Regina athletes clean up at provincials

Seven of the eight provincial qualifier teams from Regina high schools brought home medals last Saturday from the 2023 Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association provincial badminton championships.

The Regina teams won four gold, one silver and two bronze medals. All three defending Regina champions won their respective events.

Defending girls singles champion Nataly Eng from O'neil played the tournament's first match and won the gold medal without losing a game. As a Grade 12 student, this tournament was Eng's last provincial tournament at the junior level.

Jon Kozak, the Grade 11 defending champion from Leboldus, had a tough competition from Saskatoon in his pool. Barry Xie of St. Joseph finished first by beating Kozak in two games. However, Kozak was able to defeat Xie in a three-game match in the playoffs despite an injury close to the end of the match.

Ronggu (Jenny) Liu and Jiayan Cau of Campbell were the third defending champions from Regina. The duo lost just one game in their pool. The Campbell duo faced the Nipawin team at the final and won without conceding a game.

Caleb Woodrow and Mathew Takach from Leboldus were new provincial champions in boys doubles. After finishing fourth last year, Woodrow and Takach were undefeated this year. The team from Walter Murray in Saskatoon was the only significant threat to them in the final, but Woodrow and Takach were able to win the match, 21-19 and 21-19.

Winning silver was Campbell's Sophie O'neill in girls singles. Meanwhile, Daniel Xu (Gr. 10) and partner Jackson Lai took home bronze in the boys doubles event. Balfour's Junhao Yuan also won bronze, while Campbell's Jung Hao Cau and partner Jenny Chen won silver in mixed doubles.