, Caroline Chandler,

Yaritza Trejo, Jada Jelks and Kaley Harden; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Rangers have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach James Beattie, Assistant Coach Brandon Boren and volunteer Assistant Coaches Corey Irvine, Angel Hailey, Luke Andrews and Brandon Tita-Nwa, who have broadened the team's knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, in their tireless dedication, the Lady Rangers have developed a winning, cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitudes reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches, bringing honor to Northwest Community College and the State of Mississippi; 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 Northwest Community College Women's Soccer Team, whose excellence on the field and in the classroom bring honor to their school, their 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 2023-2024 Northwest Community College Women's Soccer Team and Head Coach James Beattie upon winning the National Community and Junior College Athletic Association (NCJAA) Women's Soccer Region 23 Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach James Beattie, on behalf of the Northwest Community College Women's Soccer Team, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.