[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 44 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E422-E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE INDIANA WRESTLING STATE CHAMPIONS AT MISHAWAKA HIGH 
                                 SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 14, 2008

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the victory of the 
Mishawaka

[[Page E423]]

Cavemen in the Indiana High School Athletic Association state wrestling 
championship. The championship was a repeat challenge between two-time 
defending state champions Mater Dei and the Cavemen, who had suffered 
defeat the year before. It took all their strength and motivation to 
turn the tables, but at the end of this year's tournament it was the 
Cavemen who were celebrating victory.
  It was the perfect finish to a season full of intense physical 
training and exhausting practices. On its way to the state title, 
Mishawaka--ranked third overall--completed their season with a record 
of 31-1 and knocked off both the first and second-ranked teams. While 
they have appeared in the state finals for nine consecutive seasons, 
this is the first championship for Mishawaka since 1991.
  Mater Dei had an early lead in the contest, but junior Tim Forte 
rallied to win his match 1-0. This gave the Cavemen a score of 9-7--a 
lead which they were able to maintain throughout the rest of the 
competition. Seniors Dave Balentine and Randy Morin and sophomore Paul 
Beck were all victorious in their matches, bringing the score to 22-10. 
But it was a win by junior and three-time individual state champion 
Josh Harper that finalized Mishawaka's victory.
  These exceptional members of the Mishawaka team were joined by Danny 
Abu-Shehab, DJ Ballenger, Brandon Barcus, Jon Bennett, Christian 
Bergin, Dustin Boyd, Andrew Brogdon, Gary Brooks, Andrew Childress, 
Darius Cooley, David Delarosa, Anthony Eddy, Marty Friedman, Adam 
Guerra, Matt Guerra, Neal Kostry, Christian Lentz, Anthony Lewis, 
Darius Marshall, Hunter Marvin, Brandon Merisch, Aaron Merisch, Richard 
Morin, Tyler Nally, Robert Norris, Caleb Norville, Trenton Reinoehl, 
Tyler Reinoehl, Steven Sandefer, Nick Schrader, Joey Smith, Tylor 
Smith, Brandon Straub, Quinci Sullivan, Mitch Sutherland, Travis 
Thomas, Justin Traver, Eric Uitdenhowen, Austin Vegh, Alex White and 
Taylor Wisler. These dedicated young men should be commended for their 
accomplishments.
  None of this would have been possible, however, without the support 
of Mishawaka High School's administration and staff. Special 
recognition should be given to head coach Darrick Snyder, assistant 
coaches Fabian Chavez and Mike Lehman and Athletic Director Robert 
Shriner for the continued support and guidance they give to the team. 
Volunteers Brad Addison, Pat Day, Mike Faulkner, Scott Gann, Nick 
Nicodemus, Mike Strycker, Brandon Trtan, and Junior Varsity Coach Brian 
Woodworth gave freely of their time and energy to make this 
championship possible. The team was not alone in this accomplishment, 
as family, friends, fans, members of the Mishawaka community and 
Mishawaka High School principal Dr. George Marzotto have all tirelessly 
cheered the team on to victory throughout the season.
  The Mishawaka Cavemen wrestling team has achieved a memorable ending 
to an extraordinary season. I offer my congratulations to the members 
of the team, the coaching staff, Mishawaka High School and the greater 
Mishawaka community on this season's accomplishments.

                          ____________________