[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 12, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E673-E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LUFKIN HIGH SCHOOL PANTHERS, 2015 CLASS 5A STATE SOCCER 
                               CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2015

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, state championship titles are always an 
extraordinarily exciting accomplishment for athletes. But when that 
state championship is unprecedented, it takes on a new dimension.
  It is truly an honor to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of 
the history-making Lufkin High School Panthers soccer team. The 
Panthers completed their most impressive season yet by claiming the 
title of 2015 Class 5A State Soccer Champions, a victory which is also 
the first state soccer title claimed by a northeast Texas school of its 
size.
  After an unsteady start to their season with two back to back losses, 
the Panthers immediately recognized the challenging road ominously 
lying ahead of them. With renewed focus and zeal, the Panthers 
recovered from those losses and overcame stiff competition from their 
fellow east Texans to become the district champions. Due to their hard 
work and dedication, the Panthers then entered the playoffs with an 
exceptional win-streak of nineteen matches.
  Lufkin's first playoff match was to be a challenge for the team when 
the game lasted for nearly an hour before a goal was scored. The 
Panthers battled on to keep the score at 1-0, winning the game and 
advancing to the next round of the playoffs. Five hard-fought victories 
followed, and the Panthers then advanced to the championship game 
against Georgetown's undefeated East View High School. Even though the 
championship was played on East View's home field, the Panthers were 
undeterred due to the fact that they had never lost a game away from 
home. Dedicated fans from the ``Panther Nation'' arrived in exuberant 
force, driving the long distance to cheer on their home team.
  The team's skill and fans' encouragement were the necessary 
ingredients in the final match. Time and again the Panthers' defense 
was tested, and their offense was held back. This did not last, 
however, and the Panthers were finally able to overcome East View's 
defenses and score. When the game was over, the score stood as 
testament to the Panthers' dogged determination coupled with their 
tantalizing talent. The final score was Lufkin 3 and East View 1. The 
Lufkin Panthers had won the state championship.
  Congratulations should be extended to team members Terry Mark, Sammy 
Villegas, Rodrigo Vargas, Cristian Julian, Cesar Camacho, Jesus 
Cisneros, Bradley Slusher, Alexis Roque, Omar Zamarripa, Javy Montes, 
Kacy Bennett, Javier Patlan, Chris Marquez, Dorian Bravo, Cristhian 
Pineda, Luis Lopez, Jake Williams, Joel Rodriguez, Gustavo Garcia, Ivan 
Hernadez, Omar Roque, and Miguel Gonzales.
  The staff and faculty who led and inspired the Panthers to victory 
consists of Lufkin High School Principal Mark Smith, Lufkin ISD 
Superintendent Dr. LaTonya Goffney, Head Coach Russell Shaw, Assistant 
Coach David McPherson, Assistant Coach Eliazar Caldera, Trainer Forestt 
Bridges, Trainer Sarah Hartman, Student Trainer Edgar Medellin, Student

[[Page E674]]

Manager Coltone Radke, and Student Manager Jessie Santoyo.
  It is a privilege to highlight this landmark achievement of East 
Texas' own Lufkin High School Panthers soccer team. The Panthers not 
only made history by capturing the title of 2015 Class 5A State Soccer 
Champions, but they brought Panther pride to their team, their school, 
the Lufkin community, the First Congressional District of Texas, and 
the entire State of Texas. The Lufkin Panthers' story of commitment and 
success is now recorded in the United States Congressional Record, 
which will endure as long as there is a United States of America.

                          ____________________