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H. R. No. 105 *HR26/R2698* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Morgan
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 105
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBIA 1
ACADEMY LADY COUGARS SOFTBALL TEAM UPON WINNING THE 2025 MAIS AAA 2
SOUTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE 2025 MAIS AAA DIVISION 1 OVERALL 3
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, after blowing away the competition at the 2025 5
Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) AAA South State 6
Championship, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Softball Team 7
reigned supreme at the 2025 MAIS AAA Division 1 Overall State 8
Championship, the perfect ending to a legendary season; and 9
WHEREAS, the team's championship run began at The Yards in 10
Columbia, Mississippi, where the Lady Cougars achieved a shutout 11
victory in the MAIS AAA South State Tournament with a dominant 4-0 12
performance; and 13
WHEREAS, after opening the tournament play with a commanding 14
13-3 triumph over Central Hinds Academy, the Lady Cougars 15
delivered a strong 6-2 win against Amite School Center; and 16
WHEREAS, the Lady Cougars continued their momentum with an 17
impressive 11-1 victory over Bowling Green before once again 18
H. R. No. 105 *HR26/R2698* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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defeating Amite School Center 10-3 to secure the MAIS AAA South 19
State Championship title on their home field; and 20
WHEREAS, building on their success as they advanced to the 21
tournament of champions, the Lady Cougars entered the MAIS AAA 22
Division 1 State Championship Series ready to face Tri-County 23
Academy in a best-of-three showdown; and 24
WHEREAS, Columbia Academy claimed Game One with a 5-2 25
victory, setting the tone for the series, and on October 11, 2025, 26
the Lady Cougars clinched the series in Game Two with a thrilling 27
4-3 win, earning the state title; and 28
WHEREAS, as the first softball state championship victory in 29
school history, this monumental achievement marks a defining 30
moment for Columbia Academy athletics, and the determination, 31
teamwork, resilience and championship mindset displayed by each 32
team member throughout the season reflect the heart of the Lady 33
Cougar program; and 34
WHEREAS, from South State dominance to finishing the job on 35
MAIS softball's biggest stage, the Lady Cougars have set a new 36
standard of excellence, and the key to this dynamic team's success 37
has been the amazing team spirit and hours of diligent practice 38
put in by student-athletes: Molly Sistrunk, Maggie Smith, Harley 39
Herring, Macey Branch, Macie Wilks, Carlee Pounds, Taylor Berard, 40
Lola Todd, Kate Fortenberry, Gracie Bounds, Jaycee Reagan, Lizzy 41
Todd, Brooklyn Ladd, Sydnee McCain, Marley Smith, Rylee Freeman, 42
H. R. No. 105 *HR26/R2698* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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Madisyn Berard, Rhyder Roach, Lillie Ginn, Joeli Williams and MB 43
Polk, with the support of the team's manager, Merritt Wilks; and 44
WHEREAS, the Lady Cougars have been superbly coached and led 45
to victory by Head Coach Kyle Wilks, Assistant Coach Lyle Berard 46
and Assistant Coach Todd Pounds, who have broadened the players' 47
knowledge of the sport and refined their skills in execution; and 48
WHEREAS, the members of this team will surely carry the 49
unforgettable memories they have made, as well as the lessons of 50
sportsmanship, dedication and perseverance they have learned, 51
throughout their lives as they remember the feeling of greatness 52
that accompanies being a champion; and 53
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 54
recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi student-athletes, 55
especially those such as the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars 56
Softball Team, and it is with great pride that we congratulate 57
this elite group of young women, who have brought honor and 58
inspiration to their school, their community and the State of 59
Mississippi: 60
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 61
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 62
commend and congratulate the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars 63
Softball Team upon winning the 2025 MAIS AAA South State 64
Championship and the 2025 MAIS AAA Division 1 Overall State 65
Championship, and extend best wishes to the team for continued 66
success in all their future endeavors. 67
H. R. No. 105 *HR26/R2698* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Softball
Team; commend upon winning MAIS State
Championship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 68
furnished to the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars Softball Team and 69
to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 70