Photo top row from left to right: Craig Marshall, Garrett Selensky, coach Sieg Gail, Megan Koevoet, Sam Williams and Rose Gail. Bottom row left to right: Jarret Kress and Conner Gunn.
Sieg Gail
The Junior Badminton club coached by Sieg and Rose Gail did very well considering the short season.
Zone Qualifiers were held on April 16 at the CCHS. Qualifying to go to Medicine Hat for April 27 is Meggan Lahoda and Sady Milford in the Midget girls doubles.
In the Bantam Category, Conner Gunn in boys singles, Samantha Williams in girls singles and alternates Makayla Cleverly and Aimee Lahoda in doubles. This tournament was the first one for most of our players and most fared well under pressure. Competition always brings athletes to a new level, of respect and many times lasting friendship. On April 20th in Pincher Creek the competition was much more intense as many more towns competed. After the dust settled, in Bantams, Sam Williams, girls singles accomplished a bronze medal and Jarret Kress in the boys singles with a hard fought silver. Earlier Jarret and Conner met in the semi-finals where Jarret played one of his best games against his friend. Megan Koevoet in Midget girls singles also did very well, improving every game, however missing the semi-finals.
In Juvenile boys doubles Garrett Selensky and Craig Marshall got it all together game after game cruising through their competition.
They played well as a team losing one game in the final match to take the gold in the intense 2 out of 3.
To also mention, Kevin Gfrerer in the Senior Badminton singles Zone Qualifier on April 19th in Pincher, placed to go to the Zones in Lethbridge on April 26. Last year Kevin won a gold in Medicine Hat Zones, which is as far as any Junior player could advance.
April 27th Junior Zone Competition sent five of our players through a lesson in humility to Medicine Hat. Going were Conner Gunn, Sam Williams, Meggan Lahoda, Sady Milford, and Megan Koevoet. Every community sending their best, from within their area, makes this eventful for the rest of their lives. None of our players got into the medals but the look on their faces and what they had learned, said it all. Events like this build character for life.
Kevin Gfrerer in the Senior Badminton Zone on April 26th in Lethbridge had many hard fought games. Kevin found himself struggling near the end of many matches to keep up. Sadly this is because of the lack of competition through the season to prepare him. Consistancy is lost and makes the major difference in any game. Kevin, however, did manage to place 4th out of 12 players. A job well done.
