[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE CHASE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2011

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, inspiration can come in many forms for 
athletes and teams when they are seeking fame, glory, records and 
titles. It is rare, however, when a team dedicates its quest for a 
championship to a teammate who didn't see a single minute of action.
  The lacrosse team from Northwest Guilford High School, located in the 
Sixth District of North Carolina, dedicated its season and its title 
hopes to a teammate who was tragically killed last fall. On October 29, 
2010, Chase Bunting died following a skateboarding accident. Northwest 
Guilford dubbed its quest for a state title the ``Chase for the 
Championship'' in honor of Chase Bunting.
  With an ending only Hollywood could have imagined, the Vikings of 
Northwest Guilford completed their mission for Chase with a 13-9 win 
over East Chapel Hill High School to capture the 2011 North Carolina 
High School Athletic Association lacrosse championship.
  On May 14, 2011, at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, Northwest 
Guilford started out strong with a 7-0 lead after the first period of 
play. The Vikings never let East Chapel Hill within 4 goals to capture 
their first lacrosse championship. The team knew all along it was 
playing for more than just themselves. ``The death of Chase changed our 
season in a big way,'' sophomore starter Robert Lincks told The 
Northwest Observer. ``It brought our team a lot closer together and 
motivated us even more to win it for him.''
  The players of the championship team are Captain and tournament MVP 
Jay Goldsmith, Dre Baskerville, Conner Dillion, Ethan Tingler, Jacob 
Marrapese, Brian Ha, Braden Payne, Nolan Carper, Travis Price, Robert 
Lincks, Trenton Ankenbruck, Diego Rengel-Parrish, Kyle Dorr, Reid 
Baxter, Chase Bunting, Conner Burkett, John Pappas, Jon Duncan, Hector 
De Jesus, Tammer Aboughalyoun, Adam Griffin, Zach Leicht, Cole 
Anderson, Cole Abourjilie, Parker Scaggs, Brandon Safrit, Will Ross, 
Payne Dunlap, Grant Simpkins, Brandon Sumner, Nick Nawrocki, Thomas 
Harris, Zach Sprague, Parker Leonard, Dallas Joyce, and Seth Hendrix.
  The Vikings were led by Head Coach Mark Goldsmith. Coach Goldsmith 
actually captured his second North Carolina high school lacrosse 
championship. In 2000, he was the head coach when Southeast Guilford 
captured the state title. With the death of Chase Bunting prior to the 
start of the season, Coach Goldsmith told the Raleigh News & Observer 
that his current team had a special mission because of Chase's death. 
``That brought us together,'' he told the newspaper, ``with one goal in 
mind. We dedicated the season to Chase. The kids worked so hard for 
everything we got. I'm just glad we're able to bring home the 
hardware.''
  We are sure that Coach Goldsmith would agree that he was ably 
assisted by Assistant Coach Vern Schmidt, Second Assistant Coach Robbie 
Innella and managers Tara Murphy, Morgan Eddins, Chamberlain Staub, and 
Mia Furfaro. In addition, those aiding the title hunt were members of 
the Northwest Vikings Lacrosse Booster Club, including President Darrel 
Pappas, Vice President Karen Abourjilie, Trish Hendrix, Robin Lincks, 
Neil Dorr, Robin Bunting, Marc Dillon, Tim Ankenbruck, Stacy Leicht, 
Kristin Sprague, and Todd Sprague.
  The Vikings finished their magical season with a record of 20-2 and 
the satisfaction of knowing that they completed their mission. On 
behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we 
congratulate the Northwest Guilford lacrosse team for winning the 2011 
state title, but more importantly, for completing the ``Chase for the 
Championship.'' We know that Chase Bunting is smiling approvingly.

                          ____________________