R.F. Staples students brought home a collection of shiny hardware last Tuesday, nabbing two golds, a pair of silvers and three bronze medals at the badminton zones held in Barrhead.
And four of those seven Westlock medalists will advance to the AASA Badminton Provincials held in Grimshaw.
“That’s the best our team has done at zones since I’ve been coaching,” coach Jon Radke said.
Amelia Kulmatyski and Brandi Hensch pulled off a team effort in earning gold in the junior girls doubles, while Honey Tkachyk and Chase Rau banked silver in their respective single categories.
Hannah Gough won bronze in intermediate girls singles and CJ Peterson and Irizelle Lategan each earned a bronze in the mixed double event, as well.
“Only the gold and silver medalists advance to provincials,” Radke said.
Although the team did not nab the zone banner, Radke said that he expects it won’t be too long of a wait with the way his students have performed.
“We’re getting closer and closer each year to getting that zone banner. We just lost out by a couple of points this year,” he said.
Radke said he has focused more on footwork this year with his students and is happy that it is paying off for them.
“They are responding to coaching very well and it is showing with how they are performing at the tournaments,” Radke said.
As provincials are just around the corner the R.F. Staples students will now set their sights on nabbing a few more medals in Grimshaw, May 4-5.
“In the past I’ve always considered it a bonus that we are going to provincials but now I’m starting to expect it,” he said.
