Handy Sports Rag

Spartans soar past Hawks
October 4, 2006
By Barry Williams
Olds, Albertan

In nature a soaring hawk is usually successful in pouncing on its prey.
Although the Hanna Hawks were soaring on top of the Big Sky Football Conference with a perfect 5-0 record, their prey on Saturday, Sept. 1, the Olds Spartans, were not intimidated by the high flying Hawks.
Playing perhaps their best game of the season, the Spartans defeated the Hawks 10-1 and kept their chances of making the playoffs alive.
In five league games, the Spartans have won three games and lost a pair and are in the hunt for a berth into post season play.
"This game was our acid test," said Spartans' head coach George Grant.
"Hanna came into this game undefeated in league play and if we want to make the playoffs , we know we have to go through them" Grant said.
"So with this said, this game was a huge win, it keeps us in contention of prolonging our season," Grant added.
With the most potent offence in the league, the Spartans' defensive core stepped up their play and kept the Hawks off the scoreboard until late in the fourth quarter when they gained their only point on a missed field goal.
Throughout the game, the Hawks were able to gain yardage along the ground but their passing game was completely shut down.
Grant indicated the Hawks perhaps have the best quarterback and receiving core in the league but their offensive statistics failed to impress the Spartans' defensive line-up.
When the Spartans defence shut down Hanna's running game in the first half, they decided to throw the ball more often in the third and fourth quarters. But the Spartans took away any threat of a long bomb, forcing the Hawks to dump the ball out on short hitch passes.
"We allowed them to gain yardage in the middle of the field but when they were thraetning to score we shut them completely down," Grant added.
Early in the first quarter, the Spartans spoiled the Hawks' offence with a goal line stand and later blocked a field goal.
"When our defence stopped them on our goal line, the players suddenly believed they could win this game," Grant added.
On their first pocession of the ball, the Spartans marched the ball down field and settled for a field goal by kicker Michael Turner.
At half time, the field goal was still holding up as the Spartans went into the intermission with a slim 3-0 lead.
For most of the third and fourth quarters, the plays from scrimmage were mostly three downs and out for both teams.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Spartans recovered a fumble deep in the Hawks' end and they capitalized on this turnover when running back Tuen VanderBroek turned a broken play into a touchdown.
According to Grant, the difference in the game was the Spartans' burning desire to keep focussed on the task at hand.
"We didn't lose our focus throughout the entire game," Grant said.
"All the players on the team believed they could win this game and this is what they focussed on throughout the entire week of practices," Grant concluded.
This weekend, the Spartans will be participating in the Calgary High School Football Festival and will play the Chestermere Cowboys on Friday Oct. 6.

