A snapshot look at Saskatoon’s high-school badminton scene

Article content

After less than two months of league play the Saskatoon high school badminton season is wrapping up with the city championships on Wednesday at Walter Murray Collegiate. Regionals will take place May 3, with provincials to follow in Estevan on May 10.

Article content

Article content

The StarPhoenix presents our team-by-team snapshots, with insights provided by each coach who answered our questions throughout the season.

Aden Bowman Bears

Head coach: Brandi Nieman & Bonita Janzen

Athletes to watch

• Jigisha Jain – Grade 11, Girls Singles.
• Jennifer Zhao (Grade 12) and Shuchang Zhang (Grade 10), Mixed Doubles.
• Sri Thanvi Polisetti (Grade 12) and Khadija Zehra (Grade 11), Girls Doubles.
• Cohen Bratvold – Grade 11, Boys Singles.

Last year’s results

“Fourth in overall standings.”

Expectations for this season

“We are expecting a strong season of growth and determination.”

Bethlehem Stars

Head coach: Jacquie & Christopher Harris

Athletes to watch

“Halfway through the season Bethlehem is undefeated in girls doubles. Three girls doubles teams are battling for who goes to cities to compete for a medal. Grade 12s Ellie Pham and Hannah Sandrino along with Seannah Ramirez and Jenna Rodolfo will try to finish their high school badminton at cities while Grade 11s Gayatri Aswal and Lily Nguyen are working hard to earn a spot.”

Article content

Last year’s results

“Shortened season last year did not allow for a full season of play or rankings, but the team competed well at cities in a limited capacity.”

Expectations for this season

“With a large team of 34 players it is about growing the game as well improving skill and team work to improve overall play.”

L’Ecole Canadienne Francais Patriotes

Head coach: Francis Denis

Athletes to watch

• Lili Aldana-Guité – Grade 11, Girls Singles.
• Linus Neufeld – Grade 11, Boys Singles.
• Victor Pigeon – Grade 11, Boys Singles.
• All three athletes have shown a level of play that has allowed them to play competitively throughout the season.

Expectations for this season

“Qualifying several teams for the SSSAD city championships.”

E.D. Feehan Trojans

Head coach: Stephen Ryan & Khoa Tran

Athletes to watch

• Mezbah Bhuiyan – Grade 11, Boys Singles/Doubles. First year playing badminton and is turning heads with his powerful smash and smooth net game.
• Sandhya Magar – Grade 12, Girls Doubles. Exceptional athletic ability allows her to make shots others simply can’t.
• Taesha Ruiz – Grade 12, Girls Doubles. Has excelled at cutting off shots and using supreme angles to control gameplay.
• Nicole Gortina – Grade 11, Mixed Doubles. A cerebral assassin at the net using quick reflexes and unwavering intensity to attack the net.
• Mark Itaketo – Grade 11, Mixed Doubles. The most popular player on the court, he uses remarkable sportsmanship and teamwork to ensure success with whomever he is playing.
• Karlben De Felipe – Grade 12, Boys Singles. Has been training for four years to master every aspect of his game. He uses high-flying techniques to overwhelm his opponents.

Article content

Article content

Expectations for this season

“Hoping to be competitive in boys singles, doubles, and girls doubles.”

Holy Cross Crusaders

Head coach: Christian Meggs

Athletes to watch

• Min Tran – Grade 11, Mixed Doubles. A hardworking and dedicated player. He had a strong start to the season alongside his partner, Hana Nguyen. Together, they are aiming to compete for the city title.
• Hana Nguyen – Grade 11, Mixed Doubles. New to the senior team this year and has quickly made an impact. She and her partner, Min Tran, had a strong start to the season and will be looking to compete for the city title.
• Grace Gauthier – Grade 12, Girls Singles. A dedicated and hardworking player who leads by example. She consistently gives her best effort in every match and always has a positive attitude.
• Tim Li – Grade 11, Boys Singles. Hs shown great promise and continues to improve with every game. He is committed to developing his skills and is capable of competing at a high level.

Article content

Last year’s results

Third place.

Expectations for this season

“Building for the future with a young core of players and competing for a city championship.”

Marion Graham Falcons

Head coach: Tommy Williams

Athletes to watch

• John Knox – Grade 12, Boys Singles. Finished last season with a bronze medal in the boys singles category at city championships. He has improved and will have a legitimate chance at going for a another city championship.

Last year’s results

“Bronze in boys singles, quarterfinal eliminations in boys doubles and girls singles.”

Expectations for this season

“Continued improvement and development.”

Mount Royal Mustangs

Head coach: Daniel Fedrau & Tyson Jenkins

Athletes to watch

• Navaira Imtaiz and Zahara Hussen – Grade 11, Girls Doubles. Zahara is a rookie to badminton, but all-around athlete, playing in various Mustang sports. Navaira was part of the senior team in her Grade 10 year, and competed at city finals in 2024. The team was just knocked out of advancing, but they took every match they lost to three games, with each game being a close battle. Even though the girls have only been playing doubles with each other this year, they are fast friends and have played many other sports together, developing great chemistry. Zahara attacks the front with efficiency. Navaira brings a strong back court threat, with great foot work and power.

Article content

Last year’s results

“Navaira competed in at the city finals in girls doubles in her Grade 10 year, but unfortunately didn’t advance.”

Expectations for this season

“Compete in girls doubles at cities and hopefully advance to the final rounds.”

St. Joseph Guardians

Head coach: Trevor Ouellette

Athletes to watch

• Audrey Lim – Grade 10, Girls Singles. Has strong technical skills that allow her to compete at a high level. Guardian badminton is looking bright in the future with Audrey leading the way.
• Chloe Tokarchuk (Grade 12) and Emily Zybtovsky (Grade 11), Girls Doubles. Chloe has been a singles player in past years, but has shown great leadership in playing doubles. This pairing is new this year and their emerging play has come together, which could make some noise in city playoffs.
• Quynh Vu (Grade 10) and Jacob Powalinksy (Grade 12), Mixed Doubles. An exciting pairing who have excellent work ethic which drives their game. Execution and placement is this duo’s ticket to success this year.
• Kolby Mase & Alex Aguila – Grade 12, Boys Doubles. An electrifying duo who play a high risk, high reward game. When they are playing well, they have the opportunity to go deep into city playoffs.

Article content

Last year’s results

“Did not have an event finish in the top-three last year.”

Expectations for this season

“Compete for podium finishes in all events.”

Walter Murray Marauders

Head coach: Brandon Dowie

Athletes to watch

• Felix Lin – Grade 12, Boys Singles. Has finished second in provincials the last two years. He is looking to finish off with a couple of gold medals.
• Jenna Xu – Grade 12, Mixed Doubles. Won mixed doubles in 2024 with a different partner. This year she is looking to recreate the same magic in 2025 with her new partner Danny
• Lucas Le – Grade 12, Boys Doubles. Finished with a silver medal last year at the 2024 city championships and made a semifinal match at provincials. This year he is hoping to upgrade that silver medal to a gold medal with his Grade 9 partner, George.

Last year’s results

“City champions with gold medals in mixed doubles and boys singles.

Expectations for this season

“Our expectations for the 2025 season are to continue our dynasty and come home with a third city championship in a row. We have a great group of Grade 12 leaders and younger players who are looking forward to the challenge.”

[email protected]

Article content