House Resolution 48

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COPIAH-LINCOLN COMMUNITY COLLEGE LADY WOLVES SOFTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH MELEAH HOWARD ON WINNING THE 2025 NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NJCAA) DIVISION II SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES.

WHEREAS, on May 24, 2025, in an unbelievable winner-take-all game that will surely be remembered for years to come, the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves Softball Team astonishingly repeated history by winning, for the second time in just three years, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Softball World Series when the team once again reigned supreme over the Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats at the championship finals with a 6-4 victory in Oxford, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, after winning their first ever National Championship by defeating longtime rival Jones College in 2023, the Lady Wolves finished their 2025 season with a phenomenal 48-6 record, a record-setting 27-1 mark in conference play, and a second consecutive Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference Championship after securing their first in 2024; and

WHEREAS, in the World Series double elimination event, Co-Lin pounded Jones College 9-1 in the first matchup of the final two unbeaten teams before the Lady Bobcats handed the Lady Wolves their only loss of the tournament in game one on Saturday with a 7-3 win; and

WHEREAS, with only 30 minutes for the players to rest and regroup after the first game, the storied rivalry between the Lady Wolves and Lady Bobcats reached fever pitch as the two teams took to the field for the high stakes 71st all-time meeting between the two powerhouse squads in which the Lady Wolves ultimately "experienced the mountaintop of fun" by defeating the Lady Bobcats 6-4 yet again, securing another National Championship in just three years; and

WHEREAS, several Lady Wolves were recognized at the World Series for their remarkable performances, including Taylor Efferson, who was named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, and Carson Hughey, Brelie Phillips, Olivia Banes and Kynlee Madere, who were named to the All-Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, the team's success throughout the season would not have been possible without, in Coach Howard's words, "some real grit about them" and the endless training and hard work of each of the following talented student-athletes who comprised the 2025 Co-Lin Lady Wolves Softball Team: Olivia Banes, Stella Roberts, Abby Burnette, Noelle Laiche, Avery Williams, Emilie Williams, Anna Grace Rice, Emeri Warren, Brelie Phillips, Kynlee Madere, Maddie West, Emma Kate Fimiano, Taylor Efferson, Emily Richarde, Morgan Chisolm, Keegan McCorkle, Addison Lindley and Carson Hughey; and

WHEREAS, the Lady Wolves have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Meleah Howard and Assistant Coaches Amber Beall and Terry Bauer, who have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her tremendous success, Coach Howard, a former Co-Lin standout player now in her eighth season as Head Coach of the Lady Wolves, has been selected for numerous prestigious honors throughout her career, and at the 2025 World Series, she was presented the Coach of the Tournament Award; and

WHEREAS, in their tireless dedication, the Lady Wolves have developed a winning, cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitudes, both on the field and off, reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches; 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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves Softball Team, whose excellence on the field and in the classroom bring honor to their school, community and the entire 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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves Softball Team and Head Coach Meleah Howard on winning the 2025 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Softball World Series and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Meleah Howard on behalf of the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves Softball Team and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.