Assembly Resolution No. 201 BY: M. of A. Walsh CONGRATULATING Ava Guilmette of Shenendehowa High School upon the occasion of capturing the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Championship title in the 145-pound Division on February 27, 2025 WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved only through strenuous practice, team play, and team spirit, nurtured by dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical development of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success, and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Ava Guilmette of Shenendehowa High School upon the occasion of capturing the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Championship title in the 145-pound Division at the MVP Arena in Albany, New York, on Thursday, February 27, 2025; and WHEREAS, To the praise and applause of her excited fans, number-one-seeded Ava Guilmette captured the championship as she pinned Minisink Valley's Jaida Macaluso, the two-seed, 35 seconds into the bout for the victory; and WHEREAS, This win capped an impressive season for Ava Guilmette, who also won the 2025 Eastern States Girls Wrestling Championship title in the 145-pound Division, with a pin of Shaker's Kiara Richard at 1 minute, 16 seconds of the first period at the Impact Athletic Center in the Town of Halfmoon on Saturday, January 11, 2025; and WHEREAS, Prior to entering high school, Ava Guilmette enjoyed a decorated wrestling career, winning six National Championships, along with a Tallin Open title (2023) and a Pan-American title (2024); and WHEREAS, For her many achievements, Ava Guilmette has garnered a top-25 national ranking in her weight class, according to USA Wrestling, FloWrestling, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum; and WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this scholar-athlete is due, in great part, to the efforts of a great team of coaches and skilled and inspirational tutors who are respected for their ability to develop potential into excellence; and WHEREAS, In a sport, such as wrestling, which demands athletic prowess, speed, and agility, Head Coach, Dan Palmerino, and Assistant Coach, Antonio Lomascolo, worked hard to hone the skills of this champion, teaching this outstanding athlete lessons which will prove invaluable both on and off the mat; and WHEREAS, In light of her recent accomplishments, Ava Guilmette was recognized as Girls' Sports Athlete of the Week for the first week of March 2025 by the Times Union newspaper; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Ava Guilmette of Shenendehowa High School upon the occasion of capturing the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Championship title in the 145-pound Division on February 27, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ava Guilmette; Head Coach, Dan Palmerino; Assistant Coach, Antonio Lomascolo; Athletic Director, Christopher Culnan; Principal, Ron Agostinoni; and School Superintendent, Dr. L. Oliver Robinson.