[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CONGRATULATIONS TEUTOPOLIS GIRLS BASKETBALL WOODEN SHOES; 1995 STATE 
                                 CHAMPS

                                 ______


                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 7, 1995

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Lady 
Wooden Shoes of Teutopolis High School. The Wooden Shoes recently 
captured the Illinois High School Association, Class A State Basketball 
Championship for the fifth time since 1983. This powerhouse basketball 
team has been in the elite eight 10 times in 13 years. The Wooden Shoes 
won this year's crown in dramatic fashion when, with 1.1 seconds on the 
clock, Maria Niebrugge sunk the winning basket and guaranteed victory 
for her team.
  Pacing the sidelines for the Wooden Shoes is ``The Legend,'' Coach 
Dennis Koester, whose overall 13 year record is an astonishing 364 wins 
and only 28 losses. Coach Koester, along with his assistant coaches, 
Kim Beckman and Laurie Thompson, have transformed the way people in 
central Illinois view high school basketball.
  With the help of their coaches this years Wooden Shoes, Gina Bloemer, 
Sara Gobben, Crystal Worman, Marcia Meyer, Amy Niebrugge, Stormy Young, 
Kim Walk, Emily Probst, Kari Probst, Karen Droeger, Karla Campbell, 
Marie Niebrugge, Monica Tegeler, Elizabeth Ordner, Sarah Neibrugge, and 
Christine Sehy have established themselves as one of the greatest teams 
in the history of Illinois basketball.
  Being the best takes more then just fancy footwork; it also takes 
knowing and understanding the fundamentals. Assisting with this task 
were Mindy Dhom and Lisa Hewing who not only played, but video taped 
the games for in-depth study, and Kathy Weber and Vickie Kremer, who 
kept the score and the statistics.
  Mr. Speaker, Illinois is steeped in basketball legend. This year, 
with a record of 33 wins and 1 loss the Lady Wooden Shoes of Teutopolis 
realized their dream and became the best girl's basketball team in 
Illinois.
  I am proud of the hard work and dedication the Wooden Shoes showed 
throughout the season, and I am sure we will see this devoted team 
chasing the title when the ball is tipped again next season. I am 
honored to represent this fine team and its coaches in Congress. 
Congratulations Wooden Shoes, you are the best girl's basketball team 
in the State.


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