WASHINGTON, D.C. – In statement submitted to the Congressional Record today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) congratulated the Lewiston High School Boys Soccer Team for their recent state championship victory. The team, which has a diverse group of student athletes from various backgrounds, religions and cultures, went undefeated in the regular season and clinched its first title in program history.

“This is a team with a long history, and deep friendships, that have spanned many years and continents. A number of the players originally hail from Somalia, and have known each other and played soccer together since they were children in a refugee camp in Kenya. Others – native Mainers and immigrants alike – have bonded and shared their passion for the sport since grade school,” said Senator King in the statement. “This fraternal bond between the players and the supportiveness of the Lewiston community is a fine example of Maine citizens from diverse ethnic, religious, and experiential backgrounds coming together to achieve victory, while championing Maine’s spirit and America’s highest ideals of inclusiveness and unity.”

The complete statement is as follows:

     Mr. KING. Mr. President, at the end of the fall season we see the culmination of youth athletics across the country. In each sport, whether it is field hockey, football, soccer, or the like, we as parents and spectators see the aggregation of hard work, sportsmanship, and perseverance come together to produce outstanding championship athletes. Today I wish to draw attention to all of the talented Maine youths who won athletic championships across the state this year. In particular, I would like to congratulate the members of the Lewiston High School Blue Devils boys’ soccer team, who, on the path to their undefeated regular season and recent state championship victory, have demonstrated remarkable levels of teamwork and sportsmanship.

     The Blue Devils’ achieved victory through an impressive display of talent and teamwork. Throughout their regular season the team scored a total of 114 goals, consistently demonstrated their strong defense, and earned recognition when USA Today ranked them 22^nd in the country. The team’s display of unity, patience, and determination in the state final against Scarborough High School was a fitting conclusion to a stunning season of hard work.

     During two prior seasons, the Blue Devils earned their way to the state finals, but each time returned home without the win. Following their defeat last November, Lewiston High School coach Mike McGraw vowed to his team that they would return, and they would win. This year, that promise was fulfilled.

     But the story of the Blue Devils’ win is not solely one of raw athletic talent and training. This is a team with a long history, and deep friendships, that have spanned many years and continents. A number of the players originally hail from Somalia, and have known each other and played soccer together since they were children in a refugee camp in Kenya. Others – native Mainers and immigrants alike – have bonded and shared their passion for the sport since grade school. This fraternal bond between the players and the supportiveness of the Lewiston community is a fine example of Maine citizens from diverse ethnic, religious, and experiential backgrounds coming together to achieve victory, while championing Maine’s spirit and America’s highest ideals of inclusiveness and unity.

     I wish to join the city of Lewiston, and the entire Maine community, in congratulating the Lewiston High School boys’ soccer team for their well-earned success. They demonstrated impressive athletic ability, incredible determination, loyalty to their coach and one another, and have highlighted the richness that multiculturalism brings to our communities. The Blue Devils have earned their title as champions, in more ways than one.

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