What held true before the pandemic continues as it wanes -- if you get off to a fast start in the Moose Jaw high school badminton league, odds are you’re in for a good season.
And it’s been so far, so good for a trio of singles players and doubles teams through the first two nights of senior league action.
Cornerstone’s Kenzie Behrns -- the reigning provincial silver medalist -- and Central’s Harry Lin each picked up their second overall win in girls and boys singles respectively, while Central’s Jaylon Salido-Porter and Ember Dusomme repeated as mixed doubles winners.
Vanier’s Emma Leclair was second in the girls division and Cornerstone’s Kiana Hrechka finished third.
Cornerstone’s Cole Breitkreuz finished second for the second straight week in boys singles, Central’s Nigel Fang third.
The rest of the mixed doubles top three saw a pair of newcomers, with Assiniboia’s Sydney Huys and Evan Zalinko finishing second to go along with Kaleb Mercer and Kiara Smith from Cornerstone landing third.
After sweeping the girls doubles division on opening night, Cornerstone took the top two spots this time around, with Mayana Gramlich and Kiana Hrechka finishing first ahead of Smith and Jenna Benallick. Assiniboia’s Fiona Kotterle and Keyara Peterson were third.
Assinboia’s Keaton and Ty - no last names given - topped the boys doubles division ahead of week one winners Ashton Glova and Jayden Watterson from Vanier. Assiniboia’s Marshall and Quinton took third place.
The next senior league night takes place Tuesday, Apr. 12.
Things were far more chaotic in the junior division one night later, with only one repeat winner from week one.
That would be the Cornerstone girls doubles team of Gabriella Thomas and Kenna Chamberlain, who finished ahead of teammates and week one third-place finishers Annika Wonnick and Kiana Hrechka. Vanier’s Waverley Demassi and Arlyn Dequina were third.
Cornerstone’s Cole Benallick and Matt Artavia switched spots with Central’s Yassier Adam and Micah Kilppenstein, with the Falcons duo winning boys doubles this time around. Cornerstone’s Tanner Behrns and Drew Biette were third.
Behrns and Biette went head-to-head with their partners in mixed doubles, with Biette and Wonnick taking first place and Behrns joining Hrechka to finish second. Central’s Michael Lamandine and Roche Magsina claimed third.
Girls singles saw the same names, but in a different order: week one runner up Devlynn McClung from Peacock took first place, week one third-place finisher Arlyn Dequina from Vanier was second and week one winner Leah Crossland from Vanier ended up third.
Artavia took top spot in boys singles, with Central’s Cole Wilson - the week one winner -- second and Peacock’s Allan Lu third.
Next junior league action takes place on Wednesday, Apr. 13.
