Badminton is known as the fastest racquet sport played, but it doesn’t use a ball. Instead, players strike a feathered shuttle, weighing about five grams, which is purposely designed to rapidly decelerate, making it even more difficult to play. At Point Loma High School (PLHS), coach Jaime Medina has taken the reins of the Pointers’ badminton squad of nearly 30 players, with senior Strongman Osom serving as an assistant. Prep matches are played in boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles, plus mixed doubles. “I am fortunate to have such a great group in my first year of coaching the sport,” Medina said. “We’ve worked on what is expected of the team in structure and commitment both now and for years to come.” Among those Medina is most happy about are team captains Devin Peugh and Nancy Celon. “Our goal is to build a program that delivers a challenging, learning, disciplined and fun experience for every athlete that participates in PLHS badminton,” Medina said. Medina lists his top players as Steven Kennedy and Haplin Hills in boys’ singles, Michelle Louie and Brittney Le in girls’ singles, Kennedy and Hills in boys’ doubles and Le and Nhu Mai in girls’ doubles. While the team is rebuilding with a 2-13 league record, Medina cites the match with Mira Mesa High on April 21 as providing some season highlights. In that match, the Pointers knocked off the Marauders in the No. 2 boys’ doubles match, 15-11, 13-15, 17-14. In the girls’ No. 1 doubles match against Mira Mesa, Le played well, despite not having her contact lenses. Medina said Le worked with her partner, Mai, to win the match 9-15, 15-11, 15-7. Badminton, which was added to the Olympics in 1992, requires superior aerobic stamina, motor coordination and speed. Matches display an intense high-energy level not found in many other prep sports. The shuttle’s speed necessitates instantaneous reactions from the young players, making the matches stimulating for spectators. In addition, there can be as many as six matches under way at one time on the expansive wooden floor of the Pointers’ gym. The Pointers wrapped up their season May 12 at Patrick Henry High. Medina anticipates increasingly bright years ahead for the Pointer badminton program.
