Innisfail High School Badminton teams continue to excel.
Several players and five of six teams brought home gold, silver or bronze medals at the Grade 10 -12 Area Badminton Championships in Sylvan Lake on April 12.
“They did a very, very good job from a results perspective and from a sportsmanship perspective, we're even prouder of them,” said Dean Woroniuk, the teams' head coach. “The area (championship) tournament had teams from schools within our area, including Notre Dame, Hunting Hills, Spruce View and Delburne.”
Woroniuk and assistant coach Bob Klatt oversee badminton teams that include players from grades 10 to 12 in three levels -- the junior, intermediate and senior teams.
Due to a small group of players this year (a total of 12) they focused on mixed and double teams instead of singles, noted Woroniuk, adding both he and Klatt are pleased with results at the area championships and with players' progress so far this season.
“Bob and I have both been able to spend a lot of time with these kids and work on their skills. Our goal is to get to provincials,” said Woroniuk. “I think the success at this point speaks for itself.”
In addition, his teams have enjoyed success at other tournaments this year as well, including a recent one just prior to the area championships.
“In the CEAA (Chinook's Edge Athletic Association) tournament with Chinook's Edge teams (on April 8), all of our teams medalled and finished first, second or third,” he added.
The badminton season began in January and wraps up with the provincial championships in early May. The area badminton championships on April 12 saw five of six teams and 10 of 12 players medal and qualify for the zone championships in Stettler on April 30.
“If they finish first or second at zones then they go to provincials (championships),” said Woroniuk. “I think every single one of them that are going to zones have an excellent opportunity to get to provincials,” he added, noting the teams' success last year. “The Maciborski twins won a gold medal last year.”
Provincial badminton championships take place in Edmonton in early May. Woroniuk said a goal for all 12 badminton team members has been to reach the top provincial tourney.
“The kids were very excited with their performance (at area championships in Sylvan Lake April 12),” said Woroniuk. “They represented our school with pride and sportsmanship and they are driven to qualify for provincials.”
At the Grade 10 - 12 Area Badminton Championship tournament on April 12 in Sylvan Lake, Innisfail High School results were:
Senior Mixed Doubles: Lucas Huston and Sabrina Wachter (silver); Senior Girls Doubles: Elizabeth Macibrorski and Rebekah Maciborski (silver); Junior Mixed Doubles: Mike Maree and Bret Marshall (gold); Intermediate Mixed Doubles: Josh Melanson and Laura Abraham (silver); Junior Girls Doubles: Bradie Ouellette-Pillman and Cameron Fuller (bronze); and Junior Boys Doubles: Pacen Vandermeer and Kyle Coakwell (4th-place finish).
Dean Woroniuk
"Bob and I have both been able to spend a lot of time with these kids and work on their skills. Our goal is to get to provincials."
