Sarah Brennan and Colette Eule dreamt of unveiling a state championship banner in the Tampa Catholic gymnasium. Thursday, that dream came true.
During a pep rally celebration for the Crusaders girls basketball Class 3A state championship, Brennan and Eule pulled a rope that revealed the newest banner. Students, crammed into the stands, roared with approval.
"I can't stop staring at it," Brennan said.
There were several distinguished guests at Thursday's celebration. Following a prayer from Brother Chris Burns and a singing of the national anthem, city councilman Charlie Miranda presented each of the players and coaches with a commendation and city pin.
Superintendent John Cummings from the Diocese of St. Petersburg surprised the Tampa Catholic students, and mostly Principal Tom Reidy, when he announced the school would get an unexpected day off to celebrate the victory again.
Tampa Catholic board chair and proud alumnus Jeanette LaRussa Fenton congratulated the team for the school's first girls basketball state championship and the school's first since the baseball team won in 2001.
"It's been a long time since Tampa Catholic had a state championship and it took the women to bring it home," Fenton said. "I'm here to tell you, the glory days are back at Tampa Catholic."
Coach Nancy Kroll closed the ceremony with a reminder of what she told the team before the season began.
"I had challenged you guys to be a part of history," Kroll said.
And now they are, with a banner to prove it.
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