It’s been a good season for Stettler badminton players so far.
First, the William E. Hay badminton team won the 3A provincials banner in Lethbridge this past weekend.
“This is a big thing for the high school kids because they went through four stages: a local, a regional, a zone, and the provincials. It’s special,” said coach Chris Langford.
At provincials, each match won earns the school points. Stettler had four “teams” – two singles, and two doubles – and won seven matches, tying with Edmonton’s Old Scona for the most points in the 3A category (which is based on school population).
Destiny and Kayleigh Croker won a bronze medal in intermediate girls doubles and John Langford won gold in junior boys singles, category A.
This is the first time since 2000 that the badminton team has brought home a provincial banner.
“Our school doesn’t always give badminton the attention that it probably deserves, but now that we’ve won the provincial banner at a higher level, maybe badminton will get some of the esteem it needs,” Langford said.
As well, badminton players from around the region competed in the Clearview and Region Athletics (CARA) tournament in Stettler on Wed., April 30.
The tournament was made up of players in grades 7, 8 and 9 from around the area. There were singles, doubles, and mixed doubles games.
Langford said she knew her students would do well in the tournament.
“I anticipated Jenna (Brausen) and Shane (Pederson) being tough to beat,” she said. The two received first place in seniors mixed doubles.
“Paul DuToit and Tye Mulgrove both advanced to the final in singles, and it was great to have a Stettler vs. Stettler final,” she added. “Paul won this time; Tye has been winning all year. Either would be a great representative. Paul was a little hungrier that day for it.”
The grade nine winners advance to the Central Western Alberta Junior High Athletic Association (CWAJHAA) tournament in Red Deer this coming weekend.
At the grade 7, 8 and 9 level, players compete in a local tournament and a regional tournament, and then they’re done for the year.
Only one competitor, Alyssa Henderson, played badminton with a club, and Langford says, “She won decisively.” As for the others, they have to be ready to compete after six to eight practices.
“All areas face the same dilemma,” Langford said. “Kids are involved in jobs now, unfortunately, and their time is limited.”
She said that competing is good for the students and they get a lot out of it.
“For these kids, they enjoy the social part of it, they enjoy getting around, talking with the other kids, seeing things,” she said. “There’s a distinct sense of accomplishment.”
Another advantage of competing is that players who aren’t involved in any other sports are able to have their time to shine.
“For them it’s like, ‘I have my glory moment’ and that’s pretty important,” Langford said.
She added that the students get nervous and excited before competing, and Langford likes responding to each student with what they need.