HAY RIVER - Two first place medals marked the Charles Yohin School's first foray into competitive badminton.

The Nahanni Butte school was one of three in the Deh Cho to send athletes to the NWT High School Badminton Championship in Hay River from Dec. 10 to 11. It was the first time any of the eight team members had played badminton in a tournament setting.

Charles Yohin School in Nahanni Butte entered its first team at the NWT High School Badminton Championship on the weekend. The team included from left, back row: assistant coach Bhreagh Ingarfield, Kiyana Betsaka, Josh Bertrand, Jolene Betsaka, Nathan Betsaka and coach Wayne Ingarfield; middle row: Qualin Matou, Destiny Ekotla and Leanna Vital; front row: Lory-Ann Bertrand. - photo courtesy of David Overall

Teacher and coach Wayne Ingarfield introduced the students to the sport two months ago. Prior to the construction of the community gym playing badminton wasn't an option in the community, he said.

"They did very well," said Wayne.

Destiny Ekotla and Leanna Vital, both 13, led the team in the medal standings. Ekotla won a gold medal in the singles category in her division and together Ekotla and Vital won a gold medal in doubles.

Doubles is more challenging than singles because you have to work together with your partner, said Ekotla. Ekotla said she was happy about winning the medals.

"It was a lot of fun," she added about the tournament.

Vital also agreed playing doubles offers more challenges. In singles if you hit the birdie in an unexpected direction your opponent has to run for it and may miss. In doubles there is a second player ready to hit the birdie back, she said.

Other placings were made by Lory-Ann Bertrand who won second place in mixed doubles in her age division. Wayne and assistant coach Bhreagh Ingarfield also competed.

The pair took second place in the mixed doubles in the open class and Wayne, along with a partner from Hay River, took second in the men's doubles. Bhreagh came second in the women's open doubles.

The students plan to continue practising into March and hope to compete in the NWT Badminton Championship.

Badminton players from Deh Gah School in Fort Providence also gave strong performances in Hay River.

Brandon Constant won first place in singles in the 1997-98 division while Spencer Bonnetrouge won first in singles in the 1995 division. Constant along with Axell Bouvier took second in doubles.

Nolan Bonnetrouge also won a second place in singles in the 1996 division. Playing together Nolan and Joseph Antoine took third in men's doubles.

Other third place finishes included Megan Antoine in singles and mixed doubles in the 1993-94 division and Brandon Thom in doubles in the 1997-98 division.

"They did very well. I was very pleased with how they played," said Jeremy Kielstra, the team's coach.

A total of 12 athletes from the school went to the tournament. Kielstra also competed winning first in the mixed doubles and second in singles in the open division.

For the four person team from Thomas Simpson School the tournament was a chance for development. Janelle Bruneau was the only member with more than a year's worth of experience.

Bruneau won third in singles and doubles in her age division. Teammate Tyler Pilling took third in boys' doubles.

"They all tried really hard," said John Forbes, the team's coach.

The students were nervous in their first few sets but soon became more confident and improved over the tournament, Forbes added.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.