MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 2nd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Browning, Butler, Davis, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd)

Senate Concurrent Resolution 521

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTH PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL "VIKINGS" FIRST-YEAR ARCHERY TEAM AND HEAD COACH JOE WALLER FOR WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE IN ANY SPORT.

     WHEREAS, the North Pontotoc High School "Vikings" Archery Team dominated every event in their inaugural season and won the 2010 State Championship, the school's first state title in any sport; and

     WHEREAS, in its first year of existence, the Archery Team at North Pontotoc High School has been a huge success.  The team has successfully completed its regular season at 8-0, ranked first in the state and won the school's first State Championship at the end of April 2010.  The Vikings set a state record in their first competition.  The success of the program not only exists within the borders of Mississippi, the team represented the State of Mississippi in the National Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 7-8, 2010, the first Mississippi team to compete in the national competition; and

     WHEREAS, the team had several outstanding showings in the national competition but Kristen Swords was the shining star.  Kristen shot a 275, her personal best.  This score was even more impressive since it is the highest female score all season for the Vikings.  Kristen's accolades allowed her to finish 28th out of some 742 females who also participated, and to see her do this on a national stage is well deserved because she is the spiritual leader of this team; and

     WHEREAS, in the national competition, the Vikings competed against 7,200 individual Archers, 400 other schools and finished 58th.  Teams that participate in the NASP (National Archery in Schools Program) all shoot the exact same bows and arrows in competition.  A Mathews Genesis bow is the compound bow of choice and aluminum 1520 Easton arrows.  The team shoots at 3 rounds of 5 arrows from 10 meters and 15 meters.  The bows are not allowed to have any marks on the risers or sighting aids for aiming.  The teams shoot a compound bow with the no sights which in the long term will make them much better shooters; and

     WHEREAS, Coach Joe Waller stated, "The archery program reaches out to students that might not be the best jumper or the strongest athlete.  It allows opportunities to a wider range of students and allows them to feel a larger part of the school.  Many team members do competitive archery shooting with the 4-H Club and are avid bow hunters.  Their success in archery has motivated them to raise their grades while increasing attendance.  That's a huge success story in itself"; and

     WHEREAS, the North Pontotoc 2010 Archery Roster:  Amber Hall, Joe Hood, Stephen Grose, Drew Burcham, Blake Sullivan, Mac McKnight, Collin Horton, Gage Davis, Hunter Coleman, Neyda Sandoval, Brittany Hardy, Kristen Swords, Brittany McGee, Brook Forrester, Chase Owen, Marley Williams, Austin Merritt, Austin Gregory, Bailey Andrews, Cade Albino, Calen Walker, Josh Tutor, Kenny Watkins, Mitch Grizzle, Easton Smith, Patrick Haulcomb, Madison Carnes and Hannah Waller; Head Coach Joe Waller and Assistant Coach Matt Lyndsey; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this newly sanctioned sport and a team which has brought a first-ever championship and honor to its school, parents and community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and congratulate the North Pontotoc High School "Vikings" first-year Archery Team and Head Coach Joe Waller for winning the State Championship which is the first state title in any sport for the school, and extend our best wishes for success in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Waller and Principal Roger Smith, forwarded to the North Pontotoc School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.