WHEREAS, The Washington State House of Representatives recognizes excellence in all forms of endeavor; and
     WHEREAS, The Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team exhibited excellence in winning the Washington State 2A Wrestling Championship at the Mat Classic XIX in the Tacoma Dome in February 2007; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Coach John Taylor said, "What a great feeling. It's hard to realize what we've done. The guys came ready to wrestle. This morning was big. It was huge. To get five of the six winning and moving on with three to the finals...it was big. We got on that roll and just kept it going"; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Members John Capen and Derek Driscoll won individual state championships while four other Bearcats placed to hand W.F. West the team title; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Member John Capen captured his first state title, winning the 171-pound championship with a 13-9 win over Burlington-Edison's Kyle Knutson; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Member John Capen said, "This is what everybody dreams of...all the way from fourth grade. It might have looked impossible back then, but I always wanted it. It's as real as it gets right here"; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Coach John Taylor said about Team Member John Capen, "It couldn't have happened to a better kid. He's a great kid. He's a hard worker, a guy you can always count on. He's there every day. We're so proud of him"; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Member Derek Driscoll won his second straight 152-pound state title with a 10-7 victory over Ephrata's Dallas Hintz; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Member Derek Driscoll said, "This was a lot better because we got the state title as a team. This group of seniors has wrestled together since we were just little. All the work coming into this paid off"; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Coach John Taylor said about Team Member Derek Driscoll, "Derek is one of the best wrestlers Chehalis has ever had...no doubt"; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Members, Tim Denegar, Kirby White, Kolten DeKoker, and Ryan Apperson also contributed to the success of the Bearcats; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Assistant Coach Lawrence Costa promised the Bearcats that he would shave off the moustache he's been sporting for nearly 30 years if they could somehow bring home the state championship; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Assistant Coach Lawrence Costa said, "I've been part of the program for over 30 years. I wrestled for W.F. West. Early in the year, I made a promise to the kids if we end up winning the state title that I would shave my mustache off. It's kind of a joke, but it's neat for the kids to have something to work for"; and
     WHEREAS, The W.F. West wrestling program was coached from 1960 to 1985 by Harry Gust, an inductee into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, who coached the Bearcats to 218 wins in 25 years and died March 28, 2006; and
     WHEREAS, Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team members, coaches, family, friends, teachers, and neighbors all share in the outstanding success of the Bearcats;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington recognize and honor the Chehalis W.F. West High School Wrestling Team Members and Coaches for their exceptional accomplishment in winning the Washington State 2A Wrestling Championship at the Mat Classic XIX in the Tacoma Dome in February 2007; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Bearcats Wrestling Team Coach John Taylor and the Chehalis W.F. West High School Principal Linda Smith.