Quest for a fourth title
Aragon’s Zhang on verge ofmaking historic CCS run
Candy Zhang is on the brink of a historic achievement. But it’s in a sport that often escapes notice.
She is looking to become the first four- time singles champion in Central Coast Section girls badminton history.
“I’m definitely hoping to set a record for that,” Zhang said.
Zhang, an Aragon senior, gave serious thought to competing in doubles this year with her sister, freshman Michelle Zhang, but made the decision to try for a fourth singles title and make history.
“It’s amazing what she’s done,” Aragon athletic director Steve Sell said. “Imagine if she was in a sport that receives a little more attention. Not a lot of people are aware of what she’s done. I don’t think she’s been challenged. You have to go back to Leslie Maxie and Wendy Brown in track and field for someone this dominant.”
Maxie, the former Mills High sprinter and hurdler, is still the CCS recordholder in the 400 meters and 300 hurdles. Brown single- handedly won a state championship for Woodside in 1984, scoring 38 points by winning the long jump, triple jump, high jump and taking second in the 100 hurdles at the state meet.
But for Zhang, this is the culmination of her competitive career. There are no college scholarships for badminton. An outstanding student, Zhang will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N. Y. to study mechanical engineering. She is the captain of the Aragon senior Candy Zhang expects to be challenged as she aims to complete her high school career with a fourth consecutive CCS girls badminton singles championship. robotics team at Aragon. The Olympics? “I don’t know, I’m not sure I have the energy to go for the Olympics,” Zhang said. “I don’t know if I could train year round for years on end.”
She was introduced to badminton at an early age by her father, who played the sport. She started training two or three times a week at the age of seven and took first place at the first tournament she competed at in 2005 as an 8- year- old.
Zhang occasionally misses an Aragon dual meet when traveling to a tournament. “That gives some of the younger players an opportunity to play,” Aragon coach Linda Brown said. “When she is here, she’s willing to go wherever I put her, mixed doubles, girls doubles or singles. All her teammates enjoy her.”
Despite having won three consecutive CCS championships, a fourth is no cinch.
“This year should be real interesting,” Zhang said. “There are definitely a lot more younger players this year. I know a lot of them from outside tournaments. I feel I’ve refined my game in terms of strategy and gained more confidence. I’ve become more organized and focused toward a goal.”
Participation in the sport has grown greatly.
“There’s a lot more interest in the sport compared to my freshman year,” Zhang said. “My freshman year there were no cuts, everyone could be accommodated. Now, last year and this year, there are so many going out for the sport.’’
Given an opportunity, Zhang would like to clear up some misconceptions about badminton.
“It’s much more than just a physical sport,” she said. “You need to have technical skills. Then the more you get into it the less it’s about technique and more about the mental approach.”
And she hopes it becomes more than a niche sport.
“I’m hoping in the coming years it’s seen as more of a competitive sport instead of a backyard recreational sport,” Zhang said. “There’s a stereotype that if you play badminton it must be easy, you just string a net across the backyard. What people don’t see is how competitive it is.”