[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 36 (Friday, March 12, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division 
I State Champion wrestling team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic 
Central High School. On February 27, 2007, the Catholic Central 
Shamrocks defeated Rockford 39-24 to hoist their first State 
championship trophy since 1988. Third-year Head Coach Mitch Hancock, an 
individual State final winner for the Shamrocks in 2000, saw all 14 of 
his wrestlers earn a berth to the Individual State Finals. This is the 
first time in recent Division I history that an entire team has 
qualified for the Individual State meet. Three Shamrock grapplers 
brought home State titles to complement the team championship. 
Following in the remarkable tradition of legendary Catholic Central 
Coach Mike Rodriguez, who was both coach and mentor to current coach 
Mitch Hancock, the Shamrocks brought home their eighth State wrestling 
team title and earned Coach Hancock the Division I honors for Wrestling 
Coach of the Year.
  Madam Speaker, with a season record of 27-4, the 2010 Catholic 
Central Shamrocks deserve to be recognized for their determination, 
achievement, and spirit, and we are all very proud of their 
determination and effort.
  Equally, Madam Speaker, I also rise today to acknowledge the Division 
I State Championship bowling team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic 
Central High School. This has been a noteworthy year for the gentlemen 
at Catholic Central, as the championship marks the fourth State title 
for the school during the 2009-2010 year. The Michigan High School 
Athletic Association recognized bowling as an official sport in 2006. 
Thus, it is impressive how the Catholic Central team has risen to State 
prominence in a very short time.
  Two members of the State championship bowling team qualified for the 
individual finals, and although they did not ultimately win, they 
represented C.C. High admirably and honorably. This year, after 
defeating Salem 1,856-1,824 pins in the quarterfinals, the Shamrock 
bowlers outdueled Flint Carman-Ainsworth 1,855-1,747 to earn a berth in 
the finals, setting them up to take on Macomb Dakota. On March 5, 2010, 
the Catholic Central Shamrocks rolled over Macomb Dakota 1,834-1,565 to 
earn their first State championship trophy.

                              {time}  1215

  Coach Al Bridges saw his bowlers in seventh place after the morning 
qualifying round, yet in true Shamrock fashion the team kept fighting 
and refused to give up. As the day wore on, CC kept moving up in the 
standings, leading by 143 pins after the Baker games. From that point 
on, the Shamrocks never looked back.
  Coach Al Bridges credits good conditioning and a lot of practice for 
the payoff of winning a championship. In earning their first bowling 
title, the 2010 Catholic Central Shamrocks deserve to be recognized for 
their determination, achievement, and spirit.
  In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the hard work and dedication of each of 
these State championship teams epitomizes what it means to be a 
Shamrock. By the teaching of our Basilian fathers, through goodness, 
discipline, and knowledge, the entire Catholic Central family, 
including this alumnus, share in their accomplishments.
  In recognition of their effort, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks for achieving 
these State titles and for honoring their devotion to Mary, alma mater. 
Live and die for CC High.

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