Spartans opening training camp
By Barry Williams
August 22, 2006
Olds Albertan

Ready, set hut; it's football time again.
With the opening of training camp on Monday Aug. 21, the Olds High School Spartans will be entering their ninth season in the Big Sky Football Conference and there is optimism this will be their best season ever.
"Our coaching staff is confident this will be the best squad we've fielded since forming the team nine years ago," said Spartans head coach, George Grant.
"We have made the playoffs seven consecutive times and this season the players are expecting to step it up a notch and qualify for the league championship," Grant added.
Although the Spartans graduated sixteen players last year, Grant indicated there is a solid core of returning players to anchor the squad.
According to Grant, the returning players have at least one season of experience behind them so they no what is expected of them on and off the field.
"Right now we're looking at carrying a roster of 40 players which will be a balanced mixture of veteran and rookie players," Grant added.
And as the team gathers for their initial work-out of the season, the rookie players will have some knowledge of the game.
" we're expecting to carry approximately sixteen graduating players from the Rotary Bantam Bulldogs," Grant said.
Coupled in with these players will probably be a handful of players with no or very little experience playing the game.
"There is an open door policy with this team and we have never turned any athlete down," Grant added.
In fact, Grant welcomes the greenhorn players as it offers the coaching staff the opportunity of molding a player into the Spartans' system.
With the success the Bulldogs have had in the Central Football League, Grant believes their graduating players will provide a new enthusiasm for the Spartans.
Because the Spartans and the Bulldogs work hand in hand, Grant indicated all players on this years' roster will be on the same page.
Actually the Spartans are fortunate they can rely on the Bulldogs feeding them players noted Grant.
"The only adjustment for the Bulldog players is becoming familiar with playing twelve man football," Grant said noting, the Bantam league uses a nine man system.
Competition within the Big Sky football League is extremely tough as past league champions have went on to win the 3A High School provincial football championship.
"I expect the competition within the league this year to be very competitive as most teams will be carrying veteran rosters," said Grant indicating, their will be parity amongst the teams.
As for the Spartans, Grant expects to field a strong defensive team as most defenders will be experienced. Although most of the graduating players were strong offensive players, Grant still believes the Spartans will still be an offensive threat in every game.
Before the Big Sky football Conference kicks off the 2006 season on Sept. 6, the Spartans will travel to Hanna to participate in a modified tournament on Aug. 25, 2006.
"This tournament will allow the coaching staff the opportunity of evaluating the team and make changes before the season starts," Grant said.
This season, the Spartans will start league play on the road as they will journey to Hanna to play the Hawks on Sept. 6, 2006.
Grant welcomes the opportunity of commencing the season on the road as it allows the players the opportunity to bond and create friendships.
Be sides the pre-season tournament in Hanna, the Spartans will be part of the High School Football Festival held on Nov.11, 2006 in Calgary. At this event, the spartans will play the Chestermere Lakers at McMahon Stadium.

Lady Spartans rugby season ends on winning note
By Barry Williams
June 12, 2006
Olds Albertan

If success was measured in determination, dedication and commitment, the Olds High School lady Spartans' rugby team would always be a winner.
Playing in the Trinity Chiropractic Bowl held in Red Deer on Tuesday June 6, the Spartans true characteristics were at the forefront as they downed Rocky Mountain House 17-10 to end the current season on a winning note.
Although the Spartans failed to claim the Central Alberta High School Rugby League championship, the experience they gained by qualifying for and playing in the league's post season tournament was invaluable. Their only win in the league's championship tournament was against Rocky Mountain House.
Playing in their final game of the current season,, the Spartans were down 5-0 to Rocky Mountain House at half time but took control of the game in the second half to clinch the victory.
It was a game in which either team could have won as the momentum changed with virtually every play from scrimmage.
"This was probably the best game we played all season," said Spartans' head coach, George Grant, noting the players focus never changed after spotting Rocky Mountain House the early lead in the match.
"They never gave up and were determined they would win the game," Grant added.
As the game progressed, Grant indicated the Spartans became better and started to dominate it in different facets.
"Our strong point was definitely in the scrums as we won several key battles when they were threatening to score," said Grant.
According to Grant, the Spartans size was a factor in the scrums as the Spartans were pushing Rocky Mountain House around.
"Because we were so strong in the scrums, we gained control of the ball," Grant said, indicating ball possession is always key throughout the game.
"In most scrums, we started to push them around a bit," Grant noted.
When the ball was in the Spartans' hands, Grant indicated they were able to move it down field
by capitalizing on their outside speed.
"I thought we made smart decisions when we had the ball," Grant noted.
For the most part, the Spartans ability to change the play by using short and long passes kept the Rocky Mountain house defenders guessing as to what the Spartans were going to throw against them.
This was the first season the Spartans dressed a Junior Rugby squad and Grant feels by fielding two rugby teams the program will only get stronger in years to come.
"Our younger players played with a lot of enthusiasm throughout the entire season," Grant said.
Although the games were separate for the teams, Grant indicated they practiced together and this was beneficial for the girls playing the sport for the very first time.
"I believe the rugby program will become stronger in the years to come," Grant concluded.
With the rugby season now wrapped up, it concludes a successful athletic program at the high school.

