[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NORTH CAROLINA IS HOME TO A GREAT SOCCER TRADITION

                                 ______


                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the State of North Carolina is home to a 
great soccer tradition, particularly in women's soccer. This year, Mr. 
Speaker, the Sixth District of North Carolina is proud to add two more 
chapters to this outstanding tradition.
  North Carolina has long divided its schools into classifications to 
determine sports champions. That way schools of equal size can compete 
fairly. This system also allows more schools the opportunity to compete 
for titles and trophies. We are proud to say, Mr. Speaker, that the 
Piedmont Triad is the home of the North Carolina 1A/2A/3A and the North 
Carolina 4A women's soccer champions for 1996.
  The Ragsdale High School Tigers of Jamestown, NC, captured the 1996 
1A/2A/3A State women's soccer championship, and the Whirlies of 
Grimsley High School in Greensboro, NC, claimed the 4A women's soccer 
championship. Both teams were crowned champions on June 1 in Raleigh, 
NC.
  In the 1A/2A/3A class, the Ragsdale Tigers captured the State title 
with a 3 to 0 shutout of the Asheville Roberson Rams, limiting the Rams 
to just four shots on goal all game. The championship win capped off a 
brilliant 23-3 season for coach Brien Braswell's squad. The Ragsdale 
Tigers have been outstanding in the championships, claiming two State 
titles in the last 3 years.
  Congratulations go to Sarah Judy, who won the championship game's 
Most Valuable Player Award. Mr. Speaker, congratulations on a great 
season are in order for Coach Braswell, manager Joey Menendez, Trainer 
Julie Hutchens, and team members Cindy Mullinix, Kyleen Hudson, Kelly 
Martin, Kristin Wittenborn, Anna Dellosa, Jordan Allison, Erin Beeson, 
Paige Waggoner, Vickie Cortes, Nicole Brannan, Ashline Green, Christie 
Dixon, Lindsey Moorefield, Laura Pendergrass, Ryan Andres, Danielle 
Gain, Emily McCoy, Cari Hammond, Michelle Pizzuro, Becky Garmon, Amanda 
Holtzman, Meg Herndon, and Kellie Dixon.
  To athletic director Mike Raybon, principal Dr. Kathryn Rogers, the 
faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends of Ragsdale High School, 
we offer our congratulations for winning the North Carolina 1A/2A/3A 
State women's soccer championship.
  Raleigh also was the site of another Sixth District high school State 
championship. The women's soccer team of Grimsley high School in 
Greensboro, NC, captured the 1996 State 4A women's soccer championship, 
defeating the Raleigh Broughton High School Caps 2 to 1. The victory 
moved the Grimsley Whirlies to a stellar record of 21-1-1 for the 1996 
season.
  The State championship was the third in 5 years for the Whirlies, and 
the win was truly a team effort. As Coach Herk DeGraw put it, ``This 
one is sweet. Everybody stepped up and did their jobs extremely well.''
  Congratulations go to Laurie Benson, who won the championship game's 
Most Valuable Player Award. Congratulations are also in order for team 
members Meagan Renn, Cori Stevens, Lacy Ross, Sarah Ann Davis, Mollie 
Lynch, Meredith Seawell, Sarah Atkinson, Mikel Casey, Kristy Shumate, 
Kelly Clark, Jennifer Marsh, Carrie Anderson, Jamie Bombart, Kristen 
Moody, Courtney Black, Jessica Overby, and Ashley Andringa.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North 
Carolina, let me congratulate the 1996 Grimsley Whirlies on their State 
championship. Congratulations to head coach Herk DeGraw, assistant 
coach Susie Williams, announcer Dick Forrester, faculty trainer Joe 
Franks, student trainer Pablo Torrente, and statisticians Lisa Evans, 
Zach Wineberg, Tyler Spence, and Mike Cleaver.
  To athletic director Bob Sawyer, principal Tom Penlend, the faculty, 
staff, students, parents, and friends of Grimsley High School, we offer 
our congratulations on winning the North Carolina 4A State women's 
soccer championship.
  Once again, North Carolina remains a soccer hotbed and the Sixth 
District is proud to claim two more champions.

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