[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WHIRLIE SOCCER DYNASTY CONTINUES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, as the 2003-2004 academic school year comes 
to an end, I would like to take a moment to congratulate a high school 
in the Sixth District of North Carolina that won a state girls' soccer 
championship. The Whirlies had extra incentive in the final game as 
they faced a Raleigh Broughton team that had defeated the Grimsley 
girls (by a score of 2-0) in the finals just 1 year ago. This time 
around the score was again 2-0, but it would be the Whirlies who walked 
away with the state title. This game capped off a perfect post-season 
run in which Grimsley held all playoff opponents scoreless; a 
remarkable feat that was last accomplished by the Whirlies in 2002. 
Indeed, the Grimsley girls' soccer program is no stranger to 
championships as this became their sixth title since 1990.
  Despite a convincing playoff performance going into the final game, 
Grimsley Head Coach Herk DeGraw was weary of the Whirlies' sluggish 
first few minutes against a formidable Broughton adversary. ``The slow 
start scared me because I thought if they sneak one in and we don't get 
going we're going to have a problem,'' DeGraw told the Greensboro News 
& Record. But with 19:53 remaining in the first half, freshman Holly 
Cresson's goal began to assuage DeGraw's concerns. A left-footed 
player, Presson used her right foot to shoot the ball past the 
Broughton goalkeeper putting the Whirlies on top 1-0. ``The look on her 
face was the funniest thing I've ever seen . . . It was total 
disbelief,'' DeGraw told a local reporter about Presson's post-goal 
expressions. After the Whirlies secured the lead there was no looking 
back as they powered their way to a 2-0 victory.
  This was a memorable win for the Whirlies who were led by a number of 
senior players. Laura Hanson, Erin Graham, Whitney Andringa, Marie 
Bobalik, Jenny Cauble, Arden Dwyer, Melissa Ellisen, Anna Betton, and 
Ashley Newsome all finished their careers with a state championship. 
These girls had a strong supporting cast comprised of Anna Rodenbough, 
Michele Driver, Carey Goodman, Alex Leeder, Heidi Andringa, Carra 
Sykes, Lauren Atkinson, Casey Warmath, Holly Presson, Catherine 
Rierson, Lucy FanCourt, and Camelyn Dillon.
  After such a strong season congratulations are in order for the 
Grimsley coaching staff. Head Coach Herk DeGraw and Assistant Coach 
Kevin Conaway deserve much credit for leading the Whirlies on their 
title run. Recognition should also be given to Athletic Director Neal 
Hatcher, Principal Rob Gasparello, Athletic Trainer Kris Dickens, and 
team managers Lauren Chambers and Rachel Goans. On behalf of the 
citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we congratulate the 
Grimsley Whirlies for winning the 4-A girls' soccer championship.

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