Rugby squads are competitive
By Barry Williams
June 12, 2006
Olds Albertan

Despite playing in a highly rated girls high school rugby league, Olds and Innisfail are fielding competitive teams.
This is the first season, a junior girls' rugby team has been fielded at both the Innisfail and Olds high schools.
Meanwhile, the Spartans senior girls rugby team is entering their third year of participating in the Central Alberta Sr. Girls High School Rugby League.
Despite losing 24-0 to Rimbey in a game played in Olds on Wed. May 10, Spartans head coach, George Grant isn't too worried about the outcome of the game.
"The scoreboard didn't reflect what was happening on the field," said Grant.
Actually, the game was quite exciting as the teams seemed to be evenly matched and during the contest they were very aggressive in their play making bone crushing tackles, being involved in fierce scrums and making electrifying runs.
Although the Sr. Girls Spartans were down into Rimbey's end several times, they were unable to punch the ball over Rimbey's goal line for a try better known as a score.
On the other side of the ball, Rimbey set their goal scoring drives up with lengthy runs on the outside and by controlling the scrums.
When Rimbey had control of the ball, their forward progress was assisted by timely blocks which allowed their speedy half backs the opportunity to set up runs with substantial yardage.
"Rimbey was able to control the ball every time they had possession," said Grant.
Grant indicated a couple of their runners were very fast and their quickness allowed them to avoid tackles.
Offensively Rimbey was able to control the ball to the outside and set up running plays indicated Grant.
"I don't think they were better than us offensively," said Grant.
"Their ability to keep the ball moving forward was better than ours," Grant added.
Although the Spartans failed to score, offensively they moved the ball with authority down the field. Unfortunately, they were unable to take advantage of their scoring opportunities.
"I thought the difference in the game was Rimbey's ability to control the ball," Grant added.
Playing in the trenches, the middle of the field, was tough and the Spartans experienced problems handling Rimbey's size.
"Rimbey is a bigger team and we couldn't handle them," Grant said.
Regardless of the score, Grant noted he was proud of the way the girls played.
"Our girls never gave up and played with heart right up to the end of the game," Grant said.
As for the Junior Girls' Spartans rugby team, Grant indicated they have a tremendous amount of potential and their skill level improved during their game.
"For first year players, I was impressed with them," Grant said.
Grant indicated the players on the junior squad are good athletes and they will be able to catch onto the game quickly.
"They are all eager to learn about the game, they have a good attitude and their work ethic is commendable, "Grant said.
"By the end of the season, they will show improvement," Grant said.
Although their knowledge of the game is limited, Grant said the junior squad is trying to execute plays they have learned in practice.
With the addition of the junior girls rugby team, Grant noted the senior program will get stronger in years to come
"The skills they learned while playing with the junior team can be transferred to the senior level," added Grant.
This past Monday, May 15, the junior squad played the Innisfail junior team. Results of the game were not known at press time.
according to Grant, Innisfail's rugby program will show growth over the years and develop competitive teams.
"We haven't played Innisfail this year so I don't know much about their team," Grant noted.
Grant did indicate, Innisfail has excellent coaching and this will be a benefit for the players.
"I believe Innisfail will be very competitive in a couple of years," Grant said.
Competition within the high school rugby league will continue until the middle of June.

Bronze medals awarded to Spartan wrestlers at Alberta Open
By Barry Williams
February 27, 2006
Olds Albertan

