[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 117 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OF EDWARDSVILLE COUGARS 
                             SOFTBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor my alma mater 
Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, where I graduated with my 
MBA in 1997, on winning its first national NCAA Division II softball 
championship.
  The fifth ranked Cougars (49-8) closed out the season with a 16-game 
winning streak. The 3-hour and 15 minute game was the longest in 
Division II championship history.
  Ashley Price hit an RBI single in the 12th inning to give SlUE a 3-2 
championship victory over defending national champion Lock Haven at 
Firestone Stadium in Akron, OH. The national championship is the 17th 
in the school's history and first in softball.
  Members of the team include Ashley Price, Chaleen Rumpf, Carly 
Wildenradt, Emily Lenart, Courtney Mall, Lindsey Laas, Haylee Eubanks, 
Abbie Bates, Katy Biggs, Nicole Beecher, Lauren Zembruski, Sabra 
McCune, Amanda Puce, Jodie Ohlau, Kaeleigh Rousey, Libby Lenart, 
Mallory Ruggles and Kaitlin Colosimo. The Head Coach is Sandy 
Montgomery; Valerie McCoy is the Assistant Coach, and the Student 
Assistant is Shannon Evans.
  I am very pleased to congratulate the softball team of Southern 
Illinois University of Edwardsville on their national championship and 
wish them the best of luck for next season.

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