Members of the Robinson girls' swim team often joke that their trophy case is so full that opening the case might cause some of the trophies to fall out.
So as Assistant Director of Student Activities Jeff Ferrell opened the case to add yet another award to the Rams' cache, the girls helped guide him in arranging the trophies in a "safer" manner.
On April 30, the Rams added a new award, and a program first, to that trophy case. Sponsored by Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41), the new award honored the Rams' 2009-10 state swimming championship.
"I know the importance of sports and training and competing," Filler-Corn said.
While the award is a first for the swim team, the resolution is also a first for Filler-Corn.
"Having just been elected, this was my first opportunity for a resolution," she said. "I'm very proud of the Robinson swim team and their accomplishment."
Head coach Clayton Joyner, whose team won the state title in dominating fashion, said that the award comes as a surprise.
"This is a huge honor," Joyner said. "I didn't expect it at all. It's an honor that it comes from outside the sports spectrum."
To Joyner, the award isn't so much about winning a state title, but honoring his girls' work ethic throughout their swimming careers.
"These girls do work hard," he said. "Swimming is not a sport where can you win overnight. Most of these girls have been swimming for 10 to 15 years. That's what it takes to be state champions."
Senior swimmer Becca Bott is used to winning ribbons, medals and trophies, but when she heard about the resolution, the honor puzzled her.
"When [Joyner] called me and told me what we had won, I didn't really know what it was," she said. "But now that I've seen it, it's one of the best honors I could have ever gotten."