Football is synonymous with Eaton School. This year (2007-2008)recognizes the 50th year of Spartan Football. Coach Doug Bailey began his football coaching career at Eaton in 1979 and was joined the next year in 1980 by his coaching partner, John Frison. The two coached together for the next 27 years. Eaton School recorded 195 wins & 62 losses since 1978. During this time, our 6- man teams won at both league and conference levels. They competed in Provincials in 1998 & 1999 taking Gold and in 1988 & 1994, they received Provincial Silver medals. The Spartan Spirit is always alive and well on the sidelines at Spartan football games. "Sparky" has often been seen working the crowd into a frenzy. It is this pride in the Spartan Football program which has made it stand out over the past five decades. In 2004, the duo of Coach Bailey and Coach Frison were awarded the Saskatchewan Roughriders' "Amateur Football Coaches Award" which is presented annually to high school coaches "in appreciation for years of service for the development of Amateur Football in Saskatchewan". We will miss both Doug Bailey and John Frison who retired from their coaching career, the 2006 season being their last.
In 2007-2008, the torch has been passed to former Spartan Clint Hayes who is now a teacher and coach at Eaton. Due to a decline in the number of players, this year saw the Eatonia Spartans joining forces with the Eston Mustangs. Loyal Spartan Fans will still be seen cheering the team. Go Spartans!!!
An important football highlight happened in July, 2000 when the Spartans (including current and former players, parents, and fans) hosted the Can-Am (Canadian-American) Bowl. The Canadian team featured our local Spartans: Cam Cooke, Rob Golightly, Chad Nunweiler, Colby Siefried, and Colin Siefried. Other Spartans to play in Can-Am Bowl Championships included: Mike Cooke, Billy Coventry, Jason Tweeten, Chad Guidinger, Cody Nunweiler, Brett Nunweiler, Jayce Meyer, and Allan Bailey.
The Spartan Alumni Association was formed in 1999 and is made up of all former Spartan football players. This group was instrumental in the planning and hosting of the 2000 Can-Am Games. Since its inception, it has given financial support to the Spartan Football team to cover Provincial travel costs. The Alumni Association has also given financial aid to those attending U of S sports camps, Can-Am, and the All American Bowl (which was attended in 2000 in Texas by Cam Cooke, Chad Nunweiler and Rob Golightly & in 2004 by Allan Bailey). In addition, it has annually presented the Spartan Alumni Scholarship to an Eaton athlete planning to attend a post-secondary institution.
Volleyball at Eaton has been solid for many years. In the past two years, however, it reached a pinnacle. In 2005, Eaton School hosted the Provincial Volleyball Championships. The local Spartan team, coached by Matt Linner, played well throughout the season to earn them a spot in Provincial playoffs. Unfortunately, that was not to be our year.
Then, in 2006, the Spartans, who were coached by Megan Boychuk and Assistant Coach Megan Specht, had a stellar season. The team attended many tournaments, setting the stage for their drive to the Gold. The school and the community were proud to again cheer our home town team on at the Provincial Championships being played in Kyle. Going into Provincials, the team ranked very high. They beat Gronlid in Semi-final play to face Rouleau in the finals. The girls buckled down and played outstanding, defeating Rouleau 25-21 in two straight sets to capture the Provincial Gold Medal - a first in the history of volleyball at Eaton School.
Provincial Gold Winners included: Gr. 12s -Kellie Boychuk, Kaitlin Frison & Jennifer Hyland; Gr. 11s - Krysten Klein, Janay Lothammer, Jenna Lothammer, Ria Specht, Kari Wilson; Gr. 10 - Jessica Frison; Coach Megan Boychuk; Assistant Coach Megan Specht; Manager Marla Frison.
With the start of the 2007-2008 volleyball season, a new coach stepped up to the net - Mr. Craig Vanthuyne. As each weekend for the first two months is booked, the girls have a busy season ahead of them.
The development of basketball skills at Eaton begins at an early age. A Midget team consisting of girls in Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 has been running for 5-10 years. These players then move on to form the Junior Basketball team made up of girls in Grades 7, 8, and 9. By the time the players reach the Senior team in Grade 10, they have a solid grounding in basketball skills. Off and on throughout the years, we have also had Junior and Senior Boys' teams. This past year, the enthusiasm our students have for the sport led to the formation of a Junior Boys' basketball team.
Eaton School is known throughout the province for it's outstanding Basketball program. Coach John Frison has developed a strong program at Eaton which has led our senior Spartans to Divisionals, Regionals, Districts, and Provincials where they have seen success many different times. In fact, the strength of the Spartans has taken them to Hoopla the last 7 years in a row. They brought home the Silver medal in 2002, Bronze in 2003 and 2005, Silver in 2006, and finally, the Gold in 2007. This is an amazing accomplishment of which players, parents, fans, Eaton School and the community of Eatonia are very proud. Evidence of this pride is found on the sidelines at every game and many a vehicle full of fans have travelled across the province to cheer the Senior Spartans on to victory.
Provincial Gold Medal Winners include: Gr. 12s - Kellie Boychuk, Kaitlin Frison, Jennifer Hyland; Gr. 11s - Janay Lothammer, Jenna Lothammer, Ria Specht, Kari Wilson; Gr. 10 - Jessica Frison; Coach John Frison; Assistant Coach Megan Boychuk; Manager Daryl Lothammer.
While small but mighty, the 2007-2008 Spartan Sr. Girls' Basketball team is eager to hit the court. Watch as they work to defend their Provincial Gold title.
The popularity of the Junior Badminton program increased by leaps and bounds in 2006-2007, with approximately 30 students signing up to play singles and doubles. Coach Shelley Follensbee had to add an extra night to practice times because of the overwhelming interest.
Several seniors also competed in singles and pairs under the guidance of Coach Chris Oscar.
Badminton players are very competitive within divisional and district play.
Eaton Track Athletes have received divisional, regional and provincial recognition over the years. As far back as 1979 when Alice Humeny received Gold in Triple Jump and Adele Humeny got Silver in Hurdles and Bronze in Long Jump, Spartans have been competitive in all areas of Track and Field. Some particular highlights include high jump (Brandi Cooper - 1993 Provincial Champion & Steven Toan - 2002 Bronze Medalist), shot put (Jayce Meyer - 2002 Bronze Medalist), and races (Kellie Boychuk - 2006 4x100 Relay Provincial Champion). Many athletic individuals have left their mark in Track and Field at Eaton School, in the Division, at Districts, and Provincials.
The Cross Country Running program has only been active for the past couple of years as Miss Ashley Miller initiated the program upon her arrival at Eaton School. Student involvement in this program has increased since then. Training begins early September, when the students run a 2 km loop around town numerous times. Our athletes have been recognized at several meets within the Division in the past & look to be strong contenders in 2007-2008. Congratulations to all of our runners, especially to Valerie Butt who moved on from Districts to compete in Provincials in 2007-2008.
