Birdie striking students at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School claim top finishes at major badminton competitions.
That success came on the heels of the regional CENNA (Chinook's Edge North Athletic Association) tournament on May 6th and the CWAJHAA (Central West Alberta Junior High Athletic Association) zone tournament in Red Deer on May 14 and 15.
For the third consecutive year, Grade 9 student Janelle Agot won gold at both tournaments, topping off a successful badminton career.
“In Grade 7 she decided to strike out on her own and go into the singles (category). She won that year, it was a really exciting final,” said badminton coach John Groenen. “Since then she's really excelled in badminton.”
To qualify for the CWAJHAA zone tournament students had to finish either in first or second place at the CENNA regional tournament in early May.
Groenen said all badminton teams competing in the recent CWAJHAA tournament worked hard and were deserving of their success this spring.
“Because all five teams this year were so successful we won the banner for 2J schools for overall success at the zone badminton tournament,” said Groenen. “We were really thrilled about that.”
Others badminton players who met with success were Grade 8 students Madison Towle and her partner Alysse White. The duo took top spot and won a gold medal in girls doubles at the CWAJHAA tournament on May 14 and 15. They were coached by Nicole Clark.
“It feels good," said Towle of winning gold. “I don't think I've ever been happier in sports than (winning) that gold medal."
It was their first gold medal at the zone tournament, but the badminton partners also won gold at the CENNA regional tournament the week prior on May 6.
Towle and White have been playing badminton together for three years and practise several days a week. They work well as a team, noted Towle, and their grit and determination paid off at the CWAJAA tournament.
“We went in with a positive attitude. We always go into a game or a tournament knowing that the other team could win too,” said Towle. “For us, we had a very high expectation to get to the gold medal game. Our goal there was to get to the playoffs," she added, noting they beat St. Augustine from Ponoka to take the gold medal.
While it was a great way to finish their badminton season, it won't be the end of their badminton playing days, said Towle.
“Alysse and I hope to play badminton in high school. We hope to keep it going for quite a while," she said.
Other CENNA successes this year included Grade 7 students Jared Reay and Nathan Altenhofen (bronze in boys doubles), and Anthony Chatwood (gold in boys singles) -- all coached by Jodi Masters.
Grade 8 student Kaleb Kremp won gold in boys singles while Grade 9 students Denzel Boye-Thompson and Logan Sheane claimed silver in boys doubles competition.
All five teams in the zone tournament qualified for the playoffs. During the playoffs, Anthony Chatwood, Kaleb Kremp, Denzel Boye-Thompson and Logan Sheane lost in the quarter-finals after putting forth an excellent effort, Groenen concluded.
Madison Towle
"It feels good. I don't think I've ever been happier in sports than (winning) that gold medal."
