SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 217 Offered February 13, 2006 Commending the Clarke County High School boys' soccer team. ---------- Patron-- Potts ----------

WHEREAS, for the 2005 Clarke County High School boys' soccer team, the third time was the charm; and

WHEREAS, overcoming heartbreaking defeats in the 2003 and 2004 state championship games, the 2005 Eagles, who finished with a record of 19–3–1, captured the 2005 Virginia High School League Group A state soccer championship; and

WHEREAS, the Eagles finished second in the Bull Run District, but won the District tournament championship and advanced to the Region B tournament as the top seed; and

WHEREAS, in regional play, the Clarke County Eagles won two straight contests before falling to rival George Mason High School in the Region B title game; and

WHEREAS, in the state quarterfinal match, the visiting Eagles won easily over George Wythe High School, 4–1, then earned a slot in the state title game by defeating James Monroe High School, 3–1, in the semifinal game; and

WHEREAS, ending two years of frustration and avenging an earlier defeat, the Clarke County Eagles won the championship by defeating their nemesis, George Mason High School, 1–0; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the coveted state championship, the Clarke County High School boys' soccer team won the Sportsmanship Trophy at the Virginia High School League state tournament; and

WHEREAS, the Eagles were led by Tom Elliston, Nat Elliston, Clay Ferrell, Bobby Hobbs, Daniel Miller, and Peter Smetanick, all of whom earned All-District, All-Region, or All-State honors, and by Head Coach Betsy Munson, the Virginia High School League Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the triumphant performance of the 2005 Eagles soccer team is evidence of the talent, dedication, and perseverance of the players, the leadership of Head Coach Betsy Munson and her staff, and the support of the students and faculty of Clarke County High School; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Eagles from Clarke County High School on their exceptional state championship season; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Head Coach Betsy Munson as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the outstanding performance of the 2005 Clarke County High School boys' soccer team.