[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2160]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE NEGAUNEE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM IN RECOGNITION OF 
                      WINNING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2003

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to the 
coaches, players, and managers of the 2002 Negaunee High School Miners 
football team, in recognition of winning the Michigan Division 6 state 
football championship on November 29, 2002 at the Silverdome in 
Pontiac. The 2002 title was the Miners' first ever state football 
championship!
  Every high school football team in Michigan begins practices with 
``two a days'' under the sweltering August sun with hopes of making it 
to the Silverdome and winning a state championship. Only one of these 
schools in every division will actually realize their title hopes.
  The valuable traits of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship are 
learned through participation in athletics. In addition to instilling 
these traits, the hard work and dedication of the coaches, players, and 
managers paid off with a state championship this season for the 
Negaunee Miners.
  Hard work and dedication are hallmarks of the men and women of 
Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The residents of the City of Negaunee, 
Marquette County, and the entire Upper Peninsula are proud of the 
accomplishments of the Negaunee High School Miners state football 
championship team.
  Defeating Hopkins High School 28-20 in an exciting overtime thriller, 
capped a 13 and 1 season for the Miners. The Miners also captured a 
2002 Mid-Peninsula conference championship.
  The Miners began their march to the state championship with a hard 
fought 14-12 victory over rival Ishpeming High School. A 20-6 win over 
Suttons Bay High School gave the Miners a Division 6 Region 1 District 
2 crown. The Miners went on to defeat Iron Mountain 28-17, for the 
Division 6 Region I championship and a berth in the Division 6 state 
semi-finals. A close 32-28 win over Whittemore-Prescott High School 
sent the Miners downstate for the championship game against Hopkins 
High School.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize every person 
involved in the Negaunee High School Miners' Division 6 state football 
championship.
  Head Coach, Paul Jacobson, and assistant coaches: Kevin Jacobson, 
Mark Marana, and Dick Koski, provided the leadership and discipline.
  Team members include: Donald Barr, John Bauman, Zack Brintlinger, 
Doug Byykkonen, David Cain, Dan Champion, Luke Cody, Cory Cronkright, 
Adam Croschere, David Echelbarger, Eric Faulkner, Eric Faust, Chris 
Giletto, Ben Grossman, Ken Heikklla, Andy Hill, Bryan Hill, Randy Howe, 
Cory Jandron, Eric Jarvi, Jack Jarvi, Jesse Jezek, Bob Jurasin, Jeremy 
King, Josh LaBelle, Steve LaJoie, Kyle Lander, Eric Larson, Ryan Leaf, 
Brian Mattice, John O'Neill, Shaun Pynnonen, Josh Rich, Eric Roberts, 
Jake Skewis, Eric Smock, David Speaker, Randy Sundell, Nick Thompson, 
Dillan Thome, and Josh Wernholm.
  Team managers were Jacob Jandron and Mario Marana.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the efforts of the 
Negaunee High School cheerleading team and its coaches who provided 
invaluable support to the Miners football team throughout the 
championship season.
  Cheer Coach, Karen Saari, assistant coach Kathy DelAngelo and 
volunteer coaches Diane Faust and Amy Pringle.
  Cheerleaders: Colleen Argall, Andraya Mattila, Brittany Hewitt, 
Ashley Nault, Tashina Kallionen, Kayla Pizzala, Ashley Kangas, Brittany 
Rice, Stacy Kemper, and Amber Wetton.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in saluting 
the coaches, players, managers and supporters of the 2002 Negaunee High 
School Miners-Division 6 Michigan state football championship team.

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