The Olds College Broncos badminton coaching staff has been busy over the last six months with retention and recruitment as the program reaches a state of stability that it hasn’t had in recent years.
The coaching staff has signed five new recruits for this upcoming season to join three returning student-athletes.
Red Deer’s Alex Boulier and Rylan Head of Wilkie, Sask. return from last year’s team and will be joined by Gleichen’s Layce Donaldson who is returning after a year away from Olds College.
Here's a look at the two male recruits: Troy Morgan of Hythe, Alta., and Noah Jeffrey of Lloydminster.
Morgan stands 5 - 9. He's studying for a bachelor of applied science -- horticulture.
Last year, he competed as a member of the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) cross - and track team.
“I look forward to the opportunity to play badminton and to represent Olds College. I am excited to have new experiences and make new memories with my teammates and as a Bronco,” he says.
Head Coach Mary Smith is pleased to have him on the team.
“Troy Morgan is a driven, competitive, positive and supportive athlete that understands the meaning of training hard and being prepared for competition," she says.
"As a rookie to the Broncos, he is an athlete to have your eye on this year as he is setting his sights on achieving an ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) medal with hopes to then move on to nationals. Troy will be our top male singles player and will also be competing in other disciplines throughout the season.”
While at TRU, Morgan won the Kenna Cartright Memorial Award and the Jack & Verna Miller Athletics Award.
He was the male athlete of the year in grades 9, 11 and 12. He competed as a member of the Alberta Summer Games 2016 track team and the Alberta Winter Games 2016 badminton team.
Morgan participated in badminton provincials in grades 11 and 12, winning bronze in Grade 12. He also participated in track and field provincials in grades 11 and 12 and finished in the top 10 in cross-country provincials in Grade 11.
Jeffrey stands 5-6. He's studying in the heavy duty certificate program at Olds College.
“It has been a dream of mine to compete at the college level and I am very grateful Olds will give me that chance,” Jeffrey says.
“Noah Jeffrey is committed to improving his skills every practice," Smith says. "Noah puts 110 per cent into everything he does and is excited to be part of the team this season.
"Noah has been competing in badminton for many years and has had the chance to compete at the provincial level over the course of his high school career. Noah brings with him a positive attitude for success and is an asset to the Broncos badminton team this season.”
To learn more about Olds College, the Olds College Broncos and the badminton teams, go to gobroncos.ca; like the Facebook page and follow @OldsBroncos on Twitter and Instagram.
