The Olds College men's doubles team of Colton Geier and Rylan Head helped spur the college's overall badminton team's national ranking to 10th from 11th as a result of strong tournament play, according to coach Mary Smith.
Smith says if they keep playing well and improving they could do even better.
"Men's doubles is the most difficult category to compete in," Smith says.
"We have very athletic kids at the college, but they're not necessarily trained badminton players from the time they're small. So for them to finish sixth in men's doubles out of 12, which is middle of the pack, it was really good showing for them, because they're both first-year athletes," she says.
"I anticipate that their ability will increase and they'll probably have a shot at finishing Top 3 this year. So I'm pretty excited about that boys' doubles team."
Smith notes Head also competes on the college's men's volleyball team, "so he's a dual sport athlete."
The tournament was held Nov. 18 at the King's University in Edmonton.
