WHEREAS, Athletics are effective means for girls to develop
coordination, confidence, camaraderie, and leadership skills; and
WHEREAS, Achievement in sports contributes to personal growth,
increased self-esteem, and the formation of important values such as
teamwork, cooperation, communication, and initiative; and
WHEREAS, Perfect endings are hard to come by in team sports and to
achieve one, a team needs a solid plan, an iron will, and a few breaks;
and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team players achieved
a perfect ending by being the dominant girls' All-State soccer squad;
and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team players captured
their third straight Big Nine district title with a 1-0 win over
Kamiakin in November 2003 at Bomber Field giving Head Coach Chris Smith
his fifth Big Nine district crown in nine seasons; and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team players went on to
win the 4A state championship in November 2003 with a 3-0 victory over
Bellarmine Prep; and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team players with
Brittney Dugger, a senior forward, and Coach Smith leading the way,
achieved a perfect 20-0 season to give Coach Smith his second career 4A
Championship title since 1998 and Forward Dugger her first 4A
Championship title; and
WHEREAS, Coach Smith who led his team to 35 wins in its past 36
games, including 22 straight in the Big Nine since 2001, received his
second Herald coach-of-the-year honor since his 1998 squad, the last 4A
team to finish a season undefeated, won the 4A crown behind current
U.S. National team goalkeeper Hope Solo; and
WHEREAS, Forward Brittney Dugger, a two-year cocaptain who was able
to deal well with pressure, and when double-and-triple-teamed would
pass to other players, scored 22 goals last year, led the Big Nine this
year with 27 goals and eight assists, and was named Herald All-Area
Most Valuable Player for the second straight season; and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team 4A Championship
title came on the heels of the Richland boys' 4A title last spring, the
first back-to-back titles by a school since the 4A class began in 1987;
and
WHEREAS, Coach Smith paid the ultimate compliment to the Richland
Bombers girls' soccer team players by saying that up and down the
roster, the 2003 team might be the best to wear a Bombers uniform; and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team players are Chanel
Plaisted, Lyndsee Landon, Taylor Sinclair, Morgan Ingersoll, Ashley
Hofferber, Kristy Gauthier, Caroline Hedel, Liz Silva, Alli Arnold,
Hayley McCoy, Suzie Strickler, Kayla McKeirnan, Amber Murri, Lori
Conrad, Laura Segall, RaeAnne Carneau, Stephanie Kinion, Alaina
Pearson, Tai Swallow, Justine Jones, Ashley Dernbach, and Brittney
Dugger; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Chris Smith and Assistant Coaches Octavio
Dovalle and Sara Elfering, through their leadership, trust,
persistence, and discipline, became role models for their players; and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team players have
demonstrated to their classmates that through perseverance and hard
work anything is possible; and
WHEREAS, The Richland Bombers girls' soccer team players are a
credit to their community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives
honor and congratulate the Richland High School girls' soccer team for
their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice in achieving this
significant accomplishment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the families, friends, teachers,
classmates, and community members of the Richland Bombers girls' soccer
team players be recognized for their invaluable supportive role in
assisting these star athletes achieve their ultimate success; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be
immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of
Representatives to Head Coach Chris Smith, Assistant Coaches Octavio
Dovalle and Sara Elfering, Principal Steve Neill, Athletic Director Dan
Chubb, and the members of the Richland Bombers girls' soccer team.