Most great high school athletes enjoy substantial success, but few can compare to the impressive post-secondary career of Calvin Perpeljuk.
The Grade 12 John Paul II Collegiate badminton star just came back from finishing fourth in the province in boy's singles May 11 in Wilcox.
"It was a good feeling, I was more wanting to get third place or at least get a medal this year since last year I got fourth, too," said Calvin.
If it seems like he's under-enthused with his recent feat, there's a reason.
Calvin's coaches estimate he's played about 30 tournaments in his high school career, and not counting the last two years at provincials, maybe twice he hasn't brought home the gold.
"You knew if you took him [to a tournament] you were coming home with something," said Joey Sadlowski, one of Calvin's coaches.
Dennis Mercer has coached badminton for 18 years and is still amazed by what Calvin can do on the court.
"Three players in all the time I've ever coached I can't beat," he said. "Perpeljuk is one of them."
The gold rush for Calvin doesn't end in badminton, he was also part of the provincial championship soccer team at John Paul II in 2009-10.
"He is a gifted athlete, no doubt about it," said Mercer.
Gifted is starting to sound like an understatement.
Provincials are a big step up from regular competition, but his continued success in athletics make it an easier transition, which might be the reason Calvin talks about it so nonchalantly.
"Fourth is pretty impressive, I'd say."
Four districts compete every year at provincials, each sending only two players per category. So "pretty impressive" is right.
Mercer's sent only five players to provincials in 18 years, Calvin has now made it twice.
"That's pretty amazing. To make it there two years in a row, it's very amazing, very rare," Mercer said.
