LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the John C. Birdlebough High
School Wrestling Team of Phoenix, New York, upon the occasion of winning
its first ever Section III, Division II New York State Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, The John C. Birdlebough High School Wrestling Team won the
Section III, Division II New York State Championship for the first time,
defeating the Fulton Wrestling Team who has not lost in over a decade;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to winning the New York State Championship, the
John C. Birdlebough Wrestling Team also won the Section III duels during
the regular season; the team's overall record was 23-1, and in the proc-
ess of becoming champions broke every school record that Phoenix had
ever held; and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record is outstanding, and the team
members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the John C. Birdlebough High School Wrestl-
ing Team, from the opening match of the season to participation in the
championship, were a brotherhood of athletic ability, of good sportsman-
ship, of honor and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team players
are second to none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven
themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favor-
ably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and these outstanding athletes have clearly made a
contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their
school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the John C. Birdlebough High School Wrestling Team; its
members: Nick Tighe, Kyle Crisafulli, Talon Sotherden, Tyler Libbey, Rob
Lippki, Seth Allen, Brandon Colling, Scott Gardner, Mark Crisafulli,
Charlie Nunez, Jared Dietz, Ryan Jones, Austyn Hayes, Jeff Hendrickson,
Chad Dahlin, Mike Wilder, and Adam Smith, and Coaches Gene Mills, Tim
Boda, Joe Dottolo, and Matt Barnes on their outstanding season and over-
all team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the John C. Birdlebough High School Wrestling Team and to the
aforementioned coaches.