90 per cent off to zones

Times Reporter   

 

The Strathmore High School Spartans hosted badminton counties against Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC) and Standard High School on April 2. Roughly 50-60 students participated in the event, with approximately 90 per cent of Spartan players advancing to zones.

“Strathmore definitely had the most players going into it,” Spartans coach Kenton Zandee said. “It looked good – but I was very impressed with some of the teams from HCC and Standard. They beat our guys out for spots and they deserved to. They came up big that day.”

For counties and zones, students declare either singles, doubles, or mixed, and can only play that one event. Zandee says some of his players may have played potential zones opponents before in tournaments this season, but he will have to examine some of his competition first hand come April 12 in Olds.

“It’s always a bit of an enigma because you don’t know who’s going to be there, because a lot of the teams don’t necessarily play tournaments, but they could be very good players. We just don’t see them,” Zandee said. “You have to go into zones thinking that everyone is going to be good, and not underestimate your opponent.”

The Spartans traveled to Lethbridge from April 4-5 for an exhibition tournament, as preparation for zones. Coincidentally, should his players advance at zones, they will return to Lethbridge for provincials from May 2-3.