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H. R. No. 95 *HR43/R2635* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Calvert
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 95
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WEST 1
LAUDERDALE BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2025 2
MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 4A 3
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, the West Lauderdale Boys Cross Country Team reigned 5
supreme at the 2025 Mississippi High School Activities Association 6
(MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship, outperforming the competition 7
for the third year in a row in an incredible three-peat victory; 8
and 9
WHEREAS, after being named champions at the district and 10
super-regional competitions, the West Lauderdale Knights outlasted 11
and outpaced their competitors at the state championship as they 12
raced along the Robert and Rebecca Watson Cross Country Course at 13
Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Mississippi, relying on their swift 14
feet and fierce determination to propel them past the finish line; 15
and 16
WHEREAS, with fervent resolve and dauntless fortitude 17
powering their every step, the team defeated Corinth High School 18
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by one point and improved upon their overall team average time 19
from the prior season by 28 seconds; and 20
WHEREAS, while each team member raced with exemplary heart 21
and passion, the Knights were led by several outstanding 22
individual performances, including an extraordinary showing from 23
Hunter Walton (16:18), who won the individual state championship 24
title for the second year in a row; and 25
WHEREAS, the fifth fastest senior runner and 15th fastest 26
overall runner in the State of Mississippi, Hunter is also a 27
three-time all-state selection, three-time team state champion, 28
and the record holder for the fastest 5K finish in the program's 29
history (16:12); and 30
WHEREAS, two-time team state champion, Ryan Thompson ranked 31
in sixth place with a 17:05 finish, earning an all-state selection 32
and carrying the mantle as the state's eighth fastest sophomore 33
runner and the 36th fastest runner overall; and 34
WHEREAS, in ninth place, Aaron Walls hit the tape with a 35
remarkable run time of 17:34, and he is a standout on the track as 36
the 25th fastest senior runner in the state, as well as a 37
three-time all-state selection and team state champion; and 38
WHEREAS, Brody Gresset, a three-time team state champion, 39
finished the race at 17:51 in 15th place, only one place away from 40
achieving an all-state selection; and 41
WHEREAS, clinching the state championship for the team, 42
Sawyer Windham (18:05) completed the race in 20th place, and this 43
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two-time team state champion beat seven runners that finished 44
within nine seconds of him; and 45
WHEREAS, the final two championship runners, three-time team 46
state champion, Stone Berg (18:34) and two-time team state 47
champion, Owen Allen (19:02), ranked in 35th place and 48th place, 48
respectively; and 49
WHEREAS, the key to this dynamic team's success throughout 50
the season has been the amazing team spirit of each of its 51
members, including: Eli Robinson, River Thompson, Zach Garrison, 52
Nicholas Zingler, Deakon Vick, Larry Osborne, Caleb McAlister, 53
Christian Nix, Payton Swenson and Sawyer Ballard; and 54
WHEREAS, the Knights have been superbly coached and inspired 55
by Paul Shelly, who has served the program for six years as an 56
assistant coach and 11 years as head coach, and Misty Atkinson and 57
Cathy Gordon, who have coached the Knights for nine years, and 58
together, this elite coaching staff has broadened the runners' 59
knowledge of the sport and refined their skills in execution; and 60
WHEREAS, all season long, these dedicated young men pushed 61
through long hours of hard work and intense training to hone their 62
talent and build their stamina, giving them the tools they needed 63
to go the distance, and their collective effort paid off in spades 64
as they won seven invitational meets in the regular season, 65
proving champions are made in practice; and 66
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 67
recognize and commend excellence, especially that displayed by the 68
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ST: West Lauderdale High School Boys Cross
Country Team; commend upon winning MHSAA Class
4A State Championship.
West Lauderdale Boys Cross Country Team, and it is with great 69
pride that we congratulate this exceptional group of 70
student-athletes, who have brought honor to their school, their 71
community and the entire State of Mississippi: 72
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 73
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 74
commend and congratulate the West Lauderdale Boys Cross Country 75
Team for winning the 2025 Mississippi High School Activities 76
Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship, extend best 77
wishes to the team for success in all their future endeavors, and 78
encourage them to continue chasing their dreams. 79
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 80
furnished to the West Lauderdale Boys Cross Country Team and to 81
the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 82