Riding an early wave of success, Sparta’s boys’ soccer team is rolling with a winning record of 15 wins, four losses, and one tie, and has a solid first-place (8-0) lead in the Piedmont Triad 5A/6A conference.
This season, Sparta has an entirely new coaching team, led by head coach Jay Callahan and assisted by David Buckenheimer and David Myers.
Earlier in his career, Callahan spent 12 years at Salem College, winning six conference titles and six Coach of the Year awards, and leading two teams to the NCAA Division III national tournament. He later became the first coach selected for the Salem College Hall of Fame. This past season, Callahan coached Sparta’s girls’ varsity soccer team and led them to a third-place conference finish.
“I have loved working at Tabor so far. Both the men’s and women’s programs are full of great soccer players, excellent students, and, most importantly, great people. Also, the administration at Tabor (athletic and academic) are both great to work for and really care about our soccer programs. The close-knit community from the student body, staff and families makes Tabor a special place to be,” said Callahan.
Assistant coach David Buckenheimer was previously a four-year starter at Missouri State University and was the first Head Assistant Varsity Coach at Crimson High School in Queen Creek, Ariz.. Assistant coach David Myers was a goalkeeper on Wake Forest University’s soccer team and served as an assistant coach for Sparta’s girls’ varsity soccer team last season.
Along with this new coaching staff, Sparta has joined a new conference with new opponents, offering new opportunities. The newly-formed Piedmont Triad 5A/6A Conference includes Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School, Robert B. Glenn High School, North Davidson High School, North Forsyth High School, and Oak Grove High School.
“I think this new conference will be good for our team and will give us a better chance of going far in playoffs,” said senior captain Kai Kishida.
