TITLE: Congratulating the University of North Texas polo club on winning the 2023 USPA Division I Men's National Intercollegiate Championship.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the University of North Texas polo club on winning the 2023 USPA Division I Men's National Intercollegiate Championship.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The University of North Texas polo club proved itself the finest in the nation by winning the 2023 United States Polo Association Division I Men's National Intercollegiate Championship on April 15; and WHEREAS, Despite having only competed in the sport since 2018, the Mean Green polo club quickly established itself as a strong contender and finished as the runner-up for the national title in April 2022; after returning to action later in the year, UNT logged a series of impressive wins in November, capturing the Texas College Polo Championship with a 13-10 victory over Southern Methodist University and then bested Cornell and the University of Virginia to clinch the prestigious William S. Field Invitational polo tournament and the No. 1 ranking in the country; and WHEREAS, At the conclusion of the regular season, UNT joined the other top teams in Charlottesville, Virginia, for the 2023 National Intercollegiate Championship tournament; the Mean Green players first squared off against Texas A&M University in the semifinals on April 13 and defeated their interstate rivals, 20-8; two days later, the team took to the field for the championship match, looking to avenge the loss to the University of Virginia in the 2022 finale; UNT built a 5-3 advantage in the first three chukkers and added to their lead after the break; demonstrating tremendous poise and confidence down the stretch, UNT outscored Virginia 4-1 in the fifth chukker and then dialed up the defense the rest of the way to seal a 14-9 victory and the university's first polo title; and WHEREAS, Vaughn Miller Jr. scored 17 goals in the national tournament and was joined on the All-Star team by Andrew Scott, who earned the Connie Upchurch Memorial Sportsmanship Award for the second time; UNT also received important contributions in the match from John Dencker, Vance Miller, and Niklaus Felhaber; these determined student-athletes were ably guided by head coach Vaughn Miller Sr.; and WHEREAS, Winning a national championship represents countless hours of hard work and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and the UNT Mean Green polo players are a source of tremendous pride to the entire university community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the University of North Texas polo club on winning the 2023 USPA Division I Men's National Intercollegiate Championship and extend to the team's athletes, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the club as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Stucky Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1464 was adopted by the House on May 19, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House