BARRHEAD — Six students from Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) recently brought home gold and bronze medals from the provincial badminton championships, which were held May 3-4 at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton.
Mya Nanninga and Denae Tuininga had the highest result, winning gold on the ‘B’ side of provincials in junior girls doubles.
Ryder Sabiston and Reid Stephani earned bronze in intermediate boys’ doubles on the ‘B’ side.
Siblings Lunay and Renko Wepener also won bronze in intermediate mixed doubles on the ‘B’ side.
A total of 12 BCHS students went to the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association provincials, though as noted by badminton coach Kevin Geinger, none of the Barrhead players were able to qualify for the ‘A’ side of the tournament as competition was very tough.
“A lot of the players coming out of Edmonton and Calgary that play year-round for club teams make up the majority of the athletes playing off for the championship finals,” he said.
Nevertheless, Geinger said their team represented BCHS and the Pembina Hills School Division with class and incredible sportsmanship.
“We had a lot of fun and they all played very well,” he said, adding that he and co-coach Jamie Robinson were proud of all the athletes and “extremely happy” with the medals they were able to earn.
