For the first time ever, the Athol South Marysburgh Public School Eagles are flying into the Intermediate Boys district volleyball championships and a tournament that almost wasn’t.

The Eagles soared at regional championships at PECI November 28th, winning the school’s first intermediate volleyball title in amalgamated school history.

The Eagles showed their pluck in taking the County title after emerging fourth through the end of the round robin schedule. The Birds ran the table, taming the PECI Panthers in the semi finals before declawing the defending champion Kente Cougars in the finals. Not bad for an intermediate team entirely comprised of 7th-grade student athletes.

The squad was poised for the longest bus ride possible in the Hastings & Prince Edward School Board to take part in district–Cherry Valley to Bancroft–but a rash of bus cancellations washed out the tournament a couple of times.

It was rumoured the district showdown might be put on ice this season however HPEDSB is aiming for a tournament at North Hastings Secondary School Jan. 9.

Athol South Marysburgh Principal Heather McMaster said she was overjoyed this hard-working and cohesive bunch will have the opportunity to fly with the best teams in the region. She pointed to teacher Andrew White who has been working with the students can getting them prepared.

“Mr. Andrew White, our dedicated intermediate teacher and coach, is incredibly proud of these students,” She told the Gazette. “We greatly appreciate their strong sportsmanship, maturity, and commitment to practice, as well as the ongoing support from their families.

Congratulations to Nico Gierak, Payden Guernsey, Rhys Kelly, Matthew Moore, Remington Leavitt, Logan Thompson, Noah Thompson, Declan Vader, and Elliott van der Bij.

“We know the competition will be tough, but we are ready to rise to the challenge and soar like Eagles!” she added.