2012 -- H 8096

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LC02519

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE COVENTRY HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY TEAM ON WINNING

THE 2012 RHODE ISLAND DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

     Introduced By: Representatives Tomasso, Guthrie, Nunes, Serpa, and Chippendale

     Date Introduced: April 26, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is always difficult for a single team to repeat as champions in any sport,

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but the Coventry High School hockey team did so in grand fashion in 2011-2012. The team was

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dominant in the regular season, compiling a sterling 17-1 record and easily winning the Division

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II North regular season championship. Coventry continued its torrid level of play in the playoffs

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and easily dispatched Prout High School in a two-games-to-nothing sweep in the championship

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round to win its second straight state title; and

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     WHEREAS, The strong team effort and gritty play that has epitomized the season for

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Coventry was evident at the State Championship Tournament. Led by a high-powered offense,

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stingy defense, superb goaltending, and the outstanding play of Michael Pesola in the title game,

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Coventry proved to be an unbeatable force; and

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     WHEREAS, Playing in their final RIIL high school hockey game, senior captains Alex

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Zannella, P.J. Stringfellow, Zach Levesque, and Connor DiPetro were instrumental to the overall

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success of the team, each making a significant and noteworthy contribution to their hard fought

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victory in the title-deciding game; and

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     WHEREAS, Coventry Coach Ken Bird’s leadership and the coaching staff’s hard work

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were key to gaining the team’s commitment to the mental preparedness and physical endurance

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needed during the long interscholastic season and the state championship tournament; and

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     WHEREAS, Winning a state title requires that everyone on the team, players and coaches

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alike, give all they have in an unselfish manner towards a common goal. The members of the

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2011-2012 Coventry Hockey Team attained their goal thanks to the hard work and “team first”

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play of Stephen Schmitt, Captain Peter Stringfellow, Mitchell Jones, Megan Fraser, Eric Pesola,

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Jacob Harrington, Michael R. Pesola, Joseph Stringfellow, Captain Alex Zannella, Captain

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Zachary Levesque, Devin Bane, Robert Beaudoin, Zachary Woods, Zachary Cooney, Matthew T.

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Tanksley, Captain Connor DiPietro, Brian M. Skorski, Corey B. Rogers, Brandon R. Hassell,

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Marc C. Lasorsa, Drew Strychasz, and Vincent Zannella, and the sterling coaching provided by

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Head Coach Kenneth Bird, Assistant Coach Chris Daigneault, and volunteers Tom Berard and

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Jay Mertz; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby congratulates the Coventry High School Hockey Team on winning

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the 2012 Rhode Island Division II State Championship; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Coach Ken Bird.

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