The Humboldt Collegiate Institute junior boys badminton team displayed its depth at a home doubles tournament on April 23.
The double team of Dylan Larson and Rylan Marianchuk finished second. To get to the finals, they had to get by HCI teammates Seth Schuler and Morgan Gobeil, the school’s singles representatives. Schuler and Gobeil placed third at the tournament.
Larson and Marianchuk fell in a very intense final to a Middle Lake duo, said Ashley Lepitzki, who coaches the squad with Shawna Meyers. The score of both sets was 21-19.
“What made (and makes) Rylan and Dylan successful is undoubtedly their hard work and dedication,” Lepitzki wrote in an email interview. “They have put in countless hours (not always during practice time) practicing their techniques, especially Dylan’s drop shot and Rylan’s smash. They are so effective at communication and coverage of the court, and both have done excellent at picking their corners, which is crucial to a successful doubles game.”
The duo was to take on the Middle Lake team again on April 29 in Cudworth. As well, Schuler and Gobeil were slated to compete in the pre-districts at HCI on April 28.
Other HCI student-athletes competing at the double tournament were Clea Parsaligan, Elgin Yturralde, Okechukwu Okeay, Joel Benmoshe, Tim Bagui, and Brendan Tremblay.
