[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7757]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             MARCH MADNESS

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to spend a few minutes 
talking about March Madness. Millions of Americans are glued to their 
televisions to watch basketball this time of year, and I want to talk 
about a No. 1 seed that wasn't closely followed nationwide.
  Everyone knows how Florida, Georgetown, UCLA, and Ohio State are 
faring in their tournament games, but the Winona State Warriors may not 
be on everyone's radar. Well, they should be. The Warriors set a 
Division II record by winning 57 straight games over the last two 
seasons. This breaks the previous record of 52 games which has been 
intact since 1946. Over this stretch, the Warriors have dominated most 
teams that they met with the average margin of victory being almost 20 
points--including one victory by 81 points. Unfortunately, this streak 
ended on Saturday as they came just a few points short of winning back-
to-back Division II championships when their opponents made a buzzer-
beating shot.
  I commend Coach Mike Leaf for his accomplishments. In the 9 years he 
has coached at Winona State, he has lead the Warriors to five regular-
season Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles, four tournament 
conference titles, four Division II tournament appearances, and the 
2006 national title. He was also named national coach of the year after 
leading his team to the national championship last year.
  It takes a great deal to bring together a championship basketball 
team. Coach Leaf has done this while serving as an inspiration to his 
players and the entire Winona community. He has taught his players to 
work hard and enjoy themselves while winning with class.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Coach Leaf, his 
staff, his players, the students of Winona State, and all the Warrior 
fans. I look forward to the continued successes of Coach Leaf and his 
team next year. Go Warriors!

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