[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 133 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E851-E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF SHANA WELCH ON HER INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE COUNTY 
                          SPORTS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former athlete, 
coach, and Northeastern Pennsylvania native Shana Welch. Shana will be 
inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 for her 
distinct athletic and coaching achievements in the sports of swimming 
and water polo. She and her fellow inductees will be honored at a 
reception on August 8, 2021.
  Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
through their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic 
endeavors.
  At Wyoming Valley West High School, Shana was a standout member of 
the swim team. She received All-American recognition from the National 
Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association in both the 50-yard and 100-
yard freestyle event. She was named Conference Swimmer of the Year four 
times and won 15 PIAA District II swimming medals.
  Shana was not only a skilled swimmer, but she was also a key player 
on the soccer, water polo, and track and field teams, earning four 
letters in water polo and soccer and one in track and field. On the 
water polo team, she helped lead the team to their first State 
Championship in 1999. She was a four-time All-State and four-time All-
American, and in her freshman year she was named Rookie of the Year. 
After her senior year, she was crowned MVP.
  Shana continued her academic and athletic careers at the University 
of Michigan, establishing herself as one of the best players in school 
water polo history. She set new program records for career goals and 
points and led the team as captain in 2006 and 2007. The Collegiate 
Water Polo Association (CWPA) recognized her athletic prowess 
throughout her collegiate career, naming her Rookie of the Year in 
2005, MVP of the CWPA Western Division three times, and CWPA Player of 
the Week nine times. Shana was instrumental in leading the team to the 
2005 CWPA Championship and earned an NCAA tournament berth, as well as 
four consecutive division crowns from 2004 to 2007. USA Speedo named 
her a Top 40 player in both 2005 and 2006. In addition to her dominance 
in the pool, Shana excelled academically. She received the University 
of Michigan Athletic Academic Achievement Award in 2006 and 2007, and 
she received the Bob Ufer Sr. Athlete Award in 2007.
  Shana played professional water polo in Australia with the UWA Comets 
the year after graduation and in Greece from 2010-2011. Stateside, she 
focused on coaching, accepting a position as Bucknell University's 
assistant swim coach for the 2008-2009 season. For the 2009-2010 
season, she coached the Harvard men's water polo team. In 2014, Shana 
joined Long Beach State University as the women's water polo volunteer 
assistant, and, in 2020. she was named the first dedicated

[[Page E852]]

coach for the women's water polo program since 2008 after leading the 
team in six standout seasons in various coaching roles. In recognition 
of her athleticism and contributions to the sport, Shana was named to 
the Michigan All-Decade team in 2010, and, in 2016, she was inducted 
into the CWPA Hall of Fame.
  It is an honor to recognize Shana on her induction into the Luzerne 
County Sports Hall of Fame. May her story and athletic career serve as 
an inspiration to the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes striving 
for excellence.

                          ____________________