WHEREAS, the Great Bridge High School wrestling team of Chesapeake won the Virginia High School League Class 4 state championship on February 18, 2023, at the Virginia Beach Sports Center; and

WHEREAS, the Great Bridge High School Wildcats tallied 202.5 points to outscore the runner-up Eastern View High School Cyclones of Culpeper by 100.5 points and to bring home the program's 22nd state championship; and

WHEREAS, the Great Bridge High School Wildcats included Jack Sawyer, Thomas Egley, Kyle Kuhlmey, William Marsh, Myrin Nixon, Caleb Neal, Beau Lewis, Eric Doran, Aaron Turner, TJ Howell, Noah Lawrence, Robert Thompson, Grayson Ringwald, and Jayden Cuevas; and

WHEREAS, the Great Bridge Wildcats were motivated all season by head coach Steve Martin, son of Virginia high school wrestling legend Billy Martin, Sr., who won 21 state wrestling championships at Granby High School in Norfolk, and assistant coaches Bart Sawyer, Kevin Johnson, Tyler Hazard, AJ Foreman, and Caleb Chandler; and

WHEREAS, the Great Bridge Wildcats' victory adds to the Martin family's legacy in the world of Virginia wrestling, as it is the program's 19th championship under the leadership of either Steve Martin or his brother, Wayne, as coach; and

WHEREAS, the accomplishments of the Great Bridge Wildcats are the result of the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes, the leadership and guidance of their coaches and teachers, and the unwavering support of the entire Great Bridge High School community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Great Bridge High School wrestling team hereby be commended for winning the 2023 Virginia High School League Class 4 state championship; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Steve Martin, head coach of the Great Bridge High School wrestling team, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the team's achievements.