M’CHIGEENG—The Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Mustangs junior boys’ badminton team are Northern Ontario Secondary School Association (NOSSA) champions!
The Mustangs junior division team won the overall aggregate championship trophy at the NOSSA championships, held at St. Benedict’s high school in Sudbury last Friday and Saturday.
The team was led by the doubles team of Mackenzie Green and Eli Lock who finished first in their division. Individually, Annie Balfe was first in the junior girls’ division.
TJ Green in singles in the boys’ junior division was in a very tough division and lost a couple of close matches as well,” said Jordan Smith, program leader for sports and physical education with MSS.
“Our senior team competed hard and played all very close games, but did not place, said Mr. Smith. Brett Mastelko took part in the singles, while Julian Wemigwans and Jared Cortes participated in the doubles.
The Mustangs’ novice team saw Aspen Debassige move on to the fourth round in the tournament but lost a very tight match. Cash Duchene-Milne and Tessa Merrylees, in the mixed doubles category, made it through the fourth round, but ended up losing a very close match. Noah Thorpe, in singles, played very close matches but was unable to place in the top three.
Mr. Smith said recognition is due to Dianne Debassige for travelling, coaching and being the MSS staff representative for the two-day tournament at St. Benedict’s in Sudbury. As well, all parent volunteers/drivers including John Mastelko and Leslie Green who were on hand to help provide some valuable strategic support to the MSS team deserve thanks.
Unfortunately for the Mustangs team, there are no province-wide junior division championships taking place this year.
