Viewfinder: Town Pride Swells at EHS Parade of Champions

Though it was cold enough that Mayor Liz Reynolds apologized for slurring her words as her face was numb, friends, family and supporters of Enumclaw High School sports weren't going to let a little chill keep them from a celebration. Insteand, they bundled up and came out Monday afternoon to downtown Enumclaw to cheer the school's three state championship teams in boys wrestling, girls wrestling and girls gymnastics.

The boys wrestling team's state championship win this year marks its fourth championship in the last five years. ()

The girls wrestling team picked up the state academic championship honor for having the top grad point average of all girls wrestling teams in the state. ()

And the girls gymnastics team, in just its second year, took the top spot this year as well. They finished second last year. ()

School Board President Chris VanHoof commented to the boys, "you guys have created a dynasty."

Schools Superintendent Mike Nelson continued that sentiment for all three teams, "you all have made history."

Mayor Reynolds delivered three proclamations celebrating the students' athletic as well as academic achievements.

Boys wrestling head coach Lee Reichert told the crowd, "this is a special place. It's a special community."

And to the athletes, "cherish this, because it's not always like this."

Of his boys team, he reminded them of what they say in the locker room: "once you've wrestled, everything else is easier in life. ... We [the coaches] are lucky to be able to coach you young gentlemen, to be a part of your lives, to push you to the limit all the time."

We want you to leave better than you came, he said.

Enumclaw High School principal Jill Burnes summed up the ceremony, "The poise and character that they [the student athletes] display in a competition is something for us to be incredbly proud of. ... We're really proud to be a Hornet."

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