The road to Districts for the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute senior badminton team began on April 18 with round one of playoffs and a total of 16 Spartan athletes competing for a chance to advance.
Coached by Ryan Lambert, KCI played host to Keeseekoose, with the top two athletes from each category advancing to round two of playoffs.
“After playing a total of 60 matches during the evening, we had seven athletes advance to round two of playoffs, which was held in Preeceville on April 21,” Lambert said.
Travelling to Preeceville were Kyle Morgan and Lexie Tomochko in mixed doubles; Kaylie Bowes, girls singles; Henry Thomas and Michael Chan, boys doubles, and Allison Thomsen and Breanna Bland, girls doubles.
After playing another 60 matches, a total of five players advanced to the District competitions.
“Kyle, Lexie, Kaylie, Henry and Michael all finished first in their respective pools with undefeated records and advanced to Districts – but indeed everyone fought hard and never gave up,” he said.
Yorkton Regional and Sacred Heart schools hosted the District competitions on April 26 and at this event were the top four teams in each category from the East Central district.
Representing the KCI team were Kaylie Bowes in girls singles; Kyle Morgan and Lexie Tomochko, mixed doubles, and Henry Thomas and Michael Chan, boys doubles.
“Going in we all knew that it would be difficult to advance beyond Districts – but our team played very hard and we saw a lot of success that evening,” he said.
After another 60 matches, both doubles teams had earned the right to compete in the playoff round. Thomas and Chan finished second in their category overall, and advanced to Regional competition. Morgan and Tomochko had finished first in their pool, but during their semi-final match had to withdraw due to an injury suffered on the court.
“It was very unfortunate they had to withdraw – this is a team that had advanced to Regionals during the previous season and had high hopes of going further this year. But in the end, player well-being comes first, and we decided to withdraw from competitive play,” he said.
Thomas and Chan, competing in boys doubles, advanced to the Regional competition hosted in Kipling on May 7. They were seeded in a pool with teams from Whitewood, Regina LeBoldus, and Estevan.
The boys failed to advance beyond the Regional round, despite playing three very close round robin games.
In their first match against Whitewood, the boys lost in two sets 21-16 and 21-19.
Reflecting upon their gameplay from their first match, the boys played two nail-biting sets with Regina and lost 21-19 and 21-18 and then in their third game, lost 21-17 and 21-18 to Estevan.
“I was very proud of the boys – the level of competition they faced was intense, and they played hard all day long,” Lambert said. “Their attitude and sportsmanship were also top notch and as a coach, it’s something that makes me even prouder of the students I coach.
“Our season came to an end on May 7, and I have to say we had another long and successful one,” he said. “I would like to personally thank all the students who came out to play – to my Grade 12 students who are graduating – I will be especially sad to not see you on the courts next year, but I look forward to a new season and the new challenges it will bring forward.”
