Darren Tillman and Brittany Brenzen are among the locals who are competing this week at the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletics Association district badminton tournament.
They advanced that far by placing in the top two at the York City senior playoffs held in Yorkton last week.
Tillman placed in the top two, along with Yorkton Regional High School teammate Justin Schneider. Tillman took top seeding after beating Sacred Heart's Colin Shewchuk, he said. The match was a best-of-three, Tillman won 2-0 by scores of 21-15 and 21-11.
Then Tillman beat teammate Schneider in the next round. That game went three sets, with Schneider winning the first set 21-15. Tillman responded in the second set, winning by as close as you can possibly win by, 21-19.
"In the second game, I really thought I was blowing it," he told the paper. He had beat Schneider before, he said.
At districts, he will be seeing a lot more competition, including from Esterhazy, Kamsack, Melville, Invermay, Canora and Sturgis, as well as the YRHS girls' winners from last week.
Despite the higher number of competitors, Tillman isn't worried.
"It should be easier."
The high school badminton season could carry into regionals if YRHS and SHHS both do well at this week's tournament, and winners of regionals could advance to provincials.
Brenzen, also of the YRHS said her biggest competition at this week's tournament could very well be Sacred Heart's Kylie Chupa. In their match at the YRHS last week, Chupa got the better of the two. Brenzen came out on fire in the opening game, and never looked back, winning 21-13, but Chupa returned the favour in the second game winning by the same score. The third game was much closer but Chupa prevailed 22-20.
"I enjoy playing her," comments Brenzen. Both students are involved in districts.
The top two seeds will make it to regionals.
Brenzen said Canora's singles team is "pretty good" too.
