[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8021]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY LADY JACKRABBITS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate the South Dakota State University Lady Jackrabbits. The 
Jackrabbits, under head coach Aaron Johnston and assistant coach Laurie 
Melum, won the National Division II Basketball Tournament against 
Northern Kentucky March 29 in St. Joseph, MO.
  Coach Johnston's squad went through the 2002-2003 season with a 
school-record 32 wins against just three losses. The Jackrabbits 
entered the tournament with an impressive 32-3 mark and defeated Cal 
State-Bakersfield and Bentley before rallying to overtake Northern 
Kentucky, 65-50, for the first ever women's basketball national title.
  The team was guided this season by the leadership provided by seniors 
Melissa Pater and Karly Hegge. Joining them were Jackrabbit juniors 
Stacie Cizek and Brenda Davis. All-tournament team member and NCAA 
Division II Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player Pater was joined on the 
all-tournament team by freshman Heather Sieler.
  As Hegge told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader following the title 
victory, ``After A.J. [Coach Aaron Johnston] first started coaching, he 
used the phrase, `Don't stop believing.' That's what we tried to do, 
not stop believing and just keep on going.'' This title reflects that 
devotion and conviction South Dakota residents pride themselves on.
  I want to acknowledge Dean Dr. Laurie Nichols, Athletic Director Dr. 
Fred Oien, Head Coach Aaron Johnston, Assistant Coach Laurie Melum, and 
Graduate Assistant Sheila Roux for their guidance and support to help 
make this year's team so successful. I also want to congratulate all of 
this year's team members: seniors Melissa Pater and Karly Hegge; 
juniors Stacie Cizek and Brenda Davis; sophomores Stephanie Bolden, 
Megan Otte, Brooke Dickmeyer, Dianna Pavek, Shannon Schlagel, and 
Sarita DeBoer; and freshmen Heather Sieler and Christine Gilbert, for 
their hard work, dedication and commitment this season. Finally, I want 
to acknowledge the great work of team manager Laci Greenfield, and the 
hard-working efforts of cheerleaders Christina Bennett, Emmie Johnson, 
Eve Becker, Jill McClung, Julie Raeder, and Katie Jacobson.
  Again, congratulations to the South Dakota State University Lady 
Jackrabbits on winning their first women's basketball national 
title.

                          ____________________