[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 107 (Thursday, June 22, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE APACHES, 2017 NJCAA DIVISION III 
                        WORLD BASEBALL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2017

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, residents of east Texas are no strangers to 
bringing home championship trophies. Yet it is still a thrilling moment 
to welcome home a team after winning a national championship title. 
Even more so when they bring home a second national title the following 
year, and rarer still when the team then wins a third national 
championship. But it is truly unprecedented in NJCAA history for a team 
to win four straight national titles in a row. What an exceptional 
privilege it is to stand today to congratulate the Tyler Junior College 
Apaches baseball team for its fourth straight 2017 NJCAA Division III 
World Series victory, the 56th national title in the history of TJC.
   The Apaches finished 4-0 in the World Series held in Greeneville, 
Tennessee, securing an historic fourth consecutive championship with a 
5-1 victory over the Niagara County (New York) Thunder Wolves. The team 
won their final eleven games of the 2017 season with an impressive 
overall record of 41-20.
   This remarkable accomplishment cannot be possible without the 
determination and hard work of every team member, along with the skill 
and experience of a dedicated coaching staff led by Head Baseball Coach 
Doug Wren, who has escorted the Apaches to six World Series appearances 
in eight years as Head Coach. Assisting Coach Wren are Assistant 
Coaches Chad Sherman and Garrett McMullen; Student Managers Colter 
Dosch and Cody Jamison; Student Trainers Justin Smith and Chase Day; 
Assistant Athletic Trainer Travis Gray, and Head Athletic Trainer Eddy 
McGuire.
   My most enthusiastic praise and congratulations goes to national 
champions Braden Wise, Jarrod Wells, Payton Adams, Matt Mikusek, Travis 
French, Justin Roach, Taylor Broadway, Corben Henry, Ryan Lawhon, Blaze 
Beason, James Kuykendall, Jarel McDade, Austin Cernosek, Tyler Abney, 
John Gillett, Chase Evans, Garin Shelton, Beau Buesing, Colton 
Whitehouse, AbeRee Hiebert, Blake Maddox, Cameron Carver, Mason 
Whitmarsh, Daniel Priddy, Luke Boyd, J.P. Gorby, Austin Tambellini, 
Marco Gutierrez, Daniel Bogue, Jordan Trahan, Trevor Parker, Andrew 
Nichols, and Eric Bullock.
   Tyler Junior College has been a beacon of academic excellence for 
more than ninety years. So it comes as no surprise the warrior spirit 
of pride and achievement extends to its athletic accomplishments under 
the leadership of TJC President Dr. Michael Metke, Provost and Vice 
President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Juan Mejia, Assistant 
VP/Athletics and Student Life Dr. Tim Drain, Assistant Director of 
Intercollegiate Athletics Kelsi Weeks, Associate Director of 
Intercollegiate Athletics Chuck Smith, and Administrative Assistant of 
Intercollegiate Athletics Sherry Harwood.
   These exceptional student athletes have added a spectacular chapter 
to the legacy of Tyler Junior College. No matter how talented and 
committed the team, the path to a national championship would be much 
more challenging if not for the enthusiastic support of a fiercely 
loyal network of players' families, faculty, staff members, alumni, and 
community.
   May God continue to bless these young people, along with their 
families, friends and neighbors in east Texas and beyond. It is a 
tremendous honor to recognize the 2017 NJCAA World Series Baseball 
Champions, the Tyler Junior College Apaches.

                          ____________________