Three Olds Spartans' wrestlers were awarded bronze medals at the Alberta Open wrestling championships held in High River this past weekend.
An age classed tournament, the Alberta Open attracts the province's top wrestlers from various wrestling clubs throughout Alberta.
In the Cadet female category, Rehanne Ritchie captured a bronze medal while Amanda Tracey and Hayley Smith managed 6th place showings. Meanwhile, Dannielle Lappage managed a ninth place finish. As a team, the Spartan female wrestlers finished in third place behind the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, the eventual winners.
Only one male wrestler was able to crack a top ten showing in the Cadet male competition as Curtis Garrett placed 4th.
Three male wrestlers placed within the top ten in the Juvenile competition. Lee McKay placed 5th with Chris Akkermans finishing 6th. Sitting in 7th place was Ryan Tracey.
With the province's top senior male wrestlers participating in the Crecco-Roman division, Lee McKay was in tough competition but the veteran wrestler proved to be one of the best capturing a bronze medal.
"Because this competition is a provincial tournament, the best wrestlers are competing," said Spartans wrestling coach George Grant.
"I was quite pleased with the performance of all our wrestlers at this tournament," Grant said.
According to Grant, the Spartan wrestlers were never out-wrestled and the top ten placings were very gratifying.
"It is certainly gratifying to see our wrestlers can wrestle with the best athletes from the bigger clubs," said Grant, noting the wrestlers should be very proud of their performances.
And besides the current Spartan wrestlers participating at the event, two former Spartan wrestlers were competing for the university clubs. Ian Warrington is a member of the University of Alberta Golden Bears wrestling club and Dan Forget wrestles for the university of Calgary Dinos.
"I had the opportunity to talk to these two wrestlers (Forget and Warrington) and it is nice to see these athletes take what they learned in high school and apply it on the university level," Grant added.
"University wrestling is extremely competitive and these two wrestlers are not out of place in the higher calibre of wrestling," Grant noted.
And with the former Spartans at the provincial tournament, Grant indicated their presence was a motivator for the high school wrestlers.
"Both wrestlers are a role model for our younger wrestlers and they have proven academics and athletics can go hand and hand at the university level," Grant said.
"To participate in any sport at university takes dedication towards the sport and also towards academics," Grant indicated.
"It's difficult handling the pressures of attending practices, competing at tournaments and concentrating on academics while in university" Grant said.
Grant indicated Forget and Warrington are extremely dedicated athletes and honor students.
"I sincerely hope their appearance at this tournament has shed a light on what can be accomplished by any high school athlete after graduation," Grant noted.
This weekend, the Spartans journey to Wetaskawin to participate in the Alberta 3A High School Wrestling Championships.
From April 7-8, several members will be competing in the National High School Wrestling championships being held in Edmonton
"Because the National tournament is close to home, we will be well represented at this event," Grant concluded.

Lady Spartans heading to zones
By Barry Williams
February 27, 2006
Olds Albertan

When the Olds Spartans' senior girls' basketball team heads to the southern zone playoffs scheduled for Strathmore from March 10-12, they should be at the height of their game.
During the month of February, the lady Spartans have been hitting the tournament trail and they have garnished sucessful results.
At their most recent tournament, the Spartans' Basketball Classic, they were engaged in an exciting final game against Camrose.
And when the final buzzer sounded, the Spartans were at the short end of a 54-50 cliff hanger.
"Camrose is one of the best 3A teams in the province, so this game was an excellent indicator to see how we match-up with the northern teams," said Spartans' head coach Tom Christensen.
According to Christensen, the match-up between the Spartans and Camrose is pretty even as indicated by the final game score.

Using a full court press against Camrose, the Spartans displayed an aggresive defence and for the most part kept Camrose's high octane offence at bay throughout most of the game.
With four minutes left in the game, the Spartans held the edge on the scoreboard but couldn't stop Camrose's eight point run.
"Our shooting went cold towards the end of the game and we couldn't hold on to the lead," Christensen said.
After defeating Trochu Valley in their first game of the tournament, the Spartans
then defeated Sylvan Lake in a defensive battle.
"On both sides of the tournament draw, the games were very competitive," said Christensen,
indicating all the games were fairly close on the scoreboard.
"Right now, our girls are playing really good ball and I am confident they will carry this into the zone playoffs," Christensen added.
"Traditionally, the team winning our zone playoffs does extremely well at
provincials," said Christensen noting, the south central zone has produced the provincial 3A champion four out of the past five years.
Christensen believes, Springbank, Brooks and High River will be the favored teams at the upcoming zones.
Although the lady Spartans could be ranked in the middle of the teams participating at the zone championships, he believes they have an excellent chance of advancing to the provincial girls 3A championship.
With most of the teams participating at the zones ranked provincially, Christensen feels the Spartans will thrive on the tough competition.
"Throuhout the season, the players have proven they are extremely competitive against tougher competition," Christensen concluded.

