The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

The student news site of Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California

The Talon

Badminton Undefeated for First Time in Over 40 Years

The badminton team has gone undefeated for the first time in over four decades. After going 12-0 in league play and taking the league title, the Eagles head into SCVALs and CCS playoffs. Badminton, to the knowledge of Head Coach Stefaan Lodge, current Athletic Director Kim Cave and the school’s old Athletic Director, Monica Lodge, who worked at the school in the ‘70s, has not gone undefeated in their memories.

“It’s great to see that after all the effort everyone had put into every game and every practice that the team was able to have an extremely successful season going 12-0,” captain senior Max Chi said.

The 12-0 didn’t come easily, as the Eagles were forced to dig deep against their last two opponents, Wilcox and Fremont. The team overcame Wilcox 18-12 and Fremont 17-13 in relatively close matches. 

The Eagles then looked on to SCVALs, which they competed in from Thursday, May 22 to Saturday, May 24, which, as of press time, had not occurred. The team has two players, juniors Albert Li and Lous Hinnant, who are likely to qualify for CCS through SCVALs, which starts the week after SCVALs today, Tuesday, May 27. Having been integral parts of the team this season as the school’s varsity singles one and two players, respectively, both are ready to perform in the off-season.

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Albert is currently ranked 13th in the nation in the U19 division and has played for the school team on and off. 

“I feel exhilarated to know that we came up on top this year, and I have high expectations for myself at CCS,” Albert said, “I am at the top of my game, and I should be able to place within top three at SCVALs and CCS.”

Meanwhile, if Louis qualifies for CCS, he will return with experience, after having taken third place in the tournament last year. 

“I want to replicate my success at CCS from last year,” Louis said. “The big thing is to keep my stamina up, most importantly at the end of the match. If I can keep my focus and stamina at 100 percent throughout the match, then I’ll do well.”

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