[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2383]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING THE LADY BULLDOGS

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President today I wish to honor the Madison 
High School gymnastics team for winning their 14th consecutive South 
Dakota State Gymnastics title and breaking the national record for most 
consecutive State gymnastics team titles. This is truly an impressive 
accomplishment, and I am proud to have such fine athletes representing 
the State of South Dakota.
  Last year, the Madison High School Bulldogs were tied with Sehome 
High School from Bellingham, WA, for most consecutive championship 
wins. However, as a result of their countless hours of hard work and 
dedication, the Bulldogs have shown to the Nation their outstanding 
athletic talent and determination by winning the 2008 State 
Championship and clinching the national record.
  Not only did the Lady Bulldogs top the national record for most 
consecutive State wins, they also beat their State-best score from last 
year. Madison had four of the top scores in the vault, the top three in 
the balance beam, three of the top five in the uneven bars, and two of 
the top three in the floor exercise. This is evidence of the team's 
ability to perform well and work together in all of the categories of 
the championship.
  The Lady Bulldogs sealed their 14th win with a final score of 141.896 
points. I would like to congratulate all the young women who have 
worked so hard this year to win the State championship. The gymnasts of 
the Lady Bulldogs for the 2007-2008 season, in alphabetical order, are 
as follows: Laura Blom, Danielle Bloom, Katie Breuer, Kassie Finck, 
Lexi Finck, Theresa Knapp, Katie Mackenzie, Heidi Mogck, Mara Riedel, 
Sara Rogers, Jessica Strom, Kaitlyn Walker, and Heather Williams.
  This remarkable accomplishment would not have been possible without 
the guidance and encouragement of the team's excellent coaching staff, 
head coach Maridee Dossett and assistant coach Kindra Wiese. Coach 
Dossett has been a Lady Bulldog since 1995, first as an athlete and now 
as a coach. She was part of the team when they won their first State 
title in 1995. Upon graduation, she has continued to contribute to the 
team and spur them on to continued success.
  Bud Postma, the athletic director of the Lady Bulldogs, said the 
streak was a testament to past gymnasts and coaches at Madison. Linda 
Collignon was the coach who started the recordbreaking streak 14 years 
ago. This national record was made possible by the dedication of the 
gymnasts and coaching staff of the Madison High School gymnastics team 
throughout the years.
  I would also like to acknowledge the support and devotion of the 
families of the Madison Gymnastics team members and the community of 
Madison. Without the encouragement and sacrifice from the gymnasts' 
families and the dedicated support of the Madison community, this 
amazing accomplishment would not have been possible.
  On behalf of the State of South Dakota, I am pleased to congratulate 
the Lady Bulldogs Gymnastics team on their recordbreaking national 
accomplishment and wish them the best of luck for their continued 
success.

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