No longer push overs
By Barry Williams
February 13, 2006
Olds Albertan

At one time, the Olds High School Spartans' wrestling club was considered to be push overs; not any more.
Now with competitive athletes dedicated to the sport along with strong coaching the wrestlers are being noticed by other athletes and coaches throughout the province.
"Our wrestlers certainly are not push overs anymore," said Spartans' wrestling club head coach, George Grant.
"They have gained the respect they truly deserve from other coaches and athletes," said Grant.
Although the athletes have spent countless hours practicing and attending tournaments, Grant feels the dedication towards the sport has reaped dividends for the athletes.
" Before when we attended tournaments, very few of our wrestlers advanced to
the final round," Grant noted.
Now, in the past couple of years, the wrestlers are not only wrestling in the final
round of matches, they are claiming medals for their gusty performances.
"It's quite a difference now," said Grant.
"Instead of setting their sights on wrestling their best, all of the wrestlers are now confident they can win each and every match," Grant said.
One of the reasons the wrestlers are improving is due their increased knowledge of the sport, Grant indicated.
According to Grant, when the wrestlers are not involved in a match they are usually studying their opponents and taking notes on how to wrestle against them if they meet in future matches.
"In most matches, our wrestlers are now making the first move and are being aggresive," indicated Grant.
And as a result the wrestlers are establishing their own style and developing their moves, which is allowing them to be less predictable.
"When our veteran wrestlers attended their first matches, they usually used about three or four different basic moves," said Grant.
"Now they're being creative and developing moves of their own," added Grant.
At the William Abrahart High School wrestling tournameet held this past weekend, in Calgary three Spartan wrestlers, Chris Akkermans, Joshua Holgerson and Dannielle Lappage claimed silver medals.
"This was an excellent tournament for our wrestlers for it gave them the opportunity to wrestle against wrestlers from the Calgary high schools," said Grant.
" Our athletes were not out of place at this tournament and they wrestled really well," Grant said.
At the Edmonton High School Invitational held last weekend, Dannielle Lappage placed a respectful fourth.
During the tournament she wrestled against wrestlers from Edmonton, rural Alberta and Saskatchewan. Included in her matches were nationally ranked competitors.
This coming weekend, the junior wrestlers (Grades 8 & 9) will be attending the Junior Olympics at Rundle College in Calgary.
Grant believes the athletes attending this tournament should do really well as there are some up and coming wrestlers in the junior program.
In the next week, the senor wrestlers will be preparing for the Rural Alberta Provincial Championships scheduled for Grande Prairie from March 2-3, 2006. 

Lady Spartans capture West Cental Rocky tournament
By Barry Williams
February 6, 2006
Olds Albertan

Playing perhaps their best basketball of the season, the Olds Spartans Sr. Girls
basketball team captured the West Central Rocky Tournament played
at Rocky Mountain House this past weekend.
With the top 2A and 3A Sr. Girls basketball teams throughout central Alberta
participating, the competition at the tournament was very competitive with many of the games being decided late in the fourth quarter.
"I thought the competition at this tournament was extremely tough and very
competitive," said Lady Spartans head coach Tom Christensen.
"This was a good tournament for us to attend as it allowed us the opportunity to
play teams we haven't seen this year," Christensen said.
According to Christensen, the girls met the challenge of the tournament head on playing their hearts out in each and every game.
"I can't say enough about how well the girls played at this tournament," Christensen said, According to Christensen, this was the first time the Spartans faced provincially ranked teams and his expectations on how the girls played was beyond belief.
Although the Spartans went through the tournament undefeated Christensen felt every team had an equal opportunity of winning the tournament.
Because of the level of parity between the teams, Christensen indicated most of the games played on Saturday were exciting and highly entertaining.
"We didn't know who we would be playing in the play-off round until the final game of the round robin was completed, the competition was that close," Christensen noted.
In round robin tournament play, the Spartans defeated Drayton Valley 46-41 and West Central of Rocky Mountain House 46-43.
They met Hill Top High School of, White Court, in the championship game defeating them 64-54.
"The championship game was really exciting, we needed a late rally in the second half to win the game," Christensen said.
Christensen indicated the championship game changed leads several times and a run of ten consecutive points late in the game clinched the victory for the Spartans.
"I was very proud of the way the girls played in the championship game," said Christensen.
When White Court would go on a run and take the lead in the game, Christensen noted the girls never panicked and played hard right up to the final buzzer.
As for scoring, not one player dominated the scoreboard as the players played together as a team rather as individuals christensen indicated.
"With the way the girls played at Rocky Mountain House, they have set a stage for a good February," said Christensen.
And during the month of February, the Spartans will face stiff competition as they will compete at a tournament in Hanna this coming weekend and conclude the month's competition with the annual Spartan Classic Basketball Tournament scheduled from February, 24-25.
Regarded as the best 2A-3A basketball tournament within the province, the Hanna tournament will feature former provincial champions from Lacombe, Medicine Hat, Camrose as well as teams from Red Deer.
In Olds teams from High River, Sylvan lake, Fort McLeod and Camrose will be the feature draws.
"Our tournament has always attracted highly ranked 2A and 3A teams from across the province and the competition has always been tough," said Christensen.
With the tournament being held at the end of February, Christensen noted it is an excellent way for the Spartans to prepare for the provincials usually scheduled in March.
It appears the basketball program in Olds is quite strong as the Spartans Junior Girls team appears to be quite strong and Deer Meadows has an excellent Grade 8 program.

