[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12184]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WOMEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM ON 
               WINNING THE WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the 
University of Michigan women's softball team on Winning the Women's 
College World Series (WCWS), bringing home the first national 
championship in the softball program's history. Displaying the hard 
work and tenacity they acquired through a grueling 72 game season, this 
team dug deep and rose to victory, defeating the two-time defending 
champion UCLA Bruins 4-1 in extra innings.
  This season Michigan advanced to its eighth WCWS, earned its first 
No.1 national ranking and won its 10th Big Ten Conference championship 
and seventh Big Ten Tournament title. Head coach Carol Hutchins earned 
the 900th victory of her career in 2005, while junior Jennie Ritter 
earned the honor of Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and was one of three 
finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
  Michigan was the first team east of the Mississippi to reach the 
championship game of the Women's College World Series and the first 
non-West Coast school to be ranked No.1 midseason.
  Proving they are more than just athletes, these inspiring young women 
balanced classwork and community service with practice and over 15 
games per month--all while maintaining strong academic records with six 
team members earning Academic All Big Ten honors.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all of my colleagues join me in 
sending our heartfelt congratulations to coach Carol Hutchins for her 
coaching and leadership, and to the Women's College World Series 
Champions, the remarkable Wolverine women: Lorilyn Wilson, Jennifer 
Kreinbrink, Lauren Talbot, Tiffany Worthy, Stephanie Bercaw, Michelle 
Teschler, Stephanie Winter, Grace Leutele, Lauren Holland, Jennie 
Ritter, Samantha Findlay, Alessandra Giampaolo, Nicole Motycka, Rebekah 
Milian, Tiffany Haas, Michelle Weatherdon, Jessica Merchant, Becky 
Marx, and Angie Danis.

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