Former Cruisers to be Inducted into Eatonville High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Four distinguished Eatonville High School athletes will be honored at halftime of the October 10th football game as they are inducted into the Eatonville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2024 class includes John Nordstrom (1971), Matthew Dunning (1987), Ben Tugend (2007), and Machaela (Graddy) Swartout (2014), who excelled in football, soccer, track, and other sports.

John Nordstrom was a standout in football, basketball, and track during the early 1970s. He captained both the football and basketball teams his junior and senior years, earning all-league honors in both sports. As a senior quarterback in 1970, Nordstrom threw 16 touchdown passes without an interception, including six in a single game. In basketball, he set a career scoring record with 987 points over three years. He was also the district champion in shot put. Nordstrom, who passed away in 2023, will be remembered for his all-around athleticism and leadership.

Matthew Dunning was a crucial part of Eatonville’s 1985 state football championship team as an offensive and defensive lineman. The following year, he earned All-League and All-State honors as the Cruisers advanced to the state quarterfinals. He also qualified for the state track meet in shot put. Dunning’s talents extended beyond Eatonville, earning him a football scholarship to Dartmouth, where he garnered All-Ivy League honors. Today, Dunning coaches football at Annie Wright High School in Tacoma.

Ben Tugend, a 2007 graduate, left his mark as one of Eatonville’s premier football players, rushing for 2,637 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career. He delivered a historic performance in 2006, running for 306 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Foster High School. In track, Tugend was a state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, setting a school record in the 200. He was named Eatonville’s Athlete of the Year in 2007.

Machaela (Graddy) Swartout, a 2014 graduate, is one of the most decorated athletes in Eatonville history. In soccer, she scored 103 career goals and was twice named to the WIAA All-State First Team. Her track career was equally impressive, where she held school records in the 200, 400, 4x100, and 4x200 relays. Swartout continued her athletic career at Pacific Lutheran University, earning All-American honors in soccer and a national championship in javelin. She now teaches and coaches in the Puyallup School District.

These athletes will join the ranks of Eatonville’s finest, celebrated for their contributions to the school’s storied athletic legacy. Friends and family are invited to a reception in the Eatonville High School commons at 6 p.m., prior to the game. The induction ceremony will take place during halftime of the Thursday, October 10 home football game, adding to the festivities as the Cruisers take the field.