[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E848-E849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE PENSACOLA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL CRUSADERS BASEBALL TEAM 
   AS CLASS 4A FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
First Congressional District of Florida's Pensacola Catholic High 
School Crusaders for winning its second-straight Class 4A Florida High 
School Sports Association Baseball Championship and offer my 
congratulations to the team members, coaches, trainer, and school 
principal:
   Team members, Tanner Halstead (#3); Gavin Wehby (#4); Drew LaBounty 
(#5); Zane Gill (#7); Jon Jon Burkett (#8); Clarke Berry (#9); Brandon 
Wiley (#10); Gregory Ciangiotto (#11); Evans Bozeman (#12); Avery Geyer 
(#13); Bronson Chancellor (#14); Chandler Burns (#15); Cooper Jones 
(#16); Cody Henry (#17); Zach Allen (#21); James McGhee (#22); Jacob 
Knorr (#23); Michael Neal (#31); Brandon Lockridge (#32); Nick Helton 
(#40); Zach Wyant; Kai Wilson; Hunter Wilson; and Jason Borcz; Coaches, 
Richard LaBounty; P.J. Smith; Sonny Reedy; Glenn Currie; Keith Haynes; 
Jak-y Kohr; Christian Macon; and Russell Deason; Trainer, Lexi West; 
and Principal, Sister Kierstin Martin.
   The Catholic Crusaders ended a spectacular season with thirty wins 
and no losses to clinch this year's state championship. The final game 
was played against Miami Monsignor Pace High School at JetBlue Park in 
Fort Myers, Florida, on Tuesday, May 21, with the Crusaders earning an 
eighth inning victory by a score of seven to five. Many of the 
exceptional plays leading up to the victory occurred in the eighth 
inning itself. Junior James McGhee hit a two-run double in the top of 
the eighth inning, and senior pitcher Cooper Jones handled all three 
outs himself in the bottom of the eighth, striking two batters out and 
fielding a ground ball to the pitcher's mound to close out the game.
   This extraordinary triumph marks a proud moment in the sports 
history of Northwest Florida and builds upon its already strong 
baseball tradition. The Crusader's winning streak has risen to thirty-
five, which it was reported has not occurred in the Pensacola area 
since Escambia High School reached that level in the 1965-1966 season. 
Perhaps more impressive is the fact that no team in Pensacola history, 
prior to this one, has ever ended a season undefeated.
   On behalf of the United States Congress and the citizens of 
Northwest Florida, I congratulate the team, students, and faculty of

[[Page E849]]

Catholic High School for its extraordinary victory. My wife Vicki joins 
me in offering our best wishes to the school and its talented athletes 
for their continued success.

                          ____________________