2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 27
BY SENATOR HEWITT
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Pope John Paul II High School boys soccer team upon winning the 2021
Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division IV state championship.
WHEREAS, on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the number one (No. 1) seed Pope
John Paul II boys soccer team defeated the number six (No. 6) seed Episcopal High School
of Baton Rouge by a score of 2-1 at Strawberry Stadium on the campus of Southeastern
Louisiana University to complete a historical season; and
WHEREAS, senior Michael Tymkiw and junior Shawn Riviere scored the two
winning goals for the Pope John Paul II Jaguars; and
WHEREAS, junior Lincoln Oertling was named the Most Valuable Player of the
championship title match; and
WHEREAS, Pope John Paul II finished the season with a record of 18-4-2, scoring
forty-four goals and holding their opponents to sixteen goals with thirteen shutouts; and
WHEREAS, the state championship title was the first boys soccer state championship
in the school's forty-one year history; and
WHEREAS, the Pope John Paul II Jaguars defeated Westminster Christian Academy
7-0 in the second round after earning a bye in the first round; and
WHEREAS, Pope John Paul II went on to host defending state champion, Isidore
Newman, for the quarterfinals on Mardi Gras Day at Pope John Paul II in frigid
temperatures; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars had a record turnout from students and the Slidell
community to cheer them on as they defeated the Greenies 2-0 for the second time in 2021;
and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars then hosted their district rivals and 2019 state champions,
Northlake Christian, for the semifinals match at Pope John Paul II and the Jaguars again
emerged victorious with a 2-0 win in front of a very excited home crowd; and
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WHEREAS, the 2021 state championship was a culmination of an outstanding
season that began with the Jaguars finishing as runner-up in the prestigious COPA Acadiana
Tournament's Premier Orange Division as the Jags earned the No. 1 seed by playing a
challenging season made of first class soccer programs, many which are much larger
schools, including Mandeville High, St. Louis Catholic, E.D. White, North Vermilion,
Newman, and many more; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars had been eliminated in the previous two seasons in the
Quarterfinals which served as a motivation, but also presented a hurdle to overcome both
physically and mentally; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars were recognized prior to the first kickoff of the season by
being awarded the Team Academic Award by the United Soccer Coaches Association for
a team grade point average of 3.35; and
WHEREAS, the Pope John Paul II Jaguars were led by team captains senior Michael
Tymkiw and juniors Lincoln Oertling and Nicholas Barone; and
WHEREAS, the other contributing members to the Pope John Paul II Jaguars
amazing season were seniors Elliz Ortiz, Adam Lisotta, Joseph Estopinal, and Christopher
Kelley; juniors Shawn Riviere, Brendan Kuzminski, George Arata, Jack Everard, Patrick
Whitehouse, Will Adams, Wilson Varnado, Joey Hosni, and Nathan Baker; sophomores
Henley Oertilng, Mikey Uwaifo, Jacob Mire, and Nicholas Blum; freshman Allen Raimer,
Joseph Whitehouse, Landon Lott, Henry Dutriex; and eighth graders Christian Mire, Carter
Chiasson, Preston Mayeaux, Julian Masson, and Adam Merkle; and
WHEREAS, team manager Miguel Silva was integral to the success of the Pope John
Paul II Jaguars' season; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars were coached by Head Coach Danny Clavier in his tenth
season at Pope John Paul II High School; coach Danny crossed the 100-win threshold this
season and was voted All-District Coach of the year; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars were blessed to have two outstanding and dedicated
assistant coaches, Devin Jeanfreau was in charge of the team's technical training and Pope
John Paul II junior varsity team and Jason Schexnayder who was the team's goalkeeper
coach; and
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WHEREAS, the team's athletic trainer, Jonah Bailey from the Louisiana Children's
Medical Center Group, was invaluable in maintaining the team's health and wellness; and
WHEREAS, appreciation is also extended to Pope John Paul II Jaguars former
LCMC athletic trainer, Allen Miller, for the strategic yoga sessions and continued guidance
he provided for recovery and strength; and
WHEREAS, the support of Pope John Paul II's administration was instrumental in
navigating a season with COVID-19 and weather challenges; and
WHEREAS, thanks and gratitude is owed to Principal Doug Triche, Athletic Director
Richard Dieduonne, and most of all, to the Jaguars' number one fan, Assistant Principal
Kimberlie Kilroy; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars senior, Michael Tymkiw, was recognized by Max Preps as
the National Player of the week for his performance in the Jaguars' opening playoff win;
Michael Tymkiw and junior Lincoln Oertling shared the District 5-IV Most Valuable Player
honors; junior Brendan Kuzminski was named District Offensive Co-Most Valuable Player;
junior Nicholas Barone shared the district Defensive Most Valuable Player award as well;
and rounding out the rest of the first team All-District honors were sophomores Henley
Oertling and Michael Uwaifo and juniors George Arata and Shawn Riviere; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars recently represented Pope John Paul II High School on a
live stream broadcast by BBT Communications on the show "Mike's Corner" which
recognizes high school teams in the St. Tammany area; and
WHEREAS, the Jaguars and their parents collected two hundred five food items for
donation to the Northshore Food Bank which smashed the record previously held by St.
Paul's of one hundred sixty eight items.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the Pope John Paul II High School boys soccer team upon winning
the 2021 Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division IV state championship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Pope John Paul II High School.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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