Joey Payeur
Brian Church has high hopes for his Muskie badminton contingent.
With the squad playing a pre-season tournament tomorrow and then the NorWOSSA qualifier next Wednesday (both in Atikokan), the coach is dropping some broad hints of optimism as to the Muskies’ chances this year.
“I am hopeful to have at least half of our competitors place in the top three by the time the NorWOSSA qualifying tournament is finished,” Church said, referring to the standard needed to advance to the NorWOSSA finals April 12 in Kenora.
From there, the top two move on to the NWOSSAA finals April 19 (site unknown at press time), with a victory there meaning berth at the OFSAA championship May 4-6 in Pain Court.
“[Tomorrow’s] exhibition will be a round-robin, where players get to play a single set against each team in their event,” explained Church.
“It will be a good chance to see what they will be up against on Wednesday and to determine areas that need improvement,” he noted.
That may be the only opportunity to achieve a proper critique of the team’s most accomplished performer, Aaron Bujold.
The Grade 11 ace, after two-straight years winning NorWOSSA gold and NWOSSAA silver as an under-age player in senior boys’ singles, now actually is a senior-aged player with a great shot at qualifying for OFSAA three years in a row.
“As far as Aaron goes, he is leaps-and-bounds above any other player we have, and the biggest problem I have is finding anyone who is a challenge for him during practice,” Church admitted.
“When playing without any real competition, it is difficult to determine where his weaknesses may be,” he added.
“After competing tomorrow, if anything arises that needs work, we will spend time on addressing any concerns.”
Meanwhile, it’s a transitional time for most of the other 11 returnees on the squad.
“Most of the other veteran players have changed partners and are just getting used to playing with a new partner,” Church said.
“Mykenzie Borger and Sam Berg [senior girls’ doubles] and Janissa Judson and Andrea Schram [junior girls’ doubles], as well as Dakota Jernberg [junior boys’ singles], are probably showing the most promise,” he noted.
Also bringing experience are senior performers Caity Visser (girls’ singles), Janelle Ball (mixed doubles), and Sam Westover (girls’ singles), along with juniors Mikaelah Yerxa and Jasmine Jourdain (girls’ doubles) and Seth Vlotaros (unassigned).
More than half the team is made up of newcomers, with 15 players about to get their first taste of high school action.
Four junior girls in singles players Isabella Ward and Michaela Putzer, and the doubles team of Lauryn Marchant and Tayah Badiuk, especially have caught Church’s eye due to their Fort Frances Badminton Club background.
“I would not be surprised if they qualify for NorWOSSA at the qualifier next week,” he remarked.
“Michaela is the strongest of the two in singles, and probably capable of placing in the senior level if she chose to play there,” he lauded.
“Lauren and Tayah have proven to be unbeatable during practice as their club training puts them ahead of those without as much experience,” Church added.
“Owen Riches and Ryley Booth [junior boys’ doubles] are showing promise, as well.”
The rest of the up-and-comers include Kaden Nelson and James Gushulak (senior boys’ doubles), Nikki Wilson and Brody Lloy (junior mixed doubles), Michael Vanderaa (junior boys’ singles), Ben Smith (senior boys’ singles), Parker Allan (senior mixed doubles with Ball), and Cassidy McKinnon and Emma Cole (senior girls’ doubles).
“Overall, the team has a mix of several strong players with club experience and a number of newcomers who have been working hard to develop skills during the short weeks before competition,” Church said.