Wrestlers hitting the mats
By Barry Williams
January 23, 2006
Olds Albertan

Over twenty female and male Olds Spartans' grappers are hitting the mats in anticipation of upcoming wrestling matches scheduled for the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary.
This coming Friday, Jan. 27, the Spartan wrestlers will be attending a high school wrestling tournament at the University of Calgary.
According to Spartans' wrestling coach, George Grant, approximately 200 male and female wrestlers will be attending the Calgary tournament and he expects the competition will be extremely competitive.
"Traditionally, most of the southern high school wrestling clubs enter this tournament and the competition has always been tough," Grant said.
"In the past, most of the provincial wrestling contenders have come from the southern high schools," said Grant.
"Most of these schools have had established wrestling programs for years and their competitors are comfortable at wrestling any type of competition," Grant added.
"These schools usally tend to be more competitive and they probably have the best coaching within the province," indicated Grant.
According to Grant the Calgary tournament is usually the first one scheduled after the Christmas break and the wrestlers are anxious to hit the mats.
And to further their competitiveness, the wrestlers will be heading for the University of Alberta tournament on the weekend of Feb. 4th.
At this meet, Grant expects to see most of the competitive clubs from northern Alberta and he indicated the wrestlers are looking forward to the matches against their northern Alberta competitors.
"We don't see the northern wrestlers as much as we do from the southern schools so the University of Alberta tournament gives our wrestlers the opportunity of wrestling some unfamiliar foes," added Grant.
Earlier in the year, the Spartan Wrestling Club numbered into the thirties but some competitors have dropped out due to different reasons.
Grant noted up to 25 wrestlers have made practices lately.
"It's not too late to join the wrestling club and we're always looking for new members," Grant added.
Although wrestling is an indivdual sport, Grant noted there has been an added interest in the sport the past few years.
"Because the wrestling club has enjoyed some success within the past few year, more and more athletes are becoming interested in the wrestling club," Grant added.
Although the wrestling club only graduated three members last year, Grant indicated there is a good mix of veteran and rookie wrestlers this season.
"Some of our older students are trying the sport for the first time this year and from all indications they are certainly enjoying it," noted Grant.
"We have a good mix of veteran and rookie wrestlers this season," Grant said.
Grant indicated the veteran wrestlers are willing to help out the rookies and there is an excellent support system established between all the members of the club.
"Most of the veteran wrestlers are more than happy to teach and assist the rookies with their moves," Grant said
"The comradery between the wrestlers is fantastic," Grant added.
And according to Grant, most of the wrestlers are multi-sport athletes as some have played football, basketball, rugby and track and field during their high school years.
Besides the interest within the athletes, Grant noted more people are stepping forward to assist the club with coaching.
And Grant indicated the new coaches are willing to learn everything possible about coaching wrestlers.
"I've been coaching the wrestling club for ten years and this is the first time I've had help," Grant noted.
"It's nice to see people outside the athletes becoming involved with the sport," Grant concluded.
Because the gym at the Olds high school is smaller than most, Grant noted it prohibits the club from holding home tournaments.

Spartans honor football players
By Barry Williams
December 12, 2005