[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1493-E1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO THE BLUE DEVILS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 2011

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Iowa's Class A 
Baseball State Champions and current holder of the national-record 
winning streak, the Martensdale-St. Mary's Blue Devils.
  Ladies and gentlemen of the House, what this team has accomplished is 
nothing short of amazing. Last week, the Blue Devils sealed their 
second consecutive state championship by rallying from behind three 
separate times throughout the state tournament baseball game. And while 
the Blue Devils' second state championship in as many years is an 
incredible feat in and of itself, their most recent win has also placed 
their consecutive games won at an astonishing 87, giving them the best 
record in the Nation.
  This special team consists of a large roster of players that have 
each contributed a unique quality to the team's record-breaking 
success. The Blue Devils consist of seniors Dillon Coates and Ethan 
Westphal, juniors David Walker, Zeb Noel, Josh Defenbaugh, Robert 
Walker, J.D. Nielsen, Jake Anctil, T.J. Foster,

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Jake Swihart, Brad Nauman, Jamie Swihart, and Dakota Wenzel; sophomores 
Garret Gehringer, Trent Verwers, Chris Darr, and Gage Gavin; and 
freshmen Eddy Kraber, Luke Anctil, and Travis Seymour. These young 
players have been expertly coached by Justin Dehmer, Sean Smith and 
Steve Westphal and have undoubtedly made them very proud.
  Mr. Speaker, the pride and excitement that this team has brought to 
their community and to the state of Iowa cannot be overstated. Their 
unrelenting commitment to their coaches and teammates speaks volumes of 
the Iowa work ethic and the rewards of working together. It is truly an 
honor to represent the players, coaches and families of this team in 
the United States Congress. I invite my colleagues in the United States 
House of Representatives to join me in congratulating these state 
champions and wish them continued success on and off the field in the 
future.

                          ____________________