A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AA WRESTLING DUALS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Liberty High School wrestling team of Pickens County took top honors at the South Carolina Class AA Wrestling Duals State Championship held at Dreher High School in Columbia on Saturday, February 11, 2023; and

Whereas, motivated by a desire to honor their late coach, Nathan Day, with a performance that would have made him proud, the Liberty Red Devils defeated North Central High School 66-12 to claim the program's first state championship and realize Coach Day's vision for the team; and

Whereas, the Red Devils took four early matches by pins from Jonah Pierce, Brian Reed, Trent Burdette, and Blake Chandler to give Liberty an insurmountable 36-6 lead over the Knights. Other Red Devils match winners included Jason Reed, Trinity Ogelsby, Isaac Reese, Landon Teague, Dalton Shelton, Ian Vallecillo, JT Spence, and Sam Bates; and

Whereas, Liberty's individual state champions in their weight divisions, Blake Chandler, Trent Burdette, and Landon Teague, and the other stellar Red Devil seniors also made invaluable contributions to secure the championship; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands stamina, strategy, and individual excellence, Head Coach Dale Burrell and his coaching staff maximized their own experience and built on Coach Day's foundation to forge a championship team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the mats; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that the Liberty grapplers have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued accomplishments in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Liberty High School wrestling team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AA Wrestling Duals State Championship.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Johnny Garrett and Coach Dale Burrell.

----XX----