South Carolina H 4443: York Comprehensive HS strength teams' champs

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4443 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 30, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4443

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE York Comprehensive High 
School Male and Female Strength TEAMs, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR a 
REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2024-2025 SOUTH 
CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the York 
Comprehensive High male and female strength teams both captured state titles 
from the state meet for the female team held at Blythewood High School on 
November 9, 2024, and the state meet for males held at Lexington High School on 
March 22, 2025; and

Whereas, to the cheers 
of their exuberant fans, the York Comprehensive team defeated competitive comers 
from around the State to win their respective state trophies; and

Whereas, competing in 
their respective weight classes, the athletes are given scores on their 
performance in three events: back squat, bench press, and standing broad jump. 
At the conclusion of each meet, the athletes are ranked by their performance, 
and the athlete with the best scores is crowned state champ. Athletes placing 
in the top six also contribute points to their team's final score; and

Whereas, York took twenty 
female athletes and ten male athletes to compete at the two state meets. At 
the female state meet, York Comprehensive set a record with nine All-State athletes, 
two State Champions and seven All-State finishers. At the Male State meet, York 
had one state champion and one All-State finisher; and

Whereas, York's individual 
state female champions were Gracin Carroll in the 110-pound class and Briley 
Comer in the 160-pound class. York posted three state record holders: Jessica 
Merwin in the 120-pound class with a 230-pound back squat, Maddi Ross in the 120-pound 
class with a 115-pound bench press, and Briley Comer in the 160-pound class 
with a 280-pound back squat; and

Whereas, York's All-State 
female athletes included Brooklyn Carter in the 160-pound class, Lexi Clark in 
the 140-pound class, Caroline Clark in the 150-pound class, Teagan Cowart in 
the 120-pound class, Hope Henderson in the 110-pound class, AC Lingerfelt in 
the 150-pound class, and Jordan Welsh in the 130-pound class; and

Whereas, male strength 
athletes made their mark. Eli Clinton in the 180-pound class was named an individual 
state champion and made a state record with a 10-foot 4-inch broad jump. 
Clayton Russell in the 140-pound class was named an All-State athlete; and

Whereas, in a sport 
that exacts perseverance, strength, and expertise, Head Coach Jason Layman, 
named AAAA Strength Coach of the Year, and his skilled coaching staff maximized 
their own athletic experience and training to forge two championship-caliber 
teams and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life 
both in and out of the gym; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the York 
Comprehensive strength athletes have brought to their school and their 
community, and the members look forward to following their continued 
accomplishments in the days 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 York Comprehensive High male and female strength teams, coaches, 
and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning 
the 2024-2025 South Carolina Class AAAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this 
resolution be presented to Dr. John Tharpe, principal of York Comprehensive 
High School, and to Coach Jason Layman. 

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This web page was last updated on April 30, 2025 at 11:49 AM