[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 137 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE APACHES' 2016 NJCAA DIVISION III 
                       WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2016

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous joy, heartfelt 
satisfaction, and a humble appreciation that I once again rise and 
address this chamber in recognition of the Tyler Junior College Apaches 
Baseball Team. In securing a third straight win of the Division III 
NJCAA World Series baseball tournament, this championship team of 
accomplished athletes has shown the unflagging enthusiasm, grit, and 
moxie found in the best and most industrious individuals.
   You may remember that last year I undertook a similar endeavor when 
the TJC Apaches brought their second straight World Series win back to 
Tyler, remarking at that time that the 2015 champions were `doggedly 
tenacious' in their pursuit--and they most certainly were. But if 
2015's champions were doggedly tenacious, the only appropriate 
characterization for the 2016 TJC Apaches has to be herculean.
   The TJC Apaches travelled to Kinston, North Carolina for this year's 
tournament. From the start, the odds were stacked against them. The TJC 
Apaches had lost all but 7 of their seasoned veterans from the 2014 and 
2015 championship wins, and despite coming into the showdown with 38 
wins and only 16 losses, managed to find themselves down 3 runs to 0 in 
the game that would decide it all. That didn't faze or discourage this 
team of young men in their quest for excellence, however. With their 
eyes trained toward the prize and the strength of their camaraderie 
uniting them, the TJC Apaches turned the game around and emerged the 
victors.
   The TJC Apaches were led by a top notch management team, including: 
Head Coach Doug Wren; Assistant Coaches Chad Sherman and Taylor White; 
Training Staff Brett Adams, Shelby Davis, Eddy McGuire, and Spenser 
Deeken; and Support Staff Colter Dosch and Justin Doelitsch.
   Accolades go, of course, to the young men who were on the baseball 
diamond, including Jace Cambell, Ryan Cheatham, Jonathan Groff, Hunter 
Haley, AbeRee Heibert, James Kuykendall, AJ Merkel, Chandler Muckleroy, 
Kyle Porter, Josh Raiborn, Adan Ross, Garin Shelton, Sam Sitton, Weston 
Smart, Travis Smith, J.P. Gorby, Austin Ballew, Mason Mallard, Brentten 
Schwaab, Tanner Arst, Luke Boyd, Nathan Methvin, Matt Mikusek, James 
Phillips, Payton Stokes, Jordan Trahan, Hunter Wells, Jarrod Wells, 
Colton Whitehouse, Beau Buesing, Austin Cernosek, Alex Masotto, Jared 
Pauley, Justin Roach, and Tanner Wisener.
   Once again, the students at Tyler Junior College have added another 
terrific chapter to their storied athletic history. Of course, great 
credit is owed not just to the students, but to the entire staff and 
leadership network at TJC, including: TJC President Dr. Mike Metke, 
Athletic Director Dr. Tim Drain, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. 
Juan Mejia, Associate Athletic Director Chuck Smith, Assistant Athletic 
Director Kelsi Weeks, and Administrative Assistant Sherry Harwood.
   Naturally, none of the accomplishments of this team would have been 
possible if not for the supporting families, the terrific enthusiasm of 
the TJC Apaches' fans, and the positive encouragement of the east Texas 
community. The solid bedrock these folks provided to the TJC Apaches 
baseball team undoubtedly helped in their securing of a third World 
Series win.
   It is with great pride that I join the constituents of Texas' First 
District in extending heartfelt and sincere congratulations to the 
players and staff of the 2016 NJCAA Division III World Series National 
Champions, the Tyler Junior College Apaches Baseball Team. Their 
significant athletic achievement and incredibly laudable legacy is now, 
and will forever be, recorded in the Congressional Record that will 
endure as long as there is a United States of America.

                          ____________________