HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4774, by Representatives Linville, Ericksen, Quall, Barlean and Wensman

       WHEREAS, The Meridian High School Trojans, playing with the confidence of a team destined for renown, stormed to a convincing 57-14 victory over East Valley on December 4, 1999, to capture the Washington state 2A football championship; and

       WHEREAS, In guiding a most impressive Tacoma Dome triumph, Meridian head coach Bob Ames tasted ultimate and well-deserved triumph when his squad capped this, the twenty-sixth year of his storied Meridian coaching career with a state gridiron crown; and

       WHEREAS, Meridian, also the reigning North Cascades Conference powerhouse, captured all nine league battles, shutting out two of its rivals, holding six others to eight or less points, and allowing another foe just thirteen points; and

       WHEREAS, The undefeated Meridian Trojans, every bit as dominant a force in postseason play as in league play, outscored opponents by a combined count of 230-71 in four playoff contests; and

       WHEREAS, Coach Ames and his exemplary assistant-coaching staff so fired up the 1999 edition of Meridian High School football that the Trojans brought upward of two dozen 2A State Championship team and individual records home to the beautiful Laurel area of Whatcom County; and

       WHEREAS, Just a few of the individual highlights included quarterback Jeff Bennum, who completed 25 of 33 pass attempts for 390 yards and five touchdowns; tight end Jarrod Karuza, who caught six passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns; wide receiver Eli Slesk, who caught 12 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and kicker Joel Pears, who booted five extra points and caught another pass for a two-point conversion; and

       WHEREAS, An obviously inspired Meridian defense complemented the brilliant Trojan offense in the title tilt, holding the East Valley team to only nine first downs and forcing the second-place Red Devils to punt four times; and

       WHEREAS, A tremendous band of highly athletic, spirited, and enthusiastic cheerleaders led a large contingent of extraordinarily supportive boosters who traveled from Laurel's Meridian school district and the surrounding area of Whatcom County to behold the state-wide prominence claimed by their gridiron mainstays; and

       WHEREAS, Maneuvered by a formidable contingent of thirteen seniors, the thirty-seven member Meridian football squad has earned state-wide respect for a season not just highly successful in the black-and-white world of the standings, but very honorable for its dashing commitment to team and fair play behind those magic numbers of success;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington hails and heralds the Meridian Trojans for their undefeated, state championship football season; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to head coach Bob Ames and his coaching staff, to the team captains, and to the administration at Meridian High School.

           I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

          Resolution 4774 adopted by the House of Representatives

                               March 1, 2000.

________________________________               _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk            Cynthia Zehnder, Co-Chief Clerk