[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10250]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          GREAT SOFTBALL IN THE 6TH DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2001

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, on June 3, the Sixth District of North 
Carolina became the home of the 2-A state championship softball team--
Southwestern Randolph High School in Asheboro. The Cougars completed 
their title run with a season record of 24-3. After making it to the 
state championship series the past three years, the team finally 
brought the title home when they beat East Bend Forbush 2-1.
  Jennifer Hurley, senior pitcher for Southwestern Randolph, allowed 
just one hit for the duration of two games on Saturday. On Sunday, 
during the title game, she yielded one run on three hits, but slammed 
the door on any further scoring by Forbush. Lee Harris's home run 
during the title game was all the offensive firepower the Cougars would 
need when in the first inning she went deep. This two-run homer, the 
first in Harris's career at Southwestern Randolph, set the Cougars on 
their way to the title. For her efforts, Harris was named the 
tournament MVP.
  Southwestern completed an inspirational season thanks, in no small 
part, to a compelling figure who never played a single inning--Jennifer 
Hurley's younger brother Drew. For the 14 years of his life, Drew has 
battled a condition similar to cerebral palsy. He is unable to speak, 
can hear in only one ear, and his limbs move in sudden jerks. Despite 
this constant struggle, Drew is at every game. The Cougars drew 
inspiration from Drew. After every victory, Drew would put on a batting 
helmet, and Jennifer would push him around the base paths in his 
wheelchair until he crossed home plate. It became a team ritual that 
brought the Cougars together and inspired them to victory. I read 
Drew's story in the Greensboro News & Record, and that prompted my 
attendance at one of the early Cougars' playoff games.
  Congratulations are in order for Head Coach Steve Taylor along with 
his assistants Lee McCaskill and Harry Daniel. Supporting the team 
efforts were Managers Stacey McCaskill, C.J. Taylor, Heather Taylor, 
and Kurtis Taylor along with Statistician Luanne Deaton.
  Members of the championship team included Megan Moody, Natalie King, 
Abby Auman, Kari McLeod, Crystal McPherson, Jennifer Hurley, Krystal 
Parker, Ashely Vereyken, Wendy Heath, Jodi Johnson, Beth Auman, Emily 
Ivey, Lesley Greene, Wendy Seawell, Lee Ann Chandler, Erica Tackett, 
Cristina Tedder, Mary Beth Sillmon, Crystal Hudson, and Lee Harris.
  Everyone at Southwestern Randolph High School can be proud of the 
Cougars. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District, we 
congratulate Athletic Director Trent Taylor, Principal Dr. W. Thrift 
and everyone at Southwestern Randolph for winning the state 2-A 
softball championship.

                          ____________________