H.R. No. 171
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The softball team of The Woodlands High School won
the 2011 University Interscholastic League state championship with
a victory in the title game on June 4, proving itself the best 5A
team in Texas and furthering its reputation as one of the finest
squads in the nation; and
WHEREAS, In a year of near perfection, the Highlanders were
unbeaten throughout the regular season and lost just one game in the
playoffs en route to their first appearance in the state
tournament; there, the team bested Pearland 6-0 in the semifinal
and then met O'Connor High of Helotes in the 5A championship
contest; after building a 7-2 lead, The Woodlands held off a
seventh-inning rally by their opponents, and ace pitcher Paige
McDuffee struck out the final batter with the bases loaded to clinch
the title with a 7-5 win; and
WHEREAS, With the triumph in the 5A finals, Ms. McDuffee
recorded her 37th win of the season, earning the championship
game's Most Valuable Player accolade, and the junior was later
honored with the prestigious Gatorade National Softball Player of
the Year Award; joining her on the UIL 5A All-Tournament Team were
Jessica Snyder, Alyssa Jorgensen, Brooke Riemann, Faith Bohack, and
Kelsey Jolly; and
WHEREAS, The Highlanders also received vital contributions
throughout the season from the other members of the roster: Sydney
Salmans, Olivia Boutch, Taylor O'Dell, Amy Cimera, Brittany
Kellett, Holly Gillmor, Taylor Vick, Autumn Zientek, Kelsey
Shannon, Caitlin Bartsch, Kayla Prater, and Stefani Diehl; and
WHEREAS, These determined competitors were guided by head
coach Richard Jorgensen and assistant coaches Tim Borths and Paula
Miller, and they also received valuable assistance from trainer
Cody Dean; and
WHEREAS, The exceptional play of The Woodlands High squad
earned the appreciation of softball experts throughout the nation,
and the team has held the No. 1 spot in the ESPN RISE Fab 50 national
rankings for 13 weeks; that accomplishment and the 5A state title
have made 2011 an unforgettable year for the Highlanders, and their
success will be a source of pride for the athletes, as well as their
devoted fans, for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate The Woodlands
High School softball team on winning the 2011 UIL 5A state
championship and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff
sincere best wishes for continued achievement; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Eissler
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 171 was adopted by the House on June
27, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House