2008 Woodie Awards
A season to remember
Enthusiastic: Women athletes compete, have fun while playing badminton
By: Jocelyn Saddi
Issue date: 5/6/04 Section: Sports
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For most of the women, playing badminton was nothing more than a social pastime and an exciting way to keep fit. Most of the members had little or no experience. No one suspected that having so much fun would lead to success.
John Britton said that for beginning players, the team did well in the mildly competitive tournament, ending the season with four wins in five games.
"We're lucky that the conference is not as strong as it has been in the past," Britton said. "But the team proved that it was able to hold its own. Most of the players, except for one, have not been playing badminton for a long time. We have had practices throughtout the season which has prepared them well. The women have come a long way."
Tomoe Okaguchi was the only team member who had prior training and experience. With the exception of Okaguchi, who was an active player in Japan during her high school years, all the other players are novices.
Many of the team members, like Sabine Kuenstler, 34, physical therapy major, were chosen from badminton classes and are involved in other sports.
Britton said that Kuenstler was a perfect choice.
"Having been in gymnastics and swimming, I knew that she was a great athlete," Britton said.
Rebekah Wanic, played badminton while in Chicago. Others were picked out of the soccer and tennis teams, like Danielle Ruedas and Arielle Lombardi.
Britton, who is also the soccer coach, said that he "knew how skilled Danielle already was and she was quickly recruited." Arielle, who was on the tennis team, was also asked to join the team.
Still, for many others on the team, their exposure to badminton has been short-lived and many are unsure of whether to keep playing or not.
Sok Ian Leong, 19, only played badminton for five or six years in her home country of Macau. Leong said that playing badminton for El Camino has been a great learning experience.
Because of her studies, she stopped playing badminton until she came to EC. She didn't even know about the team. The only reason she decided to take the class was because it fulfilled the P.E. requirement for getting an associate's degree.
John Britton said that for beginning players, the team did well in the mildly competitive tournament, ending the season with four wins in five games.
"We're lucky that the conference is not as strong as it has been in the past," Britton said. "But the team proved that it was able to hold its own. Most of the players, except for one, have not been playing badminton for a long time. We have had practices throughtout the season which has prepared them well. The women have come a long way."
Tomoe Okaguchi was the only team member who had prior training and experience. With the exception of Okaguchi, who was an active player in Japan during her high school years, all the other players are novices.
Many of the team members, like Sabine Kuenstler, 34, physical therapy major, were chosen from badminton classes and are involved in other sports.
Britton said that Kuenstler was a perfect choice.
"Having been in gymnastics and swimming, I knew that she was a great athlete," Britton said.
Rebekah Wanic, played badminton while in Chicago. Others were picked out of the soccer and tennis teams, like Danielle Ruedas and Arielle Lombardi.
Britton, who is also the soccer coach, said that he "knew how skilled Danielle already was and she was quickly recruited." Arielle, who was on the tennis team, was also asked to join the team.
Still, for many others on the team, their exposure to badminton has been short-lived and many are unsure of whether to keep playing or not.
Sok Ian Leong, 19, only played badminton for five or six years in her home country of Macau. Leong said that playing badminton for El Camino has been a great learning experience.
Because of her studies, she stopped playing badminton until she came to EC. She didn't even know about the team. The only reason she decided to take the class was because it fulfilled the P.E. requirement for getting an associate's degree.