M’CHIGEENG FIRST NATION—After having secured the team championship at the North Shore Secondary School Athletic Association (NSSSAA) championship, 17 members of the Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Mustangs badminton team qualified for the Northern Ontario championship held in Sault Ste. Marie.
On the first day of play at the NOSSA championship play was back and forth and at the end of the day 11 players remained in the competition. With players entered in nine different events, MSS ended up with one second place finish and six third place finishes.
The Mustangs were led by Annie Balfe, who took the silver medal in the senior girls’ singles competition. Jonah Balfe was third in this division, while the team of Anders Watson and Ethan Ense were third in the novice boys’ doubles. Mya Balfe won a bronze medal for third place in the junior girls’ singles division, while the team of Ava Corbiere and Emery Watson were third in their division. In the senior boys’ doubles event, TJ Green and Davin Deschenes took third place. And the team of Mackenzie Green and Eli Lock took third place in the senior mixed doubles.
“Our novice girls, Kimberlee Williams and Darcie Thorpe played badminton for the first time and were able to earn a trip to NOSSA to compete,” said co-coach Peter Tallman. “Our players experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat but more than that they learned how to play with courage, resilience and patience, all skills that will serve them well in life.”
Coaches Mrs. Watson and Mr. Tallman said they were very happy with the attitude and behaviour of all of the MSS players both on and off the court. They displayed great sportsmanship during play and supporting their teammates.
The Mustang coaches noted many of the MSS senior players are graduating and moving on. “We hope they find opportunities to play in the future.”
