A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CLOVER HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2025 SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE CLASS AAAAA DIVISION 1 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Aiken Steeplechase Course, the Clover High School girls cross country team captured the 2025 South Carolina High School League Class AAAAA Division 1 State Championship title; and

Whereas, the Clover High School girls cross country team completed an impressive season by winning the championship with a remarkable score of eighty-seven points, finishing well ahead of runner-up Wando High School, which scored one-hundred-six points; and

Whereas, Blue Eagles teammates Ella Nighbor, Ava Jagielski, Zoe Miller, Eva Quintana, Scarlett Verdino-Jenkins, McKinley Johnson, and Nadia Andrews, demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout the season; and

Whereas, Ella Nighbor captured the individual State Championship, finishing forty seconds ahead of the next competitor. She and Ava Jagielski were named to the Shrine Bowl Run Team, while Head Coach Ben Clark earned honors as the Women's AAAAA Cross Country Coach of the Year; and

Whereas, in addition, Ella Nighbor was selected as the 2025-2026 Gatorade South Carolina Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, and Coach Clark was named Girls High School Cross Country Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and was a finalist for the national coach of the year; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands both mental and physical endurance, Head Coach Ben Clark and his talented coaching staff utilized their experience, leadership, and passion for the sport to mold a championship-caliber team. The lessons instilled in these young athletes both on and off the course will prove invaluable to them throughout their lives and running careers; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives recognize the pride and distinction the Clover High School girls cross country team has brought to its school and community and look forward to following the Blue Eagles' continued success in the years 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 Clover High School girls cross country team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2025 South Carolina High School League Class AAAAA Division 1 State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Donna Farris and Head Coach Ben Clark of Clover High School.

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