A house RESOLUTION

 

To recognize and honor the thomas sumter ACADEMY BOYS cross country team and their coaches on an outstanding season and to congratulate them on winning the 2025 South carolina independent school association 3a cross country state championship.

 

Whereas, on Saturday November first at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, the Thomas Sumter boys cross country team won the 2025 SCISA 3A Cross Country State title for the first time in program history. The Generals, having finished in second place the previous year, were determined to take first place this year; and

 

Whereas, this win was a true team effort for Thomas Sumter. The team had all seven runners on their team finishing in the top twenty-two, as well as each of them setting a new personal record by more than a minute. This effort put in by the entire team was integral, as they finished tied for first with fifty-three points with Spartanburg Christian. The state title then came down to each team's sixth runner. The Generals sixth runner, eighth grader Connor Van Osterom, finished twentieth, giving the win to Thomas Sumter for the first time; and

 

Whereas, this win is even more impressive as the Thomas Sumter boys cross country team is made up almost entirely of underclassmen. The team is comprised of junior Nate Livingston, who finished in fourth place with a time of 17:48.75, freshman Ashton Pierce, who finished in fifth place with a time of 18:12.81, freshman Aiden Pierce, who finished in tenth place with a time of 18:28.51, junior Ty Fisher, who finished in fifteenth place with a time of 18:54.29, sophomore Wade Johnson, who finished in nineteenth place with a time of 19:17.24, eighth grader Connor Van Osterom, who finished in twentieth place with a time of 19:21.78 and junior Henry Sturkey, who finished in twenty-second place with a time of 19:24.90. Head Coach Rob Coursey is excited to have an entire returning roster next year as they work hard to defend their title; and

 

Whereas, in a sport that demands physical and mental endurance, Coach Coursey and his talented coaching staff maximized their own experience and passion to mold a championship-caliber team. The lessons on and off the course that this coaching staff has taught these runners will prove invaluable to them and will shape them into well-rounded individuals throughout their running careers and lives; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives value the pride and recognition that the Thomas Sumter boys cross country team have brought to their school and community and look forward to following their future achievements. 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 Thomas Sumter Academy boys cross country team and their coaches on an outstanding season and congratulate them on winning the 2025 South Carolina Independent School Association 3A Cross Country State Championship.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Head of School Benjamin Herod and Head Coach Rob Coursey of Thomas Sumter Academy.

----XX----