Glen Avon School hosted its annual Panther Invitational Badminton Tournament on Saturday, welcoming 144 athletes to the St. Paul Regional and Glen Avon gymnasiums to square off in anticipation of the SPAA Championships on April 29.
Athletes from Glen Avon, Mallaig, Racette, F.G. Miller, Two Hills and Glendon took part in the invitational tournament, and while Tuesday's SPAA Championships will see a higher level and greater amount of competition, Chopek said she feels that she and partner Bradley Dubrule will prepared for the big day, adding chemistry has brought them a great deal of success.
“We communicate well and we know what each other can do,” said Chopek, who won gold alongside Dubrule in the A mixed doubles on Saturday, adding the duo’s serving skills has been a key factor in their success this season.
Tournament Organizer Tanya Fontaine added while it was a smaller tournament than usual, it was a great day of competition, and with the timing it should do well to give athletes some extra experience before SPAA Finals.
It’s run smoothly, actually more so than normal. We’re two teams shy of what we did last year, but we just decided to do a smaller tournament,” said Fontaine, adding all of Saturday’s athletes will be competing at the SPAA Championships. “It’s been a great day.”
Christian Laramee, who picked up a gold medal alongside his partner XXX in the B doubles event, said communication has been key to finding success on the court, and that with a bit of fine-tuning, another gold on Tuesday should be within their grasp.
“Maybe just a little bit more practice for some shots,” he said, adding he was pleased with the performances from his fellow Racette athletes. “I think they did really good.”
Bradley Dubrule and Serena Chopek – Racette
Chelsey Landiak and Sam Zalaski – Glen Avon
Wyatt Doonanco and Josie Kwiatkowski - Glendon
Christian Laramee and Megan Kotowich – Racette
Nathan Dubeau and Tanelya Malse – Mallaig
Hope Tanasichuk and Brandon Kulczycki – Glen Avon
Brett Alberta and Brooke Kotowich – Racette
Hailey Dechaine and Joel Dubeau – Mallaig
Adana Pinder and Parker Allen – F.G. Miller
Amy Harms and Delainee Dielsen – F.G. Miller
Megan Kereliuk and Jazmin Zaparniuk – Two Hills
Amy Bespalko and Paige Tichkowsky - Racette
Payton Gehring and Samantha Weinmeier – Mallaig
Melody Boisclair and Alex Thomson – Glen Avon
Taylor Half and Michaela Charlebois – Two Hills
Hailey Fanjoy and Dawn Fachiney – Glen Avon
Kianna Quinney and Brooklyn Riopel - Racette
Alyssa Jodoin and Alexa Locke – Mallaig
Dryden Bezovie and Tyler Musgrave – Two Hills
Matthew Hawiuk and Kristian Hiscock – Glen Avon
Billy Desjarlais and Graycen Smith - Mallaig
Brenden Levasseur and Isaac Porozni – Racette
Parker Lumby and Ulysses Painagan – Glen Avon
Garrett Smyl and Kale Seguin – Mallaig
Tyson Fontaine and Brayden Evans – Glen Avon
Corey Amyotte and Jacob Martin – Racette
Ty Paulichuk and Benji Klassen – Two Hills
Courtney Hebert – Racette
Brooke Corbiere – Mallaig
Courtney Cole – Glen Avon
Monica Mathiot – Mallaig
Tanielle Yacey – Racette
Jordan Morris – Glen Avon
Coralee Boisclair – Glen Avon
Taylor Fedoruk – Racette
Alex Rurka - Mallaig
Arron Gagne – Racette
Brett Seguin – Mallaig
Brodin Ference – F.G. Miller
Justin Pasitney – Racette
Tyrece Lilje – Mallaig
Ben McPherson – Glen Avon
Daniel Hebert – Racette
Henri Laidley – Glen Avon
Dustyn Pankiw – F.G. Miller
