High school badminton season in full swing

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Both high school badminton programs are off to a great start following the county meet last weekend at the Strathmore High School.
The larger of the two schools, the Strathmore High School, will send a staggering 31 players – three more than last year – to the 3A South Central zone tourney this weekend in Brooks.
The number might seem like a lot compared to Holy Cross Collegiate, but according to Spartans Head Coach Kenton Zandee, he doesn’t begin to predict anything until he sees his team attempt to defend their banner.
“A more telling result will be how these players do at the zone competition,” said Zandee. “I’m pleased with how many players advanced, but we could have conceivably had more players advance. We have several players who qualified for zones with conflicting sport schedules. This hurts (our) chances of claiming another zone title.”
Some of the key returning names are Julia Vermeeren, who competed in girls’ junior singles at provincials last year, while the team of Luka Nizetic and Ryan Edwards look to improve on their fourth place showing at last year’s provincial meet.
The Spartans will be sending 12 doubles teams across both genders and in the junior, intermediate and senior age groups, while sending seven to compete in the singles.
Should any Spartan tear it up in zones, they will advance to the provincial meet in two weeks in Grimshaw.
The HCC Hawks also turned in a great showing at counties April 18 at the SHS gym. Competing in the 2A level, the Hawks will be sending six players to Brooks to bring home the zone banner this weekend.
“We had a very strong group graduate our program last year, so we weren’t sure how we were going to do in counties, but it turned out great,” said Hawks Head Coach Dan Patterson. “There were a couple upsets, but overall, we are very happy with the results we were able to achieve.”
Kyle Chavante was the only Hawk to pull a gold. He won the senior boys singles in convincing fashion, with a 2-0 (21-9, 21-8) decision.
The Hawks received silver medals from three different teams competing in the intermediate division.
Ryan Orford and Kadin Wilson lost their gold medal match in three sets 2-1 (17-21, 21-17, 15-21). The mixed team of Colby Tanton and Bree Cockx also fell 2-1 (21-19, 15-21, 14-21). In the other boys singles final, Ben Kruse captured silver after he lost 2-0 (18-21, 12-21).
“Overall, it was a great experience for our kids. Now, hopefully we play well at zones and send some kids to provincials,” said Patterson.
The Top 2 in each age and gender division qualify for provincials. Patterson and the Hawks will be looking to send their first athletes to the badminton provincials in two years.