[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE HAMMOND HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING TEAM

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                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 1998

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I rise today to 
congratulate the Hammond High School wrestling team on their 
outstanding accomplishments during the 1997-1998 season. Having 
previously captured County, Regional and State Dual Meet championships, 
as well as team titles in the Howard County and South Region 
Tournaments, on March 6-7 the Golden Bears completed a sweep of all six 
championships by winning the Class 1A/2A Maryland Public High Schools 
State Wrestling Tournament team title for the first time.
  Led by a core of experienced junior and senior wrestlers, the Hammond 
High School team sought out the highest level of competition, wrestling 
against teams from throughout Maryland, as well as Delaware, 
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and as far away as California. Committed to 
both individual and team excellence, the Golden Bears achieved 
outstanding results in all weight classes. The team was undefeated in 
18 dual meets and all 13 wrestlers finished in the top four places at 
the Howard County Tournament. Without a single returning County 
champion, this year's Hammond High team produced six County and two 
Regional champions. Two Hammond wrestlers, Scott Osborn and Matt 
Nelson, placed 2nd in the State, and one, Vaymond Dennis, finished the 
season as the 112 pound Maryland State Champion.
  As noteworthy as the achievements of the team on the wrestling mat, 
Coach Bill Smith and his staff should be commended for their 
uncompromising attention to the personal development of these young 
men. From the first day of practice in November, team members were 
required to meet high standards--of academic performance and of 
personal behavior. I applaud Coach Smith, as an educator, for teaching 
lessons that will have value long into the future.
  I offer my congratulations to Dr. Sylvia Patillo, Principal of 
Hammond High School, as well as to the parents and fans of the Golden 
Bear wrestling team. I am sure that they are proud, as I am, of the 
accomplishments of the student-athletes of the 1997-1998 team. I am 
pleased to note that the school's tradition of wrestling excellence now 
includes a Maryland State Tournament Championship title.

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