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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CONGRATULATING THE OAK PARK RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING TEAM ON WINNING THEIR THIRD CONSECUTIVE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2016 the wrestling team of Oak Park River Forest High School, the Huskies, repeated as Class 3A state champions, defeating Marmion Academy 34-22 in the final of the IHSA Dual Team Tournament at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington; and,
WHEREAS, in 2015 the Huskies edged Sandburg High School 39-16 to claim the 3A dual-team tourney title and also produced three individual state champions in Jason Renteria, Isaiah White, and Allen Stallings and 6 more top-six, All-State finishers and two additional state qualifiers; and,
WHEREAS, the Huskies have won four state championships over the last eight years, including two undefeated teams (28-0 in 2015; 24-0 in 2009); and,
WHEREAS, nationally, OPRF finished as the top-ranked team in the country in 2016, per high school wrestling website IllinoisMatMen; and,
WHEREAS, Huskie student wrestler Isaiah White has gone 3-0 in addition to his program-best three individual state titles. Isaiah was also the first Huskie student wrestler to win a title at the Walsh Ironman in 2015; and,
WHEREAS, the Huskies overcame significant challenges off the mat on the way to their 2016 title. Just days before the tournament, junior Deundre Garner tragically lost his older brother Diamond to gun violence. Despite this setback, Deundre attended the tournament and wrestled, beating his opponent 8-5; and,
WHEREAS, after the tournament, Coach Paul Collins paid tribute to Deundre's courage and commitment, praising the young man for showing up and competing in the face of adversity; and,
WHEREAS, Oak Park and River Forest High School senior and Huskie student wrestler Allen Stallings captured the focus and inner strength necessary to succeed in the Huskie wrestling program when he said "It's 10 times better winning a team state title